Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Serial No. (Attorney Docket No.

M5809 FPD/COIN, entitled "Radiation Curable Rheology Modifiers", by Miguel Dones

and Theresa Miller) filed April 8, 1996, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by

reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to radiation curable compositions and to methods

of preparing and using such compositions.

Background of the Invention

The use of acrylate resins to formulate radiation curable coatings and printing

inks is discussed generally in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol.

11 , pp. 204-205 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. N.Y., N.Y., 1988). It is disclosed that low

molecular weight acrylates, including monoacrylates, are required to adjust the viscosity

of the coating which is applied as a liquid, usually without solvent.

Summary of the Invention

This invention relates to a composition that is useful in the preparation of

radiation curable coatings comprising the reaction product of an epoxy component and

an acid component comprised of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or reactive

derivative thereof, reacted in the presence of a polyamide based on a polymerized fatty

acid. The polyamide typically has a number average molecular weight of less than about 10,000 g/mole. This invention also relates to a blend of (a) the reaction product

of an epoxy component and an acid component comprised of an ethylenically

unsaturated carboxylic acid or reactive derivative thereof, and (b) a polyamide based

on a polymerized fatty acid. This invention also relates to a polymerizable composition

comprised of a composition as described above and a reactive diluent. This invention

also relates to a method of coating a substrate comprising applying to a substrate a

composition comprised of the reaction product described above and exposing said

composition to radiation to cure said composition.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Useful epoxides are the glycidyl ethers of both polyhydric phenols and polyhydric

alcohols, epoxidized fatty acids or drying oil acids, epoxidized diolefins, epoxidized

di-unsaturated acid esters, as well as epoxidized unsaturated polyesters, preferably

containing an average of more than one epoxide group per molecule. Preferred epoxy

components will have an average epoxy functionality greater than about 1.5, typically

from about 2 to about 8. In certain embodiments, the epoxy component will contain

primarily diepoxides and, thus, the epoxy functionality of the epoxy component will typically vary from about 1.8 to about 2.4. In other embodiments, the epoxy component

will contain primarily higher epoxides (e.g. epoxidized linseed oil) and, thus, the epoxy

functionality of the epoxy component will vary from about 2.6 to about 6. Depending

upon whether the epoxy resin is substantially monomeric or polymerized to some

degree, the preferred epoxy compounds will have a molecular weight of from about 300

to about 600 and an epoxy equivalent weight of between about 150 and about 1 ,200.

Representative examples of the epoxides include condensation products of polyphenols and (methyl)epichlorohydrin. For the polyphenols, there may be listed

bisphenol A, 2,2'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane (bisphenol F), halogenated bisphenol

A, resorcinol, tetrahydroxyphenylethane, phenol novolac, cresol novolac, bisphenol A

novolac and bisphenol F novolac. There may also be listed epoxy compounds of the alcohol ether type obtainable from polyols such as alkylene glycols and polyaikylene

glycols, e.g. ethylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, glycerine,

polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and alkylene oxide-adduct of bisphenols, and

(methyl)epichlorohydrin; glycidyl amines obtainable from anilines such as

diaminodiphenylmethane, diaminophenylsulfone and p-aminophenol, and

(methyl)epichlorohydrin; glycidyl esters based on acid anhydrides such as phthalic

anhydride and tetrahydro-or hexahydro-phthalic anhydride; and alicyclic epoxides such

as 3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl and 3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexyl carboxylate.

Glycidyl polyethers of polyhydric phenols are made from the reaction of a

polyhydric phenol with epihalohydrin or glycerol dihalohydrin, and a sufficient amount

of caustic alkali to combine with the halogen of the halohydrin. Glycidyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols are made by reacting at least about 2 moles of an epihalohydrin

with 1 mole of a polyhydric alcohol such as ethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, etc., followed by dehydrohalogenation.

