Patent ID: 6224978
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G03G,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for producing a toner fuser roll comprising:on a cylindrical metal core, applying a formulation comprising a plurality of silanol-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) units and a multifunctional silane compound comprising a silicon atom bonded to at least three groups that are functional to react with hydroxy end groups of said silanol-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) units, and a particulate filler, to form a layer, and curing said layer, thereby forming a base cushion layer comprising a condensation-cured poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer;on said base cushion layer, applying a formulation comprising an uncured fluorocarbon polymer, a nucleophilic crosslinking agent, an accelerator, a particulate filler comprising tin oxide, aluminum oxide, or mixtures thereof and, as a first volatile organic compound, acetone, to form a layer, and drying and curing said layer, thereby forming a barrier layer comprising a cured fluorocarbon polymer and a particulate filler; andon said barrier layer, applying a layer of a formulation comprising a plurality of vinylsubstituted poly(dimethylsiloxane) units, silica and titania fillers, a curing catalyst, and a second volatile organic compound in amounts effective to form a highly smooth outermost surface layer, wherein the second volatile organic compound is selected from the group consisting of methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, acetone, and mixtures thereof, and drying and curing said layer, wherein the weight ratio of silcone polymer resulting from polymerization of the vinylsubstituted poly(dimethylsiloxane) units to the curing catalyst is substantially less than 10:1 such that said surface layer has a roughness value not exceeding about 10 microinches.