Intermediate transfer members
The present disclosure relates to an intermediate transfer member for use in electrophotographic printing. The intermediate transfer member comprises a release layer comprising fluoropolymer particles dispersed in a silicone polymer matrix.
1. An intermediate transfer member for use in electrostatic printing, the intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer comprising fluoropolymer particles dispersed in a silicone polymer matrix.
2. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the release layer comprises 0.25 to 3 wt % fluoropolymer particles based on the weight of silicone polymer.
3. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the release layer comprises 0.75 to 2.5 wt % fluoropolymer particles based on the weight of silicone polymer.
4. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluoropolymer particles are polytetrafluoroethylene.
5. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluoropolymer particles have a particle size of less than 2 mm.
6. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluoropolymer particles have a melting point of 300 to 400 degrees C.
7. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the release layer further comprises an electrically conductive additive.
8. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive additive is carbon black.
9. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the release layer comprises carbon black in an amount of 0.5 to 5 wt % based on the weight of silicone polymer.
10. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the release layer has a thickness of 3 to 10 microns.
11. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the release layer is disposed on a primer layer comprising a silicone polymer.
12. An intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , which comprises a fabric layer, a compressible layer disposed over the fabric layer, a conductive layer disposed over the compressible layer, a soft compliance layer disposed over the conductive layer, a primer layer disposed over the soft compliance layer and the release layer disposed over the primer.
13. A method of making the intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 , said method comprising
applying a pre-cure release composition comprising at least one polysiloxane having crosslinkable moieties, and fluoropolymer particles onto a supporting substrate, and
curing the pre-cure release composition on the supporting substrate to form the release layer.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the pre-cure release composition comprises 0.25 to 3 wt % fluoropolymer particles based on the total weight polysiloxane polymer in the pre-cure release composition.
15. An electrophotographic printer comprising the intermediate transfer member as claimed in claim 1 .
16. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the fluoropolymer particles are polytetrafluoroethylene.
17. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the fluoropolymer particles have a particle size of less than 2 mm.
18. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the fluoropolymer particles have a melting point of 300 to 400 degrees C.
19. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the release layer further comprises an electrically conductive additive.
20. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the release layer is disposed on a primer layer comprising a silicone polymer.