U.S. patent application number 12/216588 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-13 for polymer composition for conductive roller, polymer composition, conductive roller, and conductive belt.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Takayuki Hattori, Tetsuo Mizoguchi, Kenichi Uesaka, Shunichi Yabushita.
Application Number | 20080281027 12/216588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27347371 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080281027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hattori; Takayuki ; et
al. |
November 13, 2008 |
Polymer composition for conductive roller, polymer composition,
conductive roller, and conductive belt
Abstract
A polymer composition for a conductive roller composed of a
rubber component whose main component is an epichlorohydrin rubber
containing ethylene oxide at not less than 55 mol % nor more than
95 mol %. Thioureas are added to 100 g of the rubber component as a
crosslinking agent at a rate not less than 0.014 mol nor more than
0.080 mol. In a compression set test of a vulcanized rubber
described in JIS K6262, a compression set measured at 70.degree. C.
for 22-24 hours is less than 15%; and in a volume resistivity value
test described in JIS K6911, a volume resistivity value measured at
an applied voltage of 1000V is less than 10.sup.7.5
[.OMEGA.cm].
Inventors: |
Hattori; Takayuki;
(Kobe-shi, JP) ; Mizoguchi; Tetsuo; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; Yabushita; Shunichi; (Kobe-shi, JP) ;
Uesaka; Kenichi; (Kobe-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REED SMITH HAZEL & THOMAS LLP
Suite 1400, 3110 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church
VA
22042
US
|
Assignee: |
Sumitomo Rubber Industries,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
27347371 |
Appl. No.: |
12/216588 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11153436 |
Jun 16, 2005 |
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12216588 |
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10225178 |
Aug 22, 2002 |
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11153436 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
524/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08G 2261/514 20130101;
C08L 71/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
524/424 |
International
Class: |
C08K 3/26 20060101
C08K003/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2001 |
JP |
2001-252452 |
Dec 25, 2001 |
JP |
2001-391404 |
Jan 24, 2002 |
JP |
2002-016047 |
Claims
1. A polymer composition for a conductive roller composed of a
rubber component whose main component which is an epichlorohydrin
rubber consisting of epichrohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl
ether copolymer or epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer
containing ethylene oxide at not less than 55 mol % nor more than
95 mol %, wherein in a compression set test of a vulcanized rubber
described in JIS K6262, a compression set measured at 70.degree. C.
for 22-24 hours is less than 15%; and in a volume resistivity value
test described in JIS K6911, a volume resistivity value measured at
an applied voltage of 1000V is less than 10.sup.7.5 [.OMEGA.cm],
and thioureas are added to 100 g of said rubber component as a
crosslinking agent at a rate not less than 0.014 mol nor more than
0.080 mol, wherein the polymer composition does not contain a lead
compound, wherein zinc oxide as an assistant crosslinking agent is
added to 100 parts by weight of said rubber component at not less
than 0.1 parts by weight nor more than 20.0 parts by weight, and
wherein hydrotalcite is added to 100 parts by weight of said rubber
component at not less than 0.5 parts by weight nor more than 15
parts by weight.
2. A polymer composition for a conductive roller composed of a
rubber component which is chloroprene rubber and an epichlorohydrin
rubber consisting of epichloro-hydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer
containing ethylene oxide at not less than 55 mol % nor more than
95 mol %, wherein in a compression set test of a vulcanized rubber
described in JIS K6262, a compression set measured at 70.degree. C.
for 22-24 hours is less than 15%; and in a volume resistivity value
test described in JIS K6911, a volume resistivity value measured at
an applied voltage of 1000V is less than 10.sup.7.5 [.OMEGA.cm],
and thioureas are added to 100 g of said rubber component as a
crosslinking agent at a rate not less than 0.014 mol nor more than
0.080 mol, wherein the polymer composition does not contain a lead
compound, wherein zinc oxide as an assistant crosslinking agent is
added to 100 parts by weight of said rubber component at not less
than 0.1 parts by weight nor more than 20.0 parts by weight, and
wherein hydrotalcite is added to 100 parts by weight of said rubber
component at not less than 0.5 parts by weight nor more than 15
parts by weight.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/153,436 filed Jun. 16, 2005, which is a
Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/225,178
filed Aug. 22, 2002. Priority is claimed based on U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/153,436 filed Jun. 16, 2005, which claims priority to
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/225,178 filed Aug. 22, 2002, which
claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2002-016047,
2001-391404, and 2001-252452, filed Jan. 24, 2002, Dec. 25, 2001
and Aug. 23, 2001, respectively, all of which is incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a polymer composition for a
conductive roller, a polymer composition, a conductive roller, and
a conductive belt. More particularly, the conductive roller and the
conductive belt are used for a conductive mechanism of an
electrophotographic device of office appliances such as a copying
machine, a printer, and the like. The polymer composition can be
used effectively for conductive rollers, having a low electric
resistance value, such as a developing roller, a charging roller,
and a transfer roller for a color copying machine and a color
printer. The present invention also relates to improvement of the
state of the polymer composition when it is foamed to form the
conductive roller such as the transfer roller, the developing
roller, the charging roller, and a toner supply roller thereof and
productivity of the conductive roller.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] It is necessary to impart an appropriate stable electric
resistance value to the developing roller, the charging roller, and
the transfer roller for use in the color copying machine and the
color printer. To impart conductivity to the roller of this kind,
the following two methods are conventionally used: Used in one of
them is an electroconductive polymer composition containing a
conductive filler such as powder of metal oxide and carbon black in
a polymer thereof. Used in the other of them is an ionic-conductive
polymer such as urethane rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
(NBR), and epichlorohydrin rubber.
[0006] In the case where the electroconductive polymer composition
is used, there is a region in which an electric resistance changes
rapidly owing to a slight change of the addition amount of a
conductive filler. Thus it is very difficult to control the
electric resistance. In addition, because it is difficult for the
conductive filler to disperse uniformly in the polymer composition,
an electric resistance value has variations in the circumferential
and widthwise directions of the roller.
[0007] The electric resistance value of the conductive roller
composed of the electroconductive polymer composition containing
the conductive filler depends on an applied voltage and does not
have a constant electric resistance value. In particular, in the
case where the carbon black is used as the conductive filler, there
is no stable correlation between the addition amount of the carbon
black and the volume resistivity of the polymer. Moreover as
described above, there is the region in which the electric
resistance changes rapidly owing to a slight change of the addition
amount of the conductive filler. Therefore these tendencies appear
outstandingly.
[0008] The conductive roller composed of the electroconductive
polymer has variations in its electric resistance value, as
described above. Thus as the recent tendency, a roller composed of
the ionic-conductive polymer is used more than a roller composed of
the electroconductive polymer in a copying machine and a printer
required to have a high image quality by using digital image
processing technique and color image processing technique and save
energy.
[0009] However, it is difficult to lower the electric resistance
value of the ionic-conductive polymer composition. Thus the
ionic-conductive polymer composition having a volume resistivity
value less than 10.sup.8.5 [.OMEGA.cm] has not been realized in the
mode in which it can be put into practical use.
[0010] More specifically, the volume resistivity value of urethane
is more than 10.sup.8.5 [.OMEGA.cm] in the case where no additive
is added thereto. Attempts of increasing the ionization degree by
adding various metal ion salts or a quaternary ammonium salt to the
polymer composition are made to realize a lower electric
resistance. However it is difficult to obtain a volume resistivity
value lower than 10.sup.7.8 or 10.sup.7.9. The additive for
increasing the ionic conductivity may stain the photosensitive
member. Further in a system in which the electric resistance is
dropped by the additive, the electric resistance rise much at the
time of a continuous energization.
[0011] The acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) has favorable
mechanical properties such as the compression set. However, the
electric resistance of the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber is more
than 10.sup.9.5 [.OMEGA.cm] and thus higher than that of the
urethane. Even though an additive for increasing the ionic
conductivity is used, it is impossible to make the electric
resistance value of the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber lower than
10.sup.8.0 [.OMEGA.cm].
[0012] Regarding the epichlorohydrin rubber in a system in which
the photosensitive member is not stained, the electric resistance
value of the -epichlorohydrin rubber is not less than 10.sup.8.0
[.OMEGA.cm] which is a little lower than that of urethane. However,
in the system in which the electric resistance is dropped by the
additive, the electric resistance rise much at the time of the
continuous energization, as in the case of the urethane.
[0013] Regarding the electric resistance value of the
epichlorohydrin rubber, it is known that there is a close
correlation between the copolymerization ratio of ethylene oxide
(may be hereinafter referred to as EO) and the electric resistance
thereof in GECO (ethylene oxide-epichlorohydrin (may be hereinafter
referred to as EP)-allyl glycidyl ether (may be hereinafter
referred to as (AGE)) copolymer) and ECO (ethylene oxide
oxide-epichlorohydrin copolymer).
[0014] In the proposal disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2000-63656, the copolymerization ratio of the EO is
increased to reduce the electric resistance value. More
specifically, an epichlorohydrin rubber composition is allowed to
have a low electric resistance of 10.sup.6.9 [.OMEGA.cm] in a
sulfur crosslinking system by the increase of the copolymerization
ratio of the EO.
[0015] Representative vulcanizing systems for the epichlorohydrin
rubber are a sulfur vulcanizing system, a vulcanizing system using
a triazine derivative, a peroxide vulcanizing system, a vulcanizing
system using a derivative of 2,3 dimethyl quinoxaline, and a
vulcanizing system using thiourea.
[0016] It is conceivable to reduce the electric resistance value
and the extent of stain of the photosensitive member in the sulfur
vulcanizing system. However, the electric resistance will increase
and the compression set will deteriorate. In the peroxide
vulcanizing system, the photosensitive member is allowed to have a
low degree of staining by carrying out secondary vulcanization. In
this case, the electric resistance value rises. Thus, the use of
the peroxide vulcanizing system is unpractical. The vulcanizing
system using the derivative of 2,3 dimethyl quinoxaline has an
advantage of outstandingly reducing the compression set but stains
the photosensitive member much and modifies members on the
periphery thereof. Thus the vulcanizing system using the derivative
of the 2,3 dimethyl quinoxaline is not of practical use.
[0017] The vulcanizing system using the thiourea is capable of
realizing a low electric resistance, a low compression set, and a
low extent of staining of the photosensitive member, unlike the
other vulcanizing systems. Therefore many vulcanizing systems use
the thiourea. But in the vulcanizing system using the thiourea,
lead oxide such as trilead tetraoxide is used as a acid accepting
agent and an activator in a crosslinking reaction.
[0018] As the vulcanizing system using the thiourea, a
semi-conductive rubber material containing the epichlorohydrin
rubber and 2-melcaptoimidazoline is disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 6-242667.
[0019] In the case where a polymer composition such as rubber is
used to form a charging roller, a developing roller, a toner supply
roller, a transfer roller, and a transfer belt for use in a copying
machine and a printer, there are proposed an organic
peroxide-containing system, a thioureas-containing system,
crosslinking (vulcanizing) systems such as a sulfur crosslinking
(vulcanizing) system in consideration of a high productivity and
various properties necessary for rollers. For example, the sulfur
vulcanizing system is used because it provides a high vulcanizing
speed and preferable property.
[0020] More specifically, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 2000-212330, there is disclosed a vulcanized rubber composition
containing a mixture of nitrile rubber and epichlorohydrin rubber
and two or more vulcanizing agents selected from a group of a
sulfur vulcanizing agent, a triazine compound, and a
2,3-dimelcaptoquinoxaline compound added thereto.
[0021] Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,121,163 is a conductive roller
having a resistance-adjusting layer containing the epichlorohydrin
rubber, a specific age resistor, and 2-melcaptoimidazoline
(ethylene thiourea).
[0022] In order for the conductive roller to display a sufficient
function, it is necessary to make a nip width large to some extent.
To do so, a plasticizer such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dioctyl
phthalate (DOP) or tricresil phosphate is added to a rubber
composition for a conductive roller or a foaming agent is used
together with a urea assistant foaming agent to foam the rubber
composition and make its hardness very low.
[0023] However, in the epichlorohydrin rubber composition having a
low electric resistance value in the sulfur vulcanizing system
disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-63656,
merely the prescription of the general-purpose sulfur and the
vulcanizing accelerator is utilized. Therefore it is difficult to
use the epichlorohydrin rubber composition for a charging roller or
a developing roller which contacts the photosensitive member
directly. Further since the epichlorohydrin rubber composition has
a high compression set, there occurs problems in the durability and
precision maintenance of an image-forming process system including
the roller.
[0024] Disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
6-242667 is the semi-conductive rubber material to be vulcanized by
the thiourea serving as the vulcanizing agent. In the
semi-conductive rubber material, the content of the EO of the
epichlorohydrin rubber is as small as 41% and that of the
melcaptoimidazoline is as small as 1.2 phr (0.0118 mol for 100 g of
polymer). Thus the semi-conductive rubber material has a high
electric resistance value and stains the photosensitive member
much.
[0025] It is conceivable to use the ethylene thiourea and
hydrotalcite as the vulcanizing system using the thiourea. However,
the use of the ethylene thiourea and the hydrotalcite does not have
a sufficient crosslinking efficiency. Thus the rubber composition
stains the photosensitive member and does not have a low
compression set. Therefore the rubber composition is not of
practical use
[0026] Accordingly used currently are a carbon-containing
electroconductive polymer composition and urethane rubber or
epichlorohydrin rubber to which electroconductivity is imparted by
carbon in the range in which ionic conductivity is not
deteriorated. However, in a product and among products, the system
using the ionic-conductive polymer composition and the
electroconductive polymer composition in combination has a larger
variation in the electric resistance than the ionic-conductive
polymer composition. Further the former depends on a voltage to a
much higher extent than the latter. Furthermore the former has
problems in preventing the photosensitive member from being stained
and realizing a low compression set. The system using the
ionic-conductive polymer composition and the electroconductive
polymer composition in combination has not been realized in the
mode in which it can be put into practical use.
