JP2006047429A - Support base for image recording material, its manufacturing method and image recording material - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a support base for an image recording material and a method for manufacturing the support base having both of high smoothness and excellent gloss, and to provide an image recording material using the support base for an image recording material. <P>SOLUTION: The support base for an image recording material comprises a base paper, at least one polymer coating layer on at least one surface of the base paper where the image recording layer is formed, and at least one layer of curing resin containing layer on the polymer coating layer where an image recording layer is to be formed. Preferable aspects are, for example, that the curing resin coating layer contains UV curing varnish or water-based varnish, and that the dry mass of the curing resin-containing layer is 0.1 to 5 g/m<SP>2</SP>. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording material support having both high smoothness and excellent gloss, a method for producing the same, and an image recording material using the image recording material support.

  Conventionally, image recording has been performed using various image recording materials such as electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, ink-jet recording materials, sublimation transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, thermal transfer materials, etc., with high image quality, high glossiness and excellent smoothness. In order to obtain a good image print, high smoothness is required on the surface of the image recording material, and accordingly, high smoothness is also required on the surface of the support for image recording material. For this reason, for example, a support in which both sides of the base paper are coated with a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene is used, and the base paper is calendered for the purpose of obtaining a smooth support. However, if the base paper is left as it is after the calendar process, there is a problem that unevenness is returned due to humidification and heating.

In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed a support obtained by extruding and coating a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene on both surfaces of a base paper and then calendering (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
However, these proposals tend to cause adhesion failure (sticking) with the surface of the polymer coating layer during calendering, and there are restrictions on the calendering conditions (temperature, time). There is no problem.

  Therefore, a support for an image recording material and an image recording material having a polymer coating layer on both sides of a base paper having high surface smoothness and extremely excellent gloss have not been provided, and further improvement and development are desired. The current situation is.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-145640 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-171892

  An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention has both high smoothness and excellent glossiness, and can be used suitably for various image recording materials, and can record high-quality images by using the image recording material support and the image recording material support. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording material that is capable of providing excellent transferability.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
<1> A base paper, at least one polymer coating layer on the side of the base paper on which the image recording layer is provided, and at least one layer of a curable resin on the side of the polymer coating layer on which the image recording layer is provided And a support for an image recording material.
<2> The support for an image recording material according to <1>, wherein the curable resin-containing layer contains either an ultraviolet curable varnish or an aqueous varnish.
<3> The support for image recording materials according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the dry weight of the curable resin-containing layer is 0.1 to 5 g / m ² .
<4> The support for image recording materials according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the polymer in the polymer coating layer is a polyolefin resin.
<5> A polymer coating layer forming step of forming at least one polymer coating layer on at least the image recording layer side of the base paper, and at least one layer of the polymer coating layer on the side on which the image recording layer is provided. A support for an image recording material, comprising: a curable resin layer forming step for forming a curable resin-containing layer; and a calendering step for calendaring so that a metal roll is in contact with the surface of the curable resin-containing layer. It is a manufacturing method.
<6> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to <5>, wherein the calendar process is performed using a long nip calender having a shoe roll.
<7> An image recording material comprising: the image recording material support according to any one of <1> to <4>, and at least an image recording layer on the support.
<8> The image recording material according to <7>, which is any one selected from electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

  The support for an image recording material of the present invention comprises a base paper, at least one polymer coating layer on the surface of the base paper on which at least the image recording layer is provided, and on the polymer coating layer (image recording of the polymer coating layer). Since it has at least one curable resin-containing layer (on the surface on which the layer is provided), both high smoothness and excellent gloss can be achieved, and it can be suitably used for various image recording materials.

  The method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention comprises a polymer coating layer forming step of forming at least one polymer coating layer on at least a surface of the base paper on which the image recording layer is provided, and image recording of the polymer coating layer It includes a curable resin layer forming step of forming at least one curable resin-containing layer on the surface on which the layer is provided, and a calendering step of calendaring so that the metal roll is in contact with the curable resin-containing layer surface. Thereby, a support for image recording material having both high smoothness and excellent gloss can be efficiently produced.

  In the image recording material of the present invention, by having the support for image recording material of the present invention, an image print having excellent transferability, high image quality, high gloss, and excellent smoothness can be obtained. .

  According to the present invention, a support for an image recording material that can solve conventional problems, has both high smoothness and excellent glossiness, and can be suitably used for various image recording materials capable of recording high-quality images. And an image recording material that has the support for the image recording material, can record high-quality images, and can impart high glossiness and excellent smoothness.

(Support for image recording material)
The support for an image recording material of the present invention comprises a base paper, at least one polymer coating layer on the surface of the base paper on which at least the image recording layer is provided, and on the polymer coating layer (image recording of the polymer coating layer). It has at least one curable resin-containing layer (on the surface on which the layer is provided) and, if necessary, other layers.

<Base paper>
The base paper is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Specifically, it is a high-quality paper, for example, “Photographic Engineering Basics—Silver Salt Photography” edited by the Japan Photography Society, Papers described in pages 223 to 224 of the company Corona (Showa 54) are preferred.

  The base paper is not particularly limited as long as it is a known material used for a support, and can be appropriately selected from various materials according to the purpose. For example, natural pulp such as conifers and hardwoods, Examples include a mixture of pulp and synthetic pulp.

As the pulp that can be used as the raw material of the base paper, the hardwood pulp is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the flatness and dimensional stability of the base paper at the same time in a well-balanced and sufficient level, but the softwood pulp is used. You can also.
Examples of the hardwood pulp include hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) and hardwood sulfite pulp (LBSP). Among these, hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) is preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said hardwood pulp with respect to the said paper, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 50 mass% or more is preferable, 60 mass% or more is more preferable, 75 mass% or more Is more preferable.

Examples of the softwood pulp include softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP).
As the pulp, it is preferable to mainly use hardwood pulp having a short fiber length.
A beater, refiner, or the like can be used to beat the pulp. Various additives can be further added to the pulp slurry obtained after beating the pulp (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “pulp stock”), if necessary. Examples of the additive include a filler, a dry paper strength enhancer, a sizing agent, a wet paper strength enhancer, a fixing agent, a pH adjuster, and other agents.

Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, white clay, talc, titanium oxide, diatomaceous earth, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide.
Examples of the dry paper strength enhancer include cationized starch, cationized polyacrylamide, anionized polyacrylamide, amphoteric polyacrylamide, and carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol.
Examples of the sizing agent include fatty acid salts, rosin derivatives such as rosin and maleated rosin, paraffin wax and the like, and further higher fatty acids such as alkyl ketene dimer, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and epoxidized fatty acid amide. And the like.
Examples of the wet paper strength enhancer include polyamine polyamide epichlorohydrin, melamine resin, urea resin, and epoxidized polyamide resin.
Examples of the fixing agent include polyvalent metal salts such as aluminum sulfate and aluminum chloride, and cationic polymers such as cationized starch.
Examples of the pH adjuster include caustic soda and sodium carbonate.
As said other chemical | medical agent, an antifoamer, dye, a slime control agent, an optical brightener, etc. are mentioned, for example.
Furthermore, a softening agent etc. can also be added as needed. As the softening agent, for example, those described in New Handbook for Paper Processing (Edited by Paper Medicine Time), pages 554 to 555 (issued in 1980) can be used.
These various additives may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the addition amount in these pulp paper materials, such as these various additives, It can select suitably according to the objective, Usually, 0.1-1.0 mass% is preferable.

If necessary, the pulp slurry contains pulp paper stock containing the above-mentioned various additives, such as a paper machine, a long paper machine, a round paper machine, a twin wire machine, a combination machine, and the like. It is used to make paper and then dried to produce a base paper. Moreover, surface sizing treatment can be performed either before or after the drying as desired.
The surface sizing solution used for the surface sizing treatment is, for example, a metal salt of at least one of an alkali metal salt and an alkaline earth metal salt, a water-soluble polymer compound, a fluorescent brightener, a water-resistant substance, a pigment, Contains dyes and the like.
As the metal salt of at least one of the alkali metal salt and the alkaline earth metal salt, those described above can be used.

The water-soluble polymer compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, polyethylene oxide, gelatin, cation Starch, casein, sodium polyacrylate, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer sodium salt, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, etc., among these, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose Sulfate, polyethylene oxide, and gelatin are preferable, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is particularly preferable.
In addition, as for content of the said water-soluble high molecular compound, 0.5-2 g / m < ² > is preferable.

Examples of the fluorescent brightener include stilbene compounds, coumarin compounds, biphenyl compounds, benzoxazoline compounds, naphthalimide compounds, pyrazoline compounds, carbostyril compounds, diaminostilbene disulfonic acid derivatives, imidazole derivatives, Examples include coumarin derivatives, triazole derivatives, carbazole derivatives, pyridine derivatives, naphthalic acid derivatives, imidazolone derivatives, and the like. Among these, stilbene compounds are preferable.
The content of the fluorescent brightening agent in the base paper is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and is preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by mass, preferably 0.02 to 0.2% by mass. % Is more preferable.
Examples of the water-resistant substance include latex emulsions such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, vinylidene chloride copolymer; polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin, and the like.
Examples of the pigment include calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, talc, barium sulfate, and titanium oxide.

  The base paper has a longitudinal Young's modulus (Ea) to lateral Young's modulus (Eb) ratio (Ea / Eb) of 1.5 to 1.5 for the purpose of improving the rigidity and dimensional stability of the image recording material support. 2.0 is preferred. In the range where the Ea / Eb value is less than 1.5 or more than 2.0, the rigidity and dimensional stability of the support for the image recording material are liable to be deteriorated, and the running property during transportation is hindered. May be.

In general, paper “strain” varies based on the beating style, and the elastic force (rate) of paper made after beating is used as an important factor to express the degree of paper “strain”. Can do. In particular, the elastic modulus of paper is measured by measuring the speed of sound propagating through the paper, using the relationship between the dynamic elastic modulus and density, which indicates the physical properties of the viscoelastic material of the paper, and using an ultrasonic vibration element. Can be obtained from the following equation.
E = ρc ² (1-n ² )
In the above formula, E represents a dynamic elastic modulus. ρ represents density. c represents the speed of sound in the paper. n represents a Poisson's ratio.

In the case of normal paper, since n = about 0.2, even if it is calculated by the following formula, it can be calculated without much difference.
E = ρc ²
Therefore, if the density and sound speed of paper can be measured, the elastic modulus can be easily obtained. In the above mathematical formula, when measuring the speed of sound, for example, various known devices such as Sonic Tester SST-110 (manufactured by Nomura Corporation) can be used.

The thickness of the base paper is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is usually preferably 30 to 500 μm, more preferably 50 to 300 μm, and still more preferably 100 to 250 μm. The basis weight of the raw paper is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, for example, preferably ^{50~250g / m 2, 100~200g / m} 2 is more preferable.

