WO2008132207A1 - Élément de système fixeur - Google Patents

Élément de système fixeur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008132207A1
WO2008132207A1 PCT/EP2008/055224 EP2008055224W WO2008132207A1 WO 2008132207 A1 WO2008132207 A1 WO 2008132207A1 EP 2008055224 W EP2008055224 W EP 2008055224W WO 2008132207 A1 WO2008132207 A1 WO 2008132207A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
polymer
fuser
system member
fuser system
member according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2008/055224
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Pasqua Colaianna
Alessio Marrani
Giambattista Besana
Original Assignee
Solvay Solexis S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solvay Solexis S.P.A. filed Critical Solvay Solexis S.P.A.
Publication of WO2008132207A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008132207A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
    • G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
    • G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
    • G03G15/2053—Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating
    • G03G15/2057—Structural details of heat elements, e.g. structure of roller or belt, eddy current, induction heating relating to the chemical composition of the heat element and layers thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/20—Details of the fixing device or porcess

Definitions

  • the invention pertains to a fuser system member having a fluoropolymer outer layer, to a process for its manufacture and to an image forming apparatus comprising said fuser system member.
  • the present invention relates generally to an imaging apparatus and fuser components thereof for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses, in particular in xerographic machines, including color machines.
  • a light image of an original to be copied is recorded in the form of an electrostatic latent image upon a photosensitive member and the latent image is subsequently rendered visible by the application of electroscopic thermoplastic resin particles which are commonly referred to as toner.
  • the visible toner image is then in a loose powdered form and can be easily disturbed or destroyed.
  • the toner image is usually fixed or fused upon a support, which may be the photosensitive member itself, or other support sheet such as plain paper.
  • thermal energy for fixing toner images onto a support member is well known and methods include providing the application of heat and pressure substantially concurrently by various means, including notably a roll pair maintained in pressure contact, a belt member in pressure contact with a roll, a belt member in pressure contact with a heater, and the like. Heat may be applied by heating one or both of the rolls, plate members, or belt members. With a fixing apparatus using a thin film in pressure contact with a heater, the electric power consumption is small, and the warming-up period is significantly reduced or eliminated.
  • Toner particles offset onto the fuser member may subsequently transfer to other parts of the machine or onto the support in subsequent copying cycles, thus increasing the background or interfering with the material being copied there.
  • the referred to "hot offset” occurs when the temperature of the toner is increased to a point where the toner particles liquefy and a splitting of the molten toner takes place during the fusing operation with a portion remaining on the fuser member.
  • the hot offset temperature or degradation of the hot offset temperature is a measure of the release property of the fuser, and accordingly it is desired to provide a fusing surface, which has a low surface energy to provide the necessary release.
  • release agents to the fuser roll during the fusing operation.
  • these materials are applied as thin films of, for example, silicone oils to prevent toner offset.
  • Another important method for reducing offset is to impart antistatic and/or field assisted toner transfer properties to the fuser.
  • the conformability and low surface energy properties of the release layer are often affected.
  • fuser coatings include high temperature polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, and the like.
  • US 6927006 (XEROX CORPORATION) 09.08.2005 discloses a fuser member having a polyimide substrate and thereover an outer layer comprising a fluorocarbon such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylenepropylene copolymer (FEP), polyfluoroalkoxy (PFA), perfluoroalkoxy polytetrafluoroethylene (PFA TEFLON ® ), ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene (ECTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene perfluoromethylvinylether copolymer (MFA), and the like, and mixtures thereof.
  • PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
  • FEP fluorinated ethylenepropylene copolymer
  • PFA polyfluoroalkoxy
  • PFA TEFLON ® perfluoroalkoxy polytetrafluoroethylene
  • ECTFE ethylene chlorotriflu
  • US 6951667 (XEROX CORPORATION) 04.10.2005 discloses a fuser member comprising an outer surface made from fluorocarbon elastomer latex, an acid acceptor, an emulsifier and a non-amino based crosslinking agent, e.g. a diepoxy- or disilylalkoxy-based crosslinker.
