JP2012177829A - Method for producing carrier core material for electrophotographic developer, carrier core material for electrophotographic developer, carrier for electrophotographic developer, and electrophotographic developer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, which is capable of producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, which has high charging performance and good characteristics.SOLUTION: The method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer is a method for producing a carrier material for an electrophotographic developer, which contains iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition and includes: a mixing step (A) of mixing a material including iron, a material including manganese, and a material including calcium; a granulating step (C) of granulating a resultant mixture after the mixing step; and a burning step (D) of burning a powdery material granulated in the granulating step at a prescribed temperature to form a magnetic phase. The material including calcium is granular, and its primary particles have a volume average particle size of 1 μm or less.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “carrier core material”), a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, and a carrier for an electrophotographic developer (hereinafter simply referred to as “a carrier core material”). And electrophotographic developer (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “developer”), and in particular, an electrophotographic developer used in a copying machine, an MFP (Multifunctional Printer), and the like. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic developer carrier core material, a method for producing the same, an electrophotographic developer carrier provided in the electrophotographic developer, and an electrophotographic developer.

  In a copying machine, MFP, etc., as a dry development method in electrophotography, a one-component developer using only toner as a component of developer and a two-component developer using toner and carrier as components of developer are provided. is there. In any of the development methods, toner charged to a predetermined charge amount is supplied to the photoreceptor. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member is visualized with toner and transferred to a sheet. Thereafter, the visible image with toner is fixed on the paper to obtain a desired image.

  Here, the development in the two-component developer will be briefly described. A predetermined amount of toner and a predetermined amount of carrier are accommodated in the developing device. The developing device includes a rotatable magnet roller in which a plurality of S poles and N poles are alternately provided in the circumferential direction, and a stirring roller that stirs and mixes the toner and the carrier in the developing device. A carrier made of magnetic powder is carried by a magnet roller. A linear magnetic brush made of carrier particles is formed by the magnetic force of the magnet roller. A plurality of toner particles adhere to the surface of the carrier particles by frictional charging by stirring. Toner is supplied to the surface of the photoconductor by rotating the magnet roller so that the magnetic brush is applied to the photoconductor. In a two-component developer, development is performed in this way.

  As for the toner, the toner in the developing device is sequentially consumed by fixing to the paper, so new toner corresponding to the consumed amount is supplied from time to time to the developing device from the toner hopper attached to the developing device. The On the other hand, the carrier is not consumed by development and is used as it is until the end of its life. The carrier which is a constituent material of the two-component developer includes a toner charging function and an insulating property for efficiently charging the toner by frictional charging by stirring, a toner transporting ability to appropriately transport and supply the toner to the photoreceptor, etc. Various functions are required. For example, from the viewpoint of improving the charging ability of the toner, the carrier is required to have an appropriate electrical resistance value (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a resistance value) and an appropriate insulating property.

  In recent years, the above-described carrier is composed of a carrier core material that constitutes a core, that is, a core portion, and a coating resin that is provided so as to cover the surface of the carrier core material.

  Here, the carrier core material is desired to have good magnetic properties. Briefly, as described above, the carrier is carried on the magnet roller by magnetic force in the developing device. Under such conditions of use, if the magnetism of the carrier core material itself, specifically, the magnetization of the carrier core material itself is low, the holding force against the magnet roller is weakened, and so-called carrier scattering may occur. In particular, in recent years, in order to meet the demand for higher image quality of formed images, there is a tendency to reduce the particle size of toner particles, and accordingly, the particle size of carrier particles also tends to be reduced. If the carrier particle size is reduced, the carrier force of each carrier particle may be reduced. Therefore, a more effective countermeasure against the above-described carrier scattering problem is desired.

  Various techniques related to the carrier core material are disclosed, but a technique focused on the prevention of carrier scattering is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-241742 (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-241742 A

  The carrier core material has good electrical characteristics. Specifically, for example, the carrier core material itself has a high charge amount and has a high dielectric breakdown voltage. It is desired that the core material itself has an appropriate resistance value.

  In particular, in recent years, there is a strong desire to increase the charging performance of the carrier core material itself, specifically, to increase the charge amount of the carrier core material. As described above, the carrier core is often used with its surface coated with a coating resin. Here, a part of the coating resin may be peeled off due to stress caused by stirring in the developing device, and the surface of the carrier core material may be exposed. Under such circumstances, there is a strong demand for charging ability by friction between the exposed surface of the carrier core material itself and the toner. Of course, it is preferable that other characteristics such as magnetic characteristics are also favorable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer capable of producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer having high charging performance and good characteristics.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer having high charging performance and good characteristics.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic developer carrier having high charging performance and good characteristics.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic developer capable of forming an image with good image quality.

