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Formulation, characterisation and flexographic printing of novel Boger fluids to assess the effects of ink elasticity on print uniformity

Miles L. Morgan, Alexander Holder, Daniel Curtis Orcid Logo, Davide Deganello Orcid Logo

Rheologica Acta, Volume: 57, Issue: 2, Pages: 105 - 112

Swansea University Authors: Daniel Curtis Orcid Logo, Davide Deganello Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Model elastic inks were formulated, rheologically characterised in shear and extension, and printed via flexography to assess the impact of ink elasticity on print uniformity. Flexography is a roll-to-roll printing process with great potential in the mass production of printed electronics for which...

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Published in: Rheologica Acta
ISSN: 0035-4511 1435-1528
Published: 2018
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37777
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Abstract: Model elastic inks were formulated, rheologically characterised in shear and extension, and printed via flexography to assess the impact of ink elasticity on print uniformity. Flexography is a roll-to-roll printing process with great potential in the mass production of printed electronics for which understanding layer uniformity and the influence of rheology is of critical importance. A new set of flexo-printable Boger fluids was formulated by blending polyvinyl alcohol and high molecular weight polyacrylamide to provide inks of varying elasticity. During print trials, the phenomenon of viscous fingering was observed in all prints, with those of the Newtonian ink exhibiting a continuous striping in the printing direction. Increasing elasticity significantly influenced this continuity, disrupting it and leading to a quantifiable decrease in the overall relative size of the printed finger features. As such, ink elasticity was seen to have a profound effect on flexographic printing uniformity, showing the rheological tuning of inks may be a route to obtaining specific printed features.
Keywords: Boger fluid, Extensional flow, Flexographic printing, Elastic properties
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Issue: 2
Start Page: 105
End Page: 112