  • a fuser member comprising an outer surface made from fluorocarbon elastomer latex, an acid acceptor, an emulsifier and a non-amino based crosslinking agent, e.g. a diepoxy- or disilylalkoxy-based crosslinker.
  • These coatings have been found to have adequate release properties and control toner offset sufficiently. However, these coatings tend to loose their flexibility and elastic deformation with use. Further, these coatings do not maintain a uniform surface. More specifically, the coatings often wear during use and/or become scratched during operation. In addition, these known surfaces often react with the toner and/or oil and/or debris from media, which causes the surface to become dirty and/or contaminated. The surface can, in turn, become physically damaged. The result of these problems is that the fuser member has a reduced useful function and short life. Another problem resulting from release coatings with high friction is unacceptable copy or print quality defects. The high friction often associated with conformable coatings may result in the generation of waves in the media being fused and/or the fuser member itself. This, in turn, results in copies or prints with localized areas of poorer fix and/or differential gloss.
  • a need remains for fuser components for use notably in electrostatographic machines that have superior mechanical properties, e.g. outstanding flex life enabling deformation and recovery of initial shape during passage of paper sheets, and including the ability to remain clean and uniform during use.
  • a further need remains for fuser coatings having reduced susceptibility to contamination, scratching, and other damage.
  • a need remains for fuser components having longer life at continuous operation temperatures of more than 200°C.
  • a need remains for fuser components with low friction while being resistant to scratching and other damage.
  • a fuser system member comprising an outer layer comprising a tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) polymer [polymer (F)], said polymer (F) comprising:
  • CM perfluoromonomer
  • R f1 is a C 1 -C 6 perfluoroalkyl, e.g. -CF 3 , -C 2 F 5 , -C 3 F 7 and/or
  • the fuser system member can withstand high continuous temperature operations over a long period of time, with practically no deterioration in performances and optimum copy or print quality.
  • the fuser system of the present invention can be of any suitable configuration.
  • suitable configurations include a sheet, a film, a web, a foil, a strip, a coil, a cylinder, a drum, a roller, an endless strip, a circular disc, a belt including an endless belt, an endless seamed flexible belt, an endless seamless flexible belt, an endless belt having a puzzle cut seam, and the like.
  • Specific examples of the fuser system member include a fuser member, a pressure member, a release agent donor member, preferably in the form of a cylindrical roll such as, for example, a fuser roll, a donor roll and a pressure roll. It may also take the form of an intermediate transfer belt.
  • the invention also pertains to a process for coating a fuser member with the outer layer comprising polymer (F) as above described.
  • Another object of the invention is an image firming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium.
  • the outer layer of the fuser system member can completely cover said fuser system member or can partially cover the same. While the invention encompasses all these embodiments, it is generally preferred that the outer layer comprising polymer (F) covers at least the section of the fuser system member which will be exposed during operations to heat and/or wear.
  • CM Monomer
  • polymer (F) of the invention is free from recurring units other from those derived from TFE and comonomers (i) and/or (ii) as above detailed.
  • polymer (F) preferably consists essentially of:
  • CM monomer
  • Polymer (F) is advantageously semi-crystalline.
  • semi-crystalline is intended to denote a polymer (F) which possesses a detectable melting point. It is generally understood that a semi-crystalline polymer (F) possesses a heat of fusion determined according to ASTM D 3418 of advantageously at least 0.4 J/g, preferably of at least 0.5 J/g, more preferably of at least 1 J/g.
  • Semi-crystalline polymers (F) have significant advantages over amorphous products, as they exhibit the required properties, and in particular suitable mechanical properties without additional crosslinking treatments.
  • Heat of fusion has been determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), according to ASTM D 3418.
  • Polymers (F) complying with such requirement were found to well behave as outer layer in fuser system member, as they possess at the same time suitable mechanical resistance (in particular outstanding flex life) in a very broad MFI domain, but also outstanding surface properties (smoothness and release capabilities).