[0027] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-described problems. Therefore it is a first object of the
present invention to provide a high-performance polymer composition
having a low volume resistivity value and a low compression set and
not staining a photosensitive member. It is also a first object to
provide a conductive roller composed of the polymer composition and
not polluting environment and having a high operability. The
conductive roller includes a developing roller, a charging roller,
and a transfer roller for use in a color copying machine and a
color printer.
[0028] In the vulcanized rubber composition disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-212330, the nitrile rubber
(NBR) and the epichlorohydrin rubber not having chlorine in
molecules thereof are mixed with each other at the weight ratio of
20/80-80/20. Thus the crosslinking density of the NBR that is
crosslinked with only sulfur and sulfur-vulcanizing accelerator
becomes low, and the photosensitive member is stained. This is
because the sulfur and the sulfur-vulcanizing accelerator are also
distributed to and consumed by the epichlorohydrin rubber. Blooming
may occur if the amount of the sulfur and that of the
sulfur-vulcanizing accelerator are increased to prevent this. If
the crosslinking density increases unnecessarily to prevent the
photosensitive member from being stained, the electric resistance
value will become higher. Further if a can vulcanization is made
when the amount of a filler is small in the vulcanizing system
using only sulfur, it may be necessary to set a mixture of
components in a receiving die before vulcanization is made in
consideration of a heat-caused deformation thereof. Thus the
manufacturing cost is high owing to the labor of setting the
mixture in the receiving die and equipment expense and the
productivity will be low.
[0029] In the crosslinking system not using sulfur and using only
the thiourea disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,121,163, a crosslinking
reaction is slow. Thus the productivity is low. If the amount of
the thioureas or the accelerator is increased much to enhance
productivity, blooming or the stain of the photosensitive member
may occur. Depending on a case, rubber may be burnt in a kneader or
an extruder.
[0030] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-described problems. Therefore it is a second object of the
present invention to provide a polymer composition allowing a
crosslinking speed to be high while preventing a photosensitive
member from being stained and allowing reduction of a compression
set. It is also a second object of the present invention provide a
conductive roller and a conductive belt excellent in various
properties and productivity.
[0031] In the case where the plasticizer is used, as described
above to make the nip width large, the plasticizer moves to the
surface of the roller and stains the photosensitive member. In the
case where the polymer composition is foamed by using a urea
assistant foaming agent, inhibition of vulcanization will occur.
Consequently the vulcanizing speed will decrease, the productivity
will be low, the strength of the foamed polymer composition will be
low, and the photosensitive member may be stained in dependence on
a case.
[0032] In the case where the foaming agent is used, vulcanization
is performed mainly by sulfur. In this case, a scorch time takes
long even though the urea assistant foaming agent is not used and
inhibition of vulcanization occurs. In the case where can
vulcanization (vulcanizer) is performed by using pressurized water
vapor, a foamed tube will get out of shape, the inner and outer
surfaces of the foamed tube will be rough, and the foamed tube will
warp in its longitudinal direction. Thus the obtained foamed tube
is not preferable or defective.
[0033] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-described problems. Therefore it is a third object of the
present invention to provide a polymer composition allowing a
vulcanizing speed to be high while preventing generation of
blooming, reduction of a compression set to be accomplished, not
having the problem of inhibition of vulcanization, having a high
strength and a preferable surface when the polymer composition is
foamed, and being superior in productivity. It is also a third
object of the present invention to provide a conductive roller
composed of the polymer composition.
[0034] It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a
polymer composition not polluting environment and having a high
operability and a conductive roller composed of the polymer
composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0035] To achieve the first object, according to the first
invention, there is provided a polymer composition for a conductive
roller composed of a rubber component whose main component is
epichlorohydrin rubber containing ethylene oxide not less than 55
mol % nor more than 95 mol %. In a permanent strain test of
vulcanized rubber described in JIS K6262, a compression set
measured at a temperature of 70.degree. C. for 22-24 hours is less
than 15%; and in a volume resistivity value test described in JIS
K6911, a volume resistivity value measured at an applied voltage of
1000V is less than 10.sup.7.5 [.OMEGA.cm].
[0036] The polymer composition for the conductive roller of the
first invention contains the rubber component whose main component
is the epichlorohydrin rubber containing the specified amount of
the ethylene oxide. Therefore it is possible to prevent occurrence
of bleeding and stain of a photosensitive member. It is also
possible to reduce the volume resistivity value and compression set
of the polymer composition. Since the value of the volume
resistivity and that of the compression set are specified to the
above range respectively, the polymer composition can be very
favorably used to compose the conductive roller.
[0037] To achieve the second object, the present invention provides
a polymer composition containing a polymer having a
carbon-to-carbon double bond and a halogen as its main component
and sulfur and thioureas.
[0038] As described above, the polymer composition of the second
present invention contains the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon
double bond and the halogen as its main component, the sulfur, and
the thioureas. Thus the sulfur and the thioureas are capable of
operating independently in a separate reaction mechanism without
interfering with each other. Therefore the crosslinking system of
the thioureas accomplishes a low compression set. In addition, the
crosslinking system of the sulfur makes a crosslinking speed high.
Thus it is possible to improve productivity. Further by using the
sulfur and the thioureas in combination, it is also possible to
accomplish reduction of the compression set and improvement of the
crosslinking speed efficiently, while suppressing occurrence of
blooming and stain of a photosensitive member.
[0039] To achieve the third object, the third invention provides a
polymer composition for a conductive roller containing a
carbon-to-carbon double bond and a halogen as its main component, a
chemical foaming agent, sulfur, and thioureas.
[0040] As described above, the polymer composition of the third
present invention contains the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the
halogen as its main component, the chemical foaming agent, the
sulfur, and the thioureas. Thus the sulfur and the thioureas are
capable of operating independently in a separate reaction mechanism
without interfering with each other. Therefore the vulcanizing
system of the thioureas achieves a low compression set. In
addition, the vulcanizing system of the sulfur makes a
vulcanization speed high. Thus it is possible to improve
productivity. In addition, there is no problem in inhibition of
vulcanization, obtain a preferable foamed state, and enlarge a nip
width.
[0041] That is, in the third invention, by using the chemical
foaming agent, the sulfur, and the thioureas in combination, it is
possible to reduce the extent of inhibition of vulcanization by a
foaming agent unlike the conventional art. Thereby it is possible
to realize a vulcanization speed as fast as that obtained in the
case where only the sulfur is used. It is also possible to obtain
vulcanization efficiency as high as that obtained in the case where
only the sulfur is used. Further by using the sulfur and the
thiourea in combination and appropriately adjusting the amount
thereof, it is possible to accomplish reduction of the electric
resistance value and compression set as well as efficient
improvement of the vulcanization speed, while suppressing
occurrence of blooming and stain of a photosensitive member.
Further the surface of a vulcanized tube is preferable. Furthermore
it is possible to prevent the vulcanized tube from getting out of
shape when it is produced by a vulcanizer and a defective
production caused thereby. Therefore it is possible to improve
productivity. In addition, it is possible to make diameters of
cells uniform and very small. Thus the conductive roller of the
third invention has a high strength and a very favorable foamed
shape.
[0042] To achieve the fourth object, the fourth invention provides
a polymer composition for a conductive roller containing a
carbon-to-carbon double bond and a halogen as its main component, a
chemical foaming agent, sulfur, and triazine and/or its
derivative.
[0043] The polymer composition for a conductive roller of the
fourth invention contains the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the
halogen as its main component, the chemical foaming agent, the
sulfur, the triazine and/or its derivative. Thus the sulfur and the
triazine and/or its derivative are capable of operating
independently in a separate reaction mechanism without interfering
with each other. Therefore the vulcanizing system of the triazine
and/or its derivative achieves a low compression set. In addition,
the vulcanizing system of the sulfur makes a vulcanization speed
high. Thus it is possible to improve productivity. In addition,
there is no problem in inhibition of vulcanization, obtain a
preferable foamed state, and enlarge a nip width. Further, compared
with ordinary vulcanizing accelerators of sulfur, the triazine
and/or its derivative are kind to environment, can be handled
easily, and is superior in workability. By-products hardly result
from the triazine and/or its derivative in a vulcanization time.
Thus it is possible to reduce the degree of stain of a
photosensitive member.
[0044] That is, in the fourth invention, by using the chemical
foaming agent, the sulfur, and the triazine and/or its derivative
in combination, it is possible to reduce the extent of inhibition
of vulcanization by a foaming agent unlike the conventional art.
Thereby it is possible to realize a vulcanization speed as fast as
that obtained in the case where only the sulfur is used. It is also
possible to obtain vulcanization efficiency as high as that
obtained in the case where only the sulfur is used. Further by
using the sulfur and the triazine and/or its derivative in
combination and appropriately adjusting the amount thereof, it is
possible to accomplish reduction of the electric resistance value
and compression set as well as efficient improvement of the
vulcanization speed, while suppressing occurrence of blooming and
stain of a photosensitive member. Further the surface of a
vulcanized tube is preferable. Furthermore it is possible to
prevent the vulcanized tube from getting out of shape when it is
produced by a vulcanizer and a defective production caused thereby.
Therefore it is possible to improve productivity. In addition, it
is possible to make diameters of cells uniform and very small. Thus
the conductive roller of the fourth invention has a high strength
and a very favorable foamed shape.
[0045] More specifically, as the epichlorohydrin rubber, it is
possible to exemplify GECO (ethylene oxide-epichlorohydrin-allyl
glycidyl ether copolymer) and ECO (ethylene oxide
oxide-epichlorohydrin copolymer). The main component of the rubber
composition of the first invention is the epichlorohydrin rubber
containing the ethylene oxide at not less than 55 mol % nor more
than 95 mol % and favorably not less than 55 mol % nor more than 80
mol %. Thereby while maintaining a low electric resistance, it is
possible to accomplish a low compressive strain and prevent stain
of a photosensitive member.
[0046] If the content of the ethylene oxide is less than 55 mol %,
it is impossible to accomplish a low electric resistance value. On
the other hand, if the content of the ethylene oxide is more than
95 mol %, the photosensitive member is very readily stained, and
physical properties of the polymer composition such as a
compression set deteriorate. If the content of the ethylene oxide
is too large, the polymer is apt to crystallize and the electric
resistance value will become high.
[0047] In the first invention, it is preferable the rubber
component consists of the epichlorohydrin rubber. However it is
possible to use a mixture of the epichlorohydrin rubber and other
rubber materials. In the case where the mixture is used, the ratio
of the epichlorohydrin rubber to the entire rubber component is
favorably not less than 75 wt % and more favorably not less than 85
wt %. If the content of the epichlorohydrin rubber is less than 75
wt %, it is difficult to achieve a low electric resistance.
[0048] In the first invention, thioureas are added to 100 g of the
rubber component at the rate of not less than 0.014 mol nor more
than 0.080 mol, favorably not less than 0.016 mol nor more than
0.050 mol, and more favorably not less than 0.019 mol nor more than
0.040 mol.
[0049] By adding the thioureas-containing vulcanization
(crosslinking) system to the entire polymer component in the
above-described range, it is possible to obtain a high-performance
polymer composition which hardly bleeds and stains the
photosensitive member. Further because the molecular motion of the
polymer is not prevented much, the polymer composition accomplishes
a low electric resistance. Further the polymer composition has a
low compression set and in addition has superior mechanical
properties. Particularly, the first invention is made based on the
finding of the following very useful phenomenon peculiar to the
thioureas-using crosslinking system. That is, the electric
resistance value of the polymer composition decreases in the case
where the addition amount of the thioureas increases and thus the
crosslinking density becomes higher.
[0050] If the thioureas are added to 100 g of the rubber component
at the rate less than 0.014 mol, the photosensitive member is
stained. On the other hand, if the thioureas are added to 100 g of
the rubber component at the rate more than 0.080 mol, the thioureas
bloom from the surface of the rubber, thus staining the
photosensitive member and extremely deteriorating mechanical
properties of the polymer composition such as breaking
extension.
[0051] The compression set of the conductive polymer composition of
the first invention is set to less than 15% and favorably less than
10%. If the compression set is more than 15%, there occurs problems
in the durability and precision maintenance of an image-forming
process system including the roller.
[0052] The volume resistivity value of the conductive polymer
composition of the first invention is set to less than 10.sup.7.5
[.OMEGA.cm] and favorably less than 10.sup.7.4 [.OMEGA.cm], and
more favorably less than 10.sup.7.3 [.OMEGA.cm]. If its volume
resistivity value is more than 10.sup.7.5 [.OMEGA.cm], the charging
efficiency of the photosensitive member will deteriorate in a
charging roller and the toner transport efficiency will deteriorate
in a developing roller. As a result, a formed image will be thin.
If its volume resistivity value is more than 10.sup.7.5
[.OMEGA.cm], it is necessary to apply a high voltage, which
increases power consumption.
[0053] In the first invention, it is preferable that ethylene oxide
is contained in 100 mol % of the rubber component at the rate not
less than 55 mol % nor more than 95 mol % and favorably at the rate
not less than 55 mol % nor more than 80 mol %.
[0054] If the ethylene oxide is contained in the rubber component
at the rate less than 55 mol %, it is difficult for the polymer
composition to have a low electric resistance value. On the other
hand, if the ethylene oxide is contained therein at the rate more
than 95 mol %, the photosensitive member will be stained to a high
extent and physical properties of the polymer composition such as
the compression set will deteriorate.
