Hydrogenated Rosin Polyester Resin Toner Low-Temperature Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polyester resins for toners face challenges in achieving optimal adhesion to paper at low fixing temperatures, with existing rosin ester groups either lacking sufficient hydrophobicity or increasing the softening temperature, leading to poor fixing properties and potential image peeling when paper is bent.
Innovation Solution
A polyester resin for toners is developed, incorporating a repeating unit derived from a hydrogenated rosin diol and a saturated dicarboxylic acid, which enhances adhesion and fixing properties by increasing hydrophobicity and reducing the softening temperature, allowing for effective fixing at a wide temperature range without image peeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rosin ester groups are used in polyester resin for toners, then adhesion to paper is improved, but softening temperature increases leading to poor fixing properties and image peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of the rosin ester group through hydrogenation. Specifically, it uses a diol component where at least part of the rosin ester groups are derived from hydrogenated rosin, which reduces the number of double bonds. This structural parameter change lowers the softening temperature while preserving the adhesion properties, resolving the contradiction between strong adhesion and low softening temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple components with specific functional properties: a polyester resin base, a diol component (30-70 wt%) containing hydrogenated rosin ester groups, and controlled amounts of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid (0.1-5 wt%). This composite approach balances adhesion (from rosin ester groups) with low softening temperature (from hydrogenation and saturated acid content), preventing image peeling while maintaining fixing performance.
2Strength
If rosin ester groups with high hydrophobicity are used, then adhesion to paper is improved, but fixing temperature increases reducing fixing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydrophobicity parameter by using hydrogenated rosin instead of conventional rosin. Hydrogenation reduces the double bond content, which modifies the hydrophobic character and intermolecular forces. This parameter adjustment allows achieving good adhesion with lower fixing temperatures, as the hydrogenated structure provides appropriate balance between hydrophobicity for adhesion and thermal properties for low-temperature fixing.
3Temperature
If the softening temperature is reduced for low-temperature fixing, then fixing efficiency is improved, but adhesion to paper decreases causing image peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simultaneously optimizes multiple parameters: it controls the diol component at 30-70 wt% with specific hydroxyl value range (15-50 mg KOH/g), limits unsaturated dicarboxylic acid to 0.1-5 wt%, and ensures hydrogenated rosin ester groups constitute at least part of the rosin content. This multi-parameter control achieves the difficult balance of low softening temperature for efficient fixing while maintaining sufficient adhesion strength to prevent image peeling.
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 specific polyester resin exhibits superior adhesion and fixing properties to paper, maintaining image integrity even when bent, with a synergistic effect between the hydrogenated rosin ester group and saturated dicarboxylic acid, ensuring reliable performance across various fixing temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
enhances adhesion and fixing properties by increasing hydrophobicity
Implementation Method 2
reducing the softening temperature, allowing for effective fixing at a wide temperature range
Data Source
AI summary
A polyester resin for toner includes a repeating unit that is derived from a diol represented by the following formula (1), and a repeating unit that is derived from a dicarboxylic acid not having a double carbon-carbon bond:wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen or a methyl group, L1 represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of an ether group, a chain alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group, and combinations thereof, L2 and L3 each independently represent a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl group, an ester group, an ether group, a sulfonyl group, a chain alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group, an arylene group, and combinations thereof, L1 and L2, or L1 and L3 may form a ring, and A1 and A2 each independently represent a rosin ester group derived from a hydrogenated rosin.