Olefin Copolymer Toner for Low-Temperature Fixing and Hot Offset
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving both low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance while maintaining charge-retaining properties, particularly when used with varying recording materials of different sizes, as they either compromise on fixability or suffer from hot offset issues.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition featuring an olefin copolymer with a melting point of 80° C. or more and 150° C. or less, incorporating a monomer unit Y1 and Y2, and a high content of hydroxyl groups to enhance cohesion and polarity, which improves hot offset resistance and charge-retaining properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline polyester resins with sharp melt properties are used to reduce fixing temperature, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but charge-retaining property deteriorates due to low electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite resin system combining polyester resin (for low-temperature fixability) with polyolefin resin and epoxy resin (for charge retention). This composite approach allows the toner to achieve both sharp melt properties for low-temperature fixing and sufficient electrical resistance for charge retention, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the resin composition parameters by specifying that polyester resin content is 30-80 mass%, polyolefin resin is 5-60 mass%, and epoxy resin is 1-20 mass%. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the toner achieves optimal balance between fixing temperature and charge-retaining property.
2Temperature
If ester group-containing ethylene copolymers are used to reduce fixing temperature, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but hot offset resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ester group-containing ethylene copolymer (for low-temperature fixability) with polyolefin resin and epoxy resin (for hot offset resistance). The polyolefin component provides high-temperature stability while the epoxy component enhances adhesion, together preventing hot offset while maintaining low-temperature fixability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces epoxy resin with specific functional groups that provide localized adhesion enhancement at the toner-paper interface. This local quality improvement at the bonding interface prevents hot offset without affecting the overall melting and fixing behavior of the toner particles.
3Temperature
If resin composition is optimized for low-temperature fixability, then fixing temperature is reduced, but performance on varying recording materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional resin system where polyester resin provides low-temperature melting, polyolefin resin provides thermal stability and hot offset resistance, and epoxy resin provides broad adhesion to various substrates. This universal composition ensures consistent performance across different recording materials while maintaining low-temperature fixability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the resin composition parameters within specific ranges: polyester resin 30-80 mass%, polyolefin resin 5-60 mass%, and epoxy resin 1-20 mass%. These parameter ranges are designed to provide optimal balance between low-temperature fixability and adaptability to various recording materials including paper, plastic, and coated surfaces.
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, enhanced hot offset resistance, and improved charge-retaining properties, ensuring reliable performance across various recording materials and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the olefin copolymer has a melting point of 80° C. or more and 150° C. or less
Data Source
AI summary
A toner includes a toner particle containing a resin component containing an olefin copolymer, wherein the olefin copolymer includes a specific monomer unit Y1 and a specific monomer unit Y2, and the content of the olefin copolymer in the resin component is more than 50 mass % based on the total mass of the resin component, and the olefin copolymer has a melting point of 80° C. or more and 150° C. or less.