A fixing film for printers and copiers, its preparation method and application

Abstract

This invention relates to a fixing film for printers and copiers. The fixing film comprises, from the inside out: a core rod, a polyimide substrate, an elastic layer, an adhesive layer, and a fluoropolymer layer. The adhesive layer includes a polyimide adhesive and a defoamer. The polyimide adhesive is obtained by polymerizing diamine monomers, triamine monomers, and dianhydride monomers. The preparation method of the polyimide adhesive includes the following steps: S1. Adding diamine monomers and triamine monomers to a solvent and stirring under an inert gas atmosphere, then adding dianhydride monomers and stirring to obtain an intermediate product; S2. Adding xylene to the intermediate product, then heating to react, cooling, purifying, and dissolving in a solvent to obtain the polyimide adhesive. This invention, by preparing a polyimide adhesive with a branched structure and compounding it with a specific defoamer, effectively reduces air bubbles in the adhesive, achieving a significant improvement in the performance of the fixing film.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of organic synthetic materials, specifically relating to a fixing film for printers and copiers, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Fusing film is an important component in printers and copiers. During the production process of fusing film, the surface of the vulcanized silicone must be coated with an adhesive. Then, a fluoropolymer sleeve is put on through a sleeve-making machine. After that, it is left to stand for more than 24 hours to allow the air bubbles between the fluoropolymer sleeve and the adhesive to be eliminated before subsequent processing can be carried out to obtain the finished fusing film.

[0003] However, this production process still has many intractable defects, such as long defoaming time and low production efficiency; and the inability of fine air bubbles to be completely and naturally expelled, causing product defects. Therefore, existing fixing film products are prone to wrinkles and poor fixing performance, making it difficult to meet consumer demands.

[0004] In conclusion, there is an urgent need to develop a new technical solution to address the problems existing in the current technology and meet the development needs of the current market. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, seeking appropriate methods to improve the affinity between the adhesive layer and the substrate, elastic layer, and fluoropolymer tubing in the fixing film, and to reduce the generation of air bubbles, is of great significance to ensure the normal operation and safety of the equipment. This invention, by preparing a polyimide adhesive with a branched structure and compounding it with a specific defoamer, effectively reduces air bubbles in the adhesive, achieving a significant improvement in the performance of the fixing film.

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a fuser film for printers and copiers, the fuser film for printers and copiers having a cylindrical multilayer structure, the fuser film for printers and copiers comprising, from the inside out: a core rod, a polyimide substrate, an elastic layer, an adhesive layer, and a fluorinated resin layer;

[0007] The adhesive layer includes a polyimide adhesive and a defoamer;

[0008] The polyimide adhesive is obtained by polymerizing diamine monomers, triamine monomers, and dianhydride monomers.

[0009] Furthermore, the preparation method of the polyimide adhesive includes the following steps:

[0010] S1. Add the diamine monomer and triamine monomer to the solvent, stir under an inert gas atmosphere, then add the dianhydride monomer, stir the reaction to obtain the intermediate product;

[0011] S2. Add xylene to the intermediate product, then heat to react, cool, purify and dissolve in a solvent, then add an antifoaming agent to obtain the polyimide adhesive.

[0012] Further, in step S1, the molar ratio of the diamine monomer, triamine monomer, and dianhydride monomer is (1-2):(1-2):(2-5).

[0013] Furthermore, in step S2, the heating reaction is carried out at a temperature of 100-180°C for 1-6 hours.

[0014] Furthermore, the defoamer is cyanuric chloride melamine.

[0015] Furthermore, the diamine monomer is 2,2'-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane.

[0016] Furthermore, the triamine monomer is 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine.

[0017] Furthermore, the dianhydride monomer is 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing the above-mentioned fuser film for printers and copiers, comprising the following steps:

[0019] A polyimide substrate is coated onto a mandrel, heated, and then coated with an elastomer. After another heating treatment, a polyimide adhesive is coated, and then a fluorinated resin tube is fitted onto the outside. After heating treatment, the fuser film for printers and copiers is obtained.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide the application of the above-mentioned fuser film for printers and copiers as a core substrate in office automation equipment.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0022] This invention uses 2,2'-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine, and 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride as diamine, triamine, and dianhydride monomers, respectively, for polymerization to obtain a polyimide adhesive with a hyperbranched structure. This adhesive possesses a denser, three-dimensional network structure and exhibits good affinity with the elastic layer and fluorinated resin layer, effectively improving adhesion. Surprisingly, the adhesive in this invention can produce a strong synergistic effect with a specific defoamer, further inhibiting the formation of bubbles and pores between layers, thereby giving the fixing film better stability and mechanical properties, avoiding defects such as bubbles and wrinkles, greatly improving production efficiency, and showing good application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A structural diagram of the fuser film for printers and copiers according to the present invention is shown;

[0024] The left side shows a cross-sectional view, and the right side shows a structural schematic diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the following embodiments are provided. Unless otherwise stated, the raw materials, reactions, and post-processing methods appearing in the embodiments are all commercially available raw materials and technical methods well known to those skilled in the art.

