Eastman-kodak Company

Ricki Wayne Burger

Jiann H Chen

Tsang J Chen

A method of fusing a heat-softenable toner image to a substrate in which a release oil is applied to the surface of a fusing member, the fusing member is incubated at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to bond a protective layer of the release oil to the surface thereof, and the toner image is pressure contacted with the fusing member at a temperature effective to fuse the toner image to the substrate, is characterized in that the surface of the fusing member is comprised of a fluoroelastomer and the release oil is an Si--H functionalized organopolysiloxane. The method provides excellent toner release characteristics and is advantageous in that it utilizes release oils that are free from offensive odor and toxicity.

Method of fusing heat-softenable toner images

A process for fusing a toner image to a substrate includes applying to a fuser member a replenishable layer containing a controlled amount of a wicking agent; the fuser member surface sites reactive to binding with Si--H functional groups included in an organopolysiloxane. The wicking agent have an organopolysiloxane having Si--H functional groups and at least about 1.times.10.sup.-6 weight percent of a metal compound that is effective for promoting reaction between the reactive sites on the fuser member surface and the Si--H functional groups of the organopolysiloxane. The toner image is contacted with a substrate at a temperature sufficient to fuse the toner image to the substrate.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Ricki Wayne Burger