In addition to polyepoxides made from alcohols or phenols and an epihalohydrin,

polyepoxides made by the known peracid methods are also suitable. Epoxides of

unsaturated esters, polyesters, diolefins and the like can be prepared by reacting the

unsaturated compound with a peracid. Preparation of polyepoxides by the peracid method is described in various periodicals and patents and such compounds as

butadiene, ethyl linoleate, as well as di- or tri-unsaturated drying oils or drying oil acids,

esters and polyesters can all be converted to polyepoxides. Epoxidized drying oils are

also well known, these polyepoxides usually being prepared by reaction of a peracid

such as peracetic acid or performic acid with the unsaturated drying oil according to

U. S. Pat. No. 2,569,502.

In certain embodiments, the epoxide is an epoxidized triglyceride containing

unsaturated fatty acids. The epoxidized triglyceride may be produced by epoxidation

of one or more triglycerides of vegetable or animal origin. The starting materials may

also contain saturated components. However, epoxides of fatty acid glycerol esters having an iodine value of 50 to 150 and preferably 85 to 115 are normally used. For

example, epoxidized triglycerides containing 2 to 10% by weight of epoxide oxygen are

suitable. This epoxide oxygen content can be established by using triglycerides with

a relatively low iodine value as the starting material and thoroughly epoxidizing them

or by using triglycerides with a high iodine value as starting material and only partly

reacting them to epoxides. Products such as these can be produced from the following

fats and oils (listed according to the ranking of their starting iodine value): beef tallow,

palm oil, lard, castor oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil and, preferably, cottonseed oil,

soybean oil, train oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil. Examples of typical epoxidized oils are

epoxidized soybean oil with an epoxide value of 5.8 to 6.5, epoxidized sunflower oil with

an epoxide value of 5.6 to 6.6, epoxidized linseed oil with an epoxide value of 8.2 to 8.6

and epoxidized train oil with an epoxide value of 6.3 to 6.7.

Further examples of polyepoxides include the diglycidyl ether of diethylene glycol

or dipropylene glycol, the diglycidyl ether of polypropylene glycols having molecular weight up to, for example, about 2,000, the triglycidyl ether of glycerine, the diglycidyl

ether of resorcinol, the diglycidyl ether of 4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol, epoxy novolacs, such as the condensation product of 4,4'-methylenediphenol and epichlorohydrin and

the condensation of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol and epichlorohydrin, glycidyl ethers of cashew nut oil, epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized unsaturated polyesters, vinyl

cyclohexene dioxide, dicyclopentadiene dioxide, dipentene dioxide, epoxidized

polybutadiene and epoxidized aldehyde condensates such as 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl

methyl-3',4'-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate.

Particularly preferred epoxides are the glycidyl ethers of bisphenols, a class of

compounds which are constituted by a pair of phenolic groups interlinked through an

intervening aliphatic bridge. While any of the bisphenols may be used, the compound

2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) propane, commonly known as bisphenol A, is more widely

available in commerce and is preferred. While polyglycidyl ethers can be used,

diglycidyl ethers are preferred. Especially preferred are the liquid Bisphenol

A-epichlorohydrin condensates with a molecular weight in the range of from about 300

to about 600.

The acid component is comprised of an ethylenically unsaturated acid. Particularly suitable ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid are the alpha,

beta-unsaturated monobasic acids. Examples of such monocarboxylic acid monomers

include acrylic acid, beta-acryloxypropionic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, and

alpha-chloroacrylic acid. Preferred examples are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. The acid component can also contain other carboxylic acids. In certain embodiments, the

acid component will be comprised of a minor amount, e.g. less than about 50% of the

total acid equivalents, more typically less than about 20% of the total acid equivalents, of a fatty acid. The fatty acids are saturated and/or unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms or saturated or unsaturated

hydroxycarboxylic acids containing 8 to 24 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acids and/or

hydroxycarboxylic acids may be of natural and/or synthetic origin. Examples of suitable monocarboxylic acids are caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric

acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid,

elaidic acid, petroselic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, conjuene fatty

acid, ricinoleic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid and brassidic

acid and the technical mixtures thereof obtained, for example, in the pressure hydrolysis

of natural fats and oils, in the oxidation of aldehydes from Roelen's oxo synthesis, or

as monomer fraction in the dimerization of unsaturated fatty acids. In a particularly

preferred embodiment, the fatty acid is derived from technical mixtures of the fatty acids

mentioned which are obtainable in the form of the technical mixtures typically

encountered in oleochemistry after the pressure hydrolysis of oils and fats of animal or

vegetable origin, such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, sunflower oil, rape oil, rapeseed

oil and coriander oil and beef tallow. However, the fatty acid may also contain a

branched fatty acid residue, for example the residue of 2-ethyl hexanoic acid,

isopalmitic acid or isostearic acid.

