Different from traditional pulverized toner which
is produced by milling raw material minutely, EA
(Emulsion Aggregation) toner is produced using Emulsion
Aggregation method, in which resin, pigment, and
wax particles are aggregated to form toner particle
in wet process (in water). This type of toner is
called as chemical toner. (Fig. 1)
Particles of this toner are smaller in diameter
and uniform in shape compared to those produced
by conventional pulverized method (Fig. 2). Thus,
this toner is most suitable to high quality color
print.
In addition to that, the amount of carbon dioxide
emitted in production is much less (about 65% of
traditional method), and usage efficiency of toner
in printing is higher. So, this is an environmentally
friendly toner. (Fig. 3)
Compared to traditional toner, EA(Emulsion Aggregation) toner has following
characteristics.
1.
Toner particles with
small and even diameter, can be produced with
reduced cost.
2.
As it contains wax inside, it is suitable for producing oilless toner whose fixation temperature is low.
3.
As EA toner is oil-less,
problems that are caused by oil are eliminated
and a large amount of resources can be saved
as well. In addition, printed text does not
appear shinny, making it easy to read, and jotting
down notes or attaching stickers can be done
easier.
4.
The amount of carbon
dioxide emitted in production can be reduced
by 35%, thus decreasing environmental burden.
We have improved EA toner further, and developed
EA-HG toner of much higher performance. In EA-HG
toner, we changed the color material for magenta,
and increased the reproducibility of red color.
We also made the toner generate brilliant colors
with sheen and thickness, by making it easier to
melt so that the surface of images becomes smoother.
Besides, by adopting a new wax and optimizing emulsion
aggregation process to generate toner, we increased
peel-off efficiency at the fusing process (a technology
to peel-off paper from fuser drum smoothly), and
realized high quality and high productivity at the
same time.
Fig. 1: Manufacturing process of EA toner
Fig. 2: Electron microscopic images of toner produced by
pulverized conventional toner and EA toner
GLOBAL | Overseas
