Toner Core-Shell Softening Temperature Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrostatic charge image developing toners face issues with image density reduction and surface peeling due to inadequate hardness, which affects low-temperature fixability and causes aggregation or fogging, as the hardness difference between the toner surface and interior leads to stress-induced material peeling and fluidizing agent embedment.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrostatic charge image developing toner with a core particle made of amorphous polyester resin and a shell layer of polystyrene resin, where the softening temperature difference between the shell and core (Ma-Mb) is controlled between 10°C to 45°C to prevent peeling and embedment of fluidizing agents, ensuring proper migration of release agents and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shell layer hardness is increased to prevent surface peeling, then surface integrity is improved, but low-temperature fixability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The toner particle is designed with different hardness characteristics in different regions: the shell layer has higher hardness to prevent surface peeling, while the core particle has lower hardness to maintain low-temperature fixability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between surface integrity and low-temperature fixability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls the softening temperature difference between the shell layer (Ma) and core particle (Mb) within a specific range of 10°C to 45°C. By adjusting this temperature parameter difference, the patent achieves both surface peeling prevention and low-temperature fixability maintenance.
2Strength
If the shell layer is made harder to prevent material peeling, then surface integrity is improved, but fluidizing agent embedment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a specific parameter range for the softening temperature difference (10°C to 45°C) that prevents excessive embedment of fluidizing agents while maintaining surface hardness. This parameter control resolves the contradiction between surface integrity and fluidizing agent embedment.
3Strength
If the toner surface is made harder to prevent peeling, then surface integrity is improved, but aggregation and fogging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The toner particle structure creates local quality differentiation where the shell provides surface hardness to prevent peeling, while the softer core prevents stress-induced aggregation and fogging. This resolves the contradiction between surface integrity and aggregation prevention.
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 solution effectively suppresses peeling and embedment of fluidizing agents, maintaining image quality and low-temperature fixability by controlling the softening temperature difference between the shell and core, thereby preventing stress-induced aggregation and fogging.
Implementation Method 1
a softening temperature Ma of the shell layer and a softening temperature Mb of the core particle satisfy a relationship of 10° C.≦Ma-Mb≦45° C.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic charge image developing toner is provided which includes a core particle that contains an amorphous polyester resin and a colorant; and a shell layer that covers the core particle and contains a polystyrene resin, wherein a softening temperature Ma of the shell layer and a softening temperature Mb of the core particle satisfy a relationship of 10° C.≦Ma-Mb≦45° C.