[0055] In the first, second, third, and fourth inventions, it is
preferable that the polymer composition does not contain a lead
compound as a filler (acid accepting agent or activator in
crosslinking reaction). The lead compound such as trilead tetroxide
has been conventionally frequently used as the acid accepting agent
and as the activator in a crosslinking reaction. However, the
polymer composition not containing the lead compound is favorable
in improving the electric resistance and the compression set and
not staining the photosensitive member. In consideration of
workability and environmental staining, the lead compound is
restricted in its use mode and use amount. Thus it is preferable
for the polymer composition not to contain the lead compound.
[0056] In the first, second, third, and fourth inventions, zinc
oxide serving as an assistant crosslinking agent is added to 100
parts by weight of the rubber component or to 100 parts by weight
of the entire polymer component at not less than 0.1 parts by
weight nor more than 20.0 parts by weight and favorably at not less
than 0.5 parts by weight nor more than 15.0 parts by weight and
more favorably at not less than 1.0 part by weight nor more than
10.0 parts by weight. Thereby in the first, second, and third
inventions, while maintaining a low volume resistivity, it is
possible to reduce the compression set of the polymer composition.
In the second, third, and fourth inventions, it is possible to
efficiently progress the vulcanization by sulfur.
[0057] If the zinc oxide is added to 100 parts by weight of the
rubber component or to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer
component at less than 0.1 parts by weight, in the first, second,
and third inventions, the crosslinking density cannot be increased,
the compression set is liable to be high, and the volume
resistivity is apt to be high. If the zinc oxide is added to 100
parts by weight of the rubber component or to 100 parts by weight
of the entire polymer component at less than 0.1 parts by weight,
in the fourth invention, it is impossible to expect improvement of
the efficiency of the vulcanization by sulfur. On the other hand,
if the zinc oxide is added to 100 parts by weight of the rubber
component or to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer component
at more than 20.0 parts by weight, higher effect cannot be expected
and the polymer composition will be expensive and its hardness will
be higher.
[0058] In the first, second, and third inventions, as the
thioureas, it is preferable to use one or a plurality of thioureas
selected from among a group consisting of tetramethylthiourea,
trimethylthiourea, ethylene thiourea, and
(C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1NH).sub.2C.dbd.S (n=integers 1-10).
[0059] The thiourea serving as a crosslinking agent is capable of
improving reactivity. The thiourea is particularly effective in the
case where it is used in combination with an epichlorohydrin
polymer. As the thiourea to be used in the first, second, and third
inventions, it is preferable to use the tetramethylthiourea, the
trimethylthiourea, and the ethylene thiourea, and thioureas shown
by the chemical formula (C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1NH).sub.2C.dbd.S (n=1-5
and favorably, n=1-4). As the value of n becomes smaller, the
reactivity of the thioureas serving as the crosslinking agent
becomes increasingly high.
[0060] In the first, second, and third inventions, it is preferable
that the polymer composition contains the thioureas as a master
batch. By using the thioureas not as powder but as the master
batch, it is possible to take consideration for an operator and
environment. Thus it is possible to improve workability. Even in
the case where the kneading time period is very short by adopting
B-type kneading, the thioureas can be dispersed uniformly in the
polymer and thus kneading processability can be improved greatly.
Therefore, even though the B-type kneading is made by the
enclosed-type kneading apparatus such as a kneader or a Banbury
mixer, the polymer composition has favorable properties.
[0061] In the first, second, and third inventions, it is preferable
that the master batch of the thioureas contains acrylic resin
serving as a binder. More specifically, it is preferable to compose
the master batch of the thioureas and ethylene methyl acrylate and
add the master batch to the rubber component. As the binder of the
master batch, in addition, chlorinated polyethylene and
thermoplastic urethane are preferably used because they are
compatible with the epichlorohydrin polymer. The weight ratio
between the thioureas and the binder is favorably in the range of
90:10-60:40.
[0062] To improve dependency of the electric resistance value on
environment, an electroconductive agent such as carbon may be added
to the polymer composition of the first, second, third and fourth
inventions in a range in which the electroconductive agent does not
deteriorate ionic conductivity completely.
[0063] In the first invention, as the rubber material other than
the epichlorohydrin rubber, the following rubber materials can be
preferably used singly or in combination: ethylene-propylene-diene
rubber (EPDM), butadiene rubber (BR), isoprene rubber (IR),
chloroprene rubber (CR), natural rubber (NR),
acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber,
styrene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber (IIR), halogenated butyl rubber,
polyisobutylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber (CSU),
acrylic rubber (ACM, ANM), urethane rubber (U), silicone rubber
(Si), epichlorohydrin homopolymerized rubber (CO), and chlorinated
polyethylene (CPE).
[0064] Chlorine-containing polymers such as chloroprene rubber,
epichlorohydrin homopolymerized rubber, chlorinated polyethylene
are preferable because the chlorine-containing polymer has an
advantage that by utilizing the chlorine, the thioureas allows the
chlorine-containing polymer to be easily co-crosslinked with the
epichlorohydrin rubber.
[0065] The present invention provides a conductive roller having an
elastic layer formed by molding the polymer composition of the
first invention. Owing to the use of the polymer composition of the
first invention, the conductive roller has high performance of
reducing the electric resistance and the compression set and
preventing the photosensitive member from being stained.
Accordingly the conductive roller is capable of applying to recent
outstanding progress in forming a high-quality image by digital
image processing technique and color image processing technique.
The conductive roller can be used preferably as a developing
roller, a charging roller, a transfer roller for a color copying
machine or a color printer.
[0066] In the second and third inventions, the main component of
the polymer composition has the carbon-to-carbon double bond and
the halogen. Thus by using the sulfur with the thioureas in
combination, the thioureas react mainly with the halogen such as
chlorine, and C.dbd.C reacts mainly with the sulfur. Therefore the
polymer composition can be crosslinked effectively at both points,
vulcanized at a high speed, and can accomplish a low electric
resistance without generating blooming or staining the
photosensitive member.
[0067] In the second, third, and fourth inventions, as the polymer
having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen, a polymer
having ionic conductivity is preferable. Thus the epichlorohydrin
polymer is preferable. The epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl
glycidyl ether copolymer is particularly preferable. Thereby the
polymer composition is capable of having a low electric resistance
while maintaining the performance of providing a low compression
set.
[0068] As the epichlorohydrin polymer, in addition to the
epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer, it
is possible to list an epichlorohydrin-allyl glycidyl ether
copolymer, an epichlorohydrin-propylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether
copolymer, and an epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-propylene
oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer.
[0069] The epichlorohydrin polymer containing a large amount of the
ethylene oxide is particularly preferable. It allows the
vulcanization speed to be high and composes a conductive polymer
composition having a low volume resistivity value. It is preferable
that the epichlorohydrin polymer contains the ethylene oxide at not
less than 55 mol % nor more than 95 mol %.
[0070] In the second, third, and fourth inventions, the polymers
each having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen can be
used singly or in combination. In addition to these polymers,
chloroprene rubber (CR) and chlorinated natural rubber can be used.
The chloroprene rubber is particularly preferable.
[0071] In the second, third, and fourth inventions, the polymer
having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen can be
mixed with one or a plurality of other polymer components. In
mixing the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the
halogen and other polymer components with each other, the former is
used at not less than 50 wt %, favorably at not less than 70 wt %,
and more favorably at not less than 80 wt % for the entire polymer
component. As the other polymer components to be mixed with the
polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen,
the following polymers can be used: ethylene oxide-propylene
oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene
rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene
copolymer, epichlorohydrin homopolymer, epichlorohydrin-ethylene
oxide copolymer, epichlorohydrin-propylene oxide copolymer, and
epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer.
[0072] In the second and third inventions, the thioureas are added
to 100 g of an entire polymer component at the rate not less than
0.0009 mol nor more than 0.0800 mol and favorably at the rate not
less than 0.0015 mol nor more than 0.0400 mol.
[0073] By adding the thioureas to the entire polymer component at
the above-described range, it is possible to obtain a
high-performance polymer composition. More specifically, it is
possible to make vulcanization tight and make it difficult for
blooming and stain of the photosensitive member to occur, realize a
low electric resistance because the molecular motion of the polymer
is not prevented much. Further the polymer composition has a low
compression set and in addition has superior mechanical properties.
It is possible for the polymer composition to decrease the electric
resistance value in the case where the crosslinking density is
increased by increasing the addition amount of the thioureas.
[0074] If the thioureas are added to 100 g of the entire polymer
component at the ratio less than 0.0009 mol, it is difficult to
improve the compression set or reduce the electric resistance
value. Further in the case where the polymer composition is foamed,
it is difficult to prevent a foaming agent from inhibiting
vulcanization and the polymer composition from getting out of shape
and making a defective product in the case where it is vulcanized
by a vulcanizer.
[0075] On the other hand, if the thioureas are added to 100 g of
the rubber component at the rate more than 0.0800 mol, the
thioureas bloom from the surface of the polymer composition, thus
staining the photosensitive member and extremely deteriorating
mechanical properties of the polymer composition such as breaking
extension. The entire polymer component means a polymer having a
carbon-to-carbon double bond and a halogen and other polymer
components.
[0076] In the second, third, and fourth inventions, sulfur is added
to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer component at the rate
not less than 0.1 parts by weight nor more than 5.0 parts by weight
and favorably at the rate not less than 0.2 parts by weight nor
more than 2.0 parts by weight.
[0077] If less than 0.1 parts by weight of the sulfur is added to
100 parts by weight of the entire polymer component, the
vulcanizing speed of the entire polymer composition is low and
hence low productivity. On the other hand, if more than 5.0 parts
by weight of the sulfur is added thereto, there is a possibility
that the compression set is high or the sulfur and an accelerator
bloom.
[0078] In the second and third inventions, it is preferable to use
the thioureas and a guanidine accelerator in combination. The use
of the thioureas in combination with the guanidine accelerator
accelerates the crosslinking reaction of the thioureas and improves
productivity. The guanidine accelerator includes
di-ortho-tolylguanidine, 1,3-diphenylguanizine,
1-ortho-tolylbiguanide, di-ortho-tolylguanidine salt of dicatechol
borate.
[0079] A suitable mixing amount of the guanidine accelerator can be
selected according to the kind thereof to be used. It is preferable
to add not less than 0.1 parts by weight of the guanidine
accelerator nor more than 4.0 parts by weight thereof to 100 parts
by weight of the entire polymer component. The increase in the
amount of the guanidine accelerator and the thioureas improves the
crosslinking speed and increases the crosslinking density.
[0080] The value of the compression set of the polymer composition
of the second, third, and fourth inventions measured by a method
which will be described later is favorably at less than 20% and
more favorably less than 15%. If the polymer composition has the
compression set more than 20%, the dimensional change of the
polymer composition is too large when it is used as a developing
roller, a charging roller, a transfer roller and the like.
Consequently there occurs problems in the durability of the
image-forming process and maintenance of dimensional accuracy.
Hence the polymer composition cannot be used.
[0081] In a volume resistivity value test described in JIS K6911,
the volume resistivity value of the polymer composition of the
second, third, and fourth inventions measured at an applied voltage
of 1000V is not less than 10.sup.4.0 [.OMEGA.cm] nor more than
10.sup.12.0 [.OMEGA.cm] and more favorably not less than 10.sup.4.0
[.OMEGA.cm] nor more than 10.sup.9.5 [.OMEGA.cm]. By making the
electric resistance of the polymer composition low to allow it to
have a proper electrical conductivity, the polymer composition can
be preferably used for the conductive roller such as the transfer
roller and the conductive belt and the like.
[0082] In the second, third, and fourth inventions, a vulcanizing
accelerator may be used in combination with sulfur. It is
preferable to combine the sulfur, the vulcanizing accelerator,
dibenzothiazolyl disulfide, and tetramethylthiuram monosulfide with
one another. Instead of the dibenzothiazolyl disulfide,
2-mercaptobenzothiazole may be used.
[0083] It is preferable to add not less than 0.2 parts by weight
nor more than four parts by weight of the vulcanizing accelerator
to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer component.
[0084] In the second, third, and fourth inventions, a preferable
vulcanizing system is composed of a mixture of
sulfur/dibenzothiazolyl disulfide/tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide=1.5/1.5/0.5 or a mixture of
sulfur/2-mercaptobenzothiazole/tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide=1.5/1.5/0.5.
[0085] Thereby it is possible to shorten the vulcanizing time
period, accomplish co-crosslinking efficiently, reduce the degree
of staining of the photosensitive member, and reduce the degree of
the compression set.
[0086] The present invention provides a conductive roller using the
polymer composition of the second invention. The polymer
composition of the second invention is vulcanized quickly, low in
the compression set, does not bloom, and hardly stains the
photosensitive member. Thus the conductive roller using the polymer
composition can be preferably used as the developing roller, the
transfer roller or the charging roller and the like.
[0087] The present invention also provides a conductive belt using
the polymer composition of the second invention. The polymer
composition of the second invention is excellent in properties.
Thus the conductive belt using the polymer composition can be
preferably used for the transfer belt or the like.
[0088] To form the conductive belt, known methods can be used. More
specifically, the polymer composition (kneaded material) is
extruded in the shape of a belt by an extrusion molding machine.
Then the polymer composition is vulcanized at 160.degree. C. for
10-70 minutes to form the body of the belt. The vulcanization
temperature may be set around 160.degree. C. in dependence on
necessity. As in the case of the conductive roller, it is
preferable to set a vulcanization condition.
[0089] In the third and fourth inventions, it is preferable that
the chemical foaming agent is a hydrazine derivative. In
particular, it is preferable that the hydrazine derivative is
4,4'-oxybis (benzene sulfonyl hydrazide). Thereby it is possible to
reduce variations of diameters of cells and distribute the cells
uniformly and hence obtain a conductive foamed layer having little
variations in hardness.
