Electrostatic Image-Developing Toner With Crystallization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic charge image developing toners face issues with gloss level differences and low-temperature fixability, particularly when using inorganic particles as external additives, which affect image quality and fixability.
Innovation Solution
The toner contains an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin as a binder, with inorganic particles having a specific gravity of 1.3 to 2.0, and dynamic viscoelasticity measurements are set to maintain a ratio tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) of 0.90 to 1.40 and loss tangent tan δ(80) of 1.20 to 1.70, suppressing gloss level differences while ensuring low-temperature fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic particles with specific gravity less than 1.3 or more than 2.0 are used as external additive, then the toner can be manufactured, but gloss level difference occurs and low-temperature fixability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the specific gravity of inorganic particles within the range of 1.3 to 2.0 and regulating the loss tangent values (tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) ratio and tan δ(80) absolute value) within specified ranges. These parameter adjustments optimize the balance between low-temperature fixability and gloss level uniformity, resolving the technical contradiction by finding the optimal operating window for both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously
2Manufacturing precision
If the loss tangent tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) ratio is outside 0.90-1.40 or tan δ(80) is outside 1.20-1.70, then the toner formulation is simplified, but gloss level difference increases and fixability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific ranges for loss tangent parameters (tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) ratio between 0.90-1.40 and tan δ(80) between 1.20-1.70) to control the crystallization behavior of the crystalline resin during fixing. By defining these parameter windows, the patent achieves uniform gloss levels while maintaining low-temperature fixability, balancing performance requirements with controllable formulation parameters
3Reliability
If crystalline resin is used as binder resin, then low-temperature fixability is achieved, but gloss level difference occurs due to crystallization control issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces loss tangent parameters as intermediary indicators to control and monitor the crystallization behavior of the crystalline resin during the fixing process. By regulating the tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) ratio and tan δ(80) value within specified ranges, these parameters act as mediators that control the crystallization kinetics, enabling uniform gloss levels while preserving the low-temperature fixability advantage of crystalline resin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the loss tangent characteristics of the binder resin system. By controlling the tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) ratio and tan δ(80) absolute value within specific ranges, the patent optimizes the crystallization behavior of the crystalline resin, achieving both low-temperature fixability and uniform gloss levels simultaneously
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 toner achieves suppressed gloss level differences and maintains low-temperature fixability, enhancing image quality and fixability by controlling the crystallization of the crystalline resin through the use of specific dynamic viscoelasticity ranges and inorganic additives.
Implementation Method 1
the crystalline resin is crystallized in an image in a case where the image is cooled after the toner image is fixed
Implementation Method 2
in a dynamic viscoelasticity measurement of the toner particles in a case where a temperature is decreased from 110° C. to 30° C., a ratio tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) of a loss tangent tan δ(80) at a temperature of 80° C. to a loss tangent tan δ(60) at a temperature of 60° C.)
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic charge image developing toner contains toner particles that contains an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin as a binder resin, and an external additive, in which the external additive contains inorganic particles having a specific gravity of 1.3 or more and 2.0 or less, and in a dynamic viscoelasticity measurement of the toner particles in a case where a temperature is decreased from 110° C. to 30° C., a ratio tan δ(80)/tan δ(60) of a loss tangent tan δ(80) at a temperature of 80° C. to a loss tangent tan δ(60) at a temperature of 60° C. is 0.90 or more and 1.40 or less, and the loss tangent tan δ(80) at a temperature of 80° C. is 1.20 or more and 1.70 or less.