Xerography toner

Description

A dry, electrostatic powder used for photocopying text or graphics. Xerography, or photoconductive, toner is composed of finely-divided, charged particles of a pigmented powder in a synthetic resin. The image is fixed by fusing the toner to the substrate with a few seconds of high heat. The thermoplastic resin, usually polyester, is sensitive or organic solvents. Black and white as well as color prints are possible using this method. The black pigment is usually Carbon black. Color toners contain organic dyes, such as phthalocyanine, quinacridone, rhodamine, diarylide, and azo. Additional components may be present such as Release agents, surfactants, charge control agents and waxes (Jarry 1999).

Synonyms and Related Terms

photoconductive toner; Xerox® toner

Risks

• Color toners may have poor lightfastness

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Sensitive to organic solvents.

Resources and Citations

• N.Jarry, "Electronic Printing: Xerography" in Media and Techniques of Works of Art on Paper, New York University Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York, 1999.

• G.G. Hawley, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 6th ed., 1961

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerography (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005)