Polysiloxane Electrophotographic Coating for Peeling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods of manufacturing electrophotographic members with a polysiloxane compound surface layer face issues of peeling due to inadequate surface treatment and mismatched surface free energies between the underlayer and surface layer, leading to reduced adhesiveness and increased waviness.
Innovation Solution
A method involving surface treatments like ultraviolet irradiation or plasma treatment to set the underlayer's surface free energy between 30 mJ/m² to 120 mJ/m², followed by forming a surface layer with a polysiloxane compound containing specific T and D units, ensuring a 0.5 N/mm adhesive strength and controlled surface free energy differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surface layer containing polysiloxane compound is formed on the underlayer without proper surface treatment, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the surface layer peels due to inadequate adhesiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatment (plasma treatment or ultraviolet irradiation) to the underlayer before forming the surface layer. This preliminary action modifies the surface free energy of the underlayer to be equal to or greater than that of the surface layer, ensuring adequate adhesiveness from the outset and preventing peeling during subsequent use.
2Manufacturing precision
If the surface free energy of the underlayer is not controlled, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the surface layer exhibits waviness and peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the surface free energy parameter of the underlayer through plasma treatment or ultraviolet irradiation. By adjusting these treatment conditions, the surface free energy of the underlayer is modified to match or exceed that of the surface layer, thereby preventing surface waviness and ensuring uniform surface flatness.
3Reliability
If conventional surface treatment methods are used without optimizing surface free energy, then the treatment process is simple, but peeling resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism by measuring and comparing the surface free energy of the underlayer and surface layer. The surface treatment conditions are optimized based on this comparison to ensure that the underlayer's surface free energy is equal to or greater than that of the surface layer, thereby achieving adequate peeling resistance.
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 effectively suppresses surface layer peeling, enhances adhesive strength, and reduces waviness, improving the reliability and performance of electrophotographic members.
Implementation Method 1
in the first step, the surface treatment is an ultraviolet irradiation treatment
Implementation Method 2
in the first step, the surface treatment is a plasma treatment
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of manufacturing an electrophotographic member includes performing a surface treatment on a surface layer forming surface of an underlayer to set a surface free energy of the surface layer forming surface of the underlayer to 30 mJ/m2 or more and 120 mJ/m2 or less; and forming a surface layer containing a polysiloxane compound having a T unit represented by Formula: [R1SiO3/2]m (here, in the formula, R1 represents an organic group, m represents an integer of 2 or more, and at least one R1 among the multiple R1's present in the T unit is a group including at least one of an alkyl group or an aryl group) on the surface layer forming surface of the underlayer.