Si-Polymer Surface Layer for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus members face challenges with soiling resistance and durability due to high surface free energy components, leading to adhesion issues and cracking, which affect their performance over time.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus member with a surface layer containing a Si-atom containing polymer as a major component, where the dispersive, dipole, and hydrogen bonding components of the surface free energy are minimized, enhancing mechanical strength and reducing adhesion and cracking, thereby improving soiling resistance and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the surface free energy components (dispersive, dipole, hydrogen bonding) are increased to improve adhesion, then adhesion performance is improved, but soiling resistance and durability deteriorate due to cracking and adhesion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by incorporating specific polymers (polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, acrylic, or vinyl chloride resin) and controlling the content of polar groups and hydroxyl groups. This parameter optimization achieves the balance between adhesion performance and soiling resistance, resolving the contradiction by finding the optimal chemical composition range rather than simply increasing surface free energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material composition in the surface layer, combining multiple polymer types and controlling the ratio of polar to non-polar components. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of adhesion (through controlled polar groups) and soiling resistance (through hydrophobic non-polar components), resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a surface layer with high surface free energy is used to enhance adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates leading to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the chemical parameters of the surface layer by controlling the types and amounts of polymers and functional groups. Specifically, it limits polar groups to 5 mmol/g or less and hydroxyl groups to 3 mmol/g or less, which prevents excessive intermolecular forces that cause brittleness while maintaining sufficient adhesion, thus resolving the contradiction between adhesion and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different properties to different aspects of the surface layer: it provides localized adhesion through controlled polar groups at the interface, while maintaining overall mechanical strength through the bulk polymer matrix with limited polar content. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adhesion requirements and mechanical strength requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus member includes a surface layer containing a Si-atom containing polymer as a major component. The dispersive component of the surface free energy of the surface layer is 25 mN/m or less, the dipole component of the surface free energy of the surface layer is 5 mN/m or less, and the hydrogen bonding component of the surface free energy of the surface layer is 5 mN/m or less.