Preferred fatty acids are mixtures obtained from natural sources, e.g. palm oil,

palm kernel oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil (from old high-erucic acid plants or from new

low-erucic acid plants, a.k.a. canola oil), sunflower oil (from old low-oleic plants or from

new high-oleic plants), castor oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, olive oil, olive kernel oil, coriander oil, castor oil, meadowfoam oil, chaulmoogra oil, tea seed oil,

linseed oil, beef tallow, lard, fish oil and the like. Naturally occurring fatty acids typically

are present as triglycerides of mixtures of fatty acids wherein all fatty acids have an

even number of carbon atoms and a major portion by weight of the acids have from

about 12 to 18 carbon atoms and are saturated or mono-, di-, or tri-unsaturated.

The preferred epoxy resins, i.e., those made from bisphenol A, will have two

epoxy groups per molecule. Thus, the product of a reaction with acrylic or methacrylic

acid will contain an epoxy (meth)acrylate compound having a main chain of polyepoxide

and both terminals of a (meth)acrylate group, respectively. Accordingly, the

stoichiometric amount of acrylic acid to form a diacrylate adduct would be two moles of

acid for each two epoxy groups. In practice, however, it is preferred to use an amount

of acid slightly in excess of the amount necessary to cover both epoxy groups.

Therefore, the amount of acrylic acid reacted is typically between about 2.001 moles

to about 2.1 moles, and more typically between about 2.01 and 2.05 moles of acid per two epoxy groups.

In certain embodiments, the reaction of the epoxide and the acid takes place in

the presence of a polyamide based on a polymerized fatty acid. In other embodiments,

the polyamide is blended with the reaction product after the reaction. If the melting

point of the polyamide is above room temperature, it is preferred to melt the polyamide

during or prior to mixing it with the reaction product to aid formation of a blend of the

polyamide and the reaction product.

The polyamide preferably has a number average molecular weight of less than

about 10,000 grams/mole. Low melting polyamide resins melting within the

approximate range of about 90°C to about 130°C may be prepared from polymeric fatty acids and aliphatic polyamines. Typical of the polyamines which may be used are ethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, triethylene tetramine, tetraethylene pentamine,

1 ,4-diaminobutane, 1 ,3-diaminobutane, hexamethylene diamine,

3-(N-isopropylamine)-propylamine, 3,3'-iminobispropylamine, and the like. A preferred

group of these low melting polyamides are derived from polymeric fatty acids, and

ethylene diamine and are solid at room temperature.

Suitable such polyamides are commercially available under the trade designation

of VERSAMID polyamide resins, e.g. VERSAMID 335, 750 and 744, and are

amber-colored resins having a number average molecular weight up to about 10,000,

preferably from 1 ,000 to 4,000 and a softening point from about below room

temperature to 190°C.

The preferred polyamide is VERSAMID 335 polyamide which is commercially

available from Henkel Corporation and has an amine value of 3, a number average molecular weight of 1699, as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC)

using a polystyrene standard, and a polydispersity of 1.90.

The preparation of such VERSAMID polyamide resins is well known and by

varying the acid and/or functionality of the polyamine, a great variety of viscosities,

molecular weights and levels of active amino groups spaced along the resin molecule

can be obtained. Typically, the VERSAMID polyamide resins useful herein have amine values from 0 to 25, preferably 0 to 10, more preferably 0 to 5; viscosities of from about

1 to 30 poises (at 160°C) and polydispersities of less than 5. The amine value and

number average molecular weight of the polyamide can be determined as described in

U.S. 4,652,492 (Seiner, et. al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by

reference.