<Polymer coating layer>
The polymer coating layer is provided on at least one surface of the base paper on which the image recording layer is provided, preferably on both sides.
As the polymer constituting the polymer coating layer, a resin capable of forming a film is preferable, and a polyolefin resin is particularly preferable.
Suitable examples of the polyolefin resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), a blend of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene (LDPE), and the like.

The method for forming the polymer coating layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Usually, a laminating method, a sequential laminating method, or a single block type such as a foot block type, a multi-manifold type, or a multi-slot type may be used. It is formed by coating by any one of lamination methods using a layer or multilayer extrusion die, a laminator or the like. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape of the die | dye for said single layer or multilayer extrusion, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a T die, a coat hanger die, etc. are mentioned suitably.
In addition, before forming the polymer coating layer, the base paper is preferably subjected to an activation treatment such as corona discharge treatment, flame treatment, glow discharge treatment, or plasma treatment.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as thickness of the said polymer coating layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, In the case of a front surface polymer coating layer, 5-50 micrometers is preferable. Moreover, in the case of a back surface polymer coating layer, 3-40 micrometers is preferable.

  The polymer coating layer may contain an inorganic pigment such as titanium dioxide, a bluing agent, a fluorescent whitening agent, an antioxidant, and the like, and particularly preferably contains titanium dioxide. In the case where the back surface polymer coating layer is a multilayer, the lowermost layer in contact with the base paper may contain a tackifier resin, an adhesive resin, etc. from the viewpoint of improving the adhesiveness to the base paper. . Further, if necessary, an antioxidant, a release agent, a hollow polymer and the like may be contained.

<Curable resin-containing layer>
At least one layer of the curable resin-containing layer is provided on the polymer coating layer (on the surface of the polymer coating layer on the side where the image recording layer is provided).
The curable resin-containing layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains a curable resin that can be cross-linked by heat, ultraviolet rays, electron beams, or the like, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. And an aqueous varnish.

The ultraviolet curable varnish contains, for example, a photosensitive oligomer, a photosensitive monomer, and a photopolymerization initiator, a solvent, and further contains various additives as necessary.
Examples of the photosensitive oligomer include polyester acrylate and epoxy acrylate.
Examples of the photosensitive monomer include aliphatic monomers, aromatic monomers, vinyl ether monomers, and the like.
Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include benzoin and alkyl ethers thereof; acetophenones such as acetophenone and benzyldimethyl ketal; anthraquinones such as 2-methylanthraquinone; 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, Thioxanthones such as 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 4-isopropylthioxanthone and 2,4-diisopropylthioxanthone; Benzophenones such as benzophenone and 4-benzoyl-4′-methyldiphenyl sulfide; 4-benzoyl-4′-methyldiphenyl sulfide and the like Benzophenones; xanthones such as 2,4-diisopropylxanthone; α-hydroxyketones such as 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one; 2-methyl- Those containing a nitrogen atom such as 1- [4- (methylthio) phenyl] -2-morpholino-1-propanone; (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide and the like, which are p-dimethylamino It may be used in combination with known photopolymerization accelerators and sensitizers such as tertiary amines such as ethyl benzoate, isoamyl ester of p-dimethylaminobenzoate, and 2-dimethylaminoethylbenzoate. These photopolymerization initiators are blended alone or in combination with each other as appropriate.
Examples of the solvent include tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, toluene, benzene, and the like.

  The coating method of the curable resin-containing layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The support is cut in a roll or continuously or cut into a sheet, and the support is supported. For example, blade coating, wire bar coating, spray coating, air knife coating, bead coating, curtain coating, gravure coating, kiss coating, reverse roll coating, dip coating, die coating on the body Work and so on.

The curable resin in the curable resin-containing layer can be cured by heating, ultraviolet irradiation, electron beam irradiation, or the like.
The ultraviolet irradiation is not particularly limited, and can be performed using a known ultraviolet irradiation apparatus. Examples of the apparatus include a light source, a lamp, a power source, a cooling device, a conveyance device, and the like.
Examples of the light source include a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a gallium lamp, a mercury xenon lamp, and a flash lamp. The wavelength of the light source can be appropriately selected according to the ultraviolet absorption wavelength of the photopolymerization initiator and photopolymerization accelerator added to the reversible thermosensitive recording medium composition.
The conditions for the ultraviolet irradiation are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the lamp output, the conveyance speed, etc. may be determined according to the irradiation energy necessary for crosslinking the resin. .
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as irradiation energy of the said light irradiation means, According to the objective, it can select suitably, 20-50 J / cm < ² > is preferable and 100-800 mJ / cm < ² > is more preferable.

  The electron beam irradiation can be performed using a known electron beam irradiation apparatus, and the electron beam irradiation apparatus can be roughly classified into two types, a scanning type (scan beam) and a non-scanning type (area beam). Conditions can be selected according to the irradiation area, irradiation dose, and the like.

The aqueous OP varnish contains an emulsion varnish, a water-soluble varnish, and an additive, and further contains other components as necessary.
Examples of the emulsion varnish include an acrylic polymer emulsion, a styrene / acrylic polymer emulsion, and a styrenemaleic acid / acrylic polymer emulsion.
Examples of the water-soluble varnish include styrene / acrylic resin aqueous solution and styrene maleic acid resin aqueous solution.
Examples of the additive include waxes such as polyethylene, leveling agents and antifoaming agents.

As the ultraviolet curable varnish or aqueous varnish, those appropriately synthesized may be used, or commercially available products may be used.
Examples of the commercially available products include Asahi Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd. Ultra Set, Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. Sonne Series, Dainippon Ink Chemical Co., Ltd. Hardic Series, Toa Paint Co., Ltd. Terpo Series, For example, Ubicoat series manufactured by Nippon Paint Co., Ltd., and Diamond Beam series manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the dry mass of the coating liquid for curable resin content layers in the said curable resin content layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, 0.1-5 g / m < ² > is preferable.

(Method for producing support for image recording material)
The method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention comprises a polymer coating layer forming step, a curable resin layer forming step, and a calendering step, and further comprises other steps as necessary. .

The polymer coating layer forming step is a step of forming at least one polymer coating layer on at least the surface on which the image recording layer is provided on the base paper, preferably on both sides.
As the polymer in the polymer coating layer, as described above, a polyolefin resin can be used, and it can be formed by the same melt extrusion lamination.

-Curable resin layer forming step-
In this step, at least one curable resin-containing layer is formed on the polymer coating layer (on the surface of the polymer coating layer on the side where the image recording layer is provided).
As a coating method of the curable resin-containing layer, for example, a coating means such as a gravure coater, an air knife coater, a flexo coater, a bar coater or the like is used.
The curable resin in the curable resin-containing layer can be cured by heating, ultraviolet irradiation, electron beam irradiation, etc. Among these, ultraviolet irradiation is preferable. For example, a chemical lamp, a low-pressure mercury lamp, a medium-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, or a metal halide lamp can be used for the ultraviolet irradiation.

-Calendar processing process-
The calendering process is a process of calendering so that a metal roll is in contact with the surface of the curable resin-containing layer.

The surface temperature of the metal roll is preferably 100 ° C. or higher, and more preferably 120 ° C. or higher. There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the upper limit temperature of the surface temperature of the said metal roll, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, about 200 degreeC is preferable.
The nip pressure during the calender treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 100 kN / cm ² or more, 100~600kN / cm ² is more preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a calendar in the said calendar process, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the soft calender roll which consists of a combination of a metal roll and a synthetic resin roll, the machine calendar which consists of a pair of metal roll The thing which has a roll is mentioned. Among these, those having a soft calender roll are suitable, and in particular, a long nip shoe calender consisting of a metal roll and a shoe roll via a synthetic resin belt can take a long nip width, and contains a curable resin. This is preferable because the contact area between the layer surface and the roll increases.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a calendar in the said calendar process, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the soft calender roll which consists of a combination of a metal roll and a synthetic resin roll, the machine calendar which consists of a pair of metal roll The thing which has a roll is mentioned. Among these, the one having a soft calender roll is suitable, and in particular, a long nip shoe calender composed of a metal roll and a shoe roll via a synthetic resin belt can take a long nip width, and a base paper and a roll This is preferable because the contact area increases.

  The shoe roll has an elastic resin endless belt, and further includes other members as necessary. The endless belt as used in the present invention includes a cylindrical sleeve in addition to the general concept of an endless belt. In addition to the endless belt (sleeve), the shoe roll is provided with a pressure unit and a circulation system for circulating the lubricant.

  The endless belt made of elastic resin can be formed by, for example, using a thick cloth or the like as a support and covering the support with the elastic resin. Examples of the elastic resin include epoxy resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, polyimide amide resins, polyurethane resins, butadiene resins, polyester resins, nylon resins, polyether resins, and the like. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The hardness of the endless belt (sleeve) is preferably 30 to 80 degrees, more preferably 40 to 70 degrees in Shore hardness at least on the surface of the curable resin-containing layer. When the Shore hardness is less than 30 degrees, the endless belt undergoes plastic deformation during use, and the life of the shoe roll may be shortened. In addition, a base paper having high surface smoothness and gloss may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the Shore hardness exceeds 80 degrees, the hardness of the endless belt may be too high, and the curvature of the shape of the shoe roll may be difficult to take.

  The metal roll corresponding to these shoe rolls is a cylindrical or columnar roll with a smooth surface, and there is no particular limitation on the material and the like as long as it has a heating means inside, and a known metal A roll can be appropriately selected and used. Further, the surface roughness of the metal roll is preferably as smooth as possible. Specifically, the surface roughness specified by JIS B0601 is preferably 0.3 S or less, more preferably 0.2 S or less.

  When the curable resin-containing layer surface is calendered by the shoe calender as described above, the nip width formed by the metal roll and the shoe roll is preferably 50 to 300 mm, more preferably 50 to 200 mm, and still more preferably 70 to 200 mm. . When the nip width is less than 50 mm, the time for the base paper to pass through the nip portion is shortened, and the calendar processing effect is reduced, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when the nip width exceeds 300 mm, the linear pressure during calendering of the base paper is low, and the calendering effect is low, which is not preferable.

  Furthermore, the passing speed when the base paper passes through the nip portion of the shoe calender is preferably 100 to 800 m / min, more preferably 150 to 600 m / min, and particularly preferably 200 to 500 m / min. When the passing speed is less than 100 m / min, the production efficiency may be deteriorated. On the other hand, when the passing speed exceeds 800 m / min, the time for the base paper to pass through the nip portion is shortened. The calendar processing effect may not be achieved.

Here, an example of the shoe calendar will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, an endless belt 10 made of an elastic resin having liquid impermeability and flexibility is provided. A support member 12 is disposed in the endless belt 10, and a hydraulic device 14 as a pressurizing unit is fixed to the support member 12. A support plate 18 is fixed to the piston rod 16 protruding from the upper end of the hydraulic device 14 by screws.
The support plate 18 includes a support 20 having a surface that slides on the surface of the support member 12, and a press shoe 24 having a concavely curved portion 22 is fixed to supply the lubricant to the concavely curved portion 22. The lubricant supply device 26 is provided. In the figure, 28 indicates a metal roll.