  • Polymers (F) possess improved flex-life/processability and surface smoothness compromise over the polymer used in the fuser member system of the prior art. It is generally understood that higher flex life capabilities can be obtained increasing molecular weight, that is to say at lower melt flow index (MFI). [0032] Now, the Applicant has surprisingly found that polymer (F), having at given
  • Polymer (F) advantageously possesses a melting point (T m2 ) from 230°C to 280 0 C, measured according to ASTM D 3418.
  • Polymer (F) advantageously possesses a melt flow index (MFI) of 1 to 100 g/10 min, when measured according to ASTM D 1238 standard.
  • Polymers (F) complying with such requirements were found to well behave as outer layer in fuser member, as they possess at the same time suitable thermal resistance and mechanical properties. [0036] It is essential for polymer (F) to have an amount of recurring units derived from monomer (CM) comprised from 6.5 to 20 % wt. [0037] When the polymer (F) comprises less than 6.5 % wt of recurring units derived from monomer (CM), its flex-life value are poor and material lacks of mechanical properties. [0038] When polymer (F) comprises more than 20% wt of recurring units derived from monomer (CM), its melting point is too low and the material is not able to sustain high continuous operating temperature (up to e.g. 200°C).
  • Polymer (F) comprises at least 6.5 %, preferably at least 7 %, more preferably at least 7.5 % by weight of recurring units derived from monomer (CM). [0040] Polymer (F) comprises at most 20 %, preferably at most 16 %, more preferably at most 12 % by weight of recurring units derived from monomer (CM). [0041] Excellent results have been obtained with a polymer (F) comprising from
  • the outer surface of the fuser member is from about 5 to about 1000 micrometers thick, preferably about 15 to about 500 micrometers thick.
  • the fuser system member of the invention advantageously comprises a supporting substrate such as a heated cylindrical fuser roll, film or belt having a fusing outer surface which is generally backed by a cylindrical pressure roll forming a fusing nip there-between.
  • the fuser system member substrate on which the polymer (F) is coated may be a roll, belt, flat surface or other suitable shape used notably in the fixing of thermoplastic toner images to a suitable substrate. It may take the form of a cylindrical sleeve, a drum, a belt or an endless belt. Typically, the fuser system member substrate is made of a hollow cylindrical metal core, such as copper, aluminium, steel, or certain plastic materials chosen to maintain rigidity, structural integrity, as well as being capable of having the polymer (F) coated thereon and adhered firmly thereto.
  • Preferred substrate materials include in the case of roller or film-type substrates, metals such as aluminium, stainless steel, steel, nickel and the like.
  • preferred substrates include high temperature plastics that are suitable for allowing a high operating temperature (i.e., greater than about 80°C, preferably greater than 200° C), and capable of exhibiting high mechanical strength.
  • the plastic has a flexural strength of from about 2,000,000 to about 3,000,000 psi, and a flexural modulus of from about 25,000 to about 55,000 psi.
  • Plastics possessing the above characteristics and which are suitable for use as the substrate for the fuser members include epoxy; polyphenylene sulfide such as that sold under the tradenames FORTRON ® available from Hoechst Celanese, RYTON ® R-4 available from Phillips Petroleum, and SUPEC ® available from General Electric; polyimides such as polyamideimide sold under the tradename TORLON ® 7130 available from Solvay Advanced Polymers; polyketones such as those sold under the tradename KADEL ® E1230 available from Solvay Advanced Polymers, polyether ether ketone sold under the tradename PEEK 450GL30 from Victrex, polyaryletherketone, and the like; polyamides such as polyphthalamide sold under the tradename AMODEL ® available from Solvay Advanced Polymers; polyethers such as polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, polyaryletherketone, and the like; polyparabanic acid; and the like; liquid crystalline resin (XYDAR ® ) available from
  • substrate materials include fluoroelastomers such as those sold under the tradename VITON ® from DuPont or TECNOFLON ® from Solvay Solexis; silicone rubbers, and other elastomeric materials.
