Domain-Matrix Toner for Low-Temperature Fixing and Separability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving both low-temperature fixability and good fixing separability, as the transfer of a release agent to the image surface may be insufficient during the fixing process.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition featuring a domain-matrix structure, where a crystalline resin with a sharp melt property forms the matrix, and an amorphous resin forms the domains, with specific control over the area ratio of the matrix and the orientation of the domains to enhance release agent transfer and fixing separability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a crystalline resin with sharp melt property is used as the main component to achieve low-temperature fixability, then fixing performance at low energy is improved, but fixing separability deteriorates due to insufficient release agent transfer to the image surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a domain-matrix structure where different regions of the toner particle have different compositions: the matrix contains crystalline resin for low-temperature melting and fixability, while the domains contain amorphous resin and release agent. This local differentiation allows the matrix to provide sharp melt property for energy-efficient fixing while the domains store and transfer release agent to ensure proper separability during the fixing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines crystalline resin and amorphous resin in a domain-matrix structure to create a composite material that exhibits both sharp melt property (from crystalline resin) and adequate release agent transfer (from amorphous resin domains). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both resin types while mitigating their individual limitations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the area ratio of the matrix is increased to improve low-temperature fixability, then fixing performance is enhanced, but the transfer of release agent to the image surface becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the area ratio parameter of the matrix within a specific range (30-70%, preferably 40-60%) to balance two competing requirements: sufficient matrix content for sharp melt property and low-temperature fixability, while maintaining adequate domain content for release agent storage and transfer. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point.
3Ease of manufacture
If domains with random orientation are formed in the toner particle, then the structure is easier to manufacture, but fixing separability deteriorates due to insufficient release agent transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by orienting the domains in a specific direction (substantially perpendicular to the toner particle surface) before the fixing process. This pre-orientation ensures that during fixing, the domains are positioned to effectively transfer the release agent to the image surface, thereby ensuring proper fixing separability while maintaining manufacturability through controlled domain formation.
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 proposed toner achieves both low-temperature fixability and improved fixing separability by ensuring effective transfer of the release agent to the toner particle surface, thereby maintaining image quality and print performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first resin is a crystalline resin having a melting point Tp of 50° C. to 90° C.
Implementation Method 2
the cross section of the toner particle has a matrix-domain structure composed of a matrix comprising the first resin and domains comprising the second resin
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle comprising a binder resin and a release agent, wherein the binder resin comprises a first resin and a second resin; the first resin is a crystalline resin having a melting point Tp of 50° C. to 90° C.; the second resin is an amorphous resin; in a cross section of the toner particle observed by a transmission electron microscope, the cross section of the toner particle has a matrix-domain structure composed of a matrix comprising the first resin and domains comprising the second resin; an area ratio of the matrix comprising the first resin in a total area of the cross section of the toner particle is 35 to 70 area %; and where a longest direction of each of the domains is taken as a longitudinal direction, a standard deviation of an angle of the longitudinal direction of the domains is 25° or less.