  In this shoe calender, the metal roll 28 is rotated in the direction shown in the drawing and a lubricant in a state in which press sheets (not shown) are respectively arranged on both sides of a continuous web 30 (base paper) from which a paper making process is obtained. Lubricant is supplied from the supply device 26 to the concave curved portion 22 of the press shoe 24, and the press shoe 24 is pressed at a predetermined pressure via the hydraulic device 14. In this calendar processing step, moisture and the like contained in the web 28 are processed until they reach a predetermined density while being received by the press-flute.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another example of a shoe calendar, and members having substantially the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 32 denotes a component portion in which a cylindrical fixing member is provided with a hydraulic system as a pressurizing unit and a lubrication system for circulating a lubricant, etc. around the component portion. Guide members 34 are provided at predetermined intervals, and a sleeve 36 is rotatable around the outer periphery of these guide members 34.

  In this shoe roll, when a gap is provided between the sleeve 36 and the cylindrical fixing member in the component 32, frictional heat generated when the base paper passes through the nip portion is easily radiated. Therefore, the shoe calender can be operated at a high speed, and the life of the sleeve is extended. Further, if the cooled lubricating oil is supplied to the gap between the cylindrical solid member and the sleeve, the heat radiation action can be further promoted.

According to the method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention, a support for an image recording material having both high smoothness and excellent gloss can be efficiently produced.
The support for image recording material of the present invention has high smoothness and excellent gloss, and can be used for various applications. For example, electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographs. It can be suitably used for materials, ink jet recording materials and the like.

(Image recording material)
The image recording material of the present invention comprises the support for image recording material of the present invention and at least an image recording layer on the support, and further comprises other layers as necessary.
Here, the support for the image recording material is as described above.
The image recording material varies depending on the use and type of the image recording material, and examples thereof include electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and ink jet recording materials. Hereinafter, each image recording material will be described.

<Electrophotographic materials>
The electrophotographic material has the support for image recording material of the present invention and at least one toner image-receiving layer provided on at least one surface of the support as an image recording layer, and is appropriately selected as necessary. Other layers such as surface protective layer, back layer, intermediate layer, undercoat layer, cushion layer, charge control (prevention) layer, reflection layer, tint preparation layer, storage stability improvement layer, adhesion prevention layer, anti-curl layer, It has a smoothing layer and the like. Each of these layers may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure.

[Toner image receiving layer]
The toner image receiving layer is a toner image receiving layer for receiving color toner or black toner and forming an image. The toner image receiving layer receives a toner for forming an image from a developing drum or an intermediate transfer body by (static) electricity, pressure, etc. in a transfer process, and fixes it by heat, pressure, etc. in a fixing process. Have

The toner image-receiving layer is preferably a low-transparency toner image-receiving layer having a light transmittance of 78% or less in view of making the electrophotographic material of the present invention feel close to a photograph, and the light transmittance is 73% or less. More preferred is 72% or less.
The light transmittance can be measured by separately forming a coating film having the same thickness on a polyethylene terephthalate film (100 μm) and using the direct reading haze meter (Suga Test Instruments HGM-2DP). .

  The toner image-receiving layer contains at least a thermoplastic resin, and various additives added for the purpose of improving the thermodynamic properties of the toner image-receiving layer, for example, a release agent, a plasticizer, a colorant, Contains a filler, a crosslinking agent, a charge control agent, an emulsifier, a dispersant and the like.

-Thermoplastic resin-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said thermoplastic resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, (1) Polyolefin-type resin, (2) Polystyrene-type resin, (3) Acrylic-type resin, (4) Polyvinyl acetate Alternatively, derivatives thereof, (5) polyamide-based resin, (6) polyester resin, (7) polycarbonate resin, (8) polyether resin (or acetal resin), (9) other resins, and the like can be given. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Of these, styrene resins, acrylic resins, and polyester resins having a large cohesive energy are particularly preferably used from the viewpoint of embedding toner.

Examples of the polyolefin-based resin (1) include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers. Examples of the copolymer resin of the olefin and another vinyl monomer include an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and an ionomer resin that is a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Examples of the polyolefin resin derivative include chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene.
Examples of the polystyrene-based resin (2) include polystyrene resin, styrene-isobutylene copolymer, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), and polystyrene-anhydrous. A maleic acid resin etc. are mentioned.
Examples of the acrylic resin (3) include polyacrylic acid or esters thereof, polymethacrylic acid or esters thereof, polyacrylonitrile, and polyacrylamide.
Examples of the esters of polyacrylic acid include homopolymers and multi-component copolymers of esters of acrylic acid. Examples of the ester of acrylic acid include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, And phenyl acrylate, methyl α-chloroacrylate, and the like.
Examples of the polymethacrylic acid esters include homopolymers and multi-component copolymers of methacrylic acid esters. Examples of the methacrylic acid ester include methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and butyl methacrylate.
Examples of the polyvinyl acetate or derivative thereof (4) include polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol obtained by saponifying polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl alcohol as aldehyde (eg, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, etc.). Examples thereof include polyvinyl acetal resins obtained by reaction.
The polyamide-based resin (5) is a polycondensate of diamine and dibasic acid, and examples thereof include 6-nylon and 6,6-nylon.
The polyester resin (6) is produced by condensation polymerization of an acid component and an alcohol component. The acid component is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, succinic acid , Adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, malonic acid, n-dodecenyl succinic acid, isododecenyl succinic acid, n-dodecyl succinic acid, isododecyl succinic acid, n-octenyl succinic acid, n-octyl succinic acid, isooctenyl succinic acid , Isooctylsuccinic acid, trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, acid anhydrides thereof, or lower alkyl esters thereof.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said alcohol component, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, bivalent alcohol is preferable. Examples of the aliphatic diol include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-butenediol, , 5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol and the like. Examples of the alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A include polyoxypropylene (2.2) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane and polyoxypropylene (3.3) -2,2-bis. (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxyethylene (2.0) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, polyoxypropylene (2.0) -polyoxyethylene (2.0) -2, Examples thereof include 2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane and polyoxypropylene (6) -2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane.
The polycarbonate resin (7) is generally a polycarbonate obtained from bisphenol A and phosgene.
Examples of the polyether resin (or acetal resin) of (8) include polyether resins such as polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, and acetal resins such as polyoxymethylene as a ring-opening polymerization system.
Examples of the other resin (9) include polyaddition polyurethane resins.

  The thermoplastic resin is preferably one that can satisfy the following properties of the toner image-receiving layer with the toner image-receiving layer formed, and more preferably one that can satisfy the properties of the toner-image-receiving layer described later even with the resin alone. It is also preferable to use two or more resins having different physical properties of the toner image-receiving layer in combination.

  As the thermoplastic resin, those having a larger molecular weight than the thermoplastic resin used in the toner are preferable. However, the molecular weight described above is not always preferable depending on the relationship between the thermodynamic characteristics of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner and the thermoplastic resin in the toner image receiving layer. For example, when the softening temperature of the thermoplastic resin in the toner image receiving layer is higher than the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the molecular weight is the same or the thermoplastic resin in the toner image receiving layer is smaller. It may be preferable.

It is also preferable to use a mixture of resins having the same composition and different average molecular weights as the thermoplastic resin of the toner image-receiving layer. Further, as the relationship with the molecular weight of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the relationship disclosed in JP-A-8-334915 is preferable.
The molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably wider than the molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner.
As the thermoplastic resin of the toner image receiving layer, JP-A-5-127413, JP-A-8-194394, JP-A-8-334915, JP-A-8-334916, JP-A-9-171265. Those satisfying the physical properties disclosed in JP-A-10-221877 are preferred.

  The thermoplastic resin for the toner image-receiving layer is excellent in environmental suitability and work suitability because (i) the organic solvent is not discharged in the coating and drying step. (Ii) Many release agents such as wax are difficult to dissolve in a solvent at room temperature, and are often dispersed in a solvent (water, organic solvent) in advance. In addition, the water dispersion form is more stable and more suitable for the manufacturing process. Further, in the case of aqueous coating, the wax tends to bleed on the surface during the coating and drying process, and the effects of the release agent (offset resistance, adhesion resistance, etc.) can be easily obtained. For this reason, water-based resins such as water-dispersible polymers and water-soluble polymers are preferably used.

  The water-based resin is not particularly limited in terms of its composition, bond structure, molecular structure, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, form, etc., as long as it is either a water-dispersible polymer or a water-soluble polymer. Examples of the water-based group of the polymer include a sulfonic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, and an ether group.

The water-dispersible polymer is appropriately selected from, for example, resins, emulsions, copolymers, mixtures, and cation-modified products obtained by dispersing the thermoplastic resins (1) to (9) in water. More than one species can be combined.
As the water-dispersible polymer, an appropriately synthesized product or a commercially available product may be used. Examples of the commercially available products include polyester-based water-dispersible polymers such as Toyobo Co., Ltd.'s Bironal series, Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd. Pes Resin A series, Kao Corporation's Tufton UE series, Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd. Examples include the Polyester WR series manufactured by Kogyo Co., Ltd., and the erière series manufactured by Unitika Ltd. Examples of the acrylic water-dispersible polymer include Hiros XE, KE, PE series manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and Jurimer ET series manufactured by Nippon Pure Chemical Co., Ltd.

The water-dispersible emulsion is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, water-dispersible polyurethane emulsion, water-dispersible polyester emulsion, chloroprene emulsion, styrene-butadiene emulsion, nitrile- Butadiene emulsion, butadiene emulsion, vinyl chloride emulsion, vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene emulsion, polybutene emulsion, polyethylene emulsion, vinyl acetate emulsion, ethylene-vinyl acetate emulsion, vinylidene chloride emulsion, methyl methacrylate Examples include butadiene emulsions. Among these, a water dispersible polyester emulsion is particularly preferable.
The water-dispersible polyester emulsion is preferably a self-dispersing water-based polyester emulsion, and among them, a carboxyl group-containing self-dispersing water-based polyester resin emulsion is particularly preferable. Here, the self self-dispersing aqueous polyester emulsion means an aqueous emulsion containing a polyester resin that can be self-dispersed in an aqueous solvent without using an emulsifier or the like. The carboxyl group-containing self-dispersing aqueous polyester resin emulsion means an aqueous emulsion containing a polyester resin that contains a carboxyl group as a hydrophilic group and can be self-dispersed in an aqueous solvent.