[0090] As the hydrazine derivative, benzene sulfonyl hydrazide and
toluenesulfonyl hydrazide are preferable.
[0091] In the third and fourth inventions, the chemical foaming
agent is added to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer
component at not less than 0.5 parts by weight nor more than 20
parts by weight and favorably at not less than 1.0 part by weight
nor more than 15 parts by weight.
[0092] If less than 0.5 parts by weight of the chemical foaming
agent is added to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer
component, foaming does not occur sufficiently and the hardness
will be high. On the other hand, if more than 20 parts by weight of
the chemical foaming agent is added to 100 parts by weight thereof,
the cost of the polymer composition will be high. In addition, in
dependence on the kind of the foaming agent or the kind of rubber,
blooming or stain of the photosensitive member is apt to occur.
[0093] In the case where the 4,4'-oxybis (benzene sulfonyl
hydrazide) is used, it is preferable to add not less than 2 parts
by weight nor more than 10 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight
of the entire polymer component.
[0094] In the third and fourth inventions, the vulcanizing system
consists of a combination of sulfur and thiourea or a combination
of sulfur, triazine and/or its derivative. Thus the vulcanizing
system of the third and fourth inventions makes a scorching time
shorter than a vulcanizing system consisting of a single
vulcanizing agent. In particular, the vulcanizing system of the
third and fourth inventions allows production of the conductive
roller by a continuous vulcanization of a foam using an
ionic-conductive polymer such as epichlorohydrin polymer or the
like. The continuous vulcanization eliminates loss of rubber,
reduces a time required for production, and the manufacturing cost
and in addition makes the diameter of foamed cells small.
[0095] It is preferable that in the polymer composition for the
conductive roller of each of the third and fourth inventions, the
value of scorch t.sub.5 (minute) at 130.0.degree. C..+-.0.5.degree.
C. is not less than 1.5 minutes nor more than 20 minutes in a
Mooney scorch test of the physical test method of unvulcanized
rubber described in JIS K6300.
[0096] If the value of scorch t.sub.5 is less than 1.5 minutes, the
vulcanizing speed is too high. Thus the rubber is burnt in an
extruder and the conductive roller cannot be produced. Otherwise
the vulcanization proceeds gradually before a continuous extrusion
operation is performed subsequently to a kneading operation and the
rubber is burnt. On the other hand, if the value of scorch t.sub.5
is more than 20 minutes, the polymer composition cannot be
vulcanized so strong as to be transported by a conveyor or a roller
by quickly progressing the vulcanization at an early stage in the
process of the continuous vulcanization.
[0097] The present invention provides a conductive roller using the
polymer composition (for a conductive roller) of the third
invention. The polymer composition of the third invention can be
vulcanized at a high speed, has a low compression set, does not
generate blooming, allows the strength of a molded foam to be high,
and can be produced with high productivity. Thus the conductive
roller formed by molding the polymer composition can be used
preferably as a developing roller, a transfer roller, and a
charging roller and the like and is particularly suitable for the
transfer roller of a color copying machine and a color printer.
[0098] In the third and fourth inventions, in the conductive roller
foamed with the chemical foaming agent, the maximum diameter of
foamed cells thereof is less than 100 .mu.m, favorably less than 80
.mu.m, and more favorably less than 75 .mu.m. Thereby it is
possible to obtain a high-quality image.
[0099] In the fourth invention, the polymer composition contains
the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen
as its main component. Thus by using the sulfur and the triazine
and/or its derivative in combination, the triazine and/or its
derivative react mainly with the halogen such as chlorine, and
C.dbd.C reacts mainly with the sulfur. Therefore the polymer
composition can be crosslinked effectively at both points,
vulcanized at a high speed, and can accomplish a low electric
resistance without generating blooming or staining the
photosensitive member.
[0100] In the fourth invention, it is preferable that as the
triazine and/or its derivative, one or a plurality of triazines
selected from among a group consisting of
2,4,6-trimelcapto-S-triazine and
2-dialkylamino-4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine are used. In consideration
of the vulcanization speed, the
2-dialkylamino-4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine is favorable.
[0101] The vulcanizing system containing the triazine and/or its
derivative as its main component makes vulcanization tight, makes
it difficult for the polymer composition to bleeding and the
photosensitive member to be stained, and does not prevent the
molecular motion of the polymer. Therefore it is possible to
manufacture a roller having a low electric resistance.
[0102] It is preferable to add magnesium oxide to the polymer
composition of the fourth invention because the crosslinking speed
can be accelerated by triazine and/or its derivative. Further it is
possible to improve a crosslinking density to be obtained by the
triazine and/or its derivative.
[0103] Magnesium oxide is added to 100 parts by weight of the
entire polymer component at not less than 0.2 parts by weight
thereof nor more than 15 parts by weight thereof, favorably at not
less than 1.0 part by weight thereof nor more than 10 parts by
weight thereof, and more favorably at not less than 1.5 part by
weight thereof nor more than 6 parts by weight thereof.
[0104] If less than 0.2 parts by weight of the magnesium oxide is
added to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer component, the
polymer composition has above-described effect in a lower extent.
On the other hand, if more than 15 parts by weight of the magnesium
oxide is added to 100 parts by weight thereof, above-described
effect cannot be obtained at a higher extent and the hardness and
the cost will be higher.
[0105] The entire polymer component described in the specification
means a polymer having a carbon-to-carbon double bond and a halogen
and other polymer components.
[0106] In the fourth invention, the triazine and/or its derivative
are added to 100 g of the entire polymer component at the rate not
less than 0.0004 mol nor more than 0.0500 mol and favorably not
less than 0.0010 mol nor more than 0.0300 mol.
[0107] By adding the triazine and/or its derivative to the entire
polymer component in the above-described range, it is possible to
obtain a high-performance polymer composition for a conductive
roller. More specifically, it is possible to make the vulcanization
tight and make it difficult the polymer composition to bloom and
the photosensitive member to be stained, realize a low electric
resistance because the molecular motion of the polymer is not
prevented much. Further the polymer composition is superior in
reducing the compression set and in other mechanical
properties.
[0108] If the triazine and/or its derivative are added to 100 g of
the entire polymer component at the rate less than 0.0004 mol, it
is difficult to improve the compression set or prevent a foaming
agent from inhibiting the vulcanization and the polymer composition
from getting out of shape in the case where the polymer composition
is vulcanized by using a vulcanizer and a defective production
caused thereby. On the other hand, if the triazine and/or its
derivative are added to 100 g of the entire polymer component at
the rate more than 0.0500 mol, the triazine and/or its derivative
bloom from the surface of the polymer composition, thus staining
the photosensitive member and extremely deteriorating mechanical
properties of the polymer composition such as breaking
extension.
[0109] In the polymer composition of the fourth invention, it is
possible to adjust the vulcanizing speed, the electric resistance
value, and the foaming ratio to a required level respectively by
appropriately selecting the mixing ratio between sulfur and
triazine.
[0110] The present invention provides the conductive roller using
the polymer composition of the fourth invention. The polymer
composition of the fourth invention can be vulcanized at a high
speed, has a low compression set, does not generate blooming,
allows the strength of a molded foam to be high, and can be
produced with high productivity. Thus the conductive roller formed
by molding the polymer composition can be used preferably as a
developing roller, a transfer roller, and a charging roller and is
particularly suitable for the transfer roller for a color copying
machine and a color printer.
[0111] Hydrotalcite may be added to the polymer composition of the
first, second, third, and fourth inventions. The hydrotalcite is
added to 100 parts by weight of a chlorine-containing polymer at
not less than 0.5 parts by weight nor more than 15 parts by weight,
favorably at not less than 1 part by weight nor more than 10 parts
by weight, and more favorably at not less than 2 parts by weight
nor more than 6 parts by weight. Thereby it is possible to obtain
high crosslinking efficiency and prevent the photosensitive member
from being stained.
[0112] An age resistor may be added to the polymer composition of
the first, second, third, and fourth inventions. The age resistor
is added to 100 parts by weight of the entire polymer component at
not less than 0.1 parts by weight nor more than 10 parts by weight,
favorably at not less than 2 part by weight nor more than 8 parts
by weight, and more favorably at not less than 3 parts by weight
nor more than 7 parts by weight. Thereby it is possible to suppress
deterioration by ozone, oxidative deterioration of the surface of
the roller, and oxidative deterioration-caused rise of the
resistance. Thereby the conductive roller has a small variation in
the resistance after continuous energization.
[0113] As the age resistor, it is possible to list imidazoles such
as 2-mercaptobenzimidazole; amines such as
phenyl-.alpha.-naphthylamine,
N,N'-di-.beta.-naphthyl-p-phenylenediamine;
N-phenyl-N'-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine; and phenols such as
di-t-butyl-p-cresol, and styrenated phenol. In particular, CD (4,4'
(.alpha.,.alpha.-dimethylbenzyl)diphenylamine) of the amines, MB
(2-mercaptobenzimidazole) of the imidazoles, MBZ (zinc salt of
2-mercaptobenzimidazole), NBC (nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate) of
the phenols are effective. Although these age resistors can be used
singly, it is preferable to use two or three thereof in combination
to prevent occurrence of blooming.
[0114] In the first, second, third, and fourth inventions, the
vulcanization can be accomplished by conventional methods. For
example, for mass production, it is preferable to vulcanize the
polymer composition in the vulcanizer of pressurized water vapor
type. Press vulcanization may be used. To foam the polymer
composition, two-stage press foaming method can be used. Because
the triazine and/or its derivative may deteriorate releasability of
the vulcanized polymer composition, it is preferable to make
release treatment. For example, it is preferable to coat the
surface of a die with fluorine. In any of the vulcanizing methods,
secondary vulcanization may be performed as necessary.
[0115] It is preferable to use the polymer composition of each of
the first, second, third, and fourth inventions by melting and
kneading the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and
the halogen as its main component or the rubber component, the
chemical foaming agent, the sulfur, the thioureas (or triazine
and/or its derivative), and additives (vulcanization accelerator,
filler, acid accepting agent, age resistor and the like) to be
added as necessary. Melting and kneading can be carried out by
ordinary methods. For example, the above-described components are
kneaded at 20.degree. C.-130.degree. C. for 2-10 minutes with a
known rubber-kneading apparatus such as an open roll or an enclosed
type kneading apparatus.
[0116] The conductive roller can be produced by conventional
methods. For example, the polymer composition (kneaded material) of
each of the first, second, third, and fourth inventions is
preformed into the shape of a tube with a single axis extruder.
Then the preform is vulcanized at 160.degree. C. for 10-70 minutes
with the vulcanizer to form a hollow vulcanized tube. Thereafter a
core metal is inserted into the hollow portion of the vulcanized
tube. After the surface of the tube is polished, the tube is cut to
a predetermined size.
[0117] The vulcanizing condition such as a vulcanizing time period
varies according to the kind of the polymer (rubber component), the
crosslinking agent, and the vulcanization accelerator and the
mixing ratio among them. In the case where the polymer composition
is foamed, the vulcanizing condition varies according to the kind
and amount of the foaming agent and the assistant foaming agent. In
both cases, an optimum vulcanizing time period should be set by
using a vulcanization testing rheometer (for example, cure meter).
The vulcanization temperature may be set around 160.degree. C. in
dependence on necessity, as described above. To prevent the
photosensitive member from being stained and reduce the compression
set, it is preferable to set the condition of the vulcanization
temperature and the vulcanization time period so that the polymer
composition is vulcanized sufficiently.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0118] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conductive roller of
the present invention.
[0119] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a conductive belt of the
present invention.
[0120] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a method of measuring
a peripheral nonuniformity of the electric resistance of the
conductive roller.
[0121] FIG. 4 shows a vulcanization curve of examples 15-17 and
comparison examples 18 and 19 measured by a cure meter.
[0122] FIG. 5 shows a vulcanization curve of an example 19 and a
comparison example 23 measured by the cure meter.
[0123] FIG. 6 shows a vulcanization curve of an example 20 and
comparison examples 24, 25, and 26 measured by the cure meter.
[0124] FIG. 7 shows a vulcanization curve of an example 22 and a
comparison example 28 measured by the cure meter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0125] The embodiments of the present invention will be described
below.
[0126] As the rubber component of the polymer composition for a
conductive roller of the first invention, only an epichlorohydrin
rubber consisting of ethylene oxide and epichlorohydrin
copolymerized at the ratio of 61 mol % (ethylene oxide):39 mol %
(epichlorohydrin) is used.
[0127] The following components are added to 100 parts by weight of
the rubber: 2.00 parts by weight of ethylene thiourea serving as a
crosslinking agent, 2 parts by weight of carbon serving as a
coloring filler, 3 parts by weight of hydrotalcite serving as a
acid accepting agent, 1.5 parts by weight of zinc oxide serving as
an assistant crosslinking agent, and 1 part by weight of stearic
acid. The ethylene thiourea is added to 100 g of the
epichlorohydrin rubber at the rate of 0.0196 mol.
[0128] The polymer composition for the conductive roller containing
the rubber component, the crosslinking agent, and other components
are kneaded by using a known rubber kneading apparatus such as an
enclosed-type kneader. Then, the mixture is molded with an extruder
or the like and vulcanized. Thereby a conductive vulcanized rubber
for use in the conductive roller or the like is obtained.
[0129] In a compression set test of the conductive vulcanized
rubber described in JIS K6262, the compression set thereof measured
at 70.degree. C. for 22-24 hours is 9.5%; and in a volume
resistivity value test described in JIS K6911, the volume
resistivity value thereof measured at an applied voltage of 1000V
is 10.sup.7.17 [.OMEGA.cm].
