Fuser system with donor roller having a controlled swell release agent surface layer

A method for fusing a toner material comprised of a thermoplastic resin binder to a substrate, the method comprising:

• forming a film of a release agent on the surface of a heated fuser member by contact of said fuser member with a release agent donor roller, the release agent donor roller comprising an outer layer of an addition polymerized reaction product of:
• (a) at least one cross-linkable, vinyl-substituted poly(dialkylsiloxane) with a weight-average molecular weight before cross-linking of about 1,000 to about 90,000;
• (b) from about 1 to less than 5 parts by weight per 100 parts of poly(dialkylsiloxane) of finely divided filler;
• (c) at least one cross-linking agent comprising a multifunctional organo-hydrosiloxane having hydride functional groups capable of reacting with the vinyl functional groups of the poly(dialkylsiloxane);
• and
• (d) at least one cross-linking catalyst present in an amount sufficient to induce addition polymerization of the poly(dialkylsiloxane) with the multifunctional organo-hydrosiloxane cross-linking agent,
• contacting the toner material on the substrate with the heated fuser member for a time sufficient to soften the toner material, and
• allowing the toner material to cool.

A release agent donor roller for applying a polymeric release agent to a fuser roller in an electrophotographic apparatus, the donor roller comprising a base member with a polymeric outer layer thereover comprising a silicone material with a swelling in 300 cts poly(dimethylsiloxane) oil maintained at a temperature of 175° C. after 24 hours of greater than 15% by weight, the silicone material comprising an addition polymerized reaction product of:

• (a) at least one cross-linkable, vinyl-substituted poly(dialkylsiloxane) with a weight-average molecular weight before cross-linking of about 1,000 to about 90,000;
• (b) from about 1 to about 4 parts by weight per 100 parts of poly(dialkylsiloxane) of finely divided filler;
• (c) at least one cross-linking agent comprising a multifunctional organo-hydrosiloxane having hydride functional groups capable of reacting with the vinyl functional groups of the poly(dialkylsiloxane);
• and
• (d) at least one cross-linking catalyst present in an amount sufficient to induce addition polymerization of the poly(dialkylsiloxane) with the multifunctional organo-hydrosiloxane cross-linking agent.

A fusing system for fusing toner to a receiver in an electrophotographic apparatus, the fusing system comprising:

• (a) a fuser roller having an exterior surface and a pressure roller opposing said fuser roller and adapted to form a toning nip;
• (b) a reservoir for holding a polymeric release agent;
• (c) a metering roller adapted to receive a flow of the polymeric release agent from the reservoir;
• and
• (d) a release agent donor roller for receiving the polymeric release agent from the metering roller and applying the polymeric release agent to the exterior surface of the fusing roller, the release agent donor roller comprising an outer layer of a silicone material with a swelling in 300 cts poly(dimethylsiloxane) oil maintained at a temperature of 175° C. after 24 hours of greater than 15% by weight.

A fusing system for fusing toner to a receiver in an electrophotographic apparatus, the fusing system comprising:

• (a) a fuser roller having an exterior surface and a pressure roller opposing said fuser roller and adapted to form a toning nip;
• (b) a reservoir for holding a polymeric release agent;
• (c) a metering roller adapted to receive a flow of the polymeric release agent from the reservoir;
• and
• (d) a release agent donor roller for receiving the polymeric release agent from the metering roller and applying the polymeric release agent to the exterior surface of the fusing roller, the release agent donor roller comprising a base member with an outer layer of a silicone material thereover, the silicone material having a swelling in 300 cts poly(dimethylsiloxane) oil maintained at a temperature of 175° C. after 24 hours of greater than 15% by weight,
• the silicone material comprising an addition polymerized reaction product of:
• (a) at least one cross-linkable, vinyl-substituted poly(dialkylsiloxane) with a weight-average molecular weight before cross-linking of about 1,000 to about 90,000;
• (b) from about 1 to about 4 parts by weight per 100 parts of poly(dialkylsiloxane) of finely divided filler;
• (c) at least one cross-linking agent comprising a multifunctional organo-hydrosiloxane having hydride functional groups capable of reacting with the vinyl functional groups of the poly(dialkylsiloxane);
• and
• (d) at least one cross-linking catalyst present in an amount sufficient to induce addition polymerization of the poly(dialkylsiloxane) with the multifunctional organo-hydrosiloxane cross-linking agent.