  • the substrate may also comprise a mixtures of any of the above materials
  • the core which may be an aluminium cylinder, is degreased with a solvent and cleaned with an abrasive cleaner prior to being primed with a primer, which may be sprayed, brushed or dipped, followed by air drying under ambient conditions for thirty minutes and then baked at approximately 150° C for about 30 minutes.
  • FIG. 1 A fuser member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 where the numeral 1 designates a fuser member comprising an outer layer 2 comprising polymer (F) upon a suitable base member 3, a hollow cylinder or core fabricated from any suitable metal, such as aluminium, anodized aluminium, steel, nickel, copper, or a plastic material such, e.g. a polyimide, and the like, having a suitable heating element 4 disposed in the hollow portion thereof which is coextensive with the cylinder.
  • a suitable metal such as aluminium, anodized aluminium, steel, nickel, copper, or a plastic material such, e.g. a polyimide, and the like
  • Backup or pressure roll 5 can cooperate with fuser member 1 to form a nip or contact arc 11 through which a copy paper or other substrate 9 passes such that toner images 10 thereon contact outer surface 2 of fuser member 1.
  • the backup roll 5 has a rigid core 7, e.g. a steel core, with an outer surface or layer 6 thereon.
  • the outer surface layer of the backup or pressure roll comprises advantageously polymer (F) as above described.
  • the invention also pertains to a process for the manufacture of the fuser system member as above defined.
  • the process of the invention comprises advantageously coating a fuser member system substrate with the outer layer comprising polymer (F).
  • the outer polymer (F) layer can be coated on the substrate using any suitable known manner. Typical techniques for coating such materials on include liquid and dry powder spray coating, dip coating, wire wound rod coating, fluidized bed coating, powder coating, electrostatic spraying, sonic spraying, blade coating, casting, co-extruding, extruding and shrinking pre-formed shrinkable tubes, extruding and welding pre-formed films or sheets, and the like. It is understood that for fuser system member under the form of belt, wherein the substrate is typically a plastic substrate, co-extrusion, casting and/or welding pre-formed films are preferred techniques for applying the outer layer of polymer (F).
  • fuser system member under the form of a cylinder, it is advantageous to assembly the outer layer comprising polymer (F) by introduction of said fuser system member in a shrinkable pre-formed tube of polymer (F); subsequently, heat treatment advantageously enables shrinkage of said tube onto the fuser system member.
  • any known and available suitable adhesive layer may be positioned between the outer layer and the substrate.
  • the invention also pertains to an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium including:
  • a development component to apply toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge retentive surface
  • fuser system member to fuse the developed image to said substrate in which said fuser member comprises an outer layer comprising polymer (F) as above described.
  • the composition of the gaseous mixture present in the autoclave head-space was analyzed by gas chromatography (G. C). Before starting polymerization, the gaseous phase was found to consist of (molar percentages): 79% TFE, 20.5% MVE and about 0.5% Ethane. 110 cc of a potassium persulphate (KPS) 0.0296 M solution were fed to start the polymerization.
  • KPS potassium persulphate
  • the polymerization pressure was maintainned constant by feeding the above mentioned monomeric mixture; when 880Og of the mixture have been fed, feeding was interrupted and, while maintaining set point temperature, the pressure was enabled to decrease down to 9 abs. bars. Then the reactor was cooled to room temperature, the latex was descharged and coagulated with HNO 3 (65% by weight). The polymer was then washed with demineralized water and dried at 220°C. So obtained powder was then pelletized.
  • the gaseous phase before starting polymerization was found by G. C. to consist of (molar percentages): 69% TFE, 30.4% PMVE and about 0.6% Ethane.
  • the gaseous phase before starting polymerization was found by G. C. to consist of (molar percentages): 74.3% TFE, 25% MVE and about 0.7% Ethane.
  • the gaseous phase before starting polymerization was found by G. C. to consist of (molar percentages): 73% TFE, 26% MVE and about 1 % Ethane.