[0130] An unvulcanized polymer composition for the conductive
roller is preformed into the shape of a tube with a single axis
extruder. Then the preform is introduced into a vulcanizer of
pressurized water vapor type to vulcanize the preform at
160.degree. C. for 10-70 minutes. Thereby a vulcanized rubber tube
is obtained. A core metal consisting of a hot-melt adhesive
agent-applied metal shaft is inserted into a hollow portion of a
cylindrical conductive vulcanized tube to heat it and bond the core
metal and the tube to each other. Then the surface of the rubber
tube is polished. Thereafter the tube is cut to a predetermined
size. In this way, a conductive roller 1 is obtained. As shown in
FIG. 1, the conductive roller 1 is approximately cylindrical. A
shaft 2 is inserted into the conductive roller 1. The conductive
roller 1 can be formed by continuous vulcanization or press
vulcanization in addition to the vulcanization carried out by the
vulcanizer.
[0131] Thereby the conductive roller thus formed has a low volume
resistivity value and a low compression set. Thus the conductive
roller is durable and hardly stains a photosensitive member.
Thereby the conductive roller can be preferably used (as conductive
rollers such) as a developing roller, a charging roller, a transfer
roller for a color copying machine and a color printer. The
conductive roller may be used as a foamed roll formed by adding
foaming agents or assistant foaming agents to the polymer
composition for the conductive roller.
[0132] As the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and
the halogen, the polymer composition of the second invention
contains 100 parts by weight of an epichlorohydrin (EP)-ethylene
oxide (EO)-allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) copolymer (may be hereinafter
referred to as GECO) in which the ethylene oxide, the
epichlorohydrin, and the allyl glycidyl ether are copolymerized at
the ratio of 56 mol %:40 mol %:4 mol %. The polymer composition
further contains sulfur and thioureas.
[0133] More specifically, the following components are added to the
polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen:
0.67 parts by weight of the ethylene thiourea used as the
thioureas, 0.57 parts by weight of di-ortho-tolylguanidine serving
as a guanidine accelerator, 1.0 part by weight of sulfur, 1.0 part
by weight of dibenzothiazolyl sulfide serving as a vulcanizing
accelerator, 0.33 parts by weight of tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide, 5 parts by weight of the zinc oxide serving as an
assistant crosslinking agent, and fillers.
[0134] Owing to the components and the mixing ratios among them, it
is possible to reduce the compression set of the polymer
composition for the conductive roller and make the crosslinking
speed high. Thus it is possible to improve the productivity of the
conductive roller and the conductive belt. It is also possible to
prevent the photosensitive member from being stained, reduce the
compression set, and prevent occurrence of blooming.
[0135] The thioureas can be used as a master batch. The master
batch is formed by mixing the ethylene thiourea and ethylene methyl
acrylate at the rate of 8:2. By using a method similar to that of
the first invention, the conductive roller 1 as shown in FIG. 1 can
be obtained.
[0136] As shown in FIG. 2, a conductive belt 3 such as a transfer
belt is produced from the polymer composition of the second
invention. The conductive belt 3 is tight-stretched by two or more
pulleys 4. The conductive belt 3 serves as a means for delivering a
sheet 6 such as paper by movably holding it on a straight portion 5
thereof disposed at its upper side.
[0137] As the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and
the halogen, the polymer composition of the third invention
contains 100 parts by weight of the epichlorohydrin (EP)-ethylene
oxide (EO)-allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) copolymer (GECO) in which the
ethylene oxide, the epichlorohydrin, and the allyl glycidyl ether
are copolymerized at the ratio of 56 mol %:40 mol %:4 mol %. The
polymer composition further contains a chemical foaming agent,
sulfur, and thioureas.
[0138] More specifically, the following components are added to the
polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen:
7.5 parts by weight of 4,4'-oxybis (benzene sulfonyl hydrazide)
serving as the chemical foaming agent, 1.33 parts by weight of the
ethylene thiourea used as the thioureas, 1.13 parts by weight of
the di-ortho-tolylguanidine serving as the guanidine accelerator,
0.5 parts by weight of the powdery sulfur, 0.5 parts by weight of
the dibenzothiazolyl sulfide serving as the vulcanizing
accelerator, 0.17 parts by weight of the tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide, 5 parts by weight of the zinc oxide serving as the
assistant crosslinking agent, and fillers.
[0139] As the polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and
the halogen, the polymer of the fourth invention contains 100 parts
by weight of the epichlorohydrin (EP)-ethylene oxide (EO)-allyl
glycidyl ether (AGE) copolymer (GECO) in which the ethylene oxide,
the epichlorohydrin, and the allyl glycidyl ether are copolymerized
at the ratio of 56 mol %:40 mol %:4 mol %. The polymer composition
further contains a chemical foaming agent, triazine and/or its
derivative, and sulfur.
[0140] More specifically, the following components are added to the
polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double bond and the halogen:
7.5 parts by weight of 4,4'-oxybis (benzene sulfonyl hydrazide)
serving as the chemical foaming agent, 1.06 parts by weight of
2-di-n-butylamino-4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine (:a kind of
2-dialkylamino-4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine) as triazine and/or its
derivative, 1.0 part by weight of powdery sulfur serving 1.0 part
by weight of the dibenzothiazolyl sulfide serving as the
vulcanizing accelerator, 0.88 parts by weight of the
tetramethylthiuram monosulfide, 5 parts by weight of the zinc oxide
serving as the assistant crosslinking agent, 3 parts by weight of
magnesium oxide, and fillers.
[0141] By carrying out a method similar to that of the first
invention, it is possible to obtain the conductive roller 1 as
shown in FIG. 1. At a vulcanization time, the chemical foaming
agent is gasified and foamed, and the crosslinking of the rubber
component proceeds.
[0142] Owing to the components and the mixing ratios among them, it
is possible to reduce the compression set of the conductive roller
and make the crosslinking speed high. Thus it is possible to
improve the productivity of the conductive roller. It is also
possible to prevent the photosensitive member from being stained,
occurrence of blooming, and vulcanization from being inhibited.
Further it is possible to make the strength of the foamed
conductive roller high. The conductive polymer composition of the
fourth invention can be handled easily and has fine
workability.
(Experiment 1)
[0143] Examples 1 through 10 of the polymer composition for the
conductive roller of the first invention and comparison examples 1
through 12 will be described in detail below.
[0144] In the examples 1 through 10 and the comparison examples 1
through 12, materials (components) were kneaded by a kneader of
enclosed type (DS10-40MWA-S, produced by Moriyama Seisakusho) at
mixing ratios shown in tables 1 through 4. Rubber taken out as a
ribbon from the kneader was introduced into an extruder having an
inner diameter of 60 mm to extrude it as a hollow tube. The raw
rubber tube was cut to a proper size and vulcanized at 160.degree.
C. for 20-70 minutes to obtain a vulcanized rubber tube.
[0145] Thereafter a hot-melt adhesive agent was applied to a shaft
having the same shape of the charging roller mounted on a copying
machine (IMAGIO MF2730 produced by Ricoh Inc.). Then the shaft was
inserted into the vulcanized rubber tube. Then the vulcanized
rubber tube was heated to bond the shaft thereto. In this way, a
roller was obtained. The surface of the roller was polished until a
predetermined size was obtained. The size of the roller was the
same as that of the charging roller of the copying machine. That
is, the outer diameter, the inner diameter, and the axial length of
the rubber were 14 mm, 8 mm, and 317 mm respectively.
[0146] The rubber taken out from the kneader was extruded by a
roller head extruder to mold the rubber into the shape of a sheet.
Then the rubber was introduced into a die to perform press
vulcanization at 160.degree. C. for an optimum time period. Thereby
a property-evaluating vulcanized rubber slab sheet or a
property-evaluating vulcanized rubber specimen was prepared.
[0147] As the vulcanizing method, the rubber may be vulcanized in a
vulcanizer by pressurized water vapor or a secondary vulcanization
may be carried out.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Mixed chemicals General name/compound name
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Polymer
Epichlomer D ECO(EO:EP:AGE = 61:39:0) 100 100 100 100 100
Epichiomer CG102 GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) (Trial product polymer)
GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 73:23:4) Epichlomer C GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 51:49:0)
Epichlomer CG GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 41:52:7) Neoprene WRT CR Filler
Denca black Carbon 2 2 2 2 2 Soft calcium carbonate Calcium
carbonate DHT-4A-2 Hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 3 Red lead oxide
Pb.sub.3O.sub.4 Assistant Zinc oxide (two kinds) Zinc white 1.5 1.5
1.5 1.5 1.5 agent Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1 1 1 1 1 Sub
Sulfur fats and oils for animals and plants Diamid 200 Fatty amide
Stractol WA48 Processing aid Vulcanizing Powdery sulfur sulfur
system DCP Dicumyl peroxide Nocceler DM Dibenzothiazolyl disulfide
Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram monosulfide Nocceler TT
Tetramethylthiuram disulfide Accele 22-S Ethylene thiourea 2.00
1.50 ETU-80% article Ethylene thiourea/binder = 80/20 2.50 Accele
EUR Diethyl thiourea 2.59 Accele BUR-F Dibutyl thiourea 3.69 Accele
LUR Dilauryl thiourea Mols of thioureas per 100 g of rubber 0.0196
0.0196 0.0196 0.0196 0.0147 Content of ethylene oxide in entire
polymer (mol %) 61 61 61 61 61 Volume resistivity value of slab
log.sub.10R [.OMEGA. cm] 7.17 7.15 7.11 7.07 7.50 Peripheral
nonuniformity of electric resistance of roller 1.10 1.05 1.08 1.10
1.09 Compression set 9.5 9.6 5.9 7.0 9.3 Stain of photosensitive
member .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. .DELTA..sup.+
.largecircle.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Mixed chemicals General name/compound name
Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Polymer
Epichlomer D ECO(EO:EP:AGE = 61:39:0) 100 90 80 Epichlomer CG102
GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) 100 (Trial product polymer)
GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 73:23:4) 100 Epichlomer C GECO(EO:EP:AGE =
51:49:0) Epichlomer CG GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 41:52:7) 20 Neoprene WRT CR
10 Filler Denca black Carbon 2 2 2 2 2 Soft calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate DHT-4A-2 Hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 3 Red lead oxide
Pb.sub.3O.sub.4 Assistant Zinc oxide (two kinds) Zinc white 1.5 1.5
1.5 1.5 1.5 agent Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1 1 1 1 1 Sub
Sulfur fats and oils for animals and plants Diamid 200 Fatty amide
Stractol WA48 Processing aid Vulcanizing Powdery sulfur sulfur
system DCP Dicumyl peroxide Nocceler DM Dibenzothiazolyl disulfide
Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram monosulfide Nocceler TT
Tetramethylthiuram disulfide Accele 22-S Ethylene thiourea 5.00
2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 ETU-80% article Ethylene thiourea/binder =
80/20 Accele EUR Diethyl thiourea Accele BUR-F Dibutyl thiourea
Accele LUR Dilauryl thiourea Mols of thioureas per 100 g of rubber
0.0490 0.0196 0.0196 0.0196 0.0196 Content of ethylene oxide in
entire polymer (mol %) 61 73 56 55 57 Volume resistivity value of
slab log.sub.10R [.OMEGA. cm] 7.15 7.04 7.44 7.40 7.37 Peripheral
nonuniformity of electric resistance of roller 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.15
1.12 Compression set 9.8 9.9 9.8 7.9 10.0 Stain of photosensitive
member .DELTA..sup.+ .DELTA..sup.+ .largecircle. .DELTA..sup.+
.largecircle.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 General name/ Comparison Comparison
Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison Mixed chemicals
compound name Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5
Example 6 Polymer Epichlomer D ECO(EO:EP:AGE = 100 100 61:39:0)
Epichlomer CG102 GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 100 56:40:4) (Trial product
polymer) GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 100 73:23:4) Epichlomer C GECO(EO:EP:AGE
= 100 51:49:0) Epichlomer CG GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 100 41:52:7) Neoprene
WRT CR Filler Denca black Carbon 2 2 2 2 2 Soft calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate DHT-4A-2 Hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 3 Red lead oxide
Pb.sub.3O.sub.4 Assistant Zinc oxide (two kinds) Zinc white 5.0 5.0
1.5 0.0 1.5 agent Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sub
Sulfur fats and oils for 5 animals and plants Diamid 200 Fatty
amide Stractol WA48 Processing aid 2 Vulcanizing Powdery sulfur
sulfur 1.5 1.5 system DCP Dicumyl peroxide 0.4 Nocceler DM
Dibenzothiazolyl 1.5 1.5 disulfide Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram
0.5 0.5 monosulfide Nocceler TT Tetramethylthiuram 0.5 disulfide
Accele 22-S Ethylene thiourea 2.00 2.00 1.2 ETU-80% article
Ethylene thiourea/ binder = 80/20 Accele EUR Diethyl thiourea
Accele BUR-F Dibutyl thiourea Accele LUR Dilauryl thiourea Mols of
thioureas per 100 g of rubber 0 0 0 0.0196 0.0196 0.0118 Content of
ethylene oxide in entire polymer (mol %) 56 73 61 61 51 41 Volume
resistivity value of slab log.sub.10R [.OMEGA. cm] 8.10 7.50 9.06
7.70 7.59 7.65 Peripheral nonuniformity of electric resistance of
1.11 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.12 1.11 roller Compression set 19.6 30.2 2.3
50.2 7.9 4.7 Stain of photosensitive member .largecircle. .DELTA.
