Silicone fluid blend for impregnating fuser cleaning web

Abstract

To provide a fuser fluid blend for a fuser cleaning web.SOLUTION: A fuser fluid composition is disclosed, including a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid and a non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid, where the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount from about 1 wt.% to about 30 wt.% based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition, and the non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount from about 50 wt.% to about 99 wt.% based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition. The non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid may include an amine-functional group. A cleaning web and a fusing subsystem for a printing system may include a material impregnated with the fuser fluid composition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present teachings relate generally to fuser fluids, and more specifically, to fuser fluid blends for fuser cleaning webs. [Background technology]

[0002] Fuser roll constructions that include a fluoropolymer overcoat on a silicone underlayer are also known as Teflon™ over silicone (TOS). A fabric web impregnated with a silicone fluid is rubbed against the fuser roll surface to clean it and also provide a thin coating of fuser release fluid. The fabric web is indexed to advance at a set speed and is a consumable part. The current fluid used in certain cleaning webs is a fluorofunctional siloxane known as AKF290 sold by Wacker Silicones (Adrian, MI). Due to European Union (EU) environmental regulations, production and sale of AKF290 has been discontinued.

[0003] Furthermore, the sale of products containing fluorinated AKF290 will be banned in Europe, therefore finding alternative fluids for cleaning webs is important to enable the reliable manufacture and sale of machines utilizing such cleaning webs in the future.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for alternative non-fluorinated release fuser fluids for the current product line of single, tandem, and magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) presses as well as their future upgrades. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the present teachings. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present teachings or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its primary purpose is merely to present one or more concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0006] Disclosed is a fuser fluid composition comprising a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid and a non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid, the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid being present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 30 wt % based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition, and the non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid being present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of about 50 wt % to about 99 wt % based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition. Implementations of the fuser fluid composition include where n is about 100 to about 10000. The non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid may include an amine functional group. n may be about 100 to about 10000. m may be about 100 to about 1000. The viscosity of the fuser fluid composition may be about 10 to about 10,000 cP. The non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition, and the non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 10% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition. The ratio of non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid to non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid is from about 7 to about 10. A cleaning web for a printing system may include a material impregnated with the fuser fluid composition.

[0007] A cleaning web for a printing system is disclosed, the cleaning web for the printing system comprising a material impregnated with a fuser fluid composition and a backer roll configured to form a compliant nip between the material and the fuser roll, the fuser fluid composition may include a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition, and a non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 10% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition. Implementations of the cleaning web for the printing system include where the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid may include amine functionality.

[0008] Also disclosed is a fusing subsystem for a printing system comprising a fuser roll that may include a silicone layer disposed on a core and a topcoat that may include a fluoropolymer disposed on the silicone layer. The fusing subsystem also includes a cleaning subsystem that may include a material impregnated with a fuser fluid composition and a backer roll configured to form a compliant nip between the material and the fuser roll. The fusing subsystem also includes a fuser fluid composition that may include a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition and a non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 10% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition. Implementations of the fusing subsystem for a printing system may include a fuser fluid composition where n is about 100 to about 10,000 and m is about 100 to about 1000. The viscosity of the fuser fluid composition may be about 10 to about 10,000 cP.

[0009] The described features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently in various implementations or may be combined in yet other implementations, further details of which may be understood with reference to the following description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fusing subsystem for a printing system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a plot showing the stripping performance of various fuser fluid compositions for use in a fusing subsystem for a printing system according to the present disclosure.

[0011] It should be noted that some details of the figures have been simplified and precise structural accuracy, detail, and scale are not maintained, but are drawn to facilitate understanding of the present teachings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same, similar or like parts.

[0013] The present teachings provide blends of non-functional and amine-functional non-fluorinated silicone fluids as replacements for AKF290 additive for Xerox Nuvera® pre-screened webs. Use and application evaluations show that fuser performance with non-functional and amine-functional blended fluids is comparable or better than AKF290. In addition, the blended fluids provided herein can enable significant cost reductions for consumable fuser webs.

