Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, Vol.24, No.3, 583-617, 2010
The Role of Adhesion in Electrophotographic Digital Printing
Various aspects of adhesion play significant roles in digital printing, especially when electrophotographic technology is employed. This paper will concentrate on the adhesion and removal of toner particles, the marking particles used in the electrophotographic process. Two forces govern the adhesion and cohesion of toner particles-electrostatics and van der Waals. These forces must be carefully controlled in order to consistently and robustly achieve the desired image quality on the surface of the print. After transferring the toner particles to paper, the image must be fixed by subjecting the toner to heat and pressure, thereby transforming polymeric toner particles into a hot-melt adhesive. This paper discusses the physics and chemistry used to control toner adhesion, the constraints of toner adhesion on the design and performance of subsystems, and the impact on image quality and the marking engine if toner adhesion and cohesion are not properly controlled. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010