Whether present during the reaction, or post-blended with the reaction product,

the polyamide is incorporated into the composition in an amount not exceeding about 50% by weight based on the combined weight of the epoxide and acid components and

the polyamide. Preferably, an amount not exceeding about 25% by weight is utilized

and most preferred is an amount of from about 5% to about 15% by weight.

The reaction between the epoxide and acid can be performed over a wide range

of temperatures, e.g. from about 40°C to about 150°C, more typically from about 50°C

to about 130°C and preferably between about 90°C and about 110°C, at atmospheric,

sub-atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure; preferably in an inert atmosphere.

Esterification is continued until an acid number of about 5 to about 15 is obtained. This

reaction ordinarily takes place in about 8 to about 15 hours. To prevent premature or

undesirable polymerization of the product or the reactants, it is advantageous to add

a vinyl inhibitor to the reaction mixture. Suitable vinyl polymerization inhibitors include

tert-butylcatechol, hydroquinone, 2,5-ditertiarybutylhydroquinone,

hydroquinonemonoethyl ether, etc. Advantageously, the inhibitor is included in the reaction mixture at a concentration of about 0.005 to about 0.1 % by weight based on the total of the reagents.

The reaction between the epoxide and the acid proceeds slowly when

uncatalyzed, and can be accelerated by suitable catalysts which preferably are used, such as, for example, the tertiary bases such as trimethyl amine, tributylamine, pyridine,

dimethylaniline, tris (dimethylaminomethyl)-phenol, triphenyl phosphine, tributyl

phosphine, tributyistilbine; alcoholates such as sodium methylate, sodium butylate, sodium methoxyglycolate, etc.; quaternary compounds such as tetramethylammonium

bromide, tetramethylammonium chloride, benzyl-trimethylammonium chloride, and the

like. At least 0.01 percent, based on total weight of reagents, preferably at least 0.1 percent, of such catalyst is desirable.

Typical examples of suitable monomers which can be used and added to the

reaction mixture before or during the reaction, or added after the reaction, as a reactive

diluent, are the vinyl or vinylidene monomers containing ethylenic unsaturation, and

which can copolymerize with the compositions of this invention are, styrene, vinyl

toluene, tertiary butyl styrene, alpha-methyl-styrene, monochlorostyrene,

dichlorostyrene, divinylbenzene, ethyl vinyl benzene, diisopropenyl benzene, methyl

acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile,

methacrylonitrile, the vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate and the monovinyl esters of

saturated and unsaturated aliphatic, monobasic and polybasic acids, such as the vinyl

esters of the following acids: propionic, isobutyric, caproic, oleic, stearic, acrylic,

methacrylic, crotonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, itaconic hexahydrobenzoic, citric,

tartaric, etc., as well as the corresponding allyl, methallyl, etc., esters of the aforementioned acids, the itaconic acid monoesters and diesters, such as the methyl,

ethyl, butyl esters, etc.; the maleic and fumaric acid monoesters, diesters and their

amide and nitrile compounds, such as diethyl maleate, maleyl tetramethyl diamide,

fumaryl dinitrile, dimethyl fumarate; cyanuric acid derivatives having at least one

copolymerizable unsaturated group attached directly or indirectly to the triazine ring

such as diallyl ethyl cyanurate, triallyl cyanurate, etc., ethers such as vinyl allyl ether,

divinyl ether, diallyl ether, resorcinol divinyl ether, etc., diallyl chlorendate, diallyl tetrachloro phthalate, diallyl tetrabromophthalate, dibromopropargyl acrylate, as well as

the partial fusible or soluble polymerizable polymers of the hereinabove listed monomers, etc.

In preparing the polymerizable compositions of this invention containing the

reaction product of this invention and one or more of the monomers of the type listed

hereinabove, the relative amount of the monomers can vary broadly. In general,

however, the monomer or monomers are used at less than about 50% by weight of the

composition, typically in the range of about 1% to about 30% by weight, and more typically in the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight.

