Toner Composition for Low-Temp Fixing and Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face issues with contamination of the fixing member during low-temperature fixing in electrophotographic systems, which affects the long-term image output durability and the life of the fixing apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation with a specific ratio of crystalline polyester resin and wax, combined with an amorphous polyester resin, is developed to control the contamination of the fixing member by optimizing the melting properties and dispersibility of the components, ensuring effective low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If low-temperature fixing is implemented to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but contamination of the fixing member occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder resin by incorporating a specific crystalline polyester resin with defined melting properties. This allows the toner to maintain appropriate melting behavior at low fixation temperatures without excessive wax seepage that would cause contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and fixing member contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite binder resin system combining crystalline polyester resin with specific melting properties and wax. This composite structure enables controlled melting at low temperatures while preventing excessive wax migration to the fixing member surface, achieving both low power consumption and reduced contamination.
2Speed
If crystalline polyester resin is added to improve low-temperature fixability, then melting speed is improved, but contamination of the fixing member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the melting point parameter of the crystalline polyester resin to be within a specific range. This parameter optimization ensures rapid melting for good fixability while preventing excessive wax softening and migration that would lead to fixing member contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local quality differentiation within the toner structure by having the crystalline polyester resin distributed in specific domains with controlled size and morphology. This localized structure allows controlled melting behavior at the toner particle level while preventing uncontrolled wax migration to the fixing member.
3Temperature
If wax content is increased to improve low-temperature fixability, then fixing temperature is reduced, but hot offset resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the composition parameters by precisely controlling the types and amounts of different waxes used in combination with the crystalline polyester resin. This parameter optimization allows the toner to achieve low fixation temperature while maintaining adequate hot offset resistance through balanced wax properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite wax system with multiple wax components having different melting points and properties. This composite approach allows the toner to exhibit controlled melting behavior at low temperatures for good fixability while maintaining structural integrity and hot offset resistance through the synergistic effect of different wax components.
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 good long-term image formation with reduced contamination of the fixing member, extending the life of the fixing apparatus while maintaining low-temperature fixability and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
techniques are being investigated for melting the toner more rapidly during the fixing process
Implementation Method 2
lowering the glass transition point or softening point of the binder resin in the toner
Implementation Method 3
fixing the toner at lower fixation temperatures so as to reduce power consumption during the fixing process
Data Source
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AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle containing an amorphous polyester resin, a crystalline polyester resin and a wax, wherein in a cross-section of the toner by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), domains of the wax and crystals of the crystalline polyester resin are present, the area occupied by the domains of the wax is 0.5% to 8.0% and the area occupied by the crystals of the crystalline polyester resin is 0.5% to 8.0% of the cross-sectional area of the toner, the number-average diameter Dw of the domains of the wax is 60 nm to 240 nm, the aspect ratio of the crystals of the crystalline polyester resin is 5.0 to 25.0, and the number-average diameter Dc of major axis lengths of the crystals of the crystalline polyester resin is 0.8 to 2.0 times the Dw.