  In order to improve the charging performance of the carrier core material, the inventor of the present application uses calcium (Ca), which is a metal element, as a component of the core of the carrier core material in order to improve the frictional charging ability on the surface of the carrier core material. I thought to add. Furthermore, the inventor of the present application is not limited to the case where calcium contained as a constituent material of the carrier core material exhibits good dispersibility on the surface thereof, but the contained calcium is not only the surface of the carrier core material, As shown in Fig. 5, it was considered that the carrier core material must be well dispersed. That is, the inventor of the present application can provide a carrier having a good solid solution state of calcium in the spinel structure inside the carrier core material forming a spinel structure mainly composed of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). It was considered that the lattice constant of the crystal constituting the core material was increased, and the characteristics of retaining a charged charge were improved. As a result, the charging performance of the carrier core material was improved. And, when improving the degree of dispersion of calcium added as a raw material, conventional calcination and pulverization as a pretreatment of raw materials containing calcium are insufficient, and it is necessary to disperse in atomic order or micron order Thought.

  That is, the method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to the present invention is a method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, the raw material containing iron, A mixing step of mixing a raw material containing manganese and a raw material containing calcium, a granulation step of granulating the mixed mixture after the mixing step, and a powdery material granulated by the granulation step at a predetermined temperature A firing step of firing to form a magnetic phase. Here, the raw material containing calcium is granular, and the volume average particle size of the primary particles is 1 μm or less.

  About the carrier core material manufactured with such a manufacturing method of a carrier core material, the dispersibility of the contained calcium is favorable on the surface and inside of the carrier core material. Therefore, the manufactured carrier core material itself has high charging performance and good characteristics.

  Preferably, the mixing step may include a step of mixing a raw material containing calcium in a solution state. By comprising in this way, generation | occurrence | production of the aggregation of the raw material containing the calcium to add can be suppressed efficiently, and the dispersibility of the calcium in a carrier core material can be improved more reliably.

  More preferably, the mixing step includes a step of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate, calcium acetate, and calcium carbonate as a raw material containing calcium. What is selected from such a group is relatively easy to obtain the above-mentioned volume average particle diameter.

  As a more preferred embodiment, the mixing step may further mix a raw material containing magnesium. Such a carrier core material can further improve the magnetic characteristics.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer is a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, the raw material containing iron, the raw material containing manganese And a raw material containing calcium are mixed to granulate the mixture, and the granulated particles are fired at a predetermined temperature to form a magnetic phase. Here, the raw material containing calcium is granular, and the volume average particle size of the primary particles is 1 μm or less.

  Such a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer has good dispersibility of calcium contained as a constituent material of the carrier core material on the surface and inside of the carrier core material. It is good.

  The carrier core material for electrophotographic developer according to the present invention is a carrier core material for electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, and the lattice constant thereof is larger than 8.490. . Since such a carrier core material has a good solid solution state of calcium in the spinel structure, its characteristics are good.

  The carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to the present invention is a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, and the particle cross section of the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer Is magnified 3000 times with an electron microscope, and the area occupied by the segregated calcium is as a 4% or less.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, an electrophotographic developer carrier is an electrophotographic developer carrier used for an electrophotographic developer, and the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer described above, And a resin that covers the surface of the carrier core material for the electrophotographic developer.

  Such a carrier for an electrophotographic developer has high charging performance and good characteristics.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, the electrophotographic developer is an electrophotographic developer used for electrophotographic development, and the triboelectric charging between the above-described electrophotographic developer carrier and the electrophotographic developer carrier. And a toner capable of being charged in electrophotography.

  Since such an electrophotographic developer includes the electrophotographic developer carrier configured as described above, a high-quality image can be formed.

  The carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to the present invention has high charging performance and good characteristics.

  In addition, the electrophotographic developer carrier according to the present invention has high charging performance and good characteristics.

  Moreover, the electrophotographic developer according to the present invention can form a high-quality image.

It is a flowchart which shows a typical process in the manufacturing method which manufactures the carrier core material which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between a core charge amount and a lattice constant. The result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material according to Example 1 is shown. The result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material according to Example 2 is shown. The result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material according to Example 3 is shown. The result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material according to Comparative Example 1 is shown. The schematic of the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on Example 1 is shown. The schematic of the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on Example 2 is shown. The schematic of the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on Example 3 is shown. The schematic of the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on the comparative example 1 is shown.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a carrier core material according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. About the carrier core material which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, the external shape is a substantially spherical shape. The particle diameter of the carrier core material according to one embodiment of the present invention is about 35 μm and has an appropriate particle size distribution. That is, the above-mentioned particle size means a volume average particle size. The particle size and particle size distribution are arbitrarily set depending on required developer characteristics, yield in the manufacturing process, and the like. On the surface of the carrier core material, minute irregularities formed mainly in the baking step described later are formed.

  The carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention also has a substantially spherical shape as in the carrier core material. The carrier is obtained by thinly coating the surface of the carrier core material with a resin, that is, the particle diameter of the carrier is almost the same as that of the carrier core material. Unlike the carrier core material, the surface of the carrier is almost completely covered with resin.

