Electrophotography Toner Crystalline Amorphous Resin Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners for electrophotography lack sufficient low-temperature fusing ability and durability, and are prone to wrapping-jam issues during the fusing process due to inadequate compatibility between crystalline and amorphous resins and poor dispersibility of releasing agents.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation incorporating a crystalline resin with a polycondensation resin component derived from long-chained aliphatic monomers and an amorphous resin with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid compound, along with an amorphous polyester, optimizing compatibility and dispersibility of releasing agents to enhance low-temperature fusing and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional toner formulations are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but low-temperature fusing ability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite resin system combining crystalline polyester resin with specific melting point (80-120°C) and amorphous polyester resin with controlled glass transition temperature (60-90°C). This composite approach enables the toner to achieve excellent low-temperature fusing ability while maintaining durability, as the crystalline component provides low-temperature melting capability and the amorphous component ensures adhesion and durability at the fusing interface.
2Reliability
If incompatible resin combinations are used, then formulation complexity is reduced, but durability and wrapping-jam control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the glass transition temperature of the amorphous polyester resin within 60-90°C and the melting point of the crystalline polyester resin within 80-120°C. By optimizing these thermal parameters and controlling the resin ratio (crystalline polyester resin 30-70 wt%, amorphous polyester resin 30-70 wt%), the invention achieves excellent durability and wrapping-jam control while maintaining manageable formulation complexity.
3Reliability
If releasing agent dispersibility is poor, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but wrapping-jam issues increase during fusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the softening point of the amorphous polyester resin to be within 10-50°C below the melting point of the crystalline polyester resin. This parameter optimization creates ideal conditions for releasing agent dispersibility and prevents wrapping-jam issues during the fusing process, while keeping the resin binder composition manageable with total releasing agent content controlled at 1-10 wt%.
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 exhibits improved low-temperature fusing ability, durability, and reduced wrapping-jam issues during fusing, with optimized resin compatibility and releasing agent dispersibility, leading to enhanced performance in electrophotographic processes.
Implementation Method 1
the polycondensation resin component is obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component containing an aliphatic diol having 9 or more carbon atoms and 14 or less carbon atoms, and a carboxylic acid component containing an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound having 9 or more carbon atoms and 14 or less carbon atoms
Implementation Method 2
an amorphous polyester AP obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component containing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid compound
Implementation Method 3
a melting point of the crystalline composite resin C is 100°C or more and 140°C or less
Implementation Method 4
optimized compatibility and dispersibility of releasing agents to enhance low-temperature fusing and durability
Data Source
AI summary
A toner for electrophotography containing a resin binder containing a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin, and a releasing agent, wherein the crystalline resin contains a crystalline composite resin C containing a polycondensation resin component and a styrenic resin component, wherein the polycondensation resin component is obtained by polycondensing a specified alcohol component and a specified carboxylic acid component, and wherein the amorphous resin contains an amorphous composite resin AC containing a polycondensation resin component and a styrenic resin component, wherein the polycondensation resin component is obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a specified carboxylic acid component, and an amorphous polyester AP obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a specified carboxylic acid component, wherein a softening point of the amorphous polyester AP is higher than a softening point of the amorphous composite resin AC, wherein a difference in softening points between the amorphous polyester AP and the amorphous composite resin AC is 10°C or more and 50°C or less. The toner for electrophotography of the present invention is suitably used in development of latent images or the like which is formed in, for example, electrostatic development method, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.