The self-dispersing water-dispersible polyester emulsion preferably satisfies the following characteristics (1) to (4). Since this is a self-dispersion type that does not use a surfactant, it has low hygroscopicity even in a high humidity atmosphere, and there is little decrease in the softening point due to moisture, and it is possible to suppress occurrence of offset at the time of fixing and adhesion failure between sheets at the time of storage. Moreover, since it is water-based, it is excellent in environmental performance and workability. In addition, since a polyester resin with a high cohesive energy and a molecular structure is used, it has a sufficient hardness in the storage environment, but it becomes a low elasticity (low viscosity) molten state in the electrophotographic fixing process, and the toner receives an image. Sufficient image quality can be achieved by embedding in the layer.
(1) The number average molecular weight (Mn) is preferably 5,000 to 10,000, and more preferably 5,000 to 7,000.
(2) The molecular weight distribution (weight average molecular weight / number average molecular weight) is preferably 4 or less, and more preferably Mw / Mn ≦ 3.
(3) The glass transition temperature (Tg) is preferably 40 to 100 ° C, and more preferably 50 to 80 ° C.
(4) The volume average particle diameter is preferably 20 to 200 nm, more preferably 40 to 150 mm.
The content of the water-dispersible emulsion in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 10 to 90% by mass, and more preferably 10 to 70% by mass.

The water-soluble polymer is not particularly limited as long as the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 400,000 or less, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, polyethylene oxide, gelatin, cationized starch, casein, sodium polyacrylate, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer Examples thereof include sodium combined sodium and sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Among these, polyethylene oxide is preferable.
Commercially available water-soluble polymers include water-soluble polyester plus coats manufactured by Kureai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Finetex ES series manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, and Nippon Pure Chemical Co., Ltd. as water-soluble acrylics. Jurimer AT series, Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Finetex 6161, K-96; Seiko Chemical Industries high loss NL-1189, BH-997L, and the like.
Examples of the water-soluble polymer include Research Disclosure No. 17,643, page 26, Research Disclosure No. 18,716, page 651, Research Disclosure No. 307,105, pages 873-874, and JP-A 64- The thing described in 13546 gazette is mentioned.

The content of the water-soluble polymer in the toner image-receiving layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and is preferably 0.5 to ² g / m ² .

Although the said thermoplastic resin can also be used together with another polymer material, in that case, generally it is used so that content may become larger than another polymer material.
The content of the thermoplastic resin for the toner image-receiving layer in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass or more, still more preferably 50% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 50 to 90% by mass. .

-Release agent-
The release agent is blended in the toner image receiving layer in order to prevent the toner image receiving layer from being offset. The release agent used in the present invention is heated and melted at the fixing temperature, deposited on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer, unevenly distributed on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer, and further cooled and solidified to form the surface of the toner image-receiving layer. The type of the release agent material is not particularly limited as long as it forms a layer of the release agent material, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
Examples of the release agent include at least one selected from a silicone compound, a fluorine compound, a wax, and a matting agent.

  As the mold release agent, for example, compounds described in Sachishobo "Revised Wax Properties and Applications", a silicone handbook published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. can be used. Also, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-38581, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-32380, Japanese Patent No. 2838498, Japanese Patent No. 2949558, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-117433, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-52640, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-148755, JP 61-62056, JP 61-62057, JP 61-118760, JP 2-42451, JP 3-41465, JP 4-212175, JP 4-214570. JP-A-4-263267, JP-A-5-34966, JP-A-5-119514, JP-A-6-59502, JP-A-6-161150, JP-A-6-175396, JP-A-6-219040. JP-A-6-230600, JP-A-6-295093, JP-A-7-36210, JP-A-7-43940, JP-A-7-56387. JP-A-7-56390, JP-A-7-64335, JP-A-7-199681, JP-A-7-223362, JP-A-7-287413, JP-A-8-184992, JP-A-8-227180, Special Kaihei 8-248671, JP-A-8-248799, JP-A-8-248801, JP-A-8-278663, JP-A-9-152727, JP-A-9-160278, JP-A-9-185181, JP-A-9-185181 No. 9-319139, JP-A-9-319143, JP-A-10-20549, JP-A-10-48889, JP-A-10-198069, JP-A-10-207116, JP-A-11-2917, JP-A-11-11. -44969, JP-A-11-65156, JP-A-11-73049, JP-A-11-194542 Silicone compound used in the toner, fluorine compounds or waxes can also be preferably used. Further, a plurality of these compounds can be used in combination.

  Examples of the silicone compound include silicone oil, silicone rubber, silicone fine particles, silicone-modified resin, and reactive silicone compound.

Examples of the silicone oil include non-modified silicone oil, amino-modified silicone oil, carboxy-modified silicone oil, carbinol-modified silicone oil, vinyl-modified silicone oil, epoxy-modified silicone oil, polyether-modified silicone oil, silanol-modified silicone oil, Examples include methacryl-modified silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified silicone oil, alkyl-modified silicone oil, and fluorine-modified silicone oil.
Examples of the silicone-modified resin include olefin resin, polyester resin, vinyl resin, polyamide resin, cellulose resin, phenoxy resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, urethane resin, acrylic resin, styrene-acrylic resin, or a copolymer thereof. Examples thereof include resins obtained by modifying the resin with silicone.

  The fluorine compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, fluorine oil, fluorine rubber, fluorine-modified resin, fluorine sulfonic acid compound, fluorosulfonic acid, fluoric acid compound or a salt thereof, An inorganic fluoride etc. are mentioned.

The wax can be roughly classified into natural wax and synthetic wax.
The natural wax is preferably at least one selected from plant waxes, animal waxes, mineral waxes and petroleum waxes, and among these, plant waxes are particularly preferable. The natural wax is particularly preferably a water-dispersed wax from the viewpoint of compatibility when a water-based resin is used as the polymer for the toner image-receiving layer.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said plant-type wax, It can select suitably from well-known things, A commercial item may be sufficient and what was synthesize | combined suitably may be sufficient. Examples of the plant wax include carnauba wax, castor oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, wood wax, cotton wax, rice wax, sugarcane wax, candelilla wax, Japan wax, jojoba oil and the like.
Examples of the commercially available carnauba wax include EMUSTAR-0413 manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., Cellosol 524 manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd., and the like. As a commercial item of the said castor oil, the refined castor oil by Ito Oil Co., Ltd., etc. are mentioned.
Among these, in particular, the melting point is 70 in that it can provide an electrophotographic material that is excellent in offset resistance, adhesion resistance, paper passing property, glossiness, hardly cracks, and can form a high-quality image. Carnauba wax at ˜95 ° C. is particularly preferred.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said animal-type wax, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, beeswax, lanolin, spermaceti, stew wax (whale oil), wool wax etc. are mentioned.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said mineral-type wax, It can select suitably from well-known things, A commercial item may be sufficient and what was synthesize | combined suitably may be sufficient. Examples thereof include montan wax, montan ester wax, ozokerite, ceresin and the like.
Among these, in particular, the melting point is 70 in that it can provide an electrophotographic material that is excellent in offset resistance, adhesion resistance, paper passing property, glossiness, hardly cracks, and can form a high-quality image. A montan wax at ˜95 ° C. is particularly preferred.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said petroleum wax, It can select suitably from well-known things, A commercial item may be sufficient and what was synthesize | combined suitably may be sufficient. Examples thereof include paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and petrolatum.

The content in the toner image-receiving layer of the natural wax is preferably ^{0.1~4g / m 2, 0.2~2g / m} 2 is more preferable.
When the content is less than 0.1 g / m ² , offset resistance and adhesion resistance may be particularly insufficient. When the content exceeds 4 g / m ² , the amount of wax is excessive, and an image is formed. May have poor image quality.

  The melting point (° C.) of the natural wax is particularly preferably 70 to 95 ° C. and more preferably 75 to 90 ° C. from the viewpoint of offset resistance and paper passing.

  The synthetic wax is classified into synthetic hydrocarbons, modified waxes, hydrogenated waxes, and other oil-based synthetic waxes. These waxes are preferably water-dispersed waxes in view of compatibility when a water-based thermoplastic resin is used as the thermoplastic resin of the toner image-receiving layer.

Examples of the synthetic hydrocarbon include Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyethylene wax.
Examples of the oil-based synthetic wax include acid amide compounds (such as stearamide) and acid imide compounds (such as phthalic anhydride imide).

  The modified wax is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof include amine-modified wax, acrylic acid-modified wax, fluorine-modified wax, olefin-modified wax, urethane-type wax, and alcohol-type wax. Can be mentioned.

  The hydrogenated wax is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.For example, hydrogenated castor oil, castor oil derivative, stearic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, behenic acid, sebacic acid, Examples include undecylenic acid, heptylic acid, maleic acid, highly maleated oil, and the like.

The melting point (° C.) of the release agent is preferably 70 to 95 ° C., and more preferably 75 to 90 ° C., particularly in terms of offset resistance and paper passing properties.
As the release agent added to the toner image-receiving layer, derivatives, oxides, purified products, and mixtures thereof can also be used. Moreover, these may have a reactive substituent.

The content of the release agent is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.3 to 8.0% by mass, and 0.5 to 5.0% by mass based on the mass of the toner image-receiving layer. Is more preferable.
When the content is less than 0.1% by mass, the offset resistance and the adhesion resistance may be insufficient. When the content exceeds 10% by mass, the amount of the release agent is too large. Image quality may be degraded.

-Plasticizer-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said plasticizer, The plasticizer for well-known resin can be suitably selected according to the objective. The plasticizer has a function of adjusting the flow or softening of the toner image receiving layer by heat or pressure when fixing the toner.
Examples of the plasticizer include "Chemical Handbook" (edited by the Chemical Society of Japan, Maruzen), "Plasticizer -Theory and Application-" (written by Koichi Murai, Koshobo), "Research on plasticizer", "Research on plasticizer" “Lower” (edited by Polymer Chemistry Association), “Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounded Chemicals” (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.), etc.

Examples of the plasticizer include those described as high-boiling organic solvents and thermal solvents. For example, JP-A-59-83154, JP-A-59-178451, JP-A-59-178453, JP 59-178454, JP 59-178455, JP 59-178457, JP 62-174754, JP 62-245253, JP 61-209444, JP Described in JP-A-61-200538, JP-A-62-2145, JP-A-62-2348, JP-A-62-2247, JP-A-62-136646, JP-A-2-235694, etc. Esters such as phthalic acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, fatty acid esters, abietic acid esters, adipic acid esters, sebacic acid esters, Gelaic acid esters, benzoic acid esters, butyric acid esters, epoxidized fatty acid esters, glycolic acid esters, propionic acid esters, trimellitic acid esters, citric acid esters, sulfonic acid esters, carboxylic acid esters Succinic acid esters, maleic acid esters, fumaric acid esters, phthalic acid esters, stearic acid esters, etc.), amides (for example, fatty acid amides, sulfoamides, etc.), ethers, alcohols, lactones And compounds such as polyethyleneoxys.
These plasticizers can be used by mixing with a resin.