[0026] The polyimide substrate in this embodiment of the invention is DuPont Kapton.

[0027] The silicone rubber elastomer used in this embodiment of the invention is Shin-Etsu 2807, which has a thermal conductivity of 1.1 W / m·K.

[0028] The fluorinated resin used in this embodiment of the invention is DuPont 451HP.

[0029] The defoamer in this embodiment of the invention is cyanuric chloride melamine.

[0030] The preparation method of the polyimide adhesive in this embodiment of the invention includes the following steps:

[0031] S1. 2,2'-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine were dissolved sequentially in N,N-dimethylacetamide and stirred for 10 min under a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,2'-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane:2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine:3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride = 1:1.5:3, n / n / n) was added and the mixture was stirred for 48 h to obtain the intermediate product.

[0032] S2. Add sufficient xylene to the intermediate product, then react at 160°C for 6 hours. After cooling, wash with ethanol, filter and dry. Add the obtained solid product to NMP solvent to obtain a 30% (w / w) solution. Finally, add 1% (w / w) of defoamer to the solution to obtain the polyimide adhesive.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] A fuser film for printers and copiers, wherein the fuser film for printers and copiers has a cylindrical multi-layer structure, and the fuser film for printers and copiers comprises, from the inside out: a core rod, a polyimide substrate, an elastic layer, an adhesive layer, and a fluorinated resin layer.

[0035] The method for preparing the above-mentioned fuser film for printers and copiers includes the following steps:

[0036] A stainless steel round bar with a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 400 mm was used as a core rod. A polyimide substrate was coated on the outside of the core rod, and an imidization reaction was carried out by heating the mold (treated at 350℃ for 120 min) to obtain a polyimide substrate layer with a thickness of 70 μm.

[0037] An adhesive (Shin-Etsu Chemical X-33-156) is applied to the surface of the polyimide substrate layer, and after drying, an elastic layer with a thickness of 5 μm is obtained.

[0038] A silicone rubber elastomer is coated on the surface of the adhesive layer of the elastic layer, and after being heated at 200°C for 90 minutes, an elastic layer with a thickness of 250 μm is obtained.

[0039] Then, a polyimide adhesive (5 μm thick) is applied to the surface of the elastic layer, and a mandrel is inserted into the PFA tube. The PFA tube is heated to above its melting point and treated at 320°C for 30 minutes to bond the inner circumferential surface of the PFA tube to form a fluorinated resin layer with a thickness of 20 μm, thus obtaining the fixing film for the printer / copier.

[0040] Figure 1 A structural diagram of the fuser film for printers and copiers according to the present invention is shown;

[0041] The left side shows a cross-sectional view, and the right side shows a structural schematic diagram.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] A fuser film for printers and copiers, wherein the fuser film for printers and copiers has a cylindrical multi-layer structure, and the fuser film for printers and copiers comprises, from the inside out: a core rod, a polyimide substrate, an elastic layer, an adhesive layer, and a fluorinated resin layer.

[0044] The method for preparing the above-mentioned fuser film for printers and copiers includes the following steps:

[0045] A stainless steel round bar with a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 400 mm was used as a core rod. A polyimide substrate was coated on the outside of the core rod, and an imidization reaction was carried out by heating the mold (treated at 360°C for 120 min) to obtain a polyimide substrate layer with a thickness of 70 μm.

[0046] An adhesive (Shin-Etsu Chemical X-33-156) is applied to the surface of the polyimide substrate layer, and after drying, an elastic layer with a thickness of 5 μm is obtained.

[0047] A silicone rubber elastomer is coated on the surface of the adhesive layer of the elastic layer, and after being heated at 220°C for 90 minutes, an elastic layer with a thickness of 250 μm is obtained.

[0048] Then, a polyimide adhesive (5 μm thick) is applied to the surface of the elastic layer, and a mandrel is inserted into the PFA tube. The PFA tube is heated to above its melting point and treated at 325°C for 30 minutes to bond the inner circumferential surface of the PFA tube to form a fluorinated resin layer with a thickness of 20 μm, thus obtaining the fixing film for printers and copiers.

[0049] Example 3

[0050] A fuser film for printers and copiers, wherein the fuser film for printers and copiers has a cylindrical multi-layer structure, and the fuser film for printers and copiers comprises, from the inside out: a core rod, a polyimide substrate, an elastic layer, an adhesive layer, and a fluorinated resin layer.