The new derivatives of this invention can be cured or converted to the infusible

state, alone or in admixture with other monomers or polymers by exposure to radiation

alone or in the presence of radical generating catalysts such as benzoin, benzoin

ethers, and Michler's Ketone. The free radical initiator is typically present at from about

0.01 to about 20% by weight of the radiation curable components. Examples of useful radiation include ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation such as generated by X-Ray

machines; electron accelerators such as van der Graaf machines, travelling wave linear accelerators, particularly of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,609, natural and

synthetic radioactive material, for example cobalt 60, etc. To ensure that the

composition does not prematurely polymerize, a free radical inhibitor may be added to

the polymerizable composition. Examples of suitable inhibitors include hydroquinone

and the methyl ether thereof or butylated hydroxy toluene at a level of from about 5 ppm to about 2000 ppm by weight of the polymerizable components. Additives which are

particularly useful in prolonging the shelf-life of the composition can also be used, e.g.

ultra-violet stabilizers such as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem.

The compositions of this invention are useful in the preparation of molded, cast, laminated and coated products as adhesives, impregnants and protective coatings.

They can be used alone or with fillers, dyes, pigments, opacifiers, lubricants,

plasticizers, natural or synthetic resins or other modifying bodies.

In the method of coating a substrate according to the invention, the composition,

optionally containing a photoinitiator, is applied to the surface of a substrate and

subsequently exposed to a radiation source until an adherent dry polymerized film is

formed on the substrate. Sources of radiant energy appropriate for initiating cure of the

formulations have been described extensively in the literature and are well known to

those skilled in the art. These include various sources of particulate and non-particulate

radiation producing wavelengths generally less than 700 nanometers. Especially useful

is actinic radiation in the 180-440 nm range which can be conveniently obtained by use of one of several commercially available ultra-violet sources specifically intended for this

purpose. These include low, medium and high pressure mercury vapor lamps, He-Cd

and Ar lasers, xenon arc lamps, etc. Photoinitiator systems having a corresponding

sensitivity to light in this wave band are normally incorporated into the formulation and

upon irradiation lead to the formation of reactive species capable of initiating free radical polymerization. Similarly, free radical polymerization may be induced by exposure of

the formulation to an electron beam without the use of a photoinitiator. Equipment

capable of generating a curtain of electrons with energies between 150 and 300 KeV is particularly suitable for this purpose and its use is well documented in the literature.

Particularly preferred sources of radiation emit electromagnetic radiation

predominantly in the ultra-violet band. When such a source is used, the polymerizable

composition preferably contains a photoinitiator susceptible to ultra-violet radiation, e.g.

benzoin, benzoin ethers, alpha, alpha-dimethoxy-alpha-phenylacetophenone,

diethoxyacetophenone, alpha-hydroxy-alpha, alpha-dimethylacetophenone, and 1-

benzoylcyclohexanol.

The amount of radiation necessary to cure the composition will of course depend

on the angle of exposure to the radiation, the thickness of the coating to be applied, and the amount of polymerizable groups in the coating composition, as well as the presence

or absence of a free radical initiating catalyst. For any given composition, experimentation to determine the amount of radiation sensitive pi bonds not cured

following exposure to the radiation source is the best method of determining the amount

and duration of the radiation required. Typically, an ultra-violet source with a

wavelength between 200 and 420 nm (e.g. a filtered mercury arc lamp) is directed at

coated surfaces carried on a conveyor system which provides a rate of passage past

the ultra-violet source appropriate for the radiation absorption profile of the composition (which profile is influenced by the degree of cure desired, the thickness of the coating

to be cured, and the rate of polymerization of the composition).

The composition is useful for placement on a wide range of substrates including

paper, rigid and flexible plastics, metallic substrates, cement, glass, asbestos products, wood and the like. Examples of formulation categories include, but are not limited to, the following: overprint varnishes for paper and board; lithographic, screen, letterpress,

flexographic, and gravure printing inks; stereolithography baths; pressure-sensitive and

assembly adhesives; vinyl floor coatings; pigmented and unpigmented wood finishes;

coatings for optical fiber; waterborne spray-applied coatings; base and top coatings for

rigid and flexible plastics; etch and solder photomasks.

