Abstract: Disclosed are fuser members, apparatus and methods which employ compositions that can be varied to provide a fused toner image with a selected gloss level. In embodiments, the apparatus and methods employ a fusing member having an outer contact surface thereon which contacts a previously fused toner image under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. The contact surface has a Gardner G60 gloss of up to about 35 and is comprised of a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin, such as polyfluoroethylenepropylene (FEP). In embodiments, the contact surface comprises a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin including subunits of: —(CH2 CF2)x-, —(CF2CF(CF3))y-, and —(CF2 CF2)z-, wherein: x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 89 mole percent, z is from 10 to 89 mole percent, and x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.

Abstract: A fuser belt comprising in order a substrate comprising a polyimide substrate, an epoxy primer layer comprising an epoxy resin having the following structure: where R1 and R2 are each independently H or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are each independently H, F, or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, Z is a carbonyl cross-linking group, and x is an integer from 1 to about 10 and said epoxy priming layer also comprising an anhydride crosslinking agent cyclic mono anhydride or dianhydride having the following structure: and mixture thereof where R is an alkyl group containing 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and a toner release layer comprising a silsesquioxane.

Abstract: A fuser belt comprising in order a substrate comprising a high temperature thermoset polymer, an epoxy primer layer comprising an epoxy resin having the following structure: where R1 and R2 are each independently H or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are each independently H, F, or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, Z is a carbonyl cross-linking group, and x is an integer from 1 to about 10 and said epoxy priming layer also comprising an anhydride crosslinking agent cyclic mono anhydride or dianhydride having the following structure: and mixture thereof where R is an alkyl group containing 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and a low surface energy polymeric release coating.

Abstract: A toner fuser member contains a substrate on which is disposed a toner release surface layer formed from a composition that includes a silsesquioxane and a curable epoxy resin. On curing, the composition forms an interpenetrating polymer network of the silsesquioxane and cured epoxy resin.

Abstract: A replaceable fuser member including a thin, seamless or welded high temperature nickel sleeve, a base cushion positioned around the sleeve, a primer coat of a silane coupling agent containing epoxies on the sleeve, and an outside coating applied over the base cushion elastomer layer. The sleeve is replaceable on a mandrel positioned in an electrophotographic copying machine in a fuser station of the electrophotographic copying machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are fuser members, apparatus and methods which employ compositions that can be varied to provide a fused toner image with a selected gloss level. In embodiments, the apparatus and methods employ a fusing member having an outer contact surface thereon which contacts a previously fused toner image under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. The contact surface has a Gardner G60 gloss of up to about 35 and is comprised of a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin, such as polyfluoroethylenepropylene (FEP). In embodiments, the contact surface comprises a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin including subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x-, —(CF2CF(CF3))y-, and —(CF2CF2)z-, wherein: x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 89 mole percent, z is from 10 to 89 mole percent, and x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating that a fuser member presumptively belongs to a class of fuser member for imparting a certain surface finish to an electrophotographic output print, and/or validating that the fuser member has a heating behavior within specification. Utilizing a temperature-sensing device for measuring temperature of the fuser member during heating thereof, a validation number is computed for comparison with a range of validation numbers associated with the class. If the validation number is included in the range, membership in the class is confirmed and/or the fuser member is shown to be within specification. Additionally, an auxiliary measuring device can be associated with the fuser roller to generate signals for computing, from measurements of a temperature-dependent property of the roller, a validation number relating to the temperature-dependent property.

Abstract: A method of making a fuser member having a support comprising the steps of: A) providing a support; B) coating from an organic solvent onto the support a coating composition comprising a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a curing agent having a bisphenol residue, a particulate filler containing zinc oxide, an aminosiloxane, and antimony-doped tin oxide particles, the fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer having subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3)y—, and —(CF2CF2)z—, wherein x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 90 mole percent, z is from 10 to 90 mole percent, x+y+z equals 100 mole percent; and C) curing the coating composition for 5 to 10 hours at a temperature in the range of 25° C. to 275° C.

Abstract: A fusing-station member, which member can be a compliant fuser roller or a compliant pressure roller, for use in a fusing station of an electrostatographic machine, and which member includes a base cushion layer formed on a core member, with the base cushion layer coated by a thin protective gloss control layer. In certain preferred embodiments, the base cushion layer is a highly cross-linked condensation-polymerized polyorganosiloxane material made by thermal curing of a formulation which includes three types of filler particles, namely hollow flexible microballoon particles, strength-enhancing solid particles, and thermal-conductivity-enhancing solid particles. In other preferred embodiments, expandable microspheres are included in lieu of the hollow flexible microballoon particles in an otherwise similar uncured formulation, which expandable microspheres are transformed into expanded hollow microballoon particles during the thermal curing.

