Toner Fixing Speed Stability via Crystalline Vinyl Resin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toners experience a reduction in fixing speed after storage in high-temperature environments, due to the formation of a eutectic state between the crystalline resin and the release agent, leading to insufficient exudation of the release agent during high-speed fixing.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition comprising a binder resin with a crystalline vinyl resin that includes 5.0% by mass or more of a specific monomer unit, and a release agent with a peak molecular weight of 800 or more, which maintains the phase-separated state of the release agent and binder resin, ensuring consistent fixing speed even after high-temperature storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a crystalline vinyl resin with long-chain alkyl groups is used as binder resin, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but after high-temperature storage the resin forms a eutectic state with the release agent causing fixing speed to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the release agent (specifying Mp ≥ 800) and the compositional parameter of the crystalline vinyl resin (specifying ≥5.0% monomer unit (a) with specific structure). These parameter changes prevent eutectic formation during high-temperature storage while maintaining low-temperature fixability and high-speed fixing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite toner system combining specifically structured crystalline vinyl resin (with defined monomer unit composition) and high molecular weight release agent. This composite material configuration ensures phase separation is maintained even after high-temperature storage, preventing the harmful eutectic state while achieving both low-temperature fixability and consistent fixing speed.
2Productivity
If the release agent molecular weight is increased to prevent eutectic formation, then fixing speed stability after high-temperature storage is improved, but compatibility with crystalline vinyl resin during fixing may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the release agent (Mp ≥ 800) to achieve the right balance: high enough to prevent eutectic formation and maintain phase separation after high-temperature storage, but controlled to ensure adequate release property during fixing through proper exudation.
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 proposed toner achieves excellent low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance, with a fixing speed that remains unchanged after storage in high-temperature environments, enhancing productivity and reliability in high-speed fixing processes.
Implementation Method 1
crystalline vinyl resin, which is a polymer having a specific structure... the crystalline vinyl resin comprises 5.0% by mass or more of a monomer unit (a)... at least two of R1 to R4 are each independently —X—COOR5... R5 is an alkyl group having 16 to 30 carbon atoms
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle comprising a binder resin and a release agent, wherein the binder resin comprises a crystalline vinyl resin, the crystalline vinyl resin comprises 5.0% by mass or more of a monomer unit (a) represented by a following formula (1), based on a mass of the crystalline vinyl resin,in the formula (1), at least two of R1 to R4 are each independently —X—COOR5, and a remaining is each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X is a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R5 is an alkyl group having 16 to 30 carbon atoms, and a peak molecular weight Mp of the release agent is 800 or more.