  The developer according to one embodiment of the present invention is composed of the above-described carrier and toner. The outer shape of the toner is also substantially spherical. The toner is mainly composed of a styrene acrylic resin or a polyester resin, and contains a predetermined amount of pigment, wax or the like. Such a toner is manufactured by, for example, a pulverization method or a polymerization method. For example, a toner having a particle diameter of about 5 μm, which is about 1/7 of the particle diameter of the carrier, is used. Further, the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier is also arbitrarily set according to the required developer characteristics and the like. Such a developer is produced by mixing a predetermined amount of carrier and toner with an appropriate mixer.

  Next, the manufacturing method which manufactures the carrier core material which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing typical steps in a manufacturing method for manufacturing a carrier core material according to an embodiment of the present invention. A method for manufacturing a carrier core material according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, a raw material containing iron, a raw material containing manganese, a raw material containing calcium, and a raw material containing magnesium are prepared. And the prepared raw material is mix | blended with a suitable compounding ratio according to the characteristic requested | required, and this is mixed (FIG. 1 (A)). Here, an appropriate blending ratio is a blending ratio that the finally obtained carrier core material contains.

About the raw material containing the iron which comprises the carrier core material which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, what is necessary is just metallic iron or its oxide. Specifically, Fe ₂ O ₃ , Fe ₃ O ₄ , Fe, and the like that exist stably at normal temperature and pressure are preferably used. The raw material containing manganese may be metallic manganese or an oxide thereof. Specifically, metals Mn, MnO ₂ , Mn ₂ O ₃ , Mn ₃ O ₄ , and MnCO ₃ that exist stably at normal temperature and pressure are preferably used. Moreover, as a raw material containing magnesium, metallic magnesium or its oxide is used suitably. Specific examples include MgCO ₃ which is a carbonate, Mg (OH) ₂ which is a hydroxide, MgO which is an oxide, and the like. Moreover, as a raw material containing calcium, metallic calcium or its oxide is used suitably. Specifically, for example, CaCO ₃ that is a carbonate, Ca (OH) ₂ that is a hydroxide, CaO that is an oxide, and the like can be given. The raw materials (iron raw material, manganese raw material, calcium raw material, magnesium raw material, etc.) may be used as raw materials by calcining and pulverizing raw materials obtained by mixing the raw materials, respectively, or the desired composition.

  Here, the raw material containing calcium is granular, and the volume average particle size of the primary particles is preferably 1 μm or less. Since the raw material containing calcium has a small particle size, the dispersibility in the carrier core material is good.

  Moreover, you may comprise so that the raw material containing calcium may be mixed as a solution state. By comprising in this way, generation | occurrence | production of the aggregation of the raw material containing the calcium to add can be suppressed efficiently, and the dispersibility of the calcium in a carrier core material can be improved more reliably.

  Here, it is as follows when the measurement of the volume average particle diameter of the primary particle of the raw material containing calcium is demonstrated. About the raw material containing calcium to be used, 1g was added with respect to 100ml of water, and it processed for 1 minute with the ultrasonic cleaner (output: 100W, frequency: 50Hz). The obtained dispersion solution was measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (Microtrack, Model 9320-X100 manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.). Since fine particles tend to be aggregates, in the case of aggregated powder, the dispersion is monodispersed using a dispersant and measured. Further, since calcium nitrate and calcium acetate have high solubility and are dissolved in the solution, the volume average particle diameter of the primary particles is set to 0.01 μm or less.

  The mixing step includes a step of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate, calcium acetate, and calcium carbonate as a raw material containing calcium. What is selected from such a group is relatively easy to obtain the above-mentioned volume average particle diameter.

  Next, the mixed raw material is slurried (FIG. 1B). That is, these raw materials are weighed according to the target composition of the carrier core material and mixed to obtain a slurry raw material.

  In the manufacturing process for manufacturing the carrier core material according to the present invention, a reducing agent may be further added to the slurry raw material described above in order to advance the reduction reaction in a part of the baking process described later. As the reducing agent, carbon powder, polycarboxylic acid organic substance, polyacrylic acid organic substance, maleic acid, acetic acid, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)) organic substance, and a mixture thereof are preferably used.

  Water is added to the slurry raw material described above and mixed and stirred, so that the solid concentration is 40% by weight or more, preferably 50% by weight or more. If the solid content concentration of the slurry raw material is 50% by weight or more, it is preferable because the strength of the granulated pellet can be maintained.

  Next, the slurryed raw material is granulated (FIG. 1C). Granulation of the slurry obtained by mixing and stirring is performed using a spray dryer. In addition, it is also preferable to further wet-grind the slurry before granulation.

  The atmospheric temperature during spray drying may be about 100 to 300 ° C. Thereby, the granulated powder whose particle diameter is 10-200 micrometers can be obtained in general. The obtained granulated powder is preferably adjusted for particle size at this point in consideration of the final particle size of the product by removing coarse particles and fine powder using a vibration sieve or the like.