Abstract: A fusing-station member, which member can be a compliant fuser roller or a compliant pressure roller for use in a fusing station of an electrostatographic machine, and which member includes a base cushion layer formed on a core member, with the base cushion layer coated by a thin protective gloss control layer. The base cushion layer is a highly crosslinked addition-polymerized polyorganosiloxane material made by thermally curing, below 100° C., a formulation which includes three types of filler particles, namely hollow flexible microballoon particles, strength-enhancing solid particles, and thermal-conductivity-enhancing solid particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fusing station for fusing a toner image to a receiver when the fusing station includes a fuser roller having a hardness from about 50 to about 80 Shore A and an outside coating comprising a low damping fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer roller coating formulation having a tan delta from about 0.01 to about 0.15 and containing from about 1.5 to about 2.5 parts per hundred (pph), based upon the weight of the copolymer of a curing agent having a bisphenol residue and a pressure roller having a smaller outer diameter than the fuser roller and positioned in pressure contact with the fuser roller to form a fusing nip between the pressure roller and the fuser roller. A method is also provided for fusing toner images to receiver sheets using the fusing station.

Abstract: A roller for use as a fusing roller or a pressure roller or a drying roller in a system for treating printed ink image-bearing substrates and a composition for coating the outside of the roller. The composition is a reaction product of a high molecular weight, reactive cross-linkable poly(dialkylsiloxane), a cross-linked poly(dialkylsiloxane) including a filler and a silane cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A controlled modulus fusing-station member inclusive of a durable, tough, elastically deformable layer incorporating hollow flexible filler particles. The elastically deformable layer is preferably a single layer on a substrate, the substrate preferably a core member of a fuser roller or a pressure roller. The elastically deformable layer is made from a dry formulation inclusive of: a fluoro-thermoplastic polymer powder; microspheres in the form of unexpanded microspheres or expanded microballoons; and solid filler particles including strength-enhancing filler particles and thermal-conductivity-enhancing filler particles. The dry formulation can be thermally cured or electron-beam cured. Preferably, the dry formulation is thermally cured and further includes a curing catalyst, preferably a peroxide catalyst. Alternatively, the curing catalyst can be a bisphenol residue.

Abstract: A controlled-modulus fusing station member inclusive of a durable, tough, elastically deformable layer incorporating hollow flexible filler particles. The elastically deformable layer can be a single layer on a substrate, the substrate preferably a core member of a fuser roller or a pressure roller. Alternatively, a protective or gloss control fluoropolymer layer is formed on the elastically deformable layer. The elastically deformable layer is made from a dry formulation inclusive of: a fluoroelastomer powder; microspheres in the form of unexpanded microspheres or expanded microballoons; and solid filler particles including strength-enhancing filler particles and thermal-conductivity-enhancing filler particles. The dry formulation is thermally cured or electron-beam cured.

Abstract: An oil-free process for forming a fused toner image on a receiver includes forming on a receiver, an image including toner particles that contain a non-crosslinked linear polymeric binder, a wax, and a colorant; and contacting the receiver bearing the toner particle image with a fuser member containing a support, a cushion layer overlying the support, and a release layer overlying the cushion layer. The release layer includes a cured fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a cured aminosiloxane copolymer, and a zinc oxide particulate filler. The cured fluorocarbon thermoplastics random copolymer contains —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3)y—, and —(CF2CF2)z— subunits, wherein x is from 1 to 40 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 90 mole percent, z is from 10 to 90 mole percent, and x+y+z equals 100 mole percent. The receiver in contact with the fuser member is subjected to conditions effective in the absence of a release oil for fixing the toner particle image to the receiver.

Abstract: A toner fuser member contains a substrate on which is disposed a toner release surface layer formed from a composition that includes a silsesquioxane and a curable epoxy resin. On curing, the composition forms an interpenetrating polymer network of the silsesquioxane and cured epoxy resin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating that a fuser member presumptively belongs to a class of fuser member for imparting a certain surface finish to an electrophotographic output print, and/or validating that the fuser member has a heating behavior within specification. Utilizing a temperature-sensing device for measuring temperature of the fuser member during heating thereof, a validation number is computed for comparison with a range of validation numbers associated with the class. If the validation number is included in the range, membership in the class is confirmed and/or the fuser member is shown to be within specification. Additionally, an auxiliary measuring device can be associated with the fuser roller to generate signals for computing, from measurements of a temperature-dependent property of the roller, a validation number relating to the temperature-dependent property.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a converting belt system belt is coated with a composition suitable for use with ink image-bearing substrates that require ink drying, fusing, or both for the ink image-bearing substrates to improve various durability and other properties of the ink image-bearing substrates.

Abstract: A roller composition for forming an outer coating on the roller. The composition includes an addition cure polysiloxane component and a high molecular weight reactive polyfunctional poly(alkylsiloxane) component. The coated roller is effective for drying and fusing ink images on a substrate.

Abstract: A toner fuser member has a substrate, on which is formed a toner release surface layer from a composition that includes: about 95 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. % of a cross-linked, glycidyl end-capped bisphenolic polymer having the formula where R1 and R2 are each independently H or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are each independently H, F, or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, Z is a carbonyl cross-linking group, and x is an integer from 1 to about 10; and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of a perfluoroalkylsubstituted glycidyl-reactive compound having the formula where R5 is H or F, Q is OH or SiR6R7R8, R6, R7, and R8 being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, OH, an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group containing 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an amino group containing 0 to about 4 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 1 to about 15.