Domain-Matrix Toner for Low-Temperature Fixing and Hot Offset Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners using crystalline resins for low-temperature fixability suffer from hot offset and winding issues, particularly in high-speed printing, and have durability problems leading to image failures during long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A toner with a domain-matrix structure comprising a matrix of crystalline resin and domains of amorphous resin, with specific viscosity and endothermic quantity characteristics, ensuring low-temperature fixability, hot offset resistance, and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a crystalline resin is used as the main component of the binder resin to achieve low-temperature fixability, then the toner has excellent low-temperature fixability, but the toner has poor charging stability in high-temperature and high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite binder resin system combining crystalline polyester resin (for low-temperature fixability) with amorphous resin and charging stability improving agents. This composite approach allows the toner to achieve both low-temperature fixation and stable charging performance in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, resolving the contradiction between fixation temperature and charging stability.
2Temperature
If a crystalline vinyl-based resin is used as the binder resin to achieve low-temperature fixability, then the toner has low-temperature fixability, but the toner has low viscosity in high-temperature regions causing hot offset or winding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the viscosity-temperature characteristics by selecting specific crystalline polyester resins with controlled melting points and crystallinities, and by adjusting the molecular weight and composition of the amorphous resin. This parameter optimization ensures the toner maintains appropriate viscosity in the fixing temperature range, preventing hot offset and winding while preserving low-temperature fixability.
3Force
If an amorphous resin is added to a crystalline resin to increase the viscosity of toner after melting, then the toner secures a fixing region, but the toner has poor low-temperature fixability at high-speed printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a domain-matrix structure where crystalline resin domains (提供ing sharp melting and low-temperature fixability) are distributed within an amorphous resin matrix (提供ing viscosity control). This local differentiation allows different regions of the toner particle to perform different functions: the crystalline domains melt sharply at low temperatures for quick fixation, while the amorphous matrix maintains appropriate viscosity to prevent hot offset.
4Force
If an amorphous resin is added to a crystalline resin to increase viscosity, then the toner secures a fixing region, but the toner has poor durability with easy occurrence of image failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite binder resin system where crystalline polyester resin provides structural stability and sharp melting characteristics, while carefully selected amorphous resin components provide viscosity control and flexibility. This composite structure enhances durability by preventing image failure during long-term printing, as the balanced resin system maintains both the sharp melting needed for fixation and the viscosity needed to prevent toner migration and image defects.
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 excellent low-temperature fixability, resistance to hot offset and winding, and prevents image failures even under long-term stress, maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
the first resin is a crystalline resin... in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the toner, an endothermic quantity ΔH (J/g) derived from the first resin satisfies a relationship of ΔH≥3
Implementation Method 2
an endothermic quantity ΔH (J/g) derived from the first resin satisfies a relationship of ΔH≥3
Implementation Method 3
in flow tester measurement using the toner as a sample, T1 and T10 satisfy the following relationships: T10≥65; T1-T10≤10 where the T1 (° C.) represents a temperature at which a melt viscosity V1 at an applied pressure of 0.9807 MPa becomes 1×105 Pa·s
Data Source
AI summary
A toner that is excellent in low-temperature fixability at the time of high-speed printing, achieves both hot offset resistance and winding resistance, and has such satisfactory durability as not to be liable to cause an image failure even at the time of long-term endurance. The toner includes a toner particle containing a binder resin including a first resin and a second resin, wherein the first resin is a crystalline resin, wherein the second resin is an amorphous resin, wherein, the toner has a domain-matrix structure formed of: a matrix containing the first resin; and domains each containing the second resin, wherein, an endothermic quantity ΔH (J/g) derived from the first resin satisfies a relationship of ΔH≥3, and wherein, in flow tester measurement of the toner, the following relationships are satisfied: T10≥65; T1−T10≤10.