Toner Composition for Low-Temperature Fixing With Matte Finish
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners struggle to achieve low-temperature fixability while maintaining low gloss, particularly on smooth media surfaces, as viscosity reduction during fixing leads to a smooth and glossy image surface.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition comprising nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particles and magnetic iron oxide particles, with specific size and ratio distributions, is used to create protrusions on the image surface, inhibiting viscosity reduction and maintaining matte texture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If plasticizers are added to enable low-temperature fixing, then fixing temperature is reduced, but gloss increases due to viscosity reduction and surface flattening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of binder resin, nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particles, and magnetic iron oxide particles. This composite structure allows the toner to achieve low-temperature fixability while maintaining low gloss through the combined effects of the resin's thermal properties and the particles' surface-forming capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differences by incorporating particles with specific size distributions (0.1-3.0 μm for nonmagnetic oxide, 0.03-0.5 μm for magnetic iron oxide). These different sized particles create localized surface protrusions that scatter light differently, allowing the image surface to maintain matte appearance even when the bulk toner exhibits viscosity reduction during fixing.
2Productivity
If toner viscosity is reduced for low-temperature fixing, then fixing performance improves, but image surface becomes smooth and glossy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the toner composition by controlling particle size distributions and ratios. The nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particles (0.1-3.0 μm) and magnetic iron oxide particles (0.03-0.5 μm) are used in specific ratios to create surface protrusions that maintain matte texture while allowing the bulk toner to exhibit appropriate viscosity for low-temperature fixing.
3Manufacturing precision
If inorganic particles are added to improve image quality, then manufacturing complexity increases, but gloss suppression remains insufficient on smooth media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using a dual-particle system where nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particles primarily provide gloss suppression through light scattering, while magnetic iron oxide particles simultaneously provide magnetic properties for developer formation and additional surface texture. This universal approach addresses multiple requirements (low gloss, low-temperature fixing, proper developer behavior) with a single integrated composition system.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle comprising a binder resin, a nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particle A, and a magnetic iron oxide particle B, wherein a softening point of a chloroform-soluble component of the toner particle is not greater than 90° C.; the nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particle A and the magnetic iron oxide particle B are internally added to the toner particle; the nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particle A comprises as its main component at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Mg, Al, Ti, and Sr; a proportion of the inorganic oxide particles having a long diameter of specific length is in specific range; and a value of a ratio of a number-average particle diameter of the long diameter for the nonmagnetic inorganic oxide particle A, to a number-average particle diameter of the long diameter for the magnetic iron oxide particle B, is 5 to 30.