.largecircle. X .largecircle. X
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 General name/ Comparison Comparison
Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison Mixed chemicals
compound name Example 7 Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Example 11
Example 12 Polymer Epichlomer D ECO(EO:EP:AGE = 70 100 100 100
61:39:0) Epichlomer CG102 GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) (Trial product
polymer) GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 73:23:4) Epichlomer C GECO(EO:EP:AGE =
51:49:0) Epichlomer CG GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 100 41:52:7) Neoprene WRT
CR 100 30 Filler Denca black Carbon 22 2 2 2 2 Soft calcium
carbonate Calcium carbonate 7.5 DHT-4A-2 Hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 Red
lead oxide Pb.sub.3O.sub.4 5 Assistant Zinc oxide (two kinds) Zinc
white 1.5 1.5 agent Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sub
Sulfur fats and oils for animals and plants Diamid 200 Fatty amide
2 Stractol WA48 Processing aid Vulcanizing Powdery sulfur sulfur
system DCP Dicumyl peroxide Nocceler DM Dibenzothiazolyl disulfide
Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram monosulfide Nocceler TT
Tetramethylthiuram 0.5 disulfide Accele 22-S Ethylene thiourea 1.2
2.00 2.00 1.6 1.00 ETU-80% article Ethylene thiourea/ binder =
80/20 Accele EUR Diethyl thiourea Accele BUR-F Dibutyl thiourea
Accele LUR Dilauryl thiourea 8.08 Mols of thioureas per 100 g of
rubber 0.0118 0.0147 0.0196 0.0157 0.0098 0.0196 Content of
ethylene oxide in entire polymer (mol %) 41 0 43 61 61 61 Volume
resistivity value of slab log.sub.10R [.OMEGA. cm] 7.68 6.66 7.74
7.81 7.79 7.63 Peripheral nonuniformity of electric resistance of
1.10 2.20 1.17 1.14 1.12 1.14 roller Compression set 23.3 7.0 5.6
11.5 10.4 11.5 Stain of photosensitive member X .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. X .DELTA..sup.+
[0148] The numerical values shown as mixing ratios in each table
indicate parts by weight when the total of rubber components is set
as 100. The unit of the compression set is %. The abbreviation GECO
represents the epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether
copolymer. The abbreviation ECO represents epichlorohydrin-ethylene
oxide copolymer. The abbreviation EO represents ethylene oxide. The
abbreviation EP represents the epichlorohydrin. The abbreviation
AGE represents the allyl glycidyl ether.
EXAMPLES 1 THROUGH 10
[0149] In any of the conductive polymer compositions of the
examples 1 through 10, the content of the ethylene oxide of the
epichlorohydrin rubber was specified to the above-described range.
The thioureas were added to 100 g of the rubber at the mixing
ratios in the range of 0.014 to 0.080 mol shown in the tables 1 and
2. The volume resistivity value and the compression set fell in the
specified range respectively. By using the above-described method,
the conductive rollers and the specimens composed of the polymer
composition for the conductive roller were prepared.
COMPARISON EXAMPLES 1 THROUGH 12
[0150] In any of the conductive polymer composition of the
comparison examples 1 through 12, the content of the ethylene oxide
of the epichlorohydrin rubber was out of the specified range, and
the volume resistivity value and the compression set were also out
of the specified range respectively. By mixing the components with
one another at the mixing ratios shown in the tables 3 and 4 and
carrying out the above-described method, the (conductive) rollers
and the specimens were obtained.
[0151] The following measurements were conducted on the
characteristics of the prepared rollers and specimens composed of
the polymer composition for the conductive roller of each of the
examples 1-10 and the comparison examples 1-12. The tables 1-4 show
the results.
[0152] Examples 11 through 14 of the polymer composition of the
second invention and comparison examples 13 through 17 will be
described in detail below.
[0153] In the examples 11 through 14 and the comparison examples 13
through 17, components were kneaded at mixing ratios shown in
tables 5 and 6 by the kneader of the enclosed type (DS10-40MWA-S,
produced by Moriyama Seisakusho). The polymer composition taken out
as a ribbon from the kneader was introduced into an extruder
(.phi.60) to extrude it as a hollow tube. The rubber tube was cut
to a proper size and vulcanized at 160.degree. C. for 10-70 minutes
to obtain a vulcanized rubber tube. The vulcanizing condition was
appropriately adjusted with reference to data of t.sub.c(90) (90%
torque rise point: t.sub.90) [minute] of a cure meter to obtain a
sufficient vulcanization amount.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 General name/compound name Example 11
Example 12 Example 13 Example 14 Polymer GECO (EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4)
100 100 100 60 CR 40 Filler Carbon (for coloring) 2 2 2 2 Synthetic
hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 Assistant Zinc white 5 5 5 5 agent Stearic
acid 1 1 1 1 Vulcanizing system Sulfur 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5
Dibenzothiazolyl disulfide 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 Tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide 0.33 0.17 0.17 0.17 Ethylene thiourea 0.67 1.33 1.33
Ethylene thiourea/binder = 8/2 1.66 Di-ortho-tolylguanidine 0.57
1.13 1.13 1.13 T.sub.90 [minute] 17 22 21 21 Compression set 18 11
10 11 Generation of blooming .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison
Comparison General name/compound name Example 13 Example 14 Example
15 Example 16 Example 17 Polymer GECO (EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) 100 100
100 100 60 CR 40 Filler Carbon (for coloring) 2 2 2 2 2 Synthetic
hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 3 Assistant Zinc white 5 5 5 5 5 agent Stearic
acid 1 1 1 1 1 Vulcanizing system Sulfur 6.0 1.5 1.5
Dibenzothiazolyl disulfide 6.0 1.5 1.5 Tetramethylthiuram
monosulfide 2 0.5 0.5 Ethylene thiourea 2.0 6.0 Ethylene
thiourea/binder = 8/2 Di-ortho-tolylguanidine 1.7 1.7 T.sub.90
[minute] 15 15 34 15 20 Compression set 66 28 3 3 32 Generation of
blooming X .largecircle. .largecircle. X .largecircle.
[0154] Similarly to the experiment 1, charging rollers having the
same size, property-evaluating vulcanized rubber slab sheets, and
property-evaluating vulcanized rubber specimens were prepared.
EXAMPLES 11 THROUGH 14
[0155] The sulfur, the vulcanization accelerator, the ethylene
thiourea or a master batch thereof, the zinc oxide (zinc white),
and the guanidine accelerator (di-ortho-tolylguanidine) were added
to the epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether
copolymer (GECO) at the ratios shown in the table 5 in each of the
examples 11 through 13 and to a mixture (GECO:CR=60:40) of the GECO
and CR (chloroprene) at the ratios shown in the table 5 in the
example 14. Rollers and vulcanized rubber specimens composed of the
polymer composition of the second invention were obtained by
carrying out the above-described method.
[0156] In the example 13, ethylene methyl acrylate was used as a
binder. A master batch composed of the ethylene thiourea (used as
the thioureas)/binder=8/2 was prepared. Thioureas were added to 100
g of the GECO or 100 g of the mixture of the GECO+the CR at 0.0066
mol in the example 11, 0.0130 mol in the example 12, 0.0130 mol in
the example 13, and 0.0130 in the example 14.
COMPARISON EXAMPLES 13 THROUGH 17
[0157] The sulfur and the vulcanizing accelerator were added to the
GECO at the ratios shown in the table 6 in the comparison examples
13 and 14, and to a mixture of the GECO and the CR (GECO:CR=60:40)
at the ratios shown in the table 6 in the comparison example 17.
The thiourea was not added to the GECO and the mixture of the GECO
and the CR.
[0158] In the comparison examples 15 and 16, the thiourea was added
to the GECO at the mixing ratios shown in the table 6, but the
sulfur was not added to the GECO.
[0159] The following measurements were conducted on the
characteristics of the prepared rollers and vulcanized rubber
specimens composed of the polymer composition of each of the
examples 11-14 and the comparison examples 13-17. The tables 5 and
6 show the results.
(Experiment 3)
[0160] Examples 15 through 19 of the polymer composition for the
conductive roller of the third invention and comparison examples 18
through 23 will be described in detail below. Conductive foamed
rollers were prepared, as described below. The mixing ratio of the
components thereof are as shown in tables 7 and 8.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 General name/compound Example Example Mixed
chemicals name 15 16 Example 17 Example 18 Example 19 Polymer
Epichlomer CG102 GECO (EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) 100 100 100 100 60
Neoprene WRT CR 0 0 0 0 40 Filler Denca black Carbon 2 2 2 2 2
DHT-4A-2 Synthetic hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 3 Assistant Zinc oxide (two
Zinc white 5 5 5 5 5 agent kinds) Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1
1 1 1 1 Foaming Neocellborn#1000SW 4,4'-oxybis (benzene 7.5 7.5 7.5
7.5 7.5 agent sulfonyl hydrazide) Vulcanizing Powdery sulfur Sulfur
0.5 1.0 1.5 0.5 0.5 system Nocceler DM Dibenzothiazolyl 0.5 1.0 1.5
0.5 0.5 disulfide Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram 0.17 0.33 0.5 0.17
0.17 monosulfide accele 22-S Ethylene thiourea 1.33 0.67 1.00 1.33
1.33 Nocceler DT di-ortho-tolylguanidine 1.13 0.57 0.85 1.13 1.13
T.sub.90 [minute] 14 16 13 14 18 T.sub.5 [minute]@130.degree. C.,
Mooney scorch test) 5 5 4 5 6 Compression set 12 11 13 13 15
Generation of blooming .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle. Cell diameter maximum value (.mu.m) 63
75 73 58 59 Out-of-shape in vulcanization by vulcanizer
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. -- .largecircle. Surface
state of vulcanized tube .largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
.largecircle. .largecircle.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 General name/ Comparison Comparison
Comparison Comparison Comparison Comparison Mixed chemicals
compound name Example 18 Example 19 Example 20 Example 21 Example
22 Example 23 Polymer Epichlomer CG102 GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 100 100 100
100 100 60 56:40:4) Neoprene WRT CR 0 0 0 0 0 40 Filler Denca black
Carbon 2 2 2 2 2 2 DHT-4A-2 Synthetic hydrotalcite 3 3 3 3 3 3
Assistant Zinc oxide (two Zinc white 5 5 5 5 5 5 agent kinds)
Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1 1 1 1 1 1 Foaming
Neocellborn#1000SW 4,4'-oxybis (benzene 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
agent sulfonyl hydrazide) Vulcanizing Powdery sulfur Sulfur 1.5 4.0
1.5 1.5 system Nocceler DM Dibenzothiazolyl 1.5 4.0 1.5 1.5
disulfide Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram 0.5 2.0 0.5 0.5
monosulfide Accele 22-S Ethylene thiourea 2.0 6.0 Nocceler DT
di-ortho-tolylguanidine 1.7 1.7 T.sub.90 [minute] 22 22 18 15 22 35
T.sub.5 [minute]@130.degree. C., Mooney scorch test) 21 9 19 5 21
12 Compression set 10 8 16 7 -- 21 Generation of blooming
.largecircle. .largecircle. X X -- .largecircle. Cell diameter
maximum value (.mu.m) 93 82 87 80 Manufacture by 90 Out-of-shape in
vulcanization by vulcanizer X .largecircle. X .largecircle. using
.largecircle. Surface state of vulcanized tube X .DELTA. X .DELTA.
continuous .DELTA. vulcanization is impossible
EXAMPLES 15 THROUGH 19
[0161] The chemical foaming agent, the sulfur, the vulcanization
accelerator, the ethylene thiourea, the zinc oxide (zinc white),
and the guanidine accelerator (di-ortho-tolylguanidine) were added
to the epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether
copolymer (GECO) at the mixing ratios shown in table 7 in the
examples 15 through 18 and added to the mixture (GECO:CR=60:40) of
the GECO and CR (chloroprene) at the ratios shown in the table 7 in
the example 19. Rollers composed of the polymer composition of the
third invention were obtained by carrying out the below-described
method. The roller of each of the examples 15 through 17 and 19 was
formed by extrusion and vulcanization by using a vulcanizer. The
roller of the example 18 was formed by the continuous
vulcanization.
[0162] The thioureas were added to 100 g of the GECO at 0.0130 mol
in the examples 15 and 18, 0.0066 mol in the example 16, 0.0098 mol
in the example 17. The thioureas were added to 1009 of the mixture
of the GECO+CR at 0.0130 mol in the example 19.
COMPARISON EXAMPLES 18 THROUGH 23
[0163] The chemical foaming agent, the sulfur, and the vulcanizing
accelerator were added to the GECO at the ratios shown in the table
8 in the comparison examples 18, 20, and 22 and added to the
mixture of the GECO and the CR (GECO:CR=60:40) at the ratios shown
in the table 8 in the comparison example 23. The thiourea was not
added to the GECO and the mixture of the GECO and the CR. In the
comparison examples 19 and 21, the thioureas were added to the GECO
at the ratios shown in the table 8, but the sulfur was not added
thereto. The roller of each of the comparison examples 18 through
21 and 23 was formed by extrusion and vulcanization by using a
vulcanizer. The roller of the comparison example 22 was formed by
the continuous vulcanization.
(Production by Extrusion and Vulcanizer)
[0164] In the examples 15 through 17 and the comparison examples 18
through 21 and 23, the components were kneaded at mixing ratios
shown in tables 7 and 8 by the kneader of the enclosed type
(DS10-40MWA-S, produced by Moriyama Seisakusho). The polymer
composition taken out as a ribbon from the kneader was introduced
into the extruder (.phi.60) to extrude it as a hollow tube. The
rubber tube was cut to a proper size to obtain a preform.
