Toner Domain-Matrix Structure for Fixability and Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving both low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance, with crystalline vinyl resins exhibiting poor viscosity and a narrow temperature range for fixing, and amorphous resins providing inadequate charging stability in high-temperature high-humidity environments.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition comprising a binder resin with a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin, where the crystalline resin has a specific monomer unit and acid value, and the amorphous resin has a controlled acid value, along with the inclusion of a multivalent metal element, forming a domain-matrix structure for improved fixability and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a crystalline vinyl resin is used as a binder resin to achieve low-temperature fixability, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but viscosity is too low in high-temperature regions causing hot offset and wrapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite binder resin system combining crystalline vinyl resin (for low-temperature fixability) with polyester resin and amorphous resin (for high-temperature viscosity control). This composite approach allows the toner to achieve both low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance by leveraging the complementary properties of different resin materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the acid value of the crystalline vinyl resin within a specific range (0.1-30 mg KOH/g) and the acid value of the amorphous resin (0.5-40 mg KOH/g) to optimize the balance between low-temperature fixability and high-temperature viscosity. By adjusting these chemical parameters, the toner achieves appropriate viscosity characteristics across different temperature regions.
2Temperature
If crystalline polyester resin is used as a binder resin to achieve sharp melt properties, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but charging stability deteriorates in high-temperature high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces crystalline polyester resin with crystalline vinyl resin as the primary crystalline component, combined with polyester resin and amorphous resin. This composite formulation maintains the sharp melt properties needed for low-temperature fixability while improving charging stability in high-temperature high-humidity environments, as the crystalline vinyl resin exhibits better charging stability than crystalline polyester resin.
3Reliability
If an amorphous resin is added to a crystalline resin to raise viscosity after toner melting, then hot offset resistance is improved, but the fixing temperature range becomes narrower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the acid value parameters of both the crystalline vinyl resin (0.1-30 mg KOH/g) and the amorphous resin (0.5-40 mg KOH/g) to optimize the viscosity characteristics. By adjusting these chemical parameters within specific ranges, the patent achieves appropriate viscosity after melting while maintaining a sufficient fixing temperature range, avoiding the trade-off between hot offset resistance and fixing temperature flexibility.
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 achieves excellent low-temperature fixability, hot offset resistance, and charging stability by optimizing the domain-matrix structure and acid value ratios within the toner, enhancing its performance in high-humidity environments.
Implementation Method 1
a domain-matrix structure formed of a matrix containing the first resin and domains containing the second resin appears in cross-sectional observation of the toner
Implementation Method 2
crystalline resins having sharp melt properties
Implementation Method 3
the toner particle further contains a multivalent metal element, the multivalent metal element is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Al, Fe and Zn
Data Source
AI summary
A toner is provided, which has a toner particle containing a binder resin including a first resin and a second resin, wherein the first resin is a crystalline resin, the second resin is an amorphous resin, the first resin contains a specific amount of a first monomer unit having a specific structure, an acid value of the first resin and an acid value of the second resin are within specific ranges, a domain-matrix structure formed of a matrix containing the first resin and domains containing the second resin appears in cross-sectional observation of the toner, the toner particle contains a multivalent metal element, the multivalent metal element is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Al, Fe and Zn, and a total content of the multivalent metal element is within a specific range.