[0014] Fuser fluids can refer to polymer-based liquids or fluids that can be used as release agents or release fluids for fuser systems in electrophotographic printing systems. The main example of a polymer-based fuser fluid is a silicone-based fuser fluid. Fuser fluids can be classified as non-functional or functional. Non-functional fuser fluids can be defined as fuser fluids that have no reactive functional groups remaining on the polymer chain. In contrast, functional fuser fluids can be defined as fuser fluids that have terminal or pendant chemical or reactive functional groups on the polymer chain. Examples of applicable functional fuser fluids include fluorofunctional fuser fluids, amine-functional fuser fluids, mercapto-functional fuser fluids, etc.

[0015] The Xerox Nuvera® fuser roll construction is a Teflon™ overcoat on a silicone underlayer. The Xerox Nuvera® fuser roll is a hard roll with nip compliance provided by a compliant backer roll. The fabric web is continuously rubbed against the fuser to remove any residual toner contamination from the fuser. The fabric web is impregnated with a silicone fluid that aids in cleaning, provides a very thin oil layer on the Teflon and / or prevents toner offset to the Teflon™. The web is positionally indexed to advance at a set speed and is consumable, i.e., it can be used and replaced over time. The fuser web travels approximately 35 micrometers for each sheet. Exemplary web fabrics can include, but are not limited to, nonwoven aramid fibers with polyester fiber binder. Thus, the fabric web can include nonwoven fibers combined with a fiber binder. In an exemplary embodiment, aramid fibers can be combined with nylon to provide a cleaning web material. Other cleaning web materials may be used, provided they are chemically and physically resistant to the components in the fusing subsystem, such as the silicone fluid compositions described herein, at operating temperatures of about 150°C to 200°C.

[0016] The current fuser fluid used in Xerox Nuvera® prescreening webs is a fluorinated oil known as AKF290 manufactured by Wacker Silicones. The production and sale of AKF290 has been discontinued due to EH&S regulatory requirements in Europe. Furthermore, the sale of products containing fluorinated AKF290 will be prohibited in Europe. Therefore, finding a replacement fluid for Xerox Nuvera® prescreening webs is important to enable reliable manufacture and sale of future printing systems using this technology. The chemical structure of this fluorofunctional silicone AKF290 can be represented as follows:

[0017] [ka] The pendant tridecafluorooctyl groups are present in an amount of 5.7 mole %. To understand the mole %, consider that m=0.057y, n=0.943y, where y can be an integer from 1 to 100,000 based on molecular weight. Thus, the mole % of the pendant F groups is 5.7 mole %. Ranges for n and m can include n as an integer from 10 to 10000 and m as an integer from 1 to 1000). The fluorofunctional fluid has a nominal viscosity of 290 cP, which ranges from about 10 cP to about 1000 cP.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fusing subsystem for a printing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a fusing subsystem 100 for use in a printing system, such as a Xerox Nuvera® printing press. The fusing subsystem 100 also includes a fuser fluid impregnated fabric web 102 and a compliant backer roll 104 in contact with the backside of the fuser fluid impregnated fabric web 102. The compliant backer roll 104 helps maintain a compliant pressure nip between the fuser fluid impregnated fabric web 102 and the fuser roll 106. The fuser roll 106, or a fuser belt or other fuser drum, belt, roller, or other fuser member, is comprised of a drum core heater 108 and a silicone elastomer underlayer 110 or intermediate layer disposed thereon. A fuser topcoat 112 is further disposed on the silicone elastomer underlayer 110, which may be a topcoat formulation including one or more fluoropolymers, such as Teflon®. Alternatively, this configuration may be known as a Teflon™ over silicone (TOS) fuser roll. Alternatives for the fuser topcoat 112 may include binder polymers or other materials in addition to fluoropolymers.

