Abstract: A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises an oleophobic anti-wetting coating having high thermal stability and maintaining good contact and sliding angle performance. In particular, the coating comprises fluorinated silicone.

Abstract: Systems for leveling UV-curable gel ink include a leveling member having a conformable surface. The leveling member is a quartz tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and connected to a mandrel, with conformable VITON O-rings interposing the mandrel and the quartz tube. A UV source is disposed within the quartz tube, and configured to emit light through the quartz tube and the conformable surface onto a surface of a substrate passing through a leveling or pressure nip defined by the quartz tube and a backing member or pressure belt.

Abstract: A UV curable gel ink leveling method for digital direct-to-substrate UV curable gel ink printing includes jetting UV curable gel ink directly onto a substrate, irradiating the gel ink to increase a viscosity of the gel ink, adding sacrificial release fluid to a hydrophilic contact roll, and leveling the ink at a leveling nip formed by the contact roll and a pressure roll. The pressure roll comprises an elastomeric material and a surface that is hydrophobic.

Abstract: In accordance with the present teachings, there are composite materials, fuser members comprising the composite materials, and methods of making the composite materials. In various embodiments, the composite material can include a polyimide resin having a thermal conductivity and a plurality of passivated aluminum nitride particles substantially uniformly dispersed in the polyimide resin to provide the composite material with a thermal conductivity of about 0.4 W/mK to about 2.5 W/mK, and wherein each of the plurality of passivated aluminum nitride particles can include a passivation layer disposed over an aluminum nitride particle core to inhibit oxidation and thermal degradation of a surface of the aluminum nitride particle core.

Abstract: In accordance with the present teachings, there are composite materials, fuser members comprising the composite materials, and methods of making the composite materials. In various embodiments, the composite material can include a polyimide resin having a thermal conductivity and a plurality of passivated aluminum nitride particles substantially uniformly dispersed in the polyimide resin to provide the composite material with a thermal conductivity of about 0.4 W/mK to about 2.5 W/mK, and wherein each of the plurality of passivated aluminum nitride particles can include a passivation layer disposed over an aluminum nitride particle core to inhibit oxidation and thermal degradation of a surface of the aluminum nitride particle core.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a fluorosilicone and an infrared-absorbing filler. At least 75% of the siloxane units in the fluorosilicone are fluorinated. Methods of manufacturing the imaging member and processes for variably lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: An Ink-based digital printing system comprises an external fluid applicator for applying multi-component, multi-functional fountain solution to a surface of an imaging plate. The plate is image wise exposed using a high power laser to remove primary components of the fountain solution from select regions of the plate according to digital image data, leaving a layer of the secondary components at said select regions. The plate is then inked with ink useful in printing. The ink adheres to the select regions from which the primary components have been removed to form an ink image. The ink image is transferred at an image transfer step wherein the secondary components enable efficient transfer of the ink to a medium with reduced image quality defects. The multi-component fountain solution comprises primary components that reject or repel ink, and secondary components that function as a release agent.

Abstract: An imaging member surface contains a swellable elastomer doped with a release oil. This aids in complete transfer of ink to a receiving substrate when a thin film of release oil forms upon the surface during application of pressure at the nip.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a silicone rubber and an infrared-absorbing filler. Methods of fabricating the imaging member and processes for variable lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a fluoroelastomer-fluorosilicone composite. Methods of manufacturing the imaging member and processes for variable lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a fluoroelastomer-silicone composite formed from a reaction mixture comprising a fluoroelastomer, an oxyaminosilane, and an oxysilane-terminated compound. Methods of manufacturing the imaging member and processes for variable lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a silicone rubber and an infrared-absorbing filler. Methods of fabricating the imaging member and processes for variable lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a fluoroelastomer-perfluoropolyether composite formed from a reaction mixture comprising a fluoroelastomer and a perfluoropolyether compound. Methods of manufacturing the imaging member and processes for variable lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present teachings describe a core-shell particle dispersed in a layer of a fuser member, thereby improving thermal conductivity of the fuser member. The core-shell particle includes a graphene core surrounded by a shell layer. The shell layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypentafluorostyrene, polystyrene and polydivinylbenzene. The core-shell particles can be dispersed in an intermediate layer or release layer of a fuser member.

Abstract: The present teachings describe a core-shell particle dispersed in a layer of a fuser member, thereby improving thermal conductivity of the fuser member. The core-shell particle includes a graphene core surrounded by a shell layer. The shell layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypentafluorostyrene, polystyrene and polydivinylbenzene. The core-shell particles can be dispersed in an intermediate layer or release layer of a fuser member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuser member comprising a substrate; and an outer layer thereover comprising (a) a polymer and (b) an organometallic species, wherein said polymer and said organometallic species forms an interpenetrating network upon curing; and wherein the outer layer comprises an increased number of uniform organometallic binding sites, as compared to an outer layer devoid of the interpenetrating network. An image forming apparatus comprising the disclosed fuser member is also disclosed. Moreover, a method of forming a polymer system suitable for use in color fusing applications is disclosed.

Abstract: A UV curable gel ink leveling method for digital direct-to-substrate UV curable gel ink printing includes jetting UV curable gel ink directly onto a substrate, irradiating the gel ink to increase a viscosity of the gel ink, adding sacrificial release fluid to a hydrophilic contact roll, and leveling the ink at a leveling nip formed by the contact roll and a pressure roll. The pressure roll comprises an elastomeric material and a surface that is hydrophobic.

Abstract: Systems for leveling UV-curable gel ink include a leveling belt member having a TEFLON FEP inner layer and a conformable silicone outer layer. A UV source is disposed to direct light through the belt onto a substrate at a leveling or pressure nip defined by the leveling beltz tube and a backing member such as a backing belt and chilled platen.

Abstract: A fuser member having a substrate; an outer polymeric layer including a fluoropolymer having nano-size copper metal particles dispersed therein, wherein the nano-size copper metal particles have a particle size of from about 50 to about 1,500 nm; and a release agent material coating on the outer polymeric layer, wherein the release agent material coating has a mercapto functional release agent, and wherein from about 85 to about 100 percent of the outer polymeric layer is covered with the mercapto functional release agent.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser system member including a substrate and a topcoat layer disposed over the substrate. The topcoat layer comprises a fluoroelastomer cross-linked with amino silane wherein the topcoat is substantially free of copper oxide. A mercapto-functionalized oil is disposed on the topcoat layer.