Graphite-Filled Silicone Rubber Elastic Layer Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to enhance the thermal conductivity of an elastic layer in electrophotographic members used in fixing apparatuses while ensuring stable curing of addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixtures containing graphite particles, as graphite particles can inhibit curing due to high DBP oil absorption numbers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating graphite particles with a DBP oil absorption number between 40 cm3/100 g and 80 cm3/100 g into the addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture to facilitate effective curing and improve thermal conductivity, thereby forming an electrophotographic member with a high-quality elastic layer for efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If graphite particles are used to improve thermal conductivity of the elastic layer, then thermal conductivity is enhanced, but curing of the addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the DBP oil absorption number of graphite particles within a specific range (40-80 cm³/100g). This parameter control resolves the contradiction by selecting graphite particles with optimized surface properties that allow sufficient thermal conductivity while maintaining curability of the silicone rubber mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture containing graphite particles with controlled DBP oil absorption numbers. This composite approach allows the synergistic combination of thermal conductivity enhancement from graphite while maintaining the curability characteristics of the silicone rubber system.
2Temperature
If graphite particles with high DBP oil absorption number are used, then thermal conductivity is improved, but the addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture cannot be sufficiently cured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the DBP oil absorption number parameter of graphite particles within the range of 40-80 cm³/100g. This parameter optimization ensures that the graphite particles provide adequate thermal conductivity while their surface properties allow the addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture to cure completely and uniformly.
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
This approach allows for the stable curing of the silicone rubber mixture and achieves high thermal conductivity in the electrophotographic member, leading to improved heat transfer and the formation of high-quality electrophotographic images.
Implementation Method 1
graphite particles can improve the thermal conductivity of the elastic layer more efficiently as compared to heat conductive fillers such as carbon black
Implementation Method 2
an electrophotographic member including: a substrate; and an elastic layer on the substrate, the elastic layer containing a cured product of an addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an electrophotographic member having an elastic layer containing graphite particles dispersed in a silicone rubber and having a high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction. The electrophotographic member includes a substrate and an elastic layer on the substrate, the elastic layer containing a cured product of an addition-curable liquid silicone rubber mixture including an addition-curable liquid silicone rubber and graphite particles, and the graphite particles having a DBP oil absorption number of 40 cm3/100 g or more and lower than 80 cm3/100 g.