[0165] The preform was introduced into a vulcanizer of pressurized
water vapor type to vulcanize the preform at 160.degree. C. for
10-70 minutes. Thereby a vulcanized rubber tube was obtained. At
that time, the chemical foaming agent is gasified and foamed, and
the crosslinking of the rubber component proceeded. A core
consisting of a hot-melt adhesive agent-applied metal shaft is
inserted into the hollow portion of the cylindrical conductive
vulcanized foamed tube to heat it and bond the core metal and the
tube to each other. After the surface of the tube was polished, the
tube was cut to a predetermined size to obtain the conductive
roller having a shaft diameter of .phi.6 mm, a roll outer diameter
of .phi.12 mm, and a roll length of 220 mm. The vulcanizing
condition was appropriately adjusted with reference to the t.sub.90
(minute) of the cure meter meter so that the preform was vulcanized
sufficiently.
(Production by Continuous Vulcanization)
[0166] In the example 18 and the comparison example 22, components
were kneaded at mixing ratios shown in tables 7 and 8. Thereafter
the mixture was continuously extruded as a hollow tube from the
extruder. The hollow tube was vulcanized with a continuous
vulcanizing apparatus to obtain a vulcanized rubber tube. Then a
conductive foamed roller was obtained in the same manner as that
described above.
[0167] More specifically, the polymer composition taken out as a
ribbon from the kneader was introduced into an extruder of an
extrusion-continuous vulcanization line. The extruded polymer
composition was vulcanized with a microwave (UHF) to progress the
vulcanization. Then hot-air vulcanization (HAV) was carried out.
The UHF was performed at 5.0 m/minute and 3.5 kW. The temperature
of a material surface at an exit was set to 130.degree.
C.-150.degree. C. In the HAV, the vulcanization was conducted by
hot air of 210.degree. C., and the temperature of the surface of
the tube was set to 170.degree. C.-180.degree. C. The total of the
HAV zones was 30 m. At a continuous vulcanization time, the tube
was slightly twisted in the space between zones with a guide roll
to rotate it more than 180 degrees.
[0168] The following measurements were conducted on the
characteristics of the prepared conductive roller composed of the
polymer composition of each of the examples and the comparison
examples. The tables 7 and 8 show the results.
(Experiment 4)
[0169] Examples 20 through 22 of the polymer composition for the
conductive roller of the fourth invention and comparison examples
24 through 28 will be described in detail below. Conductive foamed
rollers were prepared, as described below. The mixing ratio of the
components are as shown in tables 9 and 10.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 General Mixed chemicals name/compound name
Example 20 Example 21 Example 22 Polymer Epichlomer CG102
GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) 100 100 80 neoprene WRT CR 20 Filler
Denca black Carbon 2 2 2 Magusarratto 150ST Magnesium oxide 3 3 3
DHT-4A-2 Synthetic hydrotalcite Assistant agent Zinc oxide (two
Zinc white 5 5 5 kinds) Stearic acid 4931 Stearic acid 1 1 1
Foaming agent Neocell born # 1000SW 4,4'-oxybis 7.5 7.5 7.5
(benzene sulfonyl hydrazide) Vulcanizing system Powdery sulfur
Sulfur 1.0 1.0 1.0 Nocceler DM Dibenzothiazolyl 1.0 1.0 1.0
disulfide Nocceler TS Tetramethylthiuram 0.88 0.88 0.88 monosulfide
Actor BSH 2-di-n-butylamino- 1.06 1.06 1.06
4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine Nocceler DT di-ortho-tolylguanidine
T.sub.90 [minute] 16 16 18 T.sub.5 [minute]@130.degree. C., Mooney
scorch test) 5 5 2 Compression set 11 13 15 Generation of blooming
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle. Cell diameter maximum
value (.mu.m) 61 57 60 Out-of-shape in vulcanization by vulcanizer
.largecircle. -- .largecircle. Surface state of vulcanized tube
.largecircle. .largecircle. .largecircle.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 General Comparison Comparison Comparison
Comparison Comparison Mixed chemicals name/compound name Example 24
Example 25 Example 26 Example 27 Example 28 Polymer Epichlomer
CG102 GECO(EO:EP:AGE = 56:40:4) 100 100 100 100 100 Neoprene WRT CR
0 0 0 0 20 Filler Denca black Carbon 2 2 2 2 2 Magusarratto 150ST
Magnesium oxide 3 DHT-4A-2 Synthetic 3 3 3 3 hydrotalcite Assistant
Zinc oxide (two Zinc white 5 5 5 5 5 agent kinds) Stearic acid 4931
Stearic acid 1 1 1 1 1 Foaming Neocellborn#1000SW 4,4'-oxybis
(benzene 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 agent sulfonyl hydrazide) Vulcanizing
system Powdery sulfur Sulfur 1.5 1.5 1.5 Nocceler DM
Dibenzothiazolyl 1.5 1.5 1.5 disulfide Nocceler TS
Tetramethylthiuram 0.5 1.65 0.5 0.5 monosulfide accele 22-S
Ethylene thiourea 2.0 Actor BSH 2-di-n-butylamino-4, 3.18
6-dimelcapto-S-triazine Nocceler DT di-ortho-tolylguanidine 1.7
T.sub.90 [minute] 22 22 36 22 14 T.sub.5 [minute]@130.degree. C.,
Mooney scorch test) 21 9 3 21 23 Compression set 10 6 7 -- 31
Generation of blooming .largecircle. .largecircle. X --
.largecircle. Cell diameter maximum value (.mu.m) 93 82 85
Manufacture 81 Out-of-shape in vulcanization by vulcanizer X
.largecircle. X by using .largecircle. Surface state of vulcanized
tube X .DELTA. X continuous .DELTA. vulcanization is impossible
(Experiment 20 through 22)
[0170] The chemical foaming agent, the sulfur, the
2-di-n-butylamino-4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine, the vulcanization
accelerator, the zinc oxide (zinc white), and the magnesium oxide,
and the fillers were added to the epichlorohydrin-ethylene
oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer (GECO) at the mixing ratios
shown in table 9 in the examples 20 and 21 and added to the mixture
(GECO:CR=80:20) of the GECO and the CR (chloroprene) at the ratios
shown in the table 9 in the example 22. Rollers composed of the
polymer composition of the fourth invention were obtained by
carrying out a method similar to that of the experiment 3. The
roller of each of the examples 20 and 22 was formed by extrusion
and vulcanization by using the vulcanizer. The roller of the
example 21 was formed by the continuous vulcanization.
[0171] The triazine and/or its derivative were added to 100 g of
the GECO at 0.0039 mol in the examples 20 and 21 and to 100 g of
the mixture of the GECO+the CR at 0.0039 mol in the example 22.
COMPARISON EXAMPLES 24 THROUGH 28
[0172] The chemical foaming agent, the sulfur, and the vulcanizing
accelerator were added to the GECO at the ratios shown in the table
10 in the comparison examples 24, 25, and 27 and added to the
mixture of the GECO and the CR (GECO:CR=80:20) at the ratios shown
in the table 10 in the comparison example 28. The triazine and/or
its derivative were not added to the GECO and the mixture of the
GECO and the CR. In the comparison example 26, the triazine and/or
its derivative were added to the GECO at the ratio shown in the
table 10, but the sulfur was not added thereto. The roller of each
of the comparison examples 24, 25, 26, and 28 was formed by
extrusion and vulcanization by using the vulcanizer. The roller of
the example 27 was formed by the continuous vulcanization.
[0173] The following measurements were conducted on the
characteristics of the prepared conductive roller composed of the
polymer composition of each of the examples 20-22 and the
comparison examples 24-28. The tables 9 and 10 show the
results.
(Measurement of Volume Resistivity Value)
[0174] The vulcanized rubber slab sheets (130 mm.times.130
mm.times.2 mm) were prepared to measure the volume resistivity
(volume resistivity value) .rho.V [.OMEGA.cm] described in JIS
K6911 at an applied voltage of 1000V under a constant temperature
of 23.degree. C. and a constant relative humidity of 55% with a
digital ultra-high resistance micro-ammeter R-8340A manufactured by
Advance Test Corporation Inc.
[0175] Each table shows the volume resistivity value by common
logarithm.
(Measurement of Compression Set)
[0176] In accordance with the description of JIS K6262 "method of
testing compression set of vulcanized rubber", the compression set
was measured at 70.degree. C. for 22-24 hours.
[0177] The compression rate was 25% of the thickness of the
specimen.
(Test for Examining Stain of Photosensitive Member)
[0178] The vulcanized rubber slab sheets of the examples and the
comparison examples were stored for a week at 32.5.degree. C. at a
relative humidity of 90%, with the vulcanized rubber slab sheets
pressed against a photosensitive member set in a cartridge
(cartridge type:C 4127X) of a laser beam printer of Laser Jet 4000
type produced by Hulet Packard Inc. After each vulcanized rubber
slab sheet was removed from the photosensitive member, a half-tone
printing was carried out by the printer accommodating the
photosensitive member. Whether or not printed sheets of paper were
stained was visually checked, and evaluation was made at the
following four criteria:
.largecircle.: Printed paper was not stained when they were seen
with the eye. .DELTA..sup.+: Very low degree of stain (when five or
less sheets of paper were printed, stain was hardly visible and
thus no problem in use) .DELTA..sup.-: Low degree of stain (when
five to ten or less sheets of paper were printed, stain was hardly
visible) X: High degree of stain (when 11 or more sheets of paper
were printed, stain could be recognized with the eye)
(Measurement of Peripheral Nonuniformity of Electric Resistance of
Roller)
[0179] As shown in FIG. 3, to measure the peripheral nonuniformity
of the electric resistance of each roller, a conductive roller 1
through which a core metal 2 had been inserted was mounted on an
aluminum drum 13, with the conductive roller 1 in contact with the
aluminum drum 13. One leading end of a lead wire having an internal
resistance r (100.OMEGA.) was connected with the positive (+) side
of a power source 14, whereas the other end thereof was connected
with one end surface of the aluminum drum 13. One end of a lead
wire connected with the negative (-) side of the power source 14 is
connected with one end surface of the conductive roller 1.
[0180] A voltage applied to the internal resistance r of the lead
wire was detected. The detected voltage was denoted by V.
[0181] Supposing that a voltage applied to this apparatus is E, the
resistance R of the conductive roller is expressed as
R=r.times.E/(V-r). In this measurement, -r is regarded as being
minute. Thus R=r.times.E/V.
[0182] With a load F of 500 g applied to both ends of the core
metal 2 and the conductive roller 1 rotating 30 rpm, the applied
voltage E was set to 500V. The detected voltage V was measured 100
times in four seconds. The resistance R was computed by using the
above equation. The ratio of a maximum resistance value to a
minimum resistance value was set as the peripheral nonuniformity.
The measurement was conducted under a constant temperature of
23.degree. C. and a constant relative humidity of 55%.
(Evaluation of Vulcanization Time Period)
[0183] After an optimum amount of the unvulcanized polymer
composition of each of the examples and the comparison examples was
sampled, vulcanization curves were measured by a cure meter of
V-type VDR produced by Nichigo Shoji Kabushiki Kaisha. In
accordance with "die vulcanization test method A" of "vulcanization
test by vibration-type vulcanization tester" of JIS standard, a
sine wave vibration of low amplitude (1.degree. in the present
invention) was applied to the rubber specimen in such a way as not
to destroy the rubber specimen. A torque transmitted to an upper
die from each specimen was measured from an unvulcanized state to
an over-vulcanized state. Data of t.sub.c(90) (90% torque rise
point: t.sub.90) [minute] serving as the index of an optimum
vulcanization time period was computed to compare the results with
one another.
[0184] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the vulcanization curves obtained in the
experiment 3. FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate that owing to the third
invention, the crosslinking efficiency rose conspicuously above a
normally expected region (torque or crosslinking speed intermediate
between comparison examples 18 and 19) and the crosslinking speed
was accelerated.
[0185] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the vulcanization curves obtained in the
experiment 4. FIGS. 6 and 7 indicate that owing to the fourth
invention, the crosslinking efficiency rose conspicuously above a
normally expected region (torque or crosslinking speed intermediate
between comparison examples 24 and 26) and the crosslinking speed
was accelerated.
(Evaluation of Blooming)
[0186] After the roller of each of the examples and the comparison
examples was left for one month at a temperature of 23.degree. C.
and a relative humidity of 55%, whether blooming occurred on the
surface of each roller was visually checked. Evaluation was made in
the following manner:
.largecircle.: Blooming did not occur. X: Blooming occurred.
(Mooney Scorch Test)
[0187] A test were conducted in accordance with the description of
the Mooney scorch test of the physical test method of unvulcanized
rubber described in JIS K6300. The measurement of scorch t.sub.5
was conducted at 130.0.degree. C..+-.0.5.degree. C.
(Measurement of Diameter of Cell)
[0188] The section of the roller of each of the examples and the
comparison examples was photographed at a magnification
(.times.100) to examine the maximum diameter and minimum diameter
of cells. The maximum diameter (.mu.m) is shown.
(Out-of-Shape Degree of Tube Formed by Vulcanizer and Surface State
of Tube)
[0189] Each foamed tube prepared by the extrusion and the
vulcanization by using the vulcanizer was cut to a length of 270 mm
and then the cut tubes were vulcanized. Cut tubes which hung down
at both ends thereof and cannot be put into practical use were
unacceptable and rated as (X), whereas those which did not have
such a defect and can be mass-produced were good and rated as
.largecircle..
[0190] In checking the surface state of each tube formed by
extrusion and vulcanization by using the vulcanizer, the inner
surface thereof was examined carefully. Tubes whose inner surfaces
were so rough that the shaft could not be inserted thereinto
manually were unacceptable and rated as (X). Tubes which made it
difficult to insert the shaft thereinto by an automatic insertion
device but allowed a manual insertion and allowed a roller to be
formed somehow were rated as .DELTA.. Tubes which had a favorable
inner surface and allowed the shaft to be inserted thereinto by the
automatic insertion device were acceptable and rated as
(.largecircle.).