[0019] The present disclosure provides a polymer-based fuser fluid blend that includes a non-functional silicone fluid and an amine-functional (non-fluorinated) silicone fluid as an alternative to the aforementioned fluoro-functional fluid. These fluid blends and other examples are made by simply mixing the various fluids with an overhead stirrer at room temperature. The various silicone fluids described herein are completely miscible with each other. Mechanical testing on related printing systems using the various blend fluids shows fuser performance similar to or better than the AKF290 control. The chemical structures of some components of the exemplary fuser fluid blend are shown below.

[0020] [ka]

[0021] As mentioned above, non-functional silicone fluid can also be called non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid.These non-functional silicone fluids can also be called PDMS, which is an abbreviation for polydimethylsiloxane.Similarly, functional silicone fluid can also be called non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid.It should be understood by those skilled in the art that non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid does not contain any fluorine atom in its chemical structure or composition, and non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid does not contain any fluorine atom in its chemical structure or composition.

[0022] Additional non-fluorinated functional silicone fluids can include, but are not limited to, silicone fluids with functional groups that do not contain any fluorine atoms, such as hydride-terminated or hydride-pendant functional silicone fluids, including hydrogenated dimethyl, hydrogenated methyl, or combinations thereof.Additional illustrative examples can include mercapto-terminated or mercapto-pendant functional silicone fluids, including functional groups such as (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy-, (3-mercaptopropyl)triethoxy-, 11-mercaptoundecyltrimethoxy-, s-(octanoyl)mercaptopropyltriethoxy-, (mercaptomethyl)methyldiethoxy-, 3-mercaptopropylmethyldimethoxy-, mercaptopropyltrialkoxy-, such as mercaptopropyltrimethoxy-, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxy-, mercaptoundecyltrimethoxy-, (mercaptomethyl)methyldiethoxy-, or combinations thereof.Additional illustrative examples can include amine-terminated or amine-pendant functional silicone fluids. The amine functional groups may further include primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Examples of amine functional groups include 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy-, 3-aminopropyltriethoxy-, 3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxy-, 3-aminopropylmethyldiethoxy-, 3-aminopropyldimethylethoxy-, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyltrimethoxy-, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyltriethoxy-, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyldimethoxymethyl-, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyldiethoxymethyl-, 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyltrimethoxy, and 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyltriethoxy-. , 3-3-aminopropyltris(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)-, 3-aminopropyltriisopropenyloxy-, 3-aminopropyltri(butanoneoximo)-, 4-aminobutyltriethoxy-, N-2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltris(2-ethylhexoxy)-, 3-aminopropyldimethylethoxy-, 3-aminopropyldiisopropylethoxy-, p-aminophenyltrimethoxy-, m-aminophenyltrimethoxy-, 3-aminopropylphenyldiethoxy-, 3-aminopropyltriethoxy-, and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy-, or combinations thereof.

[0024] Additional examples of non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluids include fluids having repeating units of Si(CH3)2O-, either in a linear or branched polymer structure, as shown generally herein. The structure, properties, and behavior of branched silicones are known to those skilled in the art. EXAMPLES

[0025] Silicone fluid blends were made by mixing various weight ratios of a non-functional fluid (AK300, Wacker Silicones) and an amine-functional fluid (Copy Aid, designated CA-200 or CA-270, Wacker Silicones) and blending them together in a vessel using an overhead stirrer. The Copy Aid series of fluids contain pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropylamine functional polydimethylsiloxanes with viscosities ranging from 10 to 10,000 cP based on the grade or molecular weight of the fluid used.

[0026] In the above chemical structures for the non-functional and amine-functional fluids, these silicone fluids have structures where n=100-10000, m=1-1000, and the resulting viscosity of the individual or blended fluids is 10-10,000 cP. Illustrative examples include n as an integer from 10-10000, and m as an integer from 1-1000, with a viscosity of about 10 to about 1000 cP.