[0051] The method for preparing the above-mentioned fuser film for printers and copiers includes the following steps:

[0052] A stainless steel round bar with a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 400 mm was used as a core rod. A polyimide substrate was coated on the outside of the core rod, and an imidization reaction was carried out by heating the mold (treated at 355℃ for 150 min) to obtain a polyimide substrate layer with a thickness of 70 μm.

[0053] An adhesive (Shin-Etsu Chemical X-33-156) is applied to the surface of the polyimide substrate layer, and after drying, an elastic layer with a thickness of 5 μm is obtained.

[0054] A silicone rubber elastomer is coated on the surface of the adhesive layer of the elastic layer, and after being heated at 200°C for 100 minutes, an elastic layer with a thickness of 250 μm is obtained.

[0055] Then, a polyimide adhesive (5 μm thick) is applied to the surface of the elastic layer, and a mandrel is inserted into the PFA tube. The PFA tube is heated to above its melting point and treated at 320°C for 40 minutes to bond the inner circumferential surface of the PFA tube to form a fluorinated resin layer with a thickness of 20 μm, thus obtaining the fixing film for the printer / copier.

[0056] Comparative Example 1

[0057] A fixing film for printers and copiers. The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that in the preparation method of the polyimide adhesive, an equal amount of diamine monomer (4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether) is used to replace 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine. Other materials and preparation methods are the same as in Example 1.

[0058] Comparative Example 2

[0059] A fixing film for printers and copiers is provided. The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that an equal amount of polyether defoamer (polyoxypropylene glycerol ether) is used to replace cyanuric chloride melamine. Other materials and preparation methods are the same as in Example 1.

[0060] Test case

[0061] The performance of the printer and copier fixing films prepared in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 was tested.

[0062] Test method:

[0063] Observe the surface of the fixing film samples prepared in the examples and comparative examples for any bubbles or wrinkles; then conduct a printing test to check whether the printed samples are uniform and clear.

[0064] The test results are shown in Table 1.

[0065] Table 1 Performance Test Results

[0066] project Appearance of fixing film Printed Samples Example 1 No wrinkles or bubbles Even and clear Comparative Example 1 Minor wrinkles and bubbles There is unevenness Comparative Example 2 Minor wrinkles and bubbles There is unevenness

[0067] Table 1 shows that the fixing film for printers and copiers prepared in Example 1 of this invention effectively avoids defects such as bubbles and wrinkles, and has stable fixing performance, which is significantly better than Comparative Examples 1-2. Comparative Example 1 replaced 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine, so it was difficult to form a dense, branched cross-linked structure in the adhesive, resulting in a decrease in performance. Comparative Example 2 replaced the defoamer with a common polyether defoamer, and the performance also decreased. We speculate that this is because the polyimide adhesive introduced a pyrimidine ring structure, which has good compatibility with cyanuric chloride melamine containing a triazine ring structure. However, the use of polyether defoamers cannot produce a similar synergistic effect, thus reducing performance.

[0068] In conclusion, the application of the fuser film for printers and copiers of the present invention to office automation equipment has promising prospects.

[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention.

[0070] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A fuser film for printers and copiers, characterized in that, The fuser film for printers and copiers has a cylindrical multi-layer structure, and from the inside out, the fuser film includes: a core rod, a polyimide substrate, an elastic layer, an adhesive layer, and a fluorinated resin layer; The adhesive layer includes a polyimide adhesive and a defoamer; The polyimide adhesive is obtained by polymerization of diamine monomer, triamine monomer, and dianhydride monomer; The preparation method of the polyimide adhesive includes the following steps: S1. Add the diamine monomer and triamine monomer to the solvent, stir under an inert gas atmosphere, then add the dianhydride monomer, stir the reaction to obtain the intermediate product; S2. Add xylene to the intermediate product, then heat to react, cool, purify and dissolve in a solvent, then add an antifoaming agent to obtain the polyimide adhesive; The defoamer is cyanuric chloride melamine; The triamine monomer is 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine.

2. The fuser film for printers and copiers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the molar ratio of the diamine monomer, triamine monomer, and dianhydride monomer is (1-2):(1-2):(2-5).

3. The fuser film for printers and copiers according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step S2, the heating reaction is carried out at a temperature of 100-180°C for 1-6 hours.

4. The fuser film for printers and copiers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diamine monomer is 2,2'-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane.

5. The fuser film for printers and copiers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dianhydride monomer is 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.

6. The method for preparing the fixing film for printers and copiers according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A polyimide substrate is coated onto a mandrel, heated, and then coated with an elastomer. After another heating treatment, a polyimide adhesive is coated, and then a fluorinated resin tube is fitted onto the outside. After heating treatment, the fuser film for printers and copiers is obtained.

7. The application of the fuser film for printers and copiers as described in any one of claims 1-5 as a core substrate in office automation equipment.

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