Powder toner is a finely ground colorant used in electrostatic printing processes like laser and photocopiers. It's a crucial component that creates the printed image on paper.
Understanding Powder Toner
Powder toner consists of tiny particles (5 to 30 μm), making it flowable and behaving like a liquid. This allows it to be easily transferred and fused onto the paper. Its composition includes several key ingredients:
- Synthetic Resin: Provides the binding properties that hold the toner together and adhere to the paper.
- Pigments: These provide the color of the printed image. Different pigments are used to create various colors.
- Magnetizable Metal Oxides: These allow the toner to be attracted to the drum or other printing elements during the printing process, enabling precise image formation.
- Auxiliary Substances: These are added to improve the toner's flowability, charging properties, and overall performance.
The small particle size is critical for achieving high-resolution printing. Larger particles would lead to a grainy or less defined image. The magnetizable properties are essential for the precise application of toner to the printing medium.
How Powder Toner Works (Simplified)
Powder toner works through an electrostatic process. The toner particles are given an electrical charge, which allows them to be attracted to areas of the printing drum with an opposite charge. This forms the image, which is then transferred to the paper and fused with heat, permanently fixing the image.
