Crystalline Polyester Toner Domain Control for Fixability and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toners face challenges in achieving both low-temperature fixability and heat-resistant storage stability due to inadequate dispersion of crystalline resin, leading to issues like toner aggregation and poor image quality.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition featuring a binder resin with crystalline polyester resin and styrene acrylic resin, where the crystalline polyester resin forms domains with a number average long diameter of 0 to 50 nm and satisfies a specific storage elastic modulus ratio, ensuring compatibility and dispersion for improved fixability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline resin is exposed at the surface of toner to achieve low-temperature fixability, then fixability is improved, but toner particles aggregate due to stress during stirring in developing device, resulting in poor reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct domains within the toner particle structure. The crystalline polyester resin forms discrete domains with specific size (0.003-0.05 μm) distributed within the toner, rather than being uniformly exposed at the surface. This localized arrangement allows the crystalline regions to provide low-temperature fixability while the overall particle structure maintains stability and resists aggregation during development.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the crystalline resin domains, specifically controlling their size to 0.003-0.05 μm and their distribution within the toner particle. By adjusting these parameters, the toner achieves both low-temperature fixability (through the crystalline domains) and resistance to aggregation (through controlled domain size and distribution). The storage elastic modulus ratio G'(50)/G'(90) ≥ 600 further quantifies this parameter optimization.
2Reliability
If crystalline resin is dispersed to prevent aggregation and improve reliability, then toner stability is improved, but low-temperature fixability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining crystalline polyester resin with amorphous binder resin in a specific configuration. The crystalline domains (0.003-0.05 μm) are embedded within the amorphous matrix, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both components: the crystalline regions provide low-temperature fixability while the amorphous matrix ensures stability and prevents aggregation during development.
3Use of energy by moving object
If toner is designed for low-temperature fixability, then energy consumption is reduced, but heat-resistant storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct domains within the toner particle structure. The crystalline polyester resin forms discrete domains with specific size (0.003-0.05 μm) distributed within the toner, rather than being uniformly exposed at the surface. This localized arrangement allows the crystalline regions to provide low-temperature fixability while the overall particle structure maintains stability and resists aggregation during development.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the crystalline resin domains, specifically controlling their size to 0.003-0.05 μm and their distribution within the toner particle. By adjusting these parameters, the toner achieves both low-temperature fixability (through the crystalline domains) and resistance to aggregation (through controlled domain size and distribution). The storage elastic modulus ratio G'(50)/G'(90) ≥ 600 further quantifies this parameter optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The toner achieves high-quality images with enhanced low-temperature fixability and heat-resistant storage stability, reducing issues like toner cohesion and contamination, while maintaining mechanical durability and chargeability.
Implementation Method 1
the binder resin comprises a polyester resin including a crystalline polyester resin, wherein the crystalline polyester resin is dispersed in the binder resin in a finely-dispersed state
Implementation Method 2
the toner particles may aggregate due to stress received when being stirred in a developing device
Data Source
AI summary
A toner is provided. The toner comprises a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent. The binder resin comprises a polyester resin comprising a crystalline polyester resin. The crystalline polyester resin forms domains having a number average long diameter of from 0 to 50 nm in a cross-section of the toner. The toner satisfies the following relation:G′(50)/G′(90)≥6.0×102 where G′(50) and G′(90) represent storage elastic modulus of the toner at 50 degrees C. and 90 degrees C., respectively.