[0027] Exemplary blend fluids were made as shown in Table 1 below. For the silicone fluids listed in Table 1, the chemical compositions of AKF290, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based non-functional silicone fluid, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based functional silicone fluid are provided herein. Fluids designated CA-200 or CA-270 are the amine-functional silicone fluids mentioned above. In describing viscosity, it should be noted that the unit of centistokes (cSt) is considered equivalent to centipoise (cP) by those skilled in the art.

[0028] [Table 1]

[0029] The cleaning web modules containing various fuser fluid blends as shown in Table 1 were provided by BMP America, Inc. (Medina, NY). During the web oil loading procedure, there was no indication of any difference or problem with replacing AKF290 with the experimental fuser fluid blends. This indicates that production capacity can be easily transferred. FIG. 2 is a plot showing the stripping performance of various fuser fluid compositions for use in the fusing subsystem for a printing system according to the present disclosure. Both the comparative example (AKF290) and the example fuser fluid cleaning webs were evaluated on a Xerox Nuvera® press using emulsion-aggregate (EA) and magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) toners. MICR is a stress case test for evaluation and performance of fusing and cleaning webs. No significant difference in fusing-fix (image durability) performance was observed between the comparative example (AKF290) and the example fuser fluid blend cleaning webs. The plot in Figure 2 shows the peel performance as determined by the air knife pressure required to peel the paper from the fuser using the blends of Examples 1-4, which showed better performance compared to the Comparative Example. The blends of Examples 1-4 showed improved peel performance, lower air knife pressure, compared to the Comparative Example. The Comparative Example and Examples 1-4 webs also showed similar failure times in the performance test.

[0030] The present disclosure provides an amine-functional and non-fluorinated silicone fluid to replace the existing cleaning web for Xerox Nuvera® printing systems. Experiments show no issues with manufacturing, production, or integration into the fuser cleaning web module compared to existing materials. Machine performance testing also shows no significant differences between the fusing-fixing, peeling, and life performance between the blend fluid and the existing fluoro-functional material. In addition, the non-functional and amine-functional silicone blend is expected to be significantly less expensive than the existing fluoro-functional material while meeting current and predicted future EH&S requirements in the United States and Europe.

[0031] Silicone oils are known, for example, for fusing applications, as release agents, and as lubricating fluids. However, previous fusing application uses of silicone oils have been associated with fluoroelastomer (i.e., Viton™ or FKM) top-coated fusers and pendant propylamine functional silicone fluid chemistry. Fluorine-based rubber or fluoro-rubber is also known by the abbreviation Fluorine Kautschuk Material or FKM. The present teachings are specific to (1) pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl functional silicone fluids (different chemistry compared to propylamine functional silicones) and (2) TOS fusing subsystems (different fusing or printing systems compared to other subsystems). Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the two nitrogen atoms in the pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl functional silicone fluids allow for stronger non-covalent interactions (i.e., chelating effect) with the Teflon™ surface in the TOS fuser of the present disclosure. The TOS fusing subsystem and the iGen fusing subsystem are quite different and have different oil requirements. Some of the important differences are shown in Table 2 below.

[0032] [Table 2]