A preferred use of the polymerizable compositions of this invention is in the

formulation of radiation curable inks. When formulated into an ink, the polymerizable

composition of the reaction product and diluent can be a major proportion or a minor

proportion by weight of the ink.

The following examples illustrate the invention more fully, however, they are not

intended to limit the scope of the invention and numerous variations will be evident to

those skilled in the art. In this specification, and the following examples, all parts, ratios

and percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Charge 49.99 parts by weight of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, available as DER

383 from Dow Chemical as epoxy compound, 0.36 parts by weight of

triphenylphosphine as esterification catalyst, and 10 parts by weight of polymerized fatty

acid based polyamide with an amine value of 3 and a number average molecular weight of about 1699, which is commercially available from Henkel Corporation as VERSAMID

335 polyamide resin to a reactor kettle. In a separate vessel, premix 18.23 parts by

weight of acrylic acid, 0.28 parts by weight of an ultraviolet stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, and 0.05 parts by weight of the monomethyl ether of

hydroquinone as inhibitor. Heat reactor kettle and contents to 90°C and maintain.

Begin addition of pre-mix to reactor kettle. The premix is at room temperature and is

added over a two-hour period. In a separate vessel, pre-mix 5.61 parts by weight of

lauric acid and 0.36 parts by weight of triphenylphosphine as additional catalyst. When premix additions are complete, heat reactor kettle and contents to 110-115°C and

maintain. The reaction is finished when the acid value of the contents is less than 5 mg

KOH/g. When the reaction is finished and is at 110°C, add a triacrylate of a three mole

propoxylate of glycerol, available as Photomer 4094 from Henkel Corporation, in an

amount of 15 parts by weight as a monomer diluent and additional ultraviolet stabilizer

available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, in an amount of 0.12 parts by weight and then cool before packaging.

A blue ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20

parts by weight of the composition with 27.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic

ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a

bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 13 parts by weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 18 parts by

weight of a blue pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 5 parts by weight of a clay, 2 parts

by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 2 parts by

weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369. A black ink can

be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20 parts by weight of the

composition with 33.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 14 parts by

weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel

Coφoration, Ambler, PA), 15 parts by weight of a black pigment, 2 parts by weight of

talc, 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Aceto Chemical as Quantacure

ITX, 3 parts by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and

1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369.

Example 2

The procedure of Example 1 can be undertaken using the diglycidyl ether of

bisphenol A, available as DER 383 from Dow Chemical, in an amount of 51.02 parts by

weight, as the epoxide compound, a polymerized fatty acid based polyamide with an

amine value of 3 and a number average molecular weight of about 1699, which is commercially available from Henkel Corporation as VERSAMID 335 polyamide resin,

in an amount of 8.48% by weight, the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone in a total

amount of 0.04 parts by weight as inhibitor, triphenylphosphine as esterification catalyst

in a total amount of 0.74 parts by weight, and acrylic acid in an amount of 18.61 parts

by weight. After addition of the acrylic acid, 5.73 parts by weight of lauric acid was also

added and allowed to react. Following completion of the reaction, a triacrylate of a

three mole propoxylate of glycerol, available as Photomer 4094 from Henkel

Corporation, in an amount of 15 parts by weight was added as the monomer diluent and an ultraviolet stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, in a total amount

of 0.38 parts by weight, was also added.

A blue ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20

parts by weight of the composition with 27.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic

ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as

PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a

bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 13 parts by weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 18 parts by

weight of a blue pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 5 parts by weight of a clay, 2 parts

by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 2 parts by

weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369. A black ink can

be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20 parts by weight of the

composition with 33.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low

molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 14 parts by

weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 15 parts by weight of a black pigment, 2 parts by weight of

talc, 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Aceto Chemical as Quantacure

ITX, 3 parts by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369.

