Toner with Controlled Viscoelasticity for Low-Temperature Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods struggle to achieve a well-balanced improvement in low-temperature fixability and shelf stability of toners, as adjusting viscoelasticity of binder resins often compromises one aspect for the other.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition with specific viscoelastic characteristics, including a glass transition temperature between 45°C and 100°C, and satisfying certain loss tangent ratios at different temperatures, incorporating a binder resin with polymerizable monomers like styrene and acrylic esters, and a softening temperature between 154°C and 220°C, to enhance both low-temperature fixability and shelf stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the viscoelasticity of the binder resin is adjusted to improve low-temperature fixability, then the fixing temperature can be reduced, but the shelf stability deteriorates and blocking occurs during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the binder resin within 45°C to 100°C and regulating the loss tangent (tan δ) at specific temperatures. This involves adjusting the molecular structure and composition of the binder resin to achieve optimal viscoelastic properties that enable low-temperature fixing while preventing storage blocking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating a toner composition that includes a binder resin with specific viscoelastic characteristics, colorant, charge control agent, and releasing agent. The binder resin itself may be a composite of polymerizable monomers like styrene and acrylic esters, creating a material with tailored properties that balance fixability and shelf stability
2Reliability
If the viscoelasticity of the binder resin is adjusted to improve shelf stability, then blocking during storage is prevented, but low-temperature fixability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing specific parameter ranges for the binder resin: Tg between 45°C and 100°C, and controlled tan δ values at different temperatures. These parameter changes create a viscoelastic profile that maintains appropriate rigidity during storage while providing sufficient flexibility during the fixing process
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 fixability and shelf stability, preventing blocking during storage and ensuring effective image formation at relatively low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a glass transition temperature (Tg) specified from a temperature dependence curve for a loss tangent (tan δ) of the toner, which is obtained by a dynamic viscoelastic measurement of the toner at a measurement frequency of 24 Hz, satisfies 45° C. ≤ Tg < 100° C.
Implementation Method 2
the following formulae (I-1) and (I-2) are satisfied: 5.00×10−2 ≤ (tan δ(Tg)−tan δ(45° C.))/(Tg−45) < 7.40×10−2... −5.00×10−2 ≤ (tan δ(130° C.)−tan δ(100° C.))/30 < 2.00×10−2
Data Source
AI summary
A toner excellent in low-temperature fixing property and shelf stability. The toner comprising colored resin particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, a softening agent and a charge control agent, and an external additive, wherein a glass transition temperature (Tg) specified from a temperature dependence curve for a loss tangent (tan δ) of the toner, which is obtained by a dynamic viscoelastic measurement of the toner at a measurement frequency of 24 Hz, satisfies 45° C.<Tg(° C.)<100° C., and formula (I-1): 5.00×10−2<(tan δ(Tg)−tan δ(45° C.))/(Tg−45)<7.60×10−2 and formula (I-2): −3.0×10−3<(tan δ(130° C.)−tan δ(100° C.))/30<9.8×10−1 are satisfied, or formula (II-1): 5.00×10−2<(tan δ(Tg)−tan δ(45° C.))/(Tg−45)<7.60×10−2 and formula (II-2): 2.1×10−3<(tan δ(130° C.)−tan δ(100° C.))/30<4.4×10−2 are satisfied.