Thereafter, the granulated product is fired (FIG. 1D). Specifically, the obtained granulated powder is put into a furnace heated to about 900 to 1500 ° C., held and fired for 1 to 24 hours, and a desired fired product is generated. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the firing furnace may be any condition that allows the ferritization reaction to proceed. Specifically, at 1200 ° C., the oxygen concentration of the introduced gas is set to be 10 ⁻⁷ % to 3%. Adjust and fire under flow conditions.

  Moreover, you may control the reducing atmosphere required for ferritization by adjustment of a previous reducing agent. However, from the viewpoint of obtaining a reaction rate that can ensure sufficient productivity during industrialization, a temperature of 900 ° C. or higher is preferable. On the other hand, if the firing temperature is 1500 ° C. or lower, the particles are not excessively sintered, and a fired product can be obtained in the form of powder.

  Here, the amount of oxygen in the core composition may be excessive. Specifically, as one means for making the amount of oxygen in the core composition excessive, it is conceivable to set the oxygen concentration during cooling in the firing step to a predetermined amount or more. That is, in the firing step, when cooling to about room temperature, the cooling may be performed in an atmosphere in which the oxygen concentration is higher than a predetermined concentration, specifically, 0.03%. Specifically, the oxygen concentration of the introduced gas introduced into the electric furnace is set to be more than 0.03%, and the process is performed in a flow state. By comprising in this way, the oxygen amount in a ferrite can exist excessively in the inner layer of a carrier core material. Here, when the content is 0.03% or less, the oxygen content in the inner layer is relatively reduced. Therefore, here, cooling is performed in an environment of the above oxygen concentration.

  It is desirable to further adjust the particle size of the obtained fired product at this stage. For example, the fired product is coarsely pulverized with a hammer mill or the like. That is, pulverization is performed on the baked granular material (FIG. 1E). After that, classification is performed using a vibrating screen. That is, classification is performed on the pulverized granular material (FIG. 1 (F)). By carrying out like this, the particle | grains of the carrier core material with a desired particle size can be obtained.

Next, the classified granular material is oxidized (FIG. 1G). That is, the particle surface of the carrier core material obtained at this stage is heat-treated (oxidation treatment). Then, the dielectric breakdown voltage of the particles is increased to 250 V or more, and the electric resistance value is set to 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω · cm which is an appropriate electric resistance value. By raising the electrical resistance value of the carrier core material by oxidation treatment, the risk of carrier scattering due to charge leakage can be reduced.

  Specifically, it is maintained at 200 to 700 ° C. for 0.1 to 24 hours in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of 10 to 100% to obtain a target carrier core material. More preferably, it is 0.5 to 20 hours at 250 to 600 ° C, and more preferably 1 to 12 hours at 300 to 550 ° C. In addition, about such an oxidation treatment process, it is arbitrarily performed as needed.

  Thus, the carrier core material according to one embodiment of the present invention is manufactured. That is, the method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, A raw material containing manganese, a raw material containing manganese, and a raw material containing calcium, a granulating step of granulating the mixed mixture after the mixing step, and a powdered material granulated by the granulating step And a firing step of firing at a predetermined temperature to form a magnetic phase. Here, the raw material containing calcium is granular, and the volume average particle size of the primary particles is 1 μm or less. About the carrier core material manufactured by such a manufacturing method of the carrier core material, since the dispersibility of the contained calcium is good on the surface and inside of the carrier core material, the carrier manufactured as described above. The core material itself has high charging performance and good characteristics.

  A carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to an embodiment of the present invention is a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, and includes a raw material containing iron, manganese. A raw material containing calcium and a raw material containing calcium are mixed to granulate the mixture, and the granulated granule is fired at a predetermined temperature to form a magnetic phase. Here, the raw material containing calcium is granular, and the volume average particle size of the primary particles is 1 μm or less. Such a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer has good dispersibility of calcium contained as a constituent material of the carrier core material on the surface and inside of the carrier core material. It is good.

  Next, the carrier core material thus obtained is coated with a resin (FIG. 1 (H)). Specifically, the obtained carrier core material according to the present invention is covered with a silicone resin, an acrylic resin, or the like. In this way. An electrophotographic developer carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention is obtained. A coating method such as silicone resin or acrylic resin can be performed by a known method. That is, an electrophotographic developer carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrophotographic developer carrier used for an electrophotographic developer, and includes the above-described carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, and electrophotography. And a resin that covers the surface of the carrier core material for developer. Such a carrier for an electrophotographic developer has high charging performance and good characteristics.

  Next, a predetermined amount of the carrier and toner thus obtained are mixed (FIG. 1 (I)). Specifically, the carrier for an electrophotographic developer according to one embodiment of the present invention obtained by the above-described manufacturing method is mixed with an appropriate known toner. Thus, the electrophotographic developer according to one embodiment of the present invention can be obtained. For the mixing, for example, an arbitrary mixer such as a ball mill is used. An electrophotographic developer according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrophotographic developer used for electrophotographic development, and is obtained by frictional charging between the above-described electrophotographic developer carrier and the electrophotographic developer carrier. And a toner capable of being charged in electrophotography. Since such an electrophotographic developer includes the carrier for an electrophotographic developer having the above-described configuration, an image with good image quality can be formed.