[0191] Even tubes rated as X were formed into a conductive roller
respectively by utilizing a tube receiver in a vulcanization time
and by vulcanizing them cut longer than 270 mm. Evaluation was also
made on those tubes.
[0192] As indicated in the tables 1 and 2, the specimens composed
of the conductive polymer compositions of the examples 1 through 10
had low volume resistivity values in the range of 10.sup.7.04
[.OMEGA.cm] to 10.sup.7.50 [.OMEGA.cm] and low compression set in
the range of 5.9% to 10.0%. In the evaluation of the test for
examining the stain of the photosensitive member, the specimens of
the examples 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 were rated as .largecircle., and
the specimens of the examples 4, 6, 7, and 9 were good and rated as
.DELTA..sup.+. The peripheral nonuniformity of the electric
resistance of the roller of the examples 1 through 10 had small
values in the range of 1.05 to 1.15.
[0193] As described above, the specimen of each of the examples 1
through 10 had a low volume resistivity value and compression set
and hardly stained the photosensitive member. The peripheral
nonuniformity of the electric resistance of the roller, namely, the
variation of the electric resistance thereof was small. Thus they
can be used without any problems.
[0194] On the other hand, as shown in the tables 3 and 4, the
specimen of each of the comparison examples 1 and 2 had a high
compression set. The specimen of the comparison example 2 stained
the photosensitive member much. The specimen of the comparison
example 3 had a high volume resistivity value and was thus
unsuitable as the conductive roller. The specimen of the comparison
example 4 had a high volume resistivity value and compression set
and stained the photosensitive member much.
[0195] The specimen of each of the comparison examples 5 through 8
contained the epichlorohydrin rubber containing ethylene oxide at
less than 55 mol %. Thus the specimen of the comparison example 5
had a high volume resistivity value. The specimen of the comparison
example 6 had also a high volume resistivity value and stained the
photosensitive member much. The specimen of the comparison example
7 had also a high volume resistivity value and compression set and
stained the photosensitive member much. The specimen of the
comparison example 8 had a high degree of nonuniformity in the
resistance of the roller. As such, the specimens of the comparison
examples 5 through 8 were all unsuitable as the conductive
roller.
[0196] The specimen of each of the comparison examples 9 and 10 had
a high volume resistivity value. The specimen of the comparison
example 11 had a high volume resistivity value and stained the
photosensitive member much. The specimen of the comparison example
12 had also a high volume resistivity value and stained the
photosensitive member much. Thus the specimen of the comparison
examples 9 through 12 were all unsuitable as the conductive
roller.
[0197] As the table 5 indicates, the specimen of each of the
examples 11 through 14 was composed of the polymer composition of
the second invention. More specifically, they contained the GECO or
the mixture of the GECO and the CR, the sulfur, and the ethylene
thiourea or the master batch of the ethylene thiourea. These
components were mixed with one another at the ratios shown in the
table 5. In t.sub.90 serving as the index of the vulcanization
speed, the polymer composition of each of the examples 11 through
14 had 17 to 22 minutes which were less than 30 minutes. Thus the
vulcanization time period was proper. The compression set of the
specimen of each of the examples 11 through 14 was in the range of
10% to 18% which was less than 20%. Thus the compression set were
proper. Blooming did not occur.
[0198] As shown in the table 6, since the specimen of each of the
comparison examples 13, 14, and 17 did not contain the thiourea as
the vulcanizing system in that contained only sulfur as vulcanizer,
the compression set thereof were more than 20% and thus unsuitable.
The specimen of the comparison example 13 generated blooming.
[0199] Because the specimen of the comparison example 15 contained
the thioureas and the guanidine accelerator but did not contain the
sulfur, t.sub.90 serving as the index of the vulcanization speed
was more than 30 minutes. Thus the vulcanization speed was slow.
Therefore the specimen of the comparison example 15 was unsuitable
as the conductive roller.
[0200] The specimen of the comparison example 16 also contained the
guanidine accelerator and the thioureas whose amount was larger
than that of the specimen of the comparison example 15. Thus the
vulcanization speed was higher than that in the comparison example
15. However, the specimen of the comparison example 16 generated
blooming.
[0201] The chemical foaming agent, the sulfur, and the ethylene
thiourea were added to the GECO at the mixing ratios shown in table
7 in the examples 15 through 18 and added to the mixture of the
GECO and the CR at the ratios shown in the table 7 in the example
19. Therefore the t.sub.90 was in the range of 13 minutes to 18
minutes. The vulcanization speed was appropriate. The compression
set thereof were in the range of 11% to 15% and thus proper.
Blooming did not occur. The maximum cell diameter was very small.
The surface state of the vulcanized tube was preferable. The scorch
time was appropriately short.
[0202] The specimen of each of the examples 15, 16, 17, and 19
formed by using the vulcanizer did not get out of shape and was
good. The specimen of the example 18 formed by the continuous
vulcanization was comparative short in the scorch time t.sub.5.
That is, the favorable product could be formed by the continuous
vulcanization.
[0203] As shown in the table 8, the specimen of each of the
comparison examples 18, 20, and 23 did not contain the thiourea as
the vulcanizing system in that contained only sulfur as vulcanizer.
Therefore inhibition of vulcanization occurred and the tubes got
out of shape or the surfaces thereof were rough. The cell diameter
was a little large, and the scorch time was long. The specimen of
the comparison example 20 bloomed. In the comparison example 23,
the vulcanization time period was required to be long and the
compression set was high.
[0204] The specimen of the comparison example 19 contained the
thioureas and the guanidine accelerator but did not contain the
sulfur. Thus the specimen had a large t.sub.90 serving as the index
of the vulcanization speed, and thus the vulcanization speed was
slow. The surface of the vulcanized tube was rough. Therefore the
specimen of the comparison example 19 was unsuitable as the
conductive roller.
[0205] The specimen of the comparison example 21 also contained the
guanidine accelerator and the thioureas whose amount was larger
than that of the specimen of the comparison example 19. Thus the
vulcanization speed was higher than that in the comparison example
19. However, the specimen of the comparison example 21 generated
blooming. The surface of the vulcanized tube was rough.
[0206] In the comparison example 22, production by means of the
continuous vulcanization was tried. The scorch time t.sub.5 took as
long as 21 minutes. The production by means of the continuous
vulcanization could not be accomplished.
[0207] As shown in the table 9, the chemical foaming agent, the
sulfur, and the 2-di-n-butylamino-4,6-dimelcapto-S-triazine were
added to the GECO at the mixing ratios shown in table 9 in the
examples 20 and 21 and added to the mixture of the GECO and the CR
at the ratio shown in the table 9 in the example 22. Therefore
t.sub.90 was in the range of 16 minutes to 18 minutes. The
vulcanization speed was appropriate. The compression set was in the
range of 11% to 15% and thus proper. Blooming did not occur. The
maximum cell diameter was very small. The surface state of the
vulcanized tube was preferable. The scorch time was appropriately
short.
[0208] The specimen of each of the examples 20 and 22 formed by
using the vulcanizer did not get out of shape and was good. The
specimen of the example 21 formed by performing the continuous
vulcanization was short in the scorch time t.sub.5. That is, the
favorable product could be formed by performing the continuous
vulcanization.
[0209] As shown in the table 10, because the specimen of the
comparison example 24 did not contain the triazine and/or its
derivative as the vulcanizing system, in that contained only sulfur
as vulcanizer inhibition of vulcanization occurred, the tube got
out of shape, and the surface thereof was rough. Thus
mass-production was impossible. The cell diameter was a little
large. The vulcanization time period and the scorch time period
were long.
[0210] The specimen of the comparison example 25 contained the
thioureas and the guanidine accelerator but did not contain the
sulfur. Thus the specimen had a large t.sub.90 serving as the index
of the vulcanization speed, and thus the vulcanization speed was
slow. The surface of the vulcanized tube was rough. Therefore the
specimen of the comparison example 25 was unsuitable as the
conductive roller.
[0211] The specimen of the comparison example 26 contained the
triazine and/or its derivative but did not contain the sulfur as
the vulcanizing system. Thus inhibition of vulcanization occurred
and the tube got out of shape during the vulcanizing operation.
Further the surface of the vulcanized tube was rough. In addition,
blooming occurred.
[0212] In the comparison example 27, production by means of the
continuous vulcanization was tried. Since the specimen of the
comparison example 27 did not contain the triazine and/or its
derivative, the scorch time t.sub.5 took as long as 21 minutes.
Therefore the tube was deformed when it was transported by a
conveyer or a roller. The production could not be accomplished by
the continuous vulcanization.
[0213] The specimen of the comparison example 28 did not contain
the triazine and/or its derivative, in that contained only sulfur
as vulcanizer. Therefore the specimen had a high compression set.
The surface state of the vulcanized tube was unfavorable.
[0214] As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the
first invention, the conductive polymer composition contains the
rubber component whose main component is the epichlorohydrin rubber
in which the content of the ethylene oxide is specified. The
conductive polymer composition also contains the thioureas, serving
as the crosslinking agent, whose content is specified in dependence
on necessity to specify the value of the compression set and the
volume resistivity value. Therefore the polymer composition hardly
bleeds and stains the photosensitive member. Further it is possible
to reduce the volume resistivity value and the compression set in
such a way that the volume resistivity value and the compression
set are optimum for the conductive roller.
[0215] By not adding a lead compound to the rubber component and
adding the thioureas thereto as the master batch, it is possible to
take consideration for an operator and environment.
[0216] The conductive roller has a low volume resistivity value, a
low compression set, and hardly stains a photosensitive member.
Further it is possible to make the variation of the electric
resistance value small. Therefore the conductive roller composed of
the polymer composition of the first invention can be preferably
used as conductive rollers such as a developing roller, a charging
roller, and a transfer roller for a color copying machine and a
color printer.
[0217] According to the second invention, the polymer composition
contains the specific polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double
bond and the halogen and the crosslinking system composed of the
combination of the sulfur and the thioureas. Therefore it is
possible to obtain the polymer composition which can be vulcanized
at a high speed and which has a low compression set. In addition,
it is possible to increase the crosslinking density and the
vulcanization speed without generating blooming and staining the
photosensitive member. Furthermore by using the sulfur and the
thioureas in combination, it is also possible to suppress a thermal
deformation which will occur when the crosslinking system consists
of the sulfur. Moreover conductive rollers and belts can be
produced by the continuous vulcanization. Thus it is possible to
reduce the cost for manufacturing the roller and the like.
[0218] By using the epichlorohydrin polymer such as the
epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer as
the specific polymer, it is possible to reduce the electric
resistance, prevent generation of blooming, and suppress stain of
the photosensitive member.
[0219] The polymer composition can be vulcanized at an
appropriately high speed, has high productivity, has a low
compression set, and excellent in utility such as durability,
dimensional stability, and the like. Therefore the conductive
roller and belts composed of the polymer composition of the second
invention can be preferably used as conductive rubber rollers and
belts suitable for use in a developing roller, a charging roller,
and a transfer roller for a color copying machine and a color
printer.
[0220] According to the third invention, the polymer composition
contains the specific polymer having the carbon-to-carbon double
bond (C.dbd.C) and the halogen as its main component, the chemical
foaming agent, the sulfur, and the thioureas. Therefore it is
possible to reduce inhibition of vulcanization which has been
hitherto caused by the chemical foaming agent. Thereby it is
possible to realize a very fast vulcanization speed and efficiency
equal to that which can be obtained in a vulcanizing system
consisting of the sulfur without chemical foaming agent. Thereby it
is possible to obtain a preferable foamed state and increase a nip
width.
[0221] Further the vulcanization system of the thioureas realizes a
low compression set, and the vulcanization system of the sulfur
increases the vulcanization speed. While suppressing the stain of
the photosensitive member and generation of blooming, it is
possible to realize efficient reduction of the electric resistance
value and that of the compression set as well as improvement of the
vulcanization speed.
[0222] Further the surface of a vulcanized tube is preferable.
Furthermore it is possible to prevent the vulcanized tube from
getting out of shape when it is produced by a vulcanizer and a
defective production caused thereby. Therefore it is possible to
improve productivity. In addition, it is possible to make diameters
of cells uniform and very small. Thus the conductive roller of the
third invention has a high strength and a very favorable foamed
shape.
[0223] In the third invention, the vulcanizing system consists of
the combination of the sulfur and the thiourea. Thus the
vulcanizing system of the third invention makes a scorching time
much shorter than a vulcanizing system consisting of a single
vulcanizing agent. In particular, the vulcanizing system of the
third invention allows production of the conductive roller by the
continuous vulcanization of a foam composed of the epichlorohydrin
polymer. The continuous vulcanization eliminates loss of rubber,
reduces a time required for production, and the labor cost. Thus it
is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and in addition makes
the diameter of cells small.
[0224] Accordingly in the present situation where outstanding
progress is made in forming a high-quality image by digital image
processing technique and color image processing technique, it is
possible to manufacture high-quality conductive rollers such as a
developing roller, a charging roller, a transfer roller for a color
copying machine or a color printer.
[0225] The fourth invention has effects similar to those of the
third invention. The polymer composition of the fourth invention is
superior because triazine and its derivative are kind and safe to
environment unlike ordinary vulcanizing accelerators, can be
handled easily, is superior in workability, and give less burden to
an operator. Further because it is unnecessary to use a master
batch or the like, the fourth invention is excellent in workability
and productivity. By-products hardly result from the triazine
and/or its derivative in a vulcanization time. Thus it is possible
to reduce the degree of stain of the photosensitive member.
* * * * *