  • Table 1 here below summarizes compositions and melting properties of polymer (F-1) to (F-6) as above detailed, and, to the sake of comparison, corresponding properties of selected commercially available fluoropolymer materials, which have been used in the past for this application.
  • Hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and EVE content in prior art material has been determined according to the method described in US 5677404 (DU PONT) 14.10.1997 .
  • PVE content was determined according to an internal IR method, measuring optical densities of spectral bands centred at 995 cm “1 and 2365 cm “1 , according to the following formula: I
  • Table 3 here below draws a comparison between mechanical properties and surface properties of polymers as above described, as determined on specimens punched out either from plaques obtained by compression moulding or from pipes extruded as above detailed.
  • Determination of surface roughness was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique on specimens from above mentioned extruded pipes, using a microscope Autoprobe CP (Parker Instruments) working in contact mode at room temperature.
  • Parameter R a average arithmetic roughness was calculated by averaging 3 measurements with flattening by order 1 or 2 from square AFM pictures having dimensions in a range 20-40 ⁇ m.
  • Polymer (F-1) as above described is extruded to yield a heat shrinkable tubing that has been expanded mechanically to slide over a cylindrical fuser member.
  • the heat shrinkable tubing diameter is selected so as it easily slips over full fuser length insuring that it will shrink to the fuser diameter.
  • a multi-layer fuser member comprising a metal core is introduced in polymer (F-1) tubing and then heated to shrink down to a tight fit that will not fall off.
  • polymer (F-1) polymer (F-1) tubing
  • hot air guns are used for uniformly heating the assembly while rotating the fuser member at a fairly uniform speed.
  • the outer layer of polymer (F-1) is finally allowed to slowly cool. So obtained assembly comprising an outer layer of polymer (F-1) is then used as a fuser member in an electrophotographic process.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un élément de système fixeur qui comprend une couche extérieure comportant un polymère tétrafluoroéthylène (TFE) [polymère (F)], ledit polymère (F) comprenant : des unités récurrentes dérivées de TFE; et de 6,5 à 20 % en poids d'unités récurrentes dérivées d'au moins un perfluoromonomère [monomère (CM)] sélectionné parmi : (i) perfluoroalkylvinyléthers répondant à la formule CF2=CFORf1, dans laquelle Rf1 représente un C1-C6 perfluoroalkyle, par exemple -CF3, -C2F5, -C3F7 et/ou (ii) perfluoro-oxyalkylvinyléthers répondant à la formule CF2=CFOX0, dans laquelle X0 représente un C1-C12 perfluorooxyalkyle possédant un ou plusieurs groupes éthers, de type perfluoro-2-propoxy-propyle; et (iii) des mélanges de ceux-ci. L'invention concerne également un procédé de fabrication dudit élément de système de fixeur et un appareil de formation d'image qui comprend ledit élément de système de fixeur.
PCT/EP2008/055224 2007-04-30 2008-04-29 Élément de système fixeur WO2008132207A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07107230 2007-04-30
EP07107230.0 2007-04-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008132207A1 true WO2008132207A1 (fr) 2008-11-06

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ID=38457724

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2008/055224 WO2008132207A1 (fr) 2007-04-30 2008-04-29 Élément de système fixeur

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WO (1) WO2008132207A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4199626A (en) * 1975-09-10 1980-04-22 Eastman Kodak Company Electrographic fixing member and apparatus and process using same
US4375505A (en) * 1981-10-22 1983-03-01 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser member
EP1043348A1 (fr) * 1997-12-26 2000-10-11 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Matiere flexible resistant a la chaleur destinee a du materiel de bureautique et matiere de revetement

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4199626A (en) * 1975-09-10 1980-04-22 Eastman Kodak Company Electrographic fixing member and apparatus and process using same
US4375505A (en) * 1981-10-22 1983-03-01 Eastman Kodak Company Fuser member
EP1043348A1 (fr) * 1997-12-26 2000-10-11 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Matiere flexible resistant a la chaleur destinee a du materiel de bureautique et matiere de revetement

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