Example 1
Fe ₂ O ₃ (average particle size: 1 μm) 13.7 kg, Mn ₃ O ₄ (average particle size: 1 μm) 6.5 kg, MgFe ₂ O ₄ (average particle size: 3 μm) 2.3 kg in 7.5 kg of water 135 g of ammonium polycarboxylate dispersant as a dispersant, 68 g of carbon black as a reducing agent, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) (volume average of primary particles) 264 g of (particle diameter: 0.01 μm or less) was added to obtain a mixture. As a result of measuring the solid content concentration at this time, it was 75% by weight. This mixture was pulverized by a wet ball mill (media diameter 2 mm) to obtain a mixed slurry.

  This slurry was sprayed into hot air at about 130 ° C. with a spray dryer to obtain dry granulated powder. At this time, granulated powder other than the target particle size distribution was removed by sieving. This granulated powder was put into an electric furnace and fired at 1130 ° C. for 3 hours. At this time, the electric furnace flowed to an electric furnace whose atmosphere was adjusted so that the oxygen concentration was 0.8%. The obtained fired product was classified using a sieve after pulverization to an average particle size of 25 μm. Furthermore, the obtained carrier core material was oxidized at 470 ° C. for 1 hour in the atmosphere to obtain a carrier core material according to Example 1.

Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material. Incidentally, the core material composition x in Table 1, y, for z, formula carrier core material as described _above: when expressed in _{(Mn x Mg y Ca z)} Fe 3-x-y-z O 4 It is the result obtained by measuring the obtained carrier core material by the analysis method shown below.

(Analysis of Mn)
The Mn content of the carrier core material was quantitatively analyzed according to the ferromanganese analysis method (potentiometric titration method) described in JIS G1311-1987. The Mn content of the carrier core material described in the present invention is the amount of Mn obtained by quantitative analysis by this ferromanganese analysis method (potentiometric titration method).

(Analysis of Ca and Mg)
The Ca and Mg contents of the carrier core material were analyzed by the following method. The carrier core material according to the present invention was dissolved in an acid solution, and quantitative analysis was performed by ICP. The Ca and Mg contents of the carrier core material described in the present invention are the amounts of Ca and Mg obtained by this quantitative analysis by ICP.

Moreover, about the measurement of the magnetization which shows the magnetic characteristic in a table | surface, magnetic susceptibility was measured using VSM (the Toei industry Co., Ltd. make, VSM-P7). Here, in the table, “σs” is saturation magnetization, “σ _{1k (1000)} ” is magnetization in the case of an external magnetic field 1 k (1000) Oe, and “σ ₅₀₀ ” is external The magnetization in the case of the magnetic field 500 Oe, and “σ ₂₀₀₀ ” is the magnetization in the case of the external magnetic field ₂₀₀₀ Oe. Regarding the rise of magnetization, it is preferable that the value of σ ₅₀₀ is higher.

The core charge amount as an electrical characteristic in the table is the charge amount of the core, that is, the carrier core material. Here, the measurement of the charge amount will be described. 9.5 g of carrier core material and 0.5 g of commercially available full-color toner are put into a 100 ml stoppered glass bottle and left to stand for 12 hours in an environment of 25 ° C. and 50% relative humidity to adjust the humidity. The conditioned carrier core material and toner are shaken for 30 minutes with a shaker and mixed. Here, the shaker was performed at a rate of 200 ° / min and an angle of 60 ° using a NEW-YS type manufactured by Yayoi Co., Ltd. 500 mg of the mixed carrier core material and toner were weighed, and the charge amount was measured with a charge amount measuring device. In this embodiment, STC-1-C1 type manufactured by Nippon Piotech Co., Ltd. was used, suction pressure was 5.0 kPa, and a mesh for suction was performed with 795 mesh manufactured by SUS. Two measurements were performed on the same sample, and the average of these values was used as the charge amount of each core. For the calculation formula of the core charge amount, core charge amount (μC (Coulomb) / g) = actual charge (nC) × 10 ³ × coefficient (1.084 × 10 ⁻³ ) ÷ toner weight (weight before suction (g) -Weight after suction (g)).