Example 3

Charge 52.87 parts by weight of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, available as DER

383 from Dow Chemical as epoxy compound, 0.19 parts by weight of

triphenylphosphine as esterification catalyst, 10 parts by weight of polymerized fatty

acid based polyamide with an amine value of 3 and a number average molecular weight of about 1699, which is commercially available from Henkel Corporation as VERSAMID

335 polyamide resin, and 0.05 parts by weight of the monomethyl ether of

hydroquinone as inhibitor, to a reactor kettle. In a separate vessel, premix 21.39 parts

by weight of acrylic acid, 0.3 parts by weight of an ultraviolet stabilizer available as

Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, and 0.1 parts by weight of triphenylphosphine as

additional esterification catalyst. Heat reactor kettle and contents to 90°C and maintain.

Begin addition of pre-mix to reactor kettle. The premix is at room temperature and is

added over a two-hour period. When premix addition is complete, heat reactor kettle

and contents to 110-115°C and maintain. The reaction is finished when the acid value

of the contents is less than 5 mg KOH/g. When the reaction is finished and is at 110°C, add a triacrylate of a three mole propoxylate of glycerol, available as Photomer 4094

from Henkel Corporation, in an amount of 15 parts by weight as a monomer diluent and

additional ultraviolet stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, in an

amount of 0.1 parts by weight and then cool before packaging.

A blue ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20

parts by weight of the composition with 27.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic

ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as

PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 13 parts by weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 18 parts by weight of a blue pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 5 parts by weight of a clay, 2 parts

by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 2 parts by

weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369. A black ink can

be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20 parts by weight of the

composition with 33.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low

molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 14 parts by

weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 15 parts by weight of a black pigment, 2 parts by weight of

talc, 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Aceto Chemical as Quantacure

ITX, 3 parts by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and

1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369.

Example 4

Charge 45.21 parts by weight of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, available as DER

383 from Dow Chemical, and 7.40 parts by weight of the diglycidyl ether of 1 ,4-butylene

glycol as epoxy compounds, 0.15 parts by weight of triphenylphosphine as esterification

catalyst, 10 parts by weight of polymerized fatty acid based polyamide with an amine

value of 3 and a number average molecular weight of about 1699, which is

commercially available from Henkel Corporation as VERSAMID 335 polyamide resin,

0.05 parts by weight of the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone as inhibitor, and 2.16

parts by weight of acrylic acid, to a reactor kettle. In a separate vessel, premix 19.48

parts by weight of acrylic acid, 0.27 parts by weight of an ultraviolet stabilizer available

as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, and 0.07 parts by weight of triphenylphosphine as additional esterification catalyst. Heat reactor kettle and contents to 90°C and maintain.

Begin addition of pre-mix to reactor kettle. The premix is at room temperature and is

added over a two-hour period. When premix addition is complete, add 0.09 parts by

weight of triphenylphosphine as additional esterification catalyst, heat reactor kettle and contents to 110-115°C and maintain. The reaction is finished when the acid value of

the contents is less than 5 mg KOH/g. When the reaction is finished and is at 110°C,

add a triacrylate of a three mole propoxylate of glycerol, available as Photomer 4094

from Henkel Corporation, in an amount of 15 parts by weight as a monomer diluent and

additional ultraviolet stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, in an

amount of 0.12 parts by weight and then cool before packaging.

A blue ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20

parts by weight of the composition with 27.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a

bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 13 parts by weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 18 parts by

weight of a blue pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 5 parts by weight of a clay, 2 parts

by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 2 parts by

weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369. A black ink can

be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20 parts by weight of the

composition with 33.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low

molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel

Coφoration, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 14 parts by

weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel

Coφoration, Ambler, PA), 15 parts by weight of a black pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Aceto Chemical as Quantacure

ITX, 3 parts by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and

1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369.

