Smooth surface transfuse belts and process for preparing same

Abstract

Process for preparing durable, re-usable intermediate toner image-transfer belts or electrostatic transfuse belts. The present belts have a continuous elastomer-impregnated fibrous fabric support and at least one outer smooth release layer of a cured elastomer polymer. The invention is characterized by the application of a thin primer layer of a hydrolyzable polyfunctional silicone composition between the elastomer-coated surface of the fabric support and the outer elastomer polymer layer. The polyfunctional silicone chemically-bonds to the elastomer of the fabric support during hydrolysis and chemically-bonds to the outer elastomer layer during its cure, to form a durable, heat-resistant transfuse belt. The layers maybe applied to the fabric support by spray application as dilute solutions.

1 . A process for producing a continuous, intermediate belt for receiving heat-fusible toner images from a photoreceptor surface and for simultaneously fusing and completely transferring said images to a copy sheet as glossy-surface images, said process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a continuous support of fibrous fabric material having on at least the outer surface thereof a thin layer of elastomeric composition which impregnates, penetrates and anchors to said fibrous fabric material;    (b) applying a thin primer layer of a polyfunctional silicone composition applied to said elastomeric layer and hydrolyzed to form a chemical bond between said elastomeric layer and the hydrolyzed silicone composition,    (c) applying a thin outer layer of a heat-curable elastomer polymer applied to said hydrolyzed silicone primer layer and heat-cured to form a dry outer surface layer bonded to said primer layer, and    (d) heat-curing said elastomer polymer at elevated temperatures to form a smooth release surface for said heat fusible toner images.    
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1  in which said support of fibrous fabric comprises a woven fabric having high heat-resistance and mechanical strength.  
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 1  in which said elastomeric composition impregnated into said support comprises a synthetic rubber.  
     
     
         4 . A process according to  claim 1  in which said primer layer comprises 3-amino triethoxysilane.  
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 1  in which said elastomer polymer comprises a vinylidene fluoride polymer.  
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 5  in which said elastomer polymer is a tetrapolymer of vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene and a cure site monomer.