  The calculation of the lattice constant is as follows. The lattice constant of the crystal of the magnetic carrier core material related to the present invention was measured using an X-ray diffractometer (manufactured by Rigaku Corporation, Ultimate IV). The X-ray source used Cu and generated X-rays at an acceleration voltage of 40 kV (kilovolts) and a current of 40 mA (milliamperes). The measurement conditions of the powder X-ray are: scanning mode: FT (step scanning method), divergent slits: 1 ° and 10 mm, scattering slit: 1 °, light receiving slit: 0.3 mm, rotational speed: 5000 rpm, scanning range: 10.000 ˜120.00 °, the measurement interval was 0.02 °, the counting time was 1 second, and the number of integrations was 1 time. As a diffraction line to be measured, a diffraction line existing between 70 ° and 120 ° was used, and a lattice constant was calculated from the obtained XRD pattern. As a pretreatment, the sample was used as it was without crushing the core material, and was sufficiently surfaced. Note that Example 1, Example 2 to Example 5, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 shown below are all composed of a single phase, that is, a single phase, in the X-ray evaluation. It is shown.

Moreover, the ratio of the area occupied by segregated calcium was evaluated by the following method. First, the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer was kneaded into a resin, and the cross section of the particles was cut with an argon ion laser beam under a reduced pressure atmosphere using a cross section polisher (SM-09010, manufactured by JEOL Ltd.). Thereafter, SEM (manufactured by JEOL Ltd., JSM-6390LA) and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (manufactured by JEOL Ltd., JED-2300, acceleration voltage 15 kV, number of sweeps 20 times) for the cross section of the obtained particles. Then, the calcium composition was mapped using a duel time of 0.2 seconds), and photographing was performed at 3000 times so that a cross section of the whole particle was obtained. To calculate the ratio of the area occupied by the resulting images in calcium segregated, with Analysis FIVE (made by JEOL Ltd.) to measure the cross-sectional area S ₂ of the particle cross-sectional area S ₁ and the polarization析箇plants. The segregation site to be measured was a location where the major axis of the segregation site was 5 mm or more when the obtained image was output in A4 size. Then, the percentage of cross-sectional area S ₂ of polarized析箇plant to particle cross-sectional area S _1, and the ratio of the area occupied by the calcium segregated. Note that the particle cross-sectional area S ₁ includes the pore area in the particle cross-section. That is, when the ratio of the segregated calcium occupying area is A, the ratio of the segregated calcium occupying area is A = S ₂ × 100 / S ₁ . In addition, the above-mentioned measurement was performed with respect to the cross section of 100 particles, and the average value was made into the ratio of the area | region which segregated calcium in each Example and a comparative example occupied.

(Example 2)
From calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) to calcium acetate monohydrate (Ca (CH ₃ COO) ₂ · H ₂ O) (primary particles) The carrier core material according to Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the volume average particle size was changed to 0.01 μm or less and the addition amount was changed to 197 g. Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material.

(Example 3)
The calcium raw material to be added is changed from calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) to colloidal calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ) (volume average particle size of primary particles: 0.04 μm). Obtained the carrier core material which concerns on Example 3 by the method similar to Example 1. FIG. Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material.

Example 4
The calcium raw material to be added is changed from calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) to calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ) (volume average particle size of primary particles: 0.05 μm) and added. A carrier core material according to Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount was 113 g. Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material.

(Example 5)
Fe ₂ O ₃ (average particle size: 1 μm) 11.0 kg, Mn ₃ O ₄ (average particle size: 1 μm) 4.4 kg are dispersed in 5.1 kg of water, and an ammonium polycarboxylate dispersant is used as a dispersant. 92 g, 46.1 g of carbon black as a reducing agent, and 177 g of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) (volume average particle size of primary particles: 0.01 μm or less) Obtained the carrier core material according to Example 5 in the same manner as in Example 1. Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material.

(Comparative Example 1)
The calcium raw material to be added is changed from calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) to calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ) (volume average particle size of primary particles: 1.5 μm), and added A carrier core material according to Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount was 113 g. Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material.

(Comparative Example 2)
The calcium raw material to be added is changed from calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O) to calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ) (volume average particle size of primary particles: 4 μm). A carrier core material according to Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount was 113 g. Tables 1 and 2 show the composition, magnetic characteristics, and electrical characteristics of the obtained carrier core material.

Referring to Table 1 and Table 2, regarding the magnetic characteristics, in Examples 1 to 5, the value of σ ₅₀₀ is 40.6 emu / g, 41.7 emu / g, 41.4 emu / g, 40.9 emu / g and 39.6 emu / g, which are high values. In particular, in Examples 1 to 4, which are MnMg (manganese magnesium) -based compositions, the value of σ ₅₀₀ is 40.5 emu / g or more. It is preferable to do.

  Regarding the electrical characteristics, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the core charge amounts were 16.5 μC / g and 13.2 μC / g, respectively. The amounts are 22.5 μC / g, 22.2 μC / g, 21.2 μC / g, 20.9 μC / g, 22.0 μC / g, respectively, and all are 20.0 μC / g or more. Thus, the carrier core material in Examples 1 to 5 has improved magnetic characteristics and charging performance, that is, electrical characteristics, as compared with the carrier core materials in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. .

  FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the core charge amount and the lattice constant for the above-described examples and comparative examples. In FIG. 2, the vertical axis represents the core charge amount, and the horizontal axis represents the lattice constant. In the graph shown in FIG. 2, black circles indicate examples, and black squares indicate comparative examples.