Further, as the plasticizer, a relatively low molecular weight polymer can be used. The molecular weight of the plasticizer is preferably lower than the molecular weight of the binder resin to be plasticized, and the molecular weight is preferably 15000 or less, more preferably 5000 or less. In the case of a polymer plasticizer, the polymer is preferably the same type as the binder resin to be plasticized. For example, a low molecular weight polyester is preferable for plasticizing a polyester resin. Furthermore, oligomers can also be used as plasticizers.
In addition to the compounds listed above, commercially available products include, for example, Adekasizer PN-170, PN-1430 (all manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd.), PARAPLEX-G-25, G-30, G-40 (any C.P.HALL), ester gum 8L-JA, ester R-95, pentalin 4851, FK115, 4820, 830, Louisol 28-JA, picorastic A75, picotex LC, crystallx 3085 (all rationalized) Hercules).

The plasticizer is used for stress and strain generated when toner particles are embedded in the toner image-receiving layer (physical strain such as elastic force and viscosity, strain due to material balance of molecules, binder main chain, pendant portion, etc.). Can be used arbitrarily to alleviate.
The plasticizer may be in a micro-dispersed state in the toner image-receiving layer, may be in a micro-phase-separated state in a sea-island shape, or may be in a sufficiently mixed and dissolved state with other components such as a binder. .
The content of the plasticizer in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 0.001 to 90% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 60% by mass, and still more preferably 1 to 40% by mass.
The plasticizer adjusts smoothness (improves transportability due to reduced frictional force), improves fixing unit offset (detachment of toner and layers from the fixing unit), adjusts curl balance, and adjusts charging (toner electrostatic image It may be used for the purpose of forming).

-Colorant-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said colorant, According to the objective, it can select suitably, A fluorescent whitening agent, a white pigment, a colored pigment, dye, etc. are mentioned.
The fluorescent brightening agent is not particularly limited as long as it is a known compound that absorbs in the near ultraviolet region and emits fluorescence at 400 to 500 nm, and can be appropriately selected from known compounds. Preferable examples include compounds described in “The Chemistry of Synthetic Dies”, Volume V, Chapter 8, edited by Veen Rataraman. The fluorescent whitening agent may be a commercially available product or an appropriately synthesized product, for example, a stilbene compound, a coumarin compound, a biphenyl compound, a benzoxazoline compound, or a naphthalimide compound. , Pyrazoline compounds, carbostyryl compounds, and the like. Examples of the commercially available products include white full fur PSN, PHR, HCS, PCS, B (all manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), UVITEX-OB (manufactured by Ciba-Geigy), and the like.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said white pigment, According to the objective, it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, inorganic pigments, such as a titanium oxide and a calcium carbonate, can be used.

The colored pigment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. Examples thereof include various pigments, azo pigments, and many described in JP-A-63-44653. Examples thereof include cyclic pigments, condensed polycyclic pigments, lake pigments, and carbon black.
Examples of the azo pigment include azo lake (eg, Carmine 6B, Red 2B, etc.), insoluble azo pigment (eg, monoazo yellow, disazo yellow, pyrazolo orange, vulcan orange, etc.), condensed azo pigment (eg, chromophthal yellow, chromo). Phthared).
Examples of the polycyclic pigment include phthalocyanine pigments such as copper phthalocyanine blue and copper phthalocyanine green.
Examples of the condensed polycyclic pigment include dioxazine pigments (eg, dioxazine violet), isoindolinone pigments (eg, isoindolinone yellow), selenium pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments, thioindigo pigments. And pigments.
Examples of the lake pigment include malachite green, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, and Victoria blue B.
Examples of the inorganic pigment include oxides (for example, titanium dioxide, bengara, etc.) sulfates (for example, precipitated barium sulfate), carbonates (for example, precipitated calcium carbonate), oxalates (for example, water-containing materials) Succinate, anhydrous succinate, etc.), metal powders (for example, aluminum powder, bronze powder, zinc dust, yellow lead, bitumen), and the like.
These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said dye, According to the objective, it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, an anthraquinone type compound, an azo type compound, etc. are mentioned. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
Examples of water-insoluble dyes include vat dyes, disperse dyes, and oil-soluble dyes. Examples of the vat dyes include C.I. I. Vat violet 1, C.I. I. Vat violet 2, C.I. I. Vat violet 9, C.I. I. Vat violet 13, C.I. I. Vat violet 21, C.I. I. Vat Blue 1, C.I. I. Vat Blue 3, C.I. I. Vat Blue 4, C.I. I. Vat Blue 6, C.I. I. Vat Blue 14, C.I. I. Vat Blue 20, C.I. I. Vat blue 35 etc. are mentioned. Examples of the disperse dye include C.I. I. Dispers Violet 1, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 4, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 10, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 3, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 7, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 58 etc. are mentioned. Examples of the oil-soluble dye include C.I. I. Solvent Violet 13, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 14, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 21, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 27, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 11, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 12, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 25, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 55 etc. are mentioned.
In addition, a colored coupler used in silver salt photography can also be suitably used.

Of the colorant, the content in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably ^{0.1~8g / m 2, 0.5~5g / m} 2 is more preferable.
When the content of the colorant is less than 0.1 g / m ² , the light transmittance in the toner image-receiving layer may be increased. When the content exceeds 8 g / m ² , handling properties such as cracking and adhesion resistance are improved. May be inferior.
Among the colorants, the amount of the pigment added is preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, and further preferably 20% by mass or less based on the mass of the thermoplastic resin constituting the toner image receiving layer. preferable.

As said filler, an organic or inorganic filler is mentioned, A well-known thing can be used as a reinforcing agent for binder resin, a filler, and a reinforcing material. The filler should be selected with reference to "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.), "New Edition Plastic Compounding Agent Fundamentals and Applications" (Taiseisha), "Filler Handbook" (Taiseisha), etc. Can do.
Moreover, an inorganic filler or an inorganic pigment can be used as the filler. Examples of the inorganic filler or inorganic pigment include silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, mica-like iron oxide, lead white, lead oxide, cobalt oxide, strontium chromate, molybdenum-based pigment, smectite, magnesium oxide, Examples include calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, and mullite. Among these, silica and alumina are particularly preferable. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The filler preferably has a small particle size. If the particle size is large, the surface of the toner image-receiving layer tends to be roughened.

  The silica includes spherical silica and amorphous silica. The silica can be synthesized by a dry method, a wet method, or an airgel method. The surface of the hydrophobic silica particles may be surface-treated with a trimethylsilyl group or silicone. As the silica, colloidal silica is preferable. The silica is preferably porous.

The alumina includes anhydrous alumina and alumina hydrate. As the crystal form of the anhydrous alumina, α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, κ, ρ, or χ can be used, and alumina hydrate is preferable to anhydrous alumina. As the alumina hydrate, monohydrate or trihydrate can be used. The monohydrate includes pseudo boehmite, boehmite and diaspore. The trihydrate includes dibsite and bayerite. The alumina is preferably porous.
The alumina hydrate can be synthesized by a sol-gel method in which ammonia is added to an aluminum salt solution to precipitate or a method in which an alkali aluminate is hydrolyzed. The anhydrous alumina can be obtained by dehydrating alumina hydrate by heating.

  The amount of the filler added is preferably 5 to 2000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the dry mass of the binder of the toner image receiving layer.

The cross-linking agent can be blended to adjust the storage stability, thermoplasticity, etc. of the toner image-receiving layer. As the crosslinking agent, a compound having two or more known reactive groups in the molecule as the reactive group, such as an epoxy group, an isocyanate group, an aldehyde group, an active halogen group, an active methylene group, an acetylene group, or the like is used.
As the crosslinking agent, a compound having two or more groups capable of forming a bond by a hydrogen bond, an ionic bond, a coordinate bond, or the like can be used.
As the crosslinking agent, for example, a known compound can be used as a coupling agent for a resin, a curing agent, a polymerization agent, a polymerization accelerator, a coagulant, a film-forming agent, a film-forming auxiliary, and the like. Examples of the coupling agent include chlorosilanes, vinyl silanes, epoxy silanes, aminosilanes, alkoxyaluminum chelates, titanate coupling agents, etc., and “Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals” (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.). ) Etc. can be used.

The toner image receiving layer preferably contains a charge adjusting agent in order to adjust transfer or adhesion of toner or to prevent charging adhesion of the toner image receiving layer.
The charge control agent is not particularly limited, and various conventionally known charge control agents can be appropriately used according to the purpose. For example, a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, In addition to surfactants such as nonionic surfactants, polymer electrolytes, conductive metal oxides, and the like can be used. Specifically, quaternary ammonium salts, polyamine derivatives, cation-modified polymethyl methacrylate, cationic antistatic agents such as cation-modified polystyrene, anionic antistatic agents such as alkyl phosphates and anionic polymers, fatty acid esters, polyethylene oxide Nonionic antistatic agents such as
In the case where the toner has a negative charge, for example, a cation or a nonion is preferable as the charge adjusting agent blended in the toner image receiving layer.
Examples of the conductive metal oxide include ZnO, TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , MgO, BaO, and MoO ₃ . These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The conductive metal oxide may further contain (doping) a different element, for example, Al, In, etc. with respect to ZnO, Nb, Ta, etc. with respect to TiO ₂ , and SnO _{2 with} respect to SnO ₂ . Can contain (doping) Sb, Nb, a halogen element, or the like.

-Other additives-
The material that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer may contain various additives for improving the stability of the output image and improving the stability of the toner image-receiving layer itself. Examples of the additive include various known antioxidants, antioxidants, deterioration inhibitors, ozone deterioration inhibitors, ultraviolet absorbers, metal complexes, light stabilizers, preservatives, fungicides, and the like.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said antioxidant, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a chroman compound, a coumaran compound, a phenol compound (for example, hindered phenol), a hydroquinone derivative, a hindered amine derivative, a spiroindane compound is mentioned. Can be mentioned. The antioxidant is described in JP-A No. 61-159644.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said anti-aging agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, it describes in "Handbook rubber and plastic compounding chemicals revised 2nd edition" (1993, Rubber Digest company) p76-121. Can be mentioned.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said ultraviolet absorber, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a benzotriazole compound (refer U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,794), 4-thiazolidone compound (U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,681) And benzophenone compounds (see JP-A No. 46-2784), and UV-absorbing polymers (see JP-A No. 62-260152).

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said metal complex, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,155, U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,018, U.S. Pat. Those described in JP-A-61-88256, JP-A-62-174741, JP-A-63-199248, JP-A-1-75568, and JP-A-1-74272 are suitable. .
Further, ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers described in "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals Revised 2nd Edition" (1993, Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.) p122 to 137 can also be suitably used.

  Note that, as described above, known photographic additives can be added to the material that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer, if necessary. Examples of the photographic additive include Research Disclosure Magazine (hereinafter abbreviated as RD) No. 17643 (December 1978), RD No. 18716 (November 1979) and RD No. 307105 (November 1989), and the corresponding parts are summarized in the following table.

