JP2005187982A - Supporter for image recording material, method for producing the same and image recording material - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supporter for an image recording material, having excellent gloss to be affected by small waves, and also having excellent planarity to be affected by a large wave, and also having excellent rigidity; to provide a method for producing the supporter; and to provide the image recording material by using the supporter for the image recording material. <P>SOLUTION: The supporter for the image recording material includes a base paper subjected to heating and pressurizing treatment by using a double belt-type heating and pressurizing device. The image recording material has the supporter for the image recording material, and an image-recording layer formed on the supporter. The method for producing the supporter for the image recording material involves a heating and pressurizing step for heating and pressurizing the base paper by the double belt type heating and pressurizing device. The double belt type heating and pressurizing device preferably has the first belt member and second belt member oppositely arranged so as to be contacted with each other through the base paper, and a pressurizing means arranged so that the contacting part at which the first belt member keeps contact with the second belt member and the supporter for the image recording material may be pressurized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention suppresses both small undulations and large undulations, thereby providing an image recording material support that is extremely excellent in gloss and flatness and also in rigidity, an efficient manufacturing method thereof, and the image recording The present invention relates to an image recording material using a material support.

  Conventionally, as a support for various image recording materials such as electrophotographic materials, heat sensitive materials, ink jet recording materials, sublimation transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, thermal transfer materials, for example, base paper, synthetic paper, synthetic resin sheet, coat Paper, laminated paper, etc. are well known. In order to perform image recording using the image recording material and obtain an image print with high image quality and excellent glossiness and flatness, high glossiness and flatness are required on the surface of the image recording material. Accordingly, high gloss and flatness are also required on the surface of the image recording material support.

  For this reason, there has been proposed an image recording material support that has been smoothed by a long nip calender processing device comprising a heated metal roll and a shoe roll in the manufacturing process of the image recording material support (for example, Patent Documents). 1). However, in this proposal, since the pressurization is limited to a portion sandwiched between the metal roll and the shoe roll, the pressurization process with a uniform pressure cannot be performed over a wide area. For this reason, there is a problem that even if the glossiness due to small undulations can be improved, the flatness due to large undulations cannot be improved.

  In addition, by using a coated paper that is provided with a coating layer containing an adhesive on one side of the base paper and is pressed against a heated mirror drum or gloss calendar, the coated paper has a high smooth finish. There has been proposed a resin-coated paper for photographic with an improved image quality (for example, see Patent Document 2). In addition, a photo with excellent glossiness is obtained by using a coated paper that is coated with a coating composition mainly composed of a pigment and an adhesive on one side of the base paper and then glossed with a super calendar. Resin-coated paper has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). However, these proposals can improve the glossiness to some extent, but have a problem that the rigidity of the base paper becomes weak because the thickness of the base paper becomes thinner than necessary.

  Therefore, the support for an image recording material, which is extremely excellent in glossiness due to small waviness, is extremely excellent in flatness due to large waviness, and is also excellent in rigidity, its efficient manufacturing method, and the image There has not yet been provided an image recording material capable of recording an image with high image quality and excellent glossiness and flatness using a support for recording material, and development of these materials is highly desired.

JP 2002-55414 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-55055 Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-48365

  An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention is very excellent in gloss due to small waviness, extremely excellent in flatness due to large waviness, and further excellent in rigidity, and an efficient production method thereof, Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording material capable of recording an image with high image quality and excellent glossiness and flatness using the support for image recording material.

<1> A support for an image recording material, wherein the base paper is subjected to a heat and pressure treatment using a double belt type heat and pressure apparatus.
<2> The first belt member and the second belt member, the first belt member and the second belt member, the double belt type heating and pressurizing device, which are opposed to each other through a base paper so as to be in contact with each other. The image recording material support according to <1>, further including a pressing unit arranged to pressurize a contact portion where the belt member contacts the base paper.
<3> The support for an image recording material according to <2>, wherein the first belt member and the second belt member are endless belts, and each is rotatably stretched by a heating roller and a rotating roller. is there.
<4> From the above <2>, wherein the pressurizing means is disposed between the heating roller and the rotating roller, and the contact portion is arranged so as to be capable of being pressed from both sides via the first belt member and the second belt member. <3> The image recording material support according to any one of <3>.
<5> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <2> to <4>, wherein the pressurizing unit is a housing mechanism arranged so that the contact portion can be held.
<6> The support for an image recording material according to claim 5, wherein the housing mechanism is capable of adjusting the pressure by filling the inside with a pressure medium.
<7> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <2> to <6>, wherein the pressurizing unit is at least a pair of rollers disposed so as to be able to hold the contact portion.
<8> The heating roller is provided on the upstream side of the rotating roller, the surface temperature of the heating roller is 80 to 200 ° C., and the surface temperature of the rotating roller is 10 to 80 ° C. The support for image recording materials according to any one of the above.
<9> The image recording material support according to any one of <2> to <8>, wherein the applied pressure in the contact portion is 100 to 2,000 kPa.
<10> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the base paper is a base paper subjected to polymer adhesion treatment.
<11> The support for image recording materials according to <10>, wherein the polymer adhesion treatment is at least one of application and impregnation of a polymer-containing coating solution on the base paper.
<12> The support for image recording materials according to <11>, wherein the polymer-containing coating solution is at least one of a water-soluble polymer-containing coating solution and a water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution.
<13> The support for an image recording material according to <12>, wherein the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution contains either an emulsion or a latex.
<14> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein the pressure-dried base paper is heat-pressed.
<15> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <10> to <14>, wherein the base paper before the polymer adhesion treatment is subjected to a pressure drying treatment.
<16> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <14> to <15>, wherein the pressure drying treatment is at least one of a drying treatment using a press machine and a drying treatment using a cast drum. It is.
<17> A method for producing a support for an image recording material, wherein the base paper includes a heat and pressure treatment step in which heat and pressure treatment is performed using a double belt type heat and pressure apparatus.
<18> A first belt member, a second belt member, a first belt member, and a second belt member that are disposed opposite to each other so as to be able to contact each other via a base paper. The method for producing an image recording material support according to the above <17>, further comprising pressurizing means disposed so that a contact portion where the belt member and the image recording material support are in contact with each other can be pressed.
<19> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to any one of <17> to <18>, wherein the base paper is a base paper subjected to polymer adhesion treatment.
<20> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to <19>, wherein the polymer adhesion treatment is at least one of application and impregnation of the polymer-containing coating solution to the base paper.
<21> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to <20>, wherein the polymer-containing coating solution is at least one of a water-soluble polymer-containing coating solution and a water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution.
<22> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to <21>, wherein the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution contains either an emulsion or a latex.
<23> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to any one of <19> to <22>, wherein a pressure drying treatment step of subjecting the polymer-attached base paper to a pressure drying treatment is performed, followed by a heat pressure treatment. It is.
<24> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to any one of <19> to <23>, including a pressure drying treatment step of subjecting the base paper before the polymer adhesion treatment to pressure drying treatment.
<25> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to any one of <23> to <24>, wherein the pressure drying treatment is a drying treatment using a press.
<26> An image recording material comprising the image recording material support of <1> to <16> and an image recording layer on the support.
<27> The image recording material according to <26>, which is any one selected from electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