  Referring to FIG. 2, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 have low lattice constants, specifically, 8.490 and 8.488, respectively, and 8.490 or less. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the core charge amount is also low, which are 16.5 μC / g and 13.2 μC / g, respectively, and 18.0 μC / g or less. On the other hand, Examples 1 to 5 have high lattice constants, specifically 8.498, 8.495, 8,496, 8.492, and 8.501, respectively. In Examples 1 to 5, the core charge amount was also high, 22.5 μC / g, 22.2 μC / g, 21.2 μC / g, 20.9 μC / g, and 22.0 μC / g, respectively. 20.0 μC / g or more. In particular, according to Example 1, Example 2 and Example 5 in which the volume average particle size is 0.01 μm or less, a carrier core material having a core charge amount of 22.0 μC / g or more and a high core charge amount is obtained. Therefore, it can be seen that it is preferable to make the volume average particle size as small as possible. That is, if the volume average particle size of the primary particles of the raw material containing calcium is 1 μm or less, the core charge amount is at least 16.5 μC / g, which is the core charge amount value of the carrier core material according to Comparative Example 1. Can be higher. Furthermore, if the volume average particle size of the primary particles of the raw material containing calcium is 0.1 μm or less, it can be made closer to the value of the example. Further, it can be understood from FIG. 2 that if the lattice constant is high, the core charge amount increases as the core charge amount increases. Here, the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to an embodiment of the present invention is a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, and the lattice constant thereof is 8 Greater than .490. Since such a carrier core material has a good solid solution state of calcium in the spinel structure, its characteristics are good.

  In FIG. 3, the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on Example 1 is shown. In FIG. 4, the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on Example 2 is shown. In FIG. 5, the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on Example 3 is shown. In FIG. 6, the result of the elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX in the visual field range of the electron micrograph of the carrier core material which concerns on the comparative example 1 is shown. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the results of elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the field of view of the electron micrograph of the carrier core shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the results of elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the field of view of the electron micrograph of the carrier core shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the results of elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the field of view of the electron micrograph of the carrier core shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the results of elemental analysis of Ca element in EDX within the field of view of the electron micrograph of the carrier core shown in FIG.

7 to 10, hatched regions 12, 15, 17, and 19 indicate regions where Ca is segregated. Moreover, the area | regions 11, 14, 16, and 18 shown with a dot show the area | region where Ca is not segregating. Incidentally, it is an portion where the length dimension L ₁ of the major axis in a region 12 shown in FIG. 7 to more than 5 mm, Ca are segregated. That is, in FIG. 7, the area 13 indicated by hatching whose major axis is less than 5 mm is not included in the area occupied by segregated calcium. In FIG. 7, the particle cross-sectional area S ₁ described above corresponds to the sum of the region 11, the region 12, and the region 13, and the cross-sectional area S ₂ of the segregated portion corresponds to the region 12. .

  3 to 10 and Table 2, in Example 1, there are very few regions 12 and 15 in which Ca is segregated. From the data shown in Table 2, Example 2 and Example 5 are also considered to have the same tendency as Example 1. Moreover, about Example 3, it can grasp | ascertain that the area | region 17 where Ca is segregating is relatively few. Example 4 is also considered to have the same tendency as Example 3 from the data shown in Table 2. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, it can be understood that there are many regions 19 in which Ca is segregated. It can be considered that Comparative Example 2 has the same tendency as Comparative Example 1 from the data shown in Table 2.

  Considering from Table 2 and the like, it can be understood that the proportion of the segregated region of calcium tends to increase as the volume average particle size of the primary particles increases. It can also be inferred that there is some correlation between the degree of segregation of calcium and the core charge amount. That is, it is considered that the core charge amount tends to decrease as the ratio of the segregated calcium region increases. Here, regarding the ratio of the region occupied by segregated calcium, all of Examples 1 to 5 are 4% or less, 5.6% in Comparative Example 1 and 6.0 in Comparative Example 2. %. A carrier core material according to an embodiment of the present invention is a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition, and the particle cross section of the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer is observed with an electron microscope. The region occupied by segregated calcium is 4% or less of the entire particle cross section when the element is magnified 3000 times and is observed by mapping the calcium element in EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). It is.

  Next, using the obtained carrier core material, a carrier for an electrophotographic developer and an electrophotographic developer were prepared and evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

  Here, a method for producing a carrier for an electrophotographic developer will be described. The carrier core material was resin-coated by the following method. A silicone resin (trade name: KR251, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was dissolved in toluene to prepare a coating resin solution. Then, the carrier core material and the coating resin solution obtained as described above are introduced into the stirrer at a ratio of carrier core material: coating resin solution = 9: 1 in a weight ratio, and the carrier core material is added to the coating resin solution. The mixture was heated and stirred at 150 ° C to 250 ° C while being immersed for a period of time. As a result, a carrier core material in which the resin was coated at a ratio of 1.0% by weight with respect to the weight of the carrier core material was obtained. The carrier core material coated (coated) with this resin is placed in a hot-air circulating heating device, heated at 250 ° C. for 5 hours to cure the coating resin, and the carrier for an electrophotographic developer according to Example 1 Got.