  The toner image-receiving layer is provided by applying a coating solution containing the toner image-receiving layer thermoplastic resin on the support with a wire coater or the like and drying. The film forming temperature (MFT) of the thermoplastic resin is preferably room temperature or higher for storage before printing, and preferably 100 ° C. or lower for fixing toner particles.

The toner image-receiving layer, the coating weight after drying, for example, preferably ^{1~20g / m 2, 4~15g / m} 2 is more preferable.
The thickness of the toner image-receiving layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, it is preferably 1/2 or more of the particle diameter of the toner used, and is 1 to 3 times thicker. More specifically, 1-50 micrometers is preferable, 1-30 micrometers is more preferable, 2-20 micrometers is still more preferable, and 5-15 micrometers is especially preferable.

[Physical properties of toner image-receiving layer]
The toner image-receiving layer has a 180 degree peel strength at a fixing temperature with the fixing member of preferably 0.1 N / 25 mm or less, and more preferably 0.041 N / 25 mm or less. The 180 degree peel strength can be measured according to the method described in JIS K6887 using the surface material of the fixing member.
The toner image receiving layer preferably has a high whiteness. The whiteness is preferably 85% or more as measured by the method defined in JIS P 8123. In addition, in the wavelength region of 440 nm to 640 nm, the spectral reflectance is preferably 85% or more, and the difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the same wavelength region is preferably within 5%. Furthermore, the spectral reflectance is preferably 85% or more in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the same wavelength region is more preferably within 5%.
As the whiteness, specifically, in the CIE 1976 (L ^* a ^* b ^* ) color space, the L ^* value is preferably 80 or more, more preferably 85 or more, and still more preferably 90 or more. The white color is preferably as neutral as possible. As a white color, in the L ^* a ^* b ^* space, the value of (a ^* ) ² + (b ^* ) ² is preferably 50 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and still more preferably 5 or less.

The toner image receiving layer preferably has high gloss after image formation. The glossiness is preferably 60 or more, more preferably 75 or more, and still more preferably 90 or more in the entire region from white without toner to black having the maximum density.
However, the glossiness is preferably 110 or less. If it exceeds 110, it becomes like metallic luster, which is not preferable as image quality.
Here, the glossiness can be measured based on, for example, JIS Z8741.

The toner image receiving layer preferably has high smoothness after fixing. As the smoothness, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) is preferably 3 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or less, and even more preferably 0.5 μm or less in the entire region from white without toner to black having the maximum density.
Here, the arithmetic mean roughness can be measured based on, for example, JIS B0601, JIS B0651, and JIS B0652.

The toner image-receiving layer preferably has a physical property of one item in the following items, more preferably has a physical property of a plurality of items, and further preferably has a physical property of all items.
(1) Tm (melting temperature) of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 30 ° C. or higher, and preferably Tm + 20 ° C. or lower of the toner.
(2) The temperature at which the viscosity of the toner image-receiving layer becomes 1 × 10 ⁵ cp is preferably 40 ° C. or higher, and is preferably lower than that of the toner.
(3) The storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner image-receiving layer is 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa, and the loss elastic modulus (G ″) is 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa. preferable.
(4) The loss tangent (G ″ / G ′), which is the ratio of the loss elastic modulus (G ″) at the fixing temperature of the toner image receiving layer and the storage elastic modulus (G ′), is preferably from 0.01 to 10.
(5) The storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably −50 to +2500 with respect to the storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner.
(6) The inclination angle of the molten toner on the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 50 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or less.
The toner image-receiving layer satisfies the physical properties disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2788358, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-248637, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-305067, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-239889, and the like. preferable.

The surface electric resistance of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably in the range of 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ¹⁵ Ω / cm ² (under the condition of 25 ° C.-65% RH).
If the surface resistance is less than 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω / cm ² , the toner amount when the toner is transferred to the toner image-receiving layer is not sufficient, and the density of the obtained toner image tends to be low. If it exceeds × 10 ¹⁵ Ω / cm ² , an excessive charge is generated at the time of transfer, the toner is not transferred sufficiently, the density of the image is low, and electrostatic charges and dust adhere to the electrophotographic material during handling. It becomes easy. Misfeeds, double feeds, discharge marks, toner transfer missing, etc. may occur during copying.
Here, the surface electrical resistance is based on JIS K6911, the sample is conditioned for 8 hours or more in an environment of a temperature of 20 ° C. and a humidity of 65%, and under the same environment, R8340 manufactured by Advantest Corporation is used. It can be obtained by measuring after one minute has passed after energization under the condition of an applied voltage of 100V.

[Other layers]
Examples of the other layers in the electrophotographic material include, for example, a surface protective layer, a back layer, an adhesion improving layer, an intermediate layer, an undercoat layer, a cushion layer, a charge control (prevention) layer, a reflective layer, a color adjusting layer, and storage stability. Examples include an improved layer, an adhesion preventing layer, an anti-curl layer, and a smoothing layer. These layers may be composed of a single layer or may be composed of two or more layers.

-Surface protective layer-
The surface protective layer is the toner image-receiving layer for the purpose of protecting the surface of the electrophotographic material, improving storage stability, improving handleability, imparting writability, improving instrument passability, imparting anti-offset property, etc. Can be provided on the surface. The surface protective layer may be a single layer or may be composed of two or more layers. In the surface protective layer, various thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, and the like can be used as a binder, and it is preferable to use the same type of resin as the toner image receiving layer. However, thermodynamic characteristics, electrostatic characteristics, and the like do not need to be the same as those of the toner image-receiving layer, and can be optimized.

The surface protective layer may contain the various additives described above that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer. In particular, the surface protective layer may be blended with other additives such as a matting agent in addition to the release agent used in the present invention. In addition, as said mat agent, various well-known things are mentioned.
The outermost surface layer in the electrophotographic material (for example, the surface protective layer when a surface protective layer is formed) preferably has good compatibility with the toner in terms of fixability. Specifically, the contact angle with the melted toner is preferably, for example, 0 to 40 degrees.

-Back layer-
In the electrophotographic material, the back layer is provided on the opposite side of the toner image-receiving layer with respect to the support for the purpose of imparting back surface output suitability, improving back surface output image quality, improving curl balance, and improving device passability. Is preferred.
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a color of the said back layer, When the said electrophotographic material is a double-sided output type image receiving sheet which forms an image also in a back surface, it is preferable that a back layer is also white. The whiteness and the spectral reflectance are preferably 85% or more like the surface.
Further, the back layer may have the same structure as that of the toner image receiving layer for improving the duplex output suitability. Various additives described above can be used for the back layer. As such an additive, it is particularly suitable to blend a matting agent, a charge adjusting agent and the like. The back layer may have a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration of two or more layers.
Further, in order to prevent offset at the time of fixing, when a releasable oil is used for the fixing roller or the like, the back layer may be oil absorbing.
The thickness of the back layer is usually preferably from 0.1 to 10 μm.

-Adhesion improvement layer, etc.-
The adhesion improving layer is preferably formed for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the support and the toner image receiving layer in the electrophotographic material. The above-mentioned various additives can be blended in the adhesion improving layer, and it is particularly preferable to blend a crosslinking agent. The electrophotographic material of the present invention preferably further comprises a cushion layer or the like between the adhesion improving layer and the toner image receiving layer in order to improve the toner acceptability.

-Intermediate layer-
The intermediate layer is formed, for example, between the support and the adhesion improving layer, between the adhesion improving layer and the cushion layer, between the cushion layer and the toner image receiving layer, and between the toner image receiving layer and the storage stability improving layer. Can do. Of course, in the case of an electrophotographic material comprising a support, a toner image receiving layer and an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer can be present, for example, between the support and the toner image receiving layer.

  In addition, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as thickness of the said electrophotographic material of this invention, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 50-550 micrometers is preferable and 100-350 micrometers is more preferable.

<Toner>
The electrophotographic material of the present invention is used by allowing the toner image receiving layer to receive toner during printing or copying.
The toner contains at least a binder resin and a colorant, and further contains a release agent and other components as necessary.

-Toner binder resin-
The binder resin is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from those usually used for toner according to the purpose. For example, styrenes such as styrene and parachlorostyrene; vinyl naphthalene, vinyl chloride Vinyl esters such as vinyl bromide, vinyl fluoride, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, Methylene aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as n-octyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl α-chloroacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, Vinyl nitrile such as acrylamide Vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether and vinyl isobutyl ether; N-vinyl compounds such as N-vinyl pyrrole, N-vinyl carbazole, N-vinyl indole and N-vinyl pyrrolidone; methacrylic acid, acrylic Homopolymers of vinyl monomers such as vinyl carboxylic acids such as acid and cinnamic acid or copolymers thereof, and various polyesters can be used, and various waxes can be used in combination.
Among these resins, it is preferable to use a resin of the same system as that used in the toner image receiving layer of the present invention.

-Toner colorant-
The colorant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from those used in normal toners according to the purpose. For example, carbon black, chrome yellow, hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, sren yellow, quinoline Yellow, Permanent Orange GTR, Pyrazolone Orange, Vulcan Orange, Watch Young Red, Permanent Red, Brilliantamine 3B, Brilliantamine 6B, Dapon Oil Red, Pyrazolone Red, Resol Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Rose Bengal Various pigments such as aniline blue, ultramarine blue, calco oil blue, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, and malachite green oxalelate It is. Acridine, xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thioindico, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indico, thioindico, phthalocyanine, aniline black, polymethine, triphenyl Examples include various dyes such as methane, diphenylmethane, thiazine, thiazole, and xanthene.
These colorants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular in content of the said coloring agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, The range of 2-8 mass% is preferable. When the content of the colorant is less than 2% by mass, the coloring power may be weakened, and when it exceeds 8% by mass, the transparency may be impaired.

-Toner release agent-
The release agent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from those usually used for toner according to the purpose. For example, a relatively low molecular weight highly crystalline polyethylene wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax is used. In particular, polar waxes containing nitrogen such as amide waxes and compounds having urethane bonds are particularly effective.
The molecular weight of the polyethylene wax is preferably 1000 or less, and more preferably 300 to 1000.
The compound having a urethane bond is suitable because even if it has a low molecular weight, the solid state can be maintained and the melting point can be set high for the molecular weight due to the strength of cohesive force due to the polar group. A preferable range of the molecular weight is 300 to 1,000. Raw materials are combinations of diisocyanate compounds and monoalcohols, combinations of monoisocyanic acid and monoalcohols, combinations of dialcohols and monoisocyanic acid, combinations of trialcohols and monoisocyanic acid, triisocyanic acid Various combinations such as combinations of compounds and monoalcohols can be selected, but in order not to increase the molecular weight, it is preferable to combine a compound of a polyfunctional group and a monofunctional group, and an equivalent functional group It is preferable to make it an amount.

