Silicone–Fluoro Electrophotographic Member for Toner Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastic intermediate transfer belts with a fluoro rubber surface layer exhibit reduced toner releasability while maintaining excellent medium followability, which affects the quality of electrophotographic images.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic member with a silicone rubber elastic layer and a fluoro rubber surface layer, where the surface layer has a thickness of 3 μm or more, an elastic deformation power ηIT of 30 to 50%, and a Martens hardness of 12.0 to 18.0 N/mm², as determined by nanoindentation, to enhance toner releasability and medium followability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hardness of the surface layer is increased to protect the elastic layer from abrasion, then the protective function is improved, but the medium followability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the surface layer by controlling its thickness (3-20 μm) and adjusting its hardness (Martens hardness 10-20 N/mm²) to achieve an optimal balance between protective function and medium followability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure with an elastic layer (silicone rubber) and a surface layer (fluoro rubber) where each layer has different properties. The elastic layer provides flexibility and followability, while the surface layer provides protection, achieving both requirements simultaneously through material composition
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluoro rubber is used in the surface layer to improve medium followability, then the followability is improved, but the toner releasability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the fluoro rubber surface layer, specifically controlling its thickness (3-20 μm) and hardness (Martens hardness 10-20 N/mm²), to achieve an optimal balance between medium followability and toner releasability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements
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 combination of specified elastic deformation power and Martens hardness in the surface layer improves toner releasability while preserving medium followability, resulting in high-quality electrophotographic images.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic deformation power ηIT calculated from a load displacement curve, obtained with a nanoindentation test according to ISO 14577 by bringing a Vickers indenter into contact with an outer surface of the surface layer and setting a test load at 120 μN, is 30 to 50%, and a Martens hardness determined by the nanoindentation test at the outer surface of the surface layer is 12.0 to 18.0 N/mm2
Implementation Method 2
The elastic intermediate transfer belt is excellent in followability to the surface of paper at the secondary transfer part
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic member comprising: a base material; an elastic layer on the base material; and a surface layer on the elastic layer, wherein the elastic layer comprises silicone rubber, the surface layer comprises fluoro rubber, a thickness of the surface layer is 3 μm or more, an elastic deformation power ηIT calculated from a load displacement curve, obtained with a nanoindentation test according to ISO 14577 by bringing a Vickers indenter into contact with an outer surface of the surface layer and setting a test load at 120 μN, is 30 to 50%, and a Martens hardness determined by the nanoindentation test at the outer surface of the surface layer is 12.0 to 18.0 N/mm2.