  This carrier for electrophotographic developer and a commercially available toner having a particle diameter of about several μm were mixed by a V-type blender or a pot mill to obtain an electrophotographic developer. Then, image characteristics were evaluated using the electrophotographic developer thus obtained.

  For image characteristics, a 60-sheet machine adopting a digital reversal development method is used as an evaluation machine, and using the electrophotographic developer thus obtained, carrier skip, image density, fog density, fine line reproducibility, image quality From the initial stage, a printing durability test of 200K sheets (K: 1000 sheets) was performed. Among these evaluation items, “image quality” indicates an overall evaluation. As evaluation criteria, ◎ (double circle) is a very good level, ○ (single circle) is a good level, △ (triangle) is a usable level, x (cross) The level was unusable. Here, the evaluation of ○ (single circle) is the same level as the high-performance electrophotographic developer currently in practical use, and the evaluation of ○ (single circle) or higher was determined to be acceptable.

  Referring to Table 3, for the electrophotographic developers according to Examples 1 to 5, the image density, fog density, fine line reproducibility, and image quality not only in the initial stage but also after 100K sheets and 200K sheets From the point of view, it maintains a very good level or a good level. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, from the viewpoint of image density, fog density, fine line reproducibility, and image quality at the initial stage, it is a very good level or a good level. Usable level and unusable level items occur, and after 200K, the usable level and unusable level items are increasing.

  From the above, according to the carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, the carrier for an electrophotographic developer, and the electrophotographic developer according to the present invention, the characteristics are good.

In the above-described embodiment, as a manufacturing method, a raw material containing iron, a raw material containing manganese, a raw material containing calcium, and a raw material containing magnesium are prepared, and these are mixed to obtain the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, Si metal oxides such as CaSiO ₃ are prepared and mixed to obtain the carrier core material according to the present invention. Good.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, although magnesium was used as the raw material contained in a carrier core material, it is good also as a structure which does not contain magnesium.

  In the above embodiment, in the mixing step, the raw material containing calcium is mixed in a solution state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be mixed in a powder state.

  In the above embodiment, the oxygen amount is set to be higher than a predetermined concentration during cooling in the firing step in order to make the carrier core material contain an excessive amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as adjusting the mixture ratio in a raw material mixing process, and making it contain in a carrier core material excessively. Moreover, it is good also as performing in the same atmosphere as a cooling process in the process which advances the sintering reaction which is a process before cooling.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  The carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, the carrier for an electrophotographic developer, and the electrophotographic developer according to the present invention are effectively used when applied to a copying machine or the like that requires high image quality.

  11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 area.

Claims (9)

A method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition,
A mixing step of mixing a raw material containing iron, a raw material containing manganese, and a raw material containing calcium;
After the mixing step, a granulation step for granulating the mixed mixture;
A firing step of firing the powdered material granulated by the granulation step at a predetermined temperature to form a magnetic phase;
The raw material containing calcium is granular,
The method for producing a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, wherein the primary particles have a volume average particle size of 1 μm or less. The said mixing process is a manufacturing method of the carrier core material for electrophotographic developers of Claim 1 including the process of mixing the raw material containing the said calcium as a solution state. The electrophotographic developer according to claim 1, wherein the mixing step includes a step of mixing at least one selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate, calcium acetate, and calcium carbonate as a raw material containing calcium. Method for manufacturing carrier core material. The said mixing process is a manufacturing method of the carrier core material for electrophotographic developers in any one of Claims 1-3 including the process of mixing the raw material which contains magnesium further. A carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition,
A raw material containing iron, a raw material containing manganese, and a raw material containing calcium are mixed to granulate the mixture, and the granulated particles are fired at a predetermined temperature to form a magnetic phase.
The raw material containing calcium is granular,
A carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, wherein the primary particles have a volume average particle diameter of 1 μm or less. A carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition,
A carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer having a lattice constant greater than 8.490. A carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer containing iron, manganese, and calcium as a core composition,
Segregation when the particle cross section of the carrier core material for electrophotographic developer is magnified 3000 times with an electron microscope and observed by mapping calcium elements in EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). The area occupied by the calcium is a carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer, which is 4% or less of the entire particle cross section. A carrier for an electrophotographic developer used in an electrophotographic developer,
The carrier core material for an electrophotographic developer according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
An electrophotographic developer carrier comprising: a resin that covers a surface of the carrier core material for the electrophotographic developer. An electrophotographic developer used for electrophotographic development,
The carrier for an electrophotographic developer according to claim 8,
An electrophotographic developer comprising: a toner capable of being charged in electrophotography by frictional charging with the carrier for electrophotographic developer.