[0033] Although the present teachings are described with respect to one or more implementations, changes and / or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, while a process is described as a series of acts or events, it may be understood that the present teachings are not limited by the order of such acts or events. Some acts may occur in different orders and / or simultaneously with other acts or events other than those described herein. Also, not all process steps may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with one or more aspects or embodiments of the present teachings. It may be understood that structural objects and / or processing steps may be added, or existing structural objects and / or processing steps may be removed or modified. Furthermore, one or more of the acts described herein may be performed in one or more separate acts and / or steps. Additionally, to the extent the terms "including," "includes," "having," "has," "with," or variations thereof are used in either the Detailed Description and the Claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising." The term "at least one" is used to mean that one or more of the listed items may be selected. Additionally, in the discussion and claims herein, the term "on" as used in reference to two materials, one "on" meaning at least some contact between the materials, while "over" means that the materials are in close proximity to one or more additional intervening materials, in some cases such that contact is possible, but not required. Neither "on" nor "over" imply any directionality when used herein. The term "conformal" describes a coating material in which the angles of the underlying material are maintained by the conformal material. The term "about" indicates that the recited value may be varied slightly unless such variation would result in incompatibility of the process or structure with respect to the embodiment shown.The terms "couple," "coupled," "connect," "connection," "connected," "connected with," and "connecting" refer to "directly connected with" or "connected through one or more intermediate elements or members." Finally, the terms "exemplary" or "illustrative" indicate that the description is not meant to be ideal but is used as an example. Other embodiments of the present teachings may be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as merely exemplary, with a true scope and spirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A fuser fluid composition comprising: a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid; a non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid; Including, the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of from about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition; A fuser fluid composition, wherein the non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of from about 50% to about 99% by weight, based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition.

2. 2. The fuser fluid composition of claim 1, wherein the non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid comprises the following chemical structure: 【Chemistry 1】

3. The fuser fluid composition of claim 2, wherein n is from about 100 to about 10,000.

4. The fuser fluid composition of claim 1 , wherein the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid comprises an amine functionality.

5. 2. The fuser fluid composition of claim 1, wherein the non-fluorine-free, non-functional silicone fluid comprises the following chemical structure: 【Chemistry 2】

6. The fuser fluid composition of claim 5, wherein n is from about 100 to about 10,000.

7. The fuser fluid composition of claim 5, wherein m is from about 100 to about 1000.

8. The fuser fluid composition of claim 1, wherein the fuser fluid composition has a viscosity of about 10 to about 10,000 cP.

9. the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition; The fuser fluid composition of claim 1 , wherein the non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid is present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition.

10. The fuser fluid composition of claim 1, wherein the ratio of said non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid to said non-fluorinated non-functional silicone fluid is from about 7 to about 10.

11. A cleaning web for a printing system comprising a material impregnated with the fuser fluid composition of claim 1.

12. 1. A cleaning web for a printing system, comprising: a material impregnated with a fuser fluid composition; a backer roll configured to form a compliant nip between the material and a fuser roll; Equipped with The fuser fluid composition comprises a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition; a non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition; A cleaning web for a printing system, comprising:

13. 13. The cleaning web for a printing system of claim 12, wherein the non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid comprises the following chemical structure: 【Chemistry 3】

14. 13. The cleaning web for a printing system of claim 12, wherein the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid comprises an amine functionality.

15. 13. The cleaning web for a printing system of claim 12, wherein the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid comprises the following chemical structure: 【Chemistry 4】

16. 1. A fusing subsystem for a printing system, comprising: a fuser roll comprising a silicone layer disposed on a core and a topcoat comprising a fluoropolymer disposed on the silicone layer; 1. A cleaning subsystem comprising: a material impregnated with the fuser fluid composition, and a backer roll configured to form a compliant nip between the material and a fuser roll; a cleaning subsystem comprising: Equipped with The fuser fluid composition comprises a non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition; a non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid present in the fuser fluid composition in an amount of 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the fuser fluid composition; A fusing subsystem for a printing system, comprising:

17. 17. The fusing subsystem for a printing system of claim 16, wherein the non-fluorinated, non-functional silicone fluid comprises the following chemical structure: 【Chemistry 5】

18. 17. The fusing subsystem for a printing system of claim 16, wherein the non-fluorinated functional silicone fluid comprises the following chemical structure: 【Chemistry 6】

19. n is from about 100 to about 10,000; 17. The fusing subsystem for a printing system of claim 16, wherein m is from about 100 to about 1000.

20. The fusing subsystem for a printing system of claim 16, wherein the fuser fluid composition has a viscosity of about 10 to about 10,000 cP.

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