Ink for Ink-Jet Recording, Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus, and Method of Treating Nickel-Containing Metal

Abstract

An ink for ink-jet recording that is used in an ink-jet recording apparatus. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink-jet head provided with an ink flow passage formed of nickel-containing metal. The ink contains water, a coloring agent, and a polymer. The polymer contains at least one of —COOM and —SO3M, where M denotes at least one of an alkali metal ion and an ammonium ion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink-jet head in accordance with an ink-jet recording apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing an ink-jet head;

FIG. 3 is an exploded fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing a cavity unit;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view in cross section taken in a plane parallel to a IV-IV direction indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view in cross section showing a piezoelectric actuator;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an ink-jet recording apparatus body having an ink cartridge which contains ink prepared in examples of the invention.

Claims

1. An ink for ink-jet recording that is used in an ink-jet recording apparatus including an ink-jet head provided with an ink flow passage formed of nickel-containing metal, the ink for ink-jet recording comprising: water;a coloring agent; anda polymer, wherein: the polymer contains at least one of —COOM and —SO3M,where M denotes at least one of an alkali metal ion and an ammonium ion.

2. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the polymer contains at least one selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salt of polyacrylic acid, ammonium salt of polyacrylic acid, alkali metal salt of polystyrenesulfonic acid, and ammonium salt of a styrene-maleic acid monoester copolymer.

3. The ink according to claim 2, wherein the alkali metal salt of polyacrylic acid contains a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1):

4. The ink according to claim 2, wherein the ammonium salt of polyacrylic acid contains a repeating unit represented by the following formula (2):

5. The ink according to claim 2, wherein the alkali metal salt of polystyrenesulfonic acid contains a repeating unit represented by the following formula (3):

6. The ink according to claim 2, wherein the ammonium salt of a styrene-maleic acid monoester copolymer contains a repeating unit represented by the following formula (4):

7. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the polymer to the total amount of the ink is in a range of approximately 0.01 to 1% by weight.

8. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the ink has a pH in a range of approximately 6 to 9.

9. The ink according to claim 1, wherein a weight ratio (A:B) between the polymer (A) and the coloring agent (B) is in a range of approximately 0.002:1 to 0.5:1.

10. The ink according to claim 1, further comprising a benzotriazole derivative.

11. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the coloring agent contains a pigment.

12. The ink according to claim 11, wherein the pigment contains carbon black.

13. The ink according to claim 1, further comprising a surfactant.

14. The ink according to claim 13, wherein the surfactant contains at least one of an acetylene glycol surfactant represented by the following formula (5) and a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether anionic surfactant represented by the following formula (6):

15. The ink according to claim 1, further comprising a water-soluble organic solvent.

16. The ink according to claim 1, further comprising a pH adjuster.

17. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the ink has a viscosity in a range of approximately 2.5 to 2.7 mPa·s.

18. An ink-jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink-jet recording apparatus comprises an ink-jet head and an ink tank,the ink-jet head can eject an ink and which is provided therein with an ink flow passage formed of nickel-containing metal,the ink tank can accommodate the ink,the ink comprises water, a coloring agent, and a polymer, andthe polymer contains at least one of —COOM and —SO3M,where M denotes at least one of an alkali metal ion and an ammonium ion.

19. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the ink tank is a replaceable ink cartridge.

20. A method of treating nickel-containing metal, wherein the method comprises allowing a polymer to come into contact with the nickel-containing metal,the polymer contains at least one of —COOM and —SO3M,where M denotes at least one of an alkali metal ion and an ammonium ion.