Examples of the monoisocyanate compound include dodecyl isocyanate, phenyl isocyanate and derivatives thereof, naphthyl isocyanate, hexyl isocyanate, benzyl isocyanate, butyl isocyanate, and allyl isocyanate.
Examples of the diisocyanic acid compound include tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4'diphenylmethane, toluene diisocyanate, 1,3-diisocyanate, 3-phenylene, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 4-methyl-m-phenylene diisocyanate, and diisocyanate. Examples include isophorone.
Examples of the monoalcohol include methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol and the like.
Examples of the dialcohols include many glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and trimethylene glycol; examples of the trialcohols include trimethylolpropane, triethylolpropane, and trimethanolethane.

  These urethane compounds can be mixed with a resin and a colorant at the time of kneading and used as a kneaded and pulverized toner as in a normal release agent. In addition, when used in the emulsion polymerization aggregation melting toner described above, it is dispersed together with an ionic surfactant, a polymer electrolyte such as a polymer acid or a polymer base in water, heated to a temperature higher than the melting point, and then a homogenizer or pressure discharge. It can be made into fine particles by applying strong shearing with a mold disperser to prepare a release agent particle dispersion of 1 μm or less, which can be used together with a resin particle dispersion, a colorant dispersion and the like.

-Other components of toner-
The toner may contain other components such as an internal additive, a charge control agent, and inorganic fine particles. As said internal additive, magnetic bodies, such as metals, alloys, such as a ferrite, magnetite, reduced iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, an alloy, or a compound containing these metals, can be used, for example.

  Examples of the charge control agent include various commonly used charge control agents such as quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine compounds, dyes composed of complexes of aluminum, iron, chromium, and triphenylmethane pigments. can do. A material that is difficult to dissolve in water is preferable from the viewpoint of controlling the ionic strength that affects the stability during aggregation and melting and reducing wastewater contamination.

  As the inorganic fine particles, for example, silica, alumina, titania, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, tricalcium phosphate, etc., usually all external additives on the toner surface can be used, and these can be used as ionic surfactants or polymer acids. It is preferable to use it dispersed in a polymer base.

  Furthermore, a surfactant can be used for emulsion polymerization, seed polymerization, pigment dispersion, resin particle dispersion, release agent dispersion, aggregation, and stabilization thereof. For example, anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester, sulfonate, phosphate, and soap, cationic surfactants such as amine salt type and quaternary ammonium salt type, polyethylene glycol type, alkylphenol It is also effective to use a nonionic surfactant such as an ethylene oxide adduct system or a polyhydric alcohol system in combination. As a dispersing means at that time, a general means such as a rotary shear type homogenizer, a ball mill having a media, a sand mill, a dyno mill or the like can be used.

An external additive may be further added to the toner as necessary. Examples of the external additive include inorganic particles and organic particles. Examples of the inorganic particles include SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO. Examples include SiO ₂ , K ₂ O. (TiO ₂ ) _n , Al ₂ O ₃ .2SiO ₂ , CaCO ₃ , MgCO ₃ , BaSO ₄ , MgSO _{4 and the} like. Moreover, as said organic particle, fatty acid or its derivative (s), powders, such as these metal salts, resin powders, such as fluorine resin, a polyethylene resin, an acrylic resin, etc. can be used, for example.
For example, the average particle diameter of these particles is preferably 0.01 to 5 μm, and more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.

  The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. (I) A step of forming aggregated particles in a dispersion obtained by dispersing resin particles to prepare an aggregated particle dispersion (Ii) adding and mixing a fine particle dispersion in which fine particles are dispersed in the aggregated particle dispersion to adhere the fine particles to the aggregated particles to form the adhered particles; and (iii) the attached particles. The toner is preferably manufactured by a method for manufacturing a toner comprising a step of heating and coalescing to form toner particles.

-Physical properties of toner-
The volume average particle diameter of the toner is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm or less.
If the volume average particle size of the toner is too small, there may be an adverse effect on toner handling (replenishability, cleaning properties, fluidity, etc.), and particle productivity may be reduced. On the other hand, if the volume average particle diameter of the toner is too large, the image quality and resolution due to graininess and transferability may be adversely affected.
The toner preferably satisfies the volume average particle size range of the toner and has a volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) of 1.3 or less.
The ratio (GSDv / GSDn) of the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) to the number average particle size distribution index (GSDn) is preferably 0.95 or more.
Further, the toner preferably satisfies the volume average particle diameter range of the toner, and the average value of the shape factor represented by the following formula is preferably 1.00 to 1.50.
Shape factor = (π × L ² ) / (4 × S)
(However, L represents the maximum length of toner particles, and S represents the projected area of toner particles.)
When the toner satisfies the above conditions, it has an effect on image quality, particularly graininess and resolution, and it is difficult to cause omission and blur due to transfer, and handling properties are adversely affected even if the average particle size is not small. It becomes difficult.

The storage modulus G ′ (measured at an angular frequency of 10 rad / sec) at 150 ° C. of the toner itself is 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa, which improves image quality and offset property in the fixing process. It is appropriate in terms of prevention.

<Thermal material>
The heat-sensitive material has, for example, a structure in which at least a thermochromic layer is provided as the image-recording layer on the image-recording material support of the present invention, and is repeated by heating with a heat-sensitive head and fixing with ultraviolet rays. Examples thereof include heat-sensitive materials used in a thermoautochrome method (TA method) for forming an image.

<Sublimation transfer material>
The sublimation transfer material has, for example, a configuration in which an ink layer containing at least a heat diffusible dye (sublimation dye) is provided as the image recording layer on the support for image recording material of the present invention. And a sublimation transfer method in which a heat-diffusible dye is transferred from an ink layer onto a sublimation transfer sheet by heating with a thermal head.

<Thermal transfer material>
The thermal transfer material has, for example, a configuration in which at least a heat-meltable ink layer is provided as the image recording layer on the image recording material support of the present invention, and is heated and melted by a thermal head. Examples include a method of melting and transferring ink from an ink layer onto a thermal transfer sheet.

<Silver salt photographic material>
The silver salt photographic material has, for example, a structure in which an image recording layer that develops at least YMC as the image recording layer is provided on the support for image recording material of the present invention, and is subjected to printing exposure. Examples include a silver halide photographic system in which a silver halide photographic sheet is passed through a plurality of processing tanks while being immersed, and color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water and drying are performed.

<Inkjet recording material>
As the ink jet recording material, for example, on the support for image recording material of the present invention, as the image recording layer, liquid ink such as water-based ink (using a dye or pigment as a coloring material) and oil-based ink, The colorant receiving layer is solid at room temperature and can receive solid ink or the like that is melted and liquefied and used for printing.

<Printing paper>
The image recording material support is also preferably used as printing paper. When used as printing paper, a material having high mechanical strength is preferable from the viewpoint of applying ink or the like by a printing machine.

  When the base paper is used as the support for the image recording material, it is preferable that the paper contains a filler, a softening agent, an internal additive for papermaking, and the like. As the filler, commonly used ones can be used, for example, clay, calcined clay, diatomaceous earth, talc, kaolin, calcined kaolin, deramikaolin, heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, Inorganic fillers such as titanium, zinc oxide, silicon oxide, amorphous silica, aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and zinc hydroxide; organics such as urea-formalin resin, polystyrene resin, phenol resin, and fine hollow particles And fillers. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the internal additive for papermaking include various conventionally used nonionic, cationic, and anionic yield improvers, freeness improvers, paper strength improvers, and internally added sizing agents. Can be mentioned. Specifically, basic aluminum compounds such as sulfate band, aluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, basic aluminum chloride, basic polyaluminum hydroxide; polyvalent metal compounds such as ferrous sulfate and ferric sulfate, starch , Modified starch, polyacrylamide, urea resin, melamine resin, epoxy resin, polyamide resin, polyamine resin, polyethyleneimine, plant gum, polyvinyl alcohol, latex, polyethylene oxide and other water-soluble polymers, hydrophilic crosslinked polymer particle dispersion, Various compounds such as these derivatives or modified products can be mentioned. These substances simultaneously have some of the functions as an internal additive for papermaking.

  Next, examples of the internally added sizing agent include alkyl ketene dimer compounds, alkenyl succinic anhydride compounds, styrene-acrylic compounds, higher fatty acid compounds, petroleum resin sizing agents, and rosin sizing agents. .

  Furthermore, internal additives for papermaking such as dyes, fluorescent brighteners, pH adjusters, antifoaming agents, pitch control agents, slime control agents and the like may be appropriately added depending on the intended use.

  The printing paper is particularly suitable as offset printing paper, and can be used as letterpress printing paper, gravure printing paper, and electrophotographic paper.

  Since the image recording material of the present invention has a support for an image recording material having high flatness and excellent gloss and the image recording layer on the support, the image recording material has excellent gloss and excellent smoothness. And can record high-quality images, and is suitable as an electrophotographic material, a heat-sensitive material, a sublimation transfer material, a heat transfer material, a silver salt photographic material, and an ink jet recording material.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1
-Production of support for image recording material-
Hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) was beaten with a disc refiner to 280 ml (Canadian standard freeness, CSF) to prepare a pulp stock having a fiber length of 0.65 mm.
Based on the pulp mass, the pulp stock is 1.6% by mass cationic starch, 0.4% by mass alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), 0.3% by mass anionic polyacrylamide, 0.2% epoxidized fatty acid amide (EFA). It added so that it might become a ratio of 0.2 mass% of mass% and polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin. The alkyl portion of the alkyl ketene dimer is derived from a fatty acid mainly composed of behenic acid. The fatty acid portion of the epoxidized fatty acid amide is derived from a fatty acid mainly composed of behenic acid.

From the obtained pulp paper stock, a base paper having a basis weight of 170 g / m ² was prepared with a long paper machine. In the middle part of the drying zone of the long paper machine, polyvinyl alcohol was adhered to the base paper in an amount of 1.0 g / m ² and CaCl ₂ in an amount of 0.8 g / m ² by a size press device. Next, at the end of the paper making process, a calendar process was performed to adjust the density of the base paper to 1.01 g / cm ³ .
Next, on the surface (front surface) on which the image recording layer of the obtained base paper is provided, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing 10% by mass of titanium oxide is melt-extruded to a thickness of 25 μm. A front surface polymer coating layer was formed.
Next, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) / high-density polyethylene (HDPE) = 30/70 (mass ratio) on the surface (back surface) opposite to the surface on which the image recording layer of the base paper is provided so that the thickness is 30 μm. It was melt extruded to form a backside polymer coating.

