Toner Binder Composite Resolves Hot-Offset and Fixing Temperature Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving high hot-offset resistance, low temperature-fixing properties, and heat-resistant storage stability, particularly in high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, while also requiring a reduction in energy consumption and equipment size.
Innovation Solution
A toner binder composed of a combination of noncrystalline polyester resin (A) and crystalline polyester resin (B), formed in the presence of a titanium-containing catalyst, is used to create a core-shell structure with specific molecular weight ranges and additives, enhancing the toner's thermal properties and fixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a heating roller is used at a lowered temperature for prevention of the offset phenomenon, then hot-offset resistance is improved, but fixing temperature is increased leading to insufficient fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The toner uses a composite binder system comprising a polyester resin (providing hot-offset resistance through its melting properties) and a polyolefin resin (providing low-temperature fixing capability through its softening properties). This composite material structure allows the toner to maintain stability at high temperatures while enabling effective fixation at lower temperatures, resolving the contradiction between hot-offset resistance and fixing temperature.
2Temperature
If the mixing ratio of the resin with a lower softening point is increased to improve low temperature-fixing property, then fixing temperature is lowered, but blocking resistance and hot-offset resistance degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the molecular weight parameters of the polyester resin (specifically controlling the ratio of low molecular weight to high molecular weight components) and the mixing ratio with polyolefin resin to achieve a balance where low temperature-fixing property is improved while maintaining adequate blocking resistance and hot-offset resistance. The specific parameter ranges defined in the patent prevent the degradation of resistance properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If silicone oil is applied to the heating roller surface for prevention of offset phenomenon, then hot-offset resistance is improved, but device complexity and production costs are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The toner formulation itself provides offset resistance through the inherent properties of the polyester-polyolefin composite binder system, eliminating the need for external releasing agents or complex heating roller coatings. The toner's own composition enables it to resist offsetting during the fixing process, making the system self-sufficient and reducing device complexity.
4Temperature
If a toner binder is developed with two types of resins with different softening points to improve low temperature-fixing property, then fixing temperature is lowered, but sharp melt property in the low temperature region becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates local quality differentiation within the binder system by using polyester resin with specific low molecular weight components (providing sharp melting behavior at low temperatures) combined with high molecular weight components (providing structural integrity). This localized functional differentiation within the binder enables both low temperature-fixing and sharp melt properties to coexist.
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 solution provides excellent blocking resistance, low temperature-fixing properties, and hot-offset resistance, while maintaining heat-resistant storage stability and reducing energy consumption, thus addressing the limitations of previous toner technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one noncrystalline polyester resin (A) and/or the crystalline polyester resin (B) are formed in the presence of at least one titanium-containing catalyst (a)
Implementation Method 2
the toner exhibits heat melting property that shows a sharp decrease in viscosity at a temperature close to the fixation beginning temperature
Implementation Method 3
a toner is desired in which the offset occurrence temperature is high (hot-offset resistance) and the fixing temperature is low (low temperature-fixing property)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrostatic image developing toner excellent in blocking resistance at high temperature and humidity, as well as in low temperature-fixing property, having a polyester resin toner binder. Provided is the electrostatic image developing toner containing at least one noncrystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin, wherein the polyester resins are formed in the presence of at least one titanium-containing catalyst expressed in the following Formulas: Ti(-X)m(-OH)n O=Ti(-X)p(-OR)q where X is a residue resulting from removing an H atom in one hydroxyl group from (poly)alkanolamine having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, R represents an H atom or an alkyl group that has 1 to 8 carbon atoms and may contain 1 to 3 ether bonds, m, n, p, and q are integers; m, n, p, and q are 1-4, 0-3, 1-2, 0-1,respectively; and the sum of m and n, and p and q are 4 and 2, respectively.