PHASE CHANGE INKS AND PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF

摘要

Phase change ink compositions comprising (a) an ink carrier comprising a monoamide and a tetra-amide, and (b) pigment particles having oxygen-containing functional groups on the surfaces thereof. Also, processes for preparing a phase change ink which comprise (a) melting a tetra-amide which is solid at about 25.degree.C; (b) admixing with the molten tetra-amide pigment particles having oxygen-containing functional groups on the surfaces thereof; (c) maintaining the mixture of pigment and tetra-amide at a temperature of at least about 100.degree.C and at a temperature of no more than about 200.degree.C for a period sufficient to enable the molten tetra-amide to wet the pigment particle surfaces; (d) subsequent to wetting of the pigment particle surfaces with the molten tetra-amide, adding to the mixture a monoamide; (e) subsequent to addition of the monoamide, subjecting the resulting mixture to high shear mixing; and (f) subsequent to subjecting the mixture to high shear mixing, optionally adding to the mixture additional ink ingredients.