In the support for an image recording material of the present invention, the base paper is subjected to heat and pressure treatment using a double belt type heat and pressure apparatus, whereby both small and large undulations are suppressed.
In addition, in this specification, the said small wave | undulation means the wave | undulation of 1 mm or less, and the said big wave | undulation means the wave | undulation of 5-6 mm.

  The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to the present invention includes a heat and pressure treatment step in which heat and pressure treatment is performed using the double belt type heat and pressure apparatus, so that both a small wave and a large wave are obtained. A suppressed support for an image recording material is produced.

  The image recording material of the present invention has the above-mentioned support for image recording material of the present invention, so that both small undulation and large undulation are suppressed, high image quality, and extremely excellent gloss and flatness are obtained. Is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved, and the support for an image recording material has excellent gloss due to small waviness, extremely flatness due to large waviness, and excellent rigidity. In addition, a method for producing a support for an image recording material that can be produced continuously and efficiently in a short time, and at a lower cost, and an image with high image quality and excellent gloss and flatness can be obtained. A recordable image recording material can be provided.

(Support for image recording material)
The support for an image recording material of the present invention is obtained by subjecting a base paper to a heat and pressure treatment using a double belt type heat and pressure apparatus.

<Heat and pressure treatment>
The heat and pressure treatment is not particularly limited as long as the heat and pressure treatment is performed using the double belt type heat and pressure device, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

-Double belt type heating and pressurizing device-
The double belt type heating and pressurizing device is not particularly limited as long as it has two belt members, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the first belt member, the second belt member, and the pressurizing unit It is preferable to have other members as necessary.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said 1st belt member and 2nd belt member, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, an endless belt is especially preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said endless belt, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, the stainless steel belt etc. by which the surface was mirror-finished are mentioned suitably.
The first belt member and the second belt member may be in contact with each other in a state where the support for image recording material is not sandwiched, and are close to each other with a desired interval. Also good.
The endless belt is preferably one that is rotatably stretched between a heating roller and a rotating roller. The rotating roller is not particularly limited as long as it is rotatable, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. A heating roller or a cooling roller may be used, but a cooling roller is preferable.
In addition, it is preferable that the said heating roller is provided in the upstream of the said rotation roller from a viewpoint of improving glossiness and smoothness more.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as surface temperature of the said heating roller, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 80-200 degreeC is preferable and 100-180 degreeC is more preferable.
When the surface temperature of the heating roller is less than 80 ° C., the flatness may be insufficient. When the surface temperature exceeds 200 ° C., there is a problem of adhesion between the base paper and the belt member. Sometimes.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as surface temperature of the said rotation roller (cooling roller), Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 10-80 degreeC is preferable and 20-60 degreeC is more preferable.
If the surface temperature of the rotating roller (cooling roller) exceeds 80 ° C., peeling unevenness may occur when the base paper is peeled from the belt member.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a pressurizing force in the case of the said heat | fever pressurization process, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 100-2,000 kPa is preferable and 300-1,000 kPa is more preferable.
If the pressure is less than 100 kPa, the planarity may be insufficient, and if it exceeds 2,000 kPa, density unevenness may occur in the base paper.

The pressurizing means is arranged to pressurize an abutting portion where the first belt member and the second belt member abut against the base paper.
The pressurizing means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a housing mechanism or at least one set of rollers arranged so as to be able to hold the contact portion is preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said housing mechanism, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, it is preferable that an inside can be filled with a pressure medium and a pