1、Designation: F 1434 97 (Reapproved 2002)Standard Practice forEstimating the Performance of a Fuser Oil in anElectrostatic Copier or Printer1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1434; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the c
2、ase of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This practice covers a procedure for estimating theperformance of fuser oil in an electr
3、ostatic copier or printer.1.2 This practice describes a procedure for determiningfuser oil-related changes in the print quality measured duringtesting at specific intervals.1.3 Properties evaluated for all systems include odor emis-sion, paper jam rate, paper wrap rate, paper crinkle rate, andfuser
4、roller life.1.4 Properties evaluated for recirculating systems includechanges in viscosity, volatile matter content, and surfacetension.1.5 This practice describes a procedure for comparing theperformance of a subject fuser oil with that of a control fuseroil.1.6 This standard does not purport to ad
5、dress all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specificprecautionary statement, see 8.3.1.2. Re
6、ferenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparentand Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of DynamicViscosity)2D 1331 Test Methods for Surface and Interfacial Tension ofSolutions of Surface-Active Agents3D 4559 Test Method for Volatile Matter in Silicone Fl
7、uid4D 4741 Test Method for Measuring of Viscosity at HighTemperature and High Shear Rate by Tapered Plug Vis-cometer5F 335 Terminology Relating to Electrostatic Copying6F 995 Practice for Estimating Toner Usage in CopiersUtilizing Dry Two Component Developer63. Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Sp
8、ecific to This Standard:3.1.1 fuser agenta specialized fuser oil designed to with-stand the higher temperatures encountered in certain high-speed copying machines.3.1.2 fuser cleaning unita mechanical assembly in acopier or printer used to clean the fuser rollers.3.1.3 fuser oila specifically formul
9、ated fluid, based onpolyorgano siloxane or equivalent, used in a fuser unit toprevent offsetting during the toner fixing process.3.1.4 fuser rolla heated roller that contacts the paper andtoner directly and is part of the fuser unit.3.1.5 fuser unita mechanical assembly in a copier orprinter used to
10、 fix the toner to the paper. The fuser unit caninclude an associated fuser oil applicator.3.1.6 non-recirculating systema fuser oil application sys-tem in which none of the fuser oil that has been removed fromthe reservoir is returned.3.1.7 recirculating systema fuser oil application systemthat remo
11、ves the oil from a sump, applies a portion of the oilto the fuser unit, and returns the excess fuser oil to the sump.3.2 For definitions of other terms, refer to TerminologyF 335.4. Summary of Practice4.1 A copier or printer is set up to standard operatingparameters and operated in a controlled job
12、stream andenvironment.4.2 Standard OEM supplies, including toner and developer,fuser rollers, and fuser cleaning apparatus, are used andreplenished, as required, according to standard service proce-dures.4.3 The fuser oil to be evaluated is installed according to theservice procedure provided by the
13、 equipment manufacturer.Previously used fuser oil should be removed from the fuserunit.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F05 on BusinessImaging Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F05.04 onElectrostatic Imaging Products.Current edition approved May 10,
14、1997. Published February 1998. Originallypublished as F 1434-92. Last previous edition F 1434-92.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.04.4Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.03.5Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03.6Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol
15、 15.09.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.4.4 The test is conducted according to the procedure de-scribed in 10.1 through 11.4 in Practice F 995.4.5 For recirculating systems, fuser oil samples are takenfrom the sump, an
16、d the surface tension, viscosity, and volatilematter content are determined using Test Methods D 445,D 1331, and at the beginning and at specific intervals duringthe test.4.6 Print samples are taken during the test at the beginningand at specific intervals. The print quality is evaluated incompariso
17、n to initial copies, with reference to gloss uniformity,edge acuity, and offsetting. For printers capable of multiplepaper widths, any print quality differences in the areas betweenthe two paper widths used primarily are noted.4.7 For recirculating systems, the fuser unit is examined atintervals wit
18、h reference to surface contamination. For printerscapable of multiple paper widths, any surface differences in theareas between the two paper widths used primarily are noted.4.8 For recirculating systems, the minimum duration of thetest is equal to the manufacturers recommended service life ofthe fu
19、ser roller. The fuser roller cleaner, wicks, etc. are replacedduring the test at the manufacturers recommended intervals.The test may be extended to twice the service life in order toobserve specific failure modes.4.9 The volume of fuser oil added during the test is recordedin order to determine an
20、estimated average consumption rate.4.10 Any odors emitted by the machine resulting from thefuser oil are evaluated relative to user offensiveness.5. Significance and Use5.1 This practice can be used to evaluate the performance ofdifferent fuser oils in a specific model copier or printer.5.2 This pra
21、ctice can be used to evaluate a subject fuser oilin comparison to an acceptable control fuser oil.5.3 This practice can be used to estimate the consumption ofa specific fuser oil in a copier or printer.5.4 This practice can be used with recirculating systems tomonitor the change in volatile matter c
22、ontent as the testprogresses. An excessive increase in volatile matter content canindicate breakdown of the fuser oil due to the combined effectof the heat of the fuser unit and the catalytic action ofcontaminants introduced by toner, paper, and other materialsencountered in the machine. The product
23、ion of excessiveamounts of volatile materials may damage delicate electricalcomponents within some copying machines.5.5 This practice can be used with recirculating systems tomonitor the change in viscosity as the test progresses. Anexcessive increase in the viscosity of a fuser oil can indicatethat
24、 it is beginning to form a gel due to the effect of oxygen,contaminants, and high temperatures encountered in the ma-chine.5.6 This practice can be used with recirculating systems tomonitor the change in surface tension as the test progresses. Anincrease in surface tension indicates loss of the rele
25、ase prop-erties of the fuser oil and may lead to print offsetting and otheradverse effects.5.7 This practice can be used to evaluate the rate of fuseroil-related buildup on the fuser roll. A rubbery material thatconsists of gelled fuser oil, paper dust, toner, and othercontaminants may build up on t
26、he fuser roll as the fuser oildegrades. Inspection of the fuser roll at specific intervalsprovides a qualitative evaluation of this effect.5.8 This practice can be used to determine changes inmeasured print quality, odor emission, paper jam rate, paperwrap rate, paper crinkle rate, and fuser roller
27、life during thetest.5.9 This practice is a single estimate subject to a significantnumber of variables that are not measured easily. Conse-quently, a repeated number of tests on more than one machinewill yield more reliable conclusions.5.10 This practice may be used with recirculating systems toesta
28、blish limits for acceptable change in physical propertiesbased on data correlations. Such limits may provide moreefficient evaluation of sample fuser oils and prevent damage tothe copying machine by avoiding the need to test to failure.6. Interferences6.1 Variations in the fuser agent or fuser oil p
29、erformanceand consumption rate will occur for many reasons, the follow-ing of which are among them:6.1.1 Fuser Unit AdjustmentsTemperature, pressure, etc.;6.1.2 Operating EnvironmentTemperature and humidity;6.1.3 Toner, developer, and paper properties;6.1.4 Fuser roller properties;6.1.5 Operator and
30、 service variability;6.1.6 Batch-to-batch fuser oil variations;6.1.7 Machine-to-machine variations;6.1.8 Machine standby time with fuser at temperature;6.1.9 Toner coverage; and6.1.10 Contamination in the machine.7. Apparatus7.1 Copier or Printer, to be tested.7.2 Suffcient Consumable Supplies, to c
31、onduct the test.7.3 Graduated Cylinder, to monitor the samples removedand returned.7.4 Laboratory Equipment, for viscosity, surface tension,and volatile matter content measurements.8. Procedure8.1 General Instructions:8.1.1 Referring to Practice F 995, conduct the test accordingto the procedure desc
32、ribed in 111.1 through 111.4. A regularjob stream can be used for convenience. The job stream mustbe controlled (run length distribution and run frequency) forcomparison performance tests. Use a controlled variation ofpaper widths if the copiers or printer have this capability.8.1.2 For recirculatin
33、g systems, conduct the test for aminimum duration determined by the manufacturers recom-mended service life of the fuser rollers. If necessary, in order toobserve specific possible failure modes, extend the test periodto at least twice the recommended service life.8.1.3 When appropriate, the test pe
34、riod may be chosen to be50 times the rated machine speed in number of copies per hour.8.1.4 At least 10 evenly spaced periodic tests should beperformed during the test run. Additionally, all tests should bemade prior to each addition of fuser oil.8.1.5 Record the results of tests at each interval on
35、 theappropriate sections of a data sheet similar to the sample dataF 1434 97 (2002)2sheet shown in the Appendix (Fig. X1.1).8.1.6 All data should be recorded with reference to copycount and test duration (elapsed time).8.2 Instructions For All Systems:8.2.1 Examine the fuser unit at each test interv
36、al withreference to surface contamination and, for printers or copierscapable of multiple paper widths, any surface differences in theareas between the widths. Grade the degree of contaminationvisually using a 05 scale; 0 = no contamination, and 5 = great-est contamination.8.2.2 Evaluate the print q
37、uality at each test interval incomparison to the initial copies. The print quality is comparedvisually with reference to gloss uniformity, edge acuity, andoffsetting. For printers and copiers capable of multiple paperwidths, any print quality differences in the areas between thetwo paper widths used
38、 primarily should be noted. Grade theprint quality visually using a scale of 05; 0 = no observablechange from initial copies, and 5 = greatest copy qualitydeterioration.8.2.3 Record each instance of paper wrapping and crinkling.8.2.4 Record the volume of each addition of fuser oil, addedas measured
39、with a graduated cylinder.8.2.5 Note any uncharacteristic odors emitted by the ma-chine resulting from the fuser oil that are offensive to the user.8.2.6 Record any service action taken during the test.8.3 Instructions For Recirculating Systems Only:8.3.1 Take sufficient samples of fuser oil from th
40、e sump atthe beginning and at each test interval, in order to perform TestMethods D 445, D 1331, D 4559, and D 4741 for viscosity,surface tension, and volatile matter content. Caution: Allmaterials and hardware in the fuser unit are hot! Care should betaken to avoid injury when removing or returning
41、 samples.8.3.2 Measure the quantity of fuser oil removed at each testinterval in a graduated cylinder.8.3.3 Note any contamination visible in the sump sample ateach test interval. Grade the degree of contamination using a05 scale; 0 = no visible contamination, and 5 = greatest con-tamination.8.3.4 T
42、he fuser oil used to perform Test Methods D 445 andD 1331, surface tension and viscosity, are to be returned to thesump after testing, along with any unused fuser oil. Measurethe quantity of fuser oil returned to the sump in a graduatedcylinder.8.3.5 The fuser oil used to perform Test Method D 4559,
43、volatile matter content, will be damaged. Do not return it to thesump.9. Interpretation of Results9.1 Typical Fuser Oil-Related Problems:9.1.1 Buildup of a solid or gel-like material on the fuser roll:this problem is due to degradation of the fuser oil on the roller.9.1.2 Paper jamming due to adhesi
44、on to the fuser roll (wraparound); this problem may be caused by failure of a fuser oil toact as a release agent.9.1.3 Print offsetting due to failure of the fuser oil to releasethe toner from the fuser roll.9.1.4 Excessive breakdown of the fuser oil into volatilematerials that may be harmful to the
45、 copying machine oroffensive to the user.9.2 Results from the tests described in this practice may beevaluated in comparison to a control fuser oil. The fuser oilused as a control should be one that has demonstratedperformance acceptable to the user.9.2.1 Compare the number of jams due to wrap aroun
46、d per1000 copies for the control versus subject fuser oil.9.2.2 Compare the print quality of copies made using thecontrol fuser oil to that of copies made with the subject fuseroil with reference to gloss uniformity, edge acuity, and offset-ting. Comparisons should be made using copy samples takenaf
47、ter an equal number of copies have been produced for eachfuser oil. Consideration must be given to the differences in anyrecent fuser oil additions. Comparison of the graphs of printquality grading may aid in evaluation.9.2.3 Compare the amount of fuser roll surface contamina-tion for the control ve
48、rsus subject fuser oil. These comparisonsshould be made after an equal number of copies have beenproduced using each fuser oil. Comparison of the graphs ofsurface contamination grading may aid in evaluation.9.2.4 For recirculating systems, compare the graphs of fuseroil viscosity plotted against the
49、 total number of copies pro-duced for the control and subject fuser oil.9.2.5 For recirculating systems, compare the graphs of fuseroil volatile matter content plotted against the total number ofcopies produced for the control versus subject fuser oil.9.2.6 For recirculating systems, compare the graphs ofsurface tension versus the total copies produced for the controland subject fuser oil.9.2.7 For recirculating systems, compare the graphs of fuseroil sample contamination for the control versus subject fuseroil. Significant differences in contamination may indicate adiffe
