How does 2-butoxy ethanol improve inkjet ink performance and print reliability?
In modern ink systems, BCS contributes through three mechanisms. First, it lowers surface tension to the 28-35 mN/m range ideal for jetting, ensuring proper wetting on nozzle plates and reducing satellite droplet formation. Second, as a co-solvent in pigment inks, it stabilizes dispersants and resins, enhancing pigment dispersion and controlling shear-thinning behavior for consistent high-frequency ejection. Third, BCS acts as a penetration enhancer on non-absorbent substrates like PVC and PET, mildly swelling the surface to improve adhesion and scratch resistance. Its intermediate evaporation rate also serves as a humectant, preventing nozzle clogging during idle periods while still allowing efficient drying on the printed substrate.
Comments
0