Example 5

Charge 60.28 parts by weight of epoxidized soybean oil having an epoxide oxygen content of 6.5 to 7.0% as epoxy compound, 0.19 parts by weight of

triphenylphosphine as esterification catalyst, 10 parts by weight of polymerized fatty

acid based polyamide with an amine value of 3 and a number average molecular weight

of about 1699, which is commercially available from Henkel Corporation as VERSAMID

335 polyamide resin, 0.05 parts by weight of the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone as inhibitor, and 0.62 parts by weight of acrylic acid, to a reactor kettle. In a separate

vessel, premix 12.35 parts by weight of acrylic acid, 0.3 parts by weight of an ultraviolet

stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, and 1.11 parts by weight of triphenylphosphine as additional esterification catalyst. Heat reactor kettle and contents

to 90 °C and maintain. Begin addition of pre-mix to reactor kettle. The premix is at

room temperature and is added over a two-hour period. When premix addition is

complete, heat reactor kettle and contents to 110-115°C and maintain. The reaction

is finished when the acid value of the contents is less than 5 mg KOH/g. When the

reaction is finished and is at 110°C, add a triacrylate of a three mole propoxylate of glycerol, available as Photomer 4094 from Henkel Corporation, in an amount of 15 parts

by weight as a monomer diluent and additional ultraviolet stabilizer available as Florstab

UV-II from Kromachem, in an amount of 0.1 parts by weight and then cool before

packaging.

A blue ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20

parts by weight of the composition with 27.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic

ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as

PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a

bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 13 parts by weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 18 parts by

weight of a blue pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 5 parts by weight of a clay, 2 parts

by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 2 parts by

weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369. A black ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20 parts by weight of the composition with 33.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low

molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 14 parts by

weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 15 parts by weight of a black pigment, 2 parts by weight of

talc, 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Aceto Chemical as Quantacure

ITX, 3 parts by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and

1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369.

Example 6

Charge 60.43 parts by weight of epoxidized linseed oil having an epoxide oxygen

content of 8.5% to 9.5% by weight as epoxy compound, 0.18 parts by weight of

triphenylphosphine as esterification catalyst, 10 parts by weight of polymerized fatty acid based polyamide with an amine value of 3 and a number average molecular weight

of about 1699, which is commercially available from Henkel Corporation as VERSAMID

335 polyamide resin, 0.05 parts by weight of the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone as

inhibitor, and 1.13 parts by weight of acrylic acid, to a reactor kettle, in a separate

vessel, premix 12.28 parts by weight of acrylic acid, 0.3 parts by weight of an ultraviolet

stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, and 0.53 parts by weight of triphenylphosphine as additional esterification catalyst. Heat reactor kettle and contents

to 90°C and maintain. Begin addition of pre-mix to reactor kettle. The premix is at

room temperature and is added over a two hour period. When premix addition is

complete, heat reactor kettle and contents to 110-115°C and maintain. The reaction

is finished when the acid value of the contents is less than 5 mg KOH/g. When the

reaction is finished and is at 110°C, add a triacrylate of a three mole propoxylate of

glycerol, available as Photomer 4094 from Henkel Coφoration, in an amount of 15 parts by weight as a monomer diluent and additional ultraviolet stabilizer available as Florstab UV-II from Kromachem, in an amount of 0.1 parts by weight and then cool before

packaging.

A blue ink can be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20

parts by weight of the composition with 27.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic

ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as

PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a

bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 13 parts by weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 18 parts by

weight of a blue pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 5 parts by weight of a clay, 2 parts

by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and 2 parts by

weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369. A black ink can

be prepared from the composition set forth above by mixing 20 parts by weight of the

composition with 33.5 parts by weight of a difunctional acrylic ester derived from a low molecular weight aromatic epoxy resin (available as PHOTOMER 3016 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 10 parts by weight of a bisphenol A ethoxylate diacrylate

(available as PHOTOMER 4028 from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA), 14 parts by

weight of propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate (available as PHOTOMER 4094 from Henkel

Corporation, Ambler, PA), 15 parts by weight of a black pigment, 2 parts by weight of talc, 1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Aceto Chemical as Quantacure

ITX, 3 parts by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 907 and

1 part by weight of a photoinitiator available from Ciba-Geigy as Irgacure 369.