Synthesis process control and property evaluation of a low-viscosity urethane acrylate oligomer for blue light curable ink of textile digital printing

A low-viscosity urethane acrylate oligomer was synthesized under optimized conditions using a specially selected low molecular weight polyether diol. The synthesis process and the reaction endpoint were monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The rheological properties of the synthesized urethane acrylate oligomer were evaluated by rheology measurements in both steady and dynamic modes, and the blue light induced photopolymerization behavior of the oligomer with camphorquinone and ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate as photoinitiators was examined with photo-differential scanning calorimetry analysis. A blue light curable pigment ink based on the low-viscosity urethane acrylate oligomer was prepared, and jet printed on cotton fabrics using a simulating digital printing device, then photo-cured under blue light irradiation. The printed fabric samples showed fine patterns with soft fabric handle.