Next, a UV curable resin coating solution having the following composition was applied onto the front surface polymer coating layer using a wire bar, and then under a UV lamp with an irradiation energy of 80 W / cm at a conveyance speed of 12 m / min. A curable resin-containing layer having a coating amount of 0.8 g / m ² when dried was formed.
<Composition of UV curable resin coating solution>
・ Methyl ethyl ketone: 95.7 parts by mass ・ Acrylic polymer (Dianal BR-88, manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.): 2.4 parts by mass ・ Pentaerythritol tetraacrylate: 1.6 parts by mass Agent (Irgacure 651, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.) ... 0.2 parts by mass. Wetting property improver (Megafac F-176, manufactured by Dainippon Ink Industries, Ltd.) ... 0.1 parts by mass

Next, using a long nip calender apparatus having a nip width of 50 mm having a metal roll and a shoe roll through a synthetic resin belt shown in FIG. The surface temperature of the metal roll and the shoe roll on the opposite side was set to 40 ° C., and calendering was performed at a nip pressure of 140 kgf / cm ² . As described above, the image recording material support of Example 1 was produced.

(Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4)
-Production of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, Examples 2 to 4 were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surface polymer coating layer, the coating amount of the curable resin, and the calendering conditions were changed as shown in Table 2. And the support body for image recording materials of Comparative Examples 1-4 was produced.

＊ソフトカレンダーの条件：樹脂ロール材質ポリウレタン（ショア硬度８９）、樹脂ロール温度４５℃
＊＊熱可塑性樹脂との接着故障が生じるため、１００℃が限界であり、カレンダー効果が小さい。

* Soft calender conditions: Resin roll material polyurethane (Shore hardness 89), resin roll temperature 45 ° C
** Adhesive failure with a thermoplastic resin occurs, so 100 ° C. is the limit, and the calendar effect is small.

  Next, the flatness and glossiness of each obtained image recording material support of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 3.

<Evaluation of flatness>
About each obtained support body for image-recording materials, using the surface shape measuring apparatus (Surfcom 570A-3DF, Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.), based on the following measurement and analysis conditions, said cut-off 5-6 mm conditions The center plane average roughness (SRa) at the outermost surface on the polymer coating layer side of the support was measured, and the flatness was evaluated according to the following criteria.
-Measurement and analysis conditions-
-Scanning direction: MD direction of sample-Measuring length: Papermaking (X) direction 50 mm, its vertical (Y) direction 30 mm
・ Measurement pitch: 0.1 mm in the X direction, 0.1 mm in the Y direction
・ Scanning speed: 30mm / sec
・ Band pass filter: 5-6mm
[Evaluation criteria for flatness]
A: Very good (SRa is 0.3 μm or less).
B: Excellent (SRa is less than 0.5 μm).
C: Intermediate (SRa is 0.5 μm or more and less than 1.0 μm).
D: Inferior (SRa is 1.0 μm or more and less than 2.0 μm).
E: Very inferior (SRa is 2.0 μm or more).

<Evaluation of glossiness>
About each support for image recording materials, the glossiness was visually observed, and the best glossiness was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria. .
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Very good.
B: Excellent.
C: Intermediate.
D: Inferior.
E: Very inferior.

(Examples 5-8 and Comparative Examples 5-8)
Using the image recording material supports of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, electrophotographic image receiving papers of Examples 5 to 8 and Comparative Examples 5 to 8 were produced by the following method.
-Titanium dioxide dispersion-
40.0 g of titanium dioxide (Taipaque (registered trademark) A-220, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.), 2.0 g of PVA102 (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), and 58.0 g of ion-exchanged water were mixed, and NBK- manufactured by Nippon Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd. 2 was used to prepare a titanium dioxide dispersion (content of titanium dioxide pigment was 40% by mass).

-Preparation of coating solution for toner image-receiving layer-
15.5 g of the titanium dioxide dispersion, 15.0 g of carnauba wax dispersion (Cerosol 524, manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd.), 100% polyester resin aqueous dispersion (solid content 30% by mass, KZA-7049, manufactured by Unitika Ltd.) 100 0.0 g, thickener (Alcox E30, Meisei Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2.0 g, anionic surfactant (AOT) 0.5 g, and ion-exchanged water 80 ml were mixed and stirred to apply for toner image-receiving layer. A liquid was prepared.
The resulting toner image-receiving layer coating solution had a viscosity of 40 mPa · s and a surface tension of 34 mN / m.

-Preparation of coating solution for back layer-
The following components were mixed and stirred to prepare a back layer coating solution.
Acrylic resin water dispersion (solid content 30% by mass, Hiloss XBH-997L, manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 100.0 g, matting agent (Techpomer MBX-12, manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) 5.0 g, release A mold (Hydrin D337, manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd.) 10.0 g, a thickener (CMC) 2.0 g, an anionic surfactant (AOT) 0.5 g, and 80 ml of ion-exchanged water are mixed and stirred. A coating solution for the back layer was prepared.
The viscosity of the obtained coating liquid for back layer was 35 mPa · s, and the surface tension was 33 mN / m.

-Coating of back layer and toner image-receiving layer-
The back layer coating solution is dried by a bar coater on the surface (back surface) on the side where the toner image receiving layer is not provided in each of the image recording material supports of Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-4. / M ² was applied to form a back layer.
Further, the toner image-receiving layer coating solution was applied to the front surface of each base paper with a bar coater so that the dry mass was 12 g / m ² , thereby forming a toner image-receiving layer. The pigment content in the toner image-receiving layer was 5% by mass relative to the thermoplastic resin.

The back layer and the toner image receiving layer were coated and then dried online with hot air. In the drying, the drying air volume and temperature were adjusted so that both the back layer and the toner image-receiving layer were dried within 2 minutes after coating. The drying point was the point at which the coating surface temperature was the same as the wet bulb temperature of the drying air.
Next, after drying, a calendar process was performed. The calendering process was performed under the condition of a nip pressure of 14.7 kN / cm ² (15 kgf / cm ² ) using a gloss calender and keeping the metal roller at 40 ° C.

Each obtained electrophotographic image receiving paper was cut into A4 size, and an image was printed using an electrophotographic printer. As the printer used, a color laser printer (DocuColor 1250-PF) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., having the fixing unit shown in FIG. 3 as the belt fixing device 1 was used.
That is, in the belt fixing device 1 shown in FIG. 3, the fixing belt 2 is suspended over the heating roller 3 and the tension roller 5, and the cleaning roller 6 is disposed above the tension roller 5 via the fixing belt 2. Further, a pressure roller 4 is provided below the heating roller 3 via the fixing belt 2. The electrophotographic image-receiving paper having the latent toner image is inserted between the heating roller 3 and the pressure roller 4 from the right side in FIG. 3 and fixed, and then moved on the fixing belt 2. In the process, it is cooled by the cooling device 7 and finally cleaned by the cleaning roller 6.
In the belt fixing device 1, the conveyance speed of the fixing belt 2 is 30 mm / second, the nip pressure between the heating roller 3 and the pressure roller 4 is 0.2 MPa (2 kgf / cm ² ), The set temperature of the heating roller 3 is 150 ° C., which corresponds to the fixing temperature. The set temperature of the pressure roller 4 was set to 120 ° C.

  About each obtained electrophotographic print, glossiness and image quality were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 4.

<Glossiness>
The glossiness of each electrophotographic print was visually observed, and the best glossiness was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C ・ ・ ・ Intermediate (impossible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E ... Very inferior (impossible as high quality recording material)

<Image quality>
The image quality of each electrophotographic print was visually observed, and the best image quality was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C ・ ・ ・ Intermediate (impossible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E ... Very inferior (impossible as high quality recording material)

(Examples 9-12 and Comparative Examples 9-12)
-Photographic paper-
The gelatin (0.1 g / m ² ) was coated on the surface (front surface) on which the image recording layer of each support for image recording materials prepared in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 was provided. Yellow coated color photographic silver halide gelatin emulsion layer (10 g / m ² ), gelatin intermediate layer, magenta colored color photographic silver halide gelatin emulsion layer (10 g / m ² ), gelatin intermediate layer, cyan colored A silver halide gelatin emulsion layer for color photography (10 g / m ² ) and a gelatin protective layer were applied in this order to produce photographic photographic papers of Examples 9-12 and Comparative Examples 9-12.

  Each obtained photographic paper was exposed and developed to obtain a photographic print. The surface smoothness (fine irregularities (1 mm or less)) and surface smoothness (waviness irregularities (5 to 6 mm)) of the screen of each photographic print were evaluated by the following methods. The results are shown in Table 5.

<Surface smoothness (micro unevenness (1 mm or less)>
Each photographic print was visually observed, and based on the following criteria, the best surface smoothness (micro unevenness (1 mm or less)) was ranked as A, and then ranked as B, C, D, E and evaluated. .
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C ・ ・ ・ Intermediate (impossible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E ... Very inferior (impossible as high quality recording material)

<Surface smoothness (undulation unevenness (5 to 6 mm)>
Each photographic print was visually observed, and based on the following criteria, the best surface smoothness (waviness unevenness (5-6 mm)) was ranked as A, then B, C, D, E and evaluated. did.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B ... Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C ・ ・ ・ Intermediate (impossible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E ... Very inferior (impossible as high quality recording material)

Since the support for image recording material of the present invention has high smoothness and excellent gloss, it can be suitably used for various image recording materials capable of recording high-quality images. It can be suitably used for photographic materials, heat sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, ink jet recording materials and the like.
Since the image recording material of the present invention has the support for the image recording material of the present invention, it is suitable as an electrophotographic material, a heat sensitive material, a sublimation transfer material, a thermal transfer material, a silver salt photographic material, and an ink jet recording material. Can be used.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a shoe calendar of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing another example of the shoe calendar of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a belt fixing device in the image forming apparatus used in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Belt fixing device 2 Fixing belt 3 Heating roller 4 Pressure roller 5 Tension roller 6 Cleaning roller 7 Cooling device 10 Endless belt 12 Support member 14 Hydraulic device 16 Piston rod 18 Support plate 20 Support plate 22 Recessed portion 24 Press shoe 26 Lubrication Agent supply device 28 Metal roll 30 Web (base paper)
34 Guide member 36 Sleeve

Claims (8)

  A base paper, at least one polymer coating layer on the side of the base paper on which the image recording layer is provided, and at least one curable resin-containing layer on the side of the polymer coating layer on which the image recording layer is provided. A support for an image recording material, comprising:   The support for an image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the curable resin-containing layer contains either an ultraviolet curable varnish or an aqueous varnish. The support for an image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the dry weight of the curable resin-containing layer is 0.1 to 5 g / m ² .   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polymer in the polymer coating layer is a polyolefin resin.   A polymer coating layer forming step of forming at least one polymer coating layer on at least the image recording layer side of the base paper, and at least one curable resin on the surface of the polymer coating layer on the image recording layer side A method for producing a support for an image recording material, comprising: a curable resin layer forming step for forming a containing layer; and a calendering step for calendering so that a metal roll is in contact with the surface of the curable resin containing layer.   The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to claim 5, wherein the calendering is performed using a long nip calender having a shoe roll.   An image recording material comprising the support for image recording material according to claim 1 and at least an image recording layer on the support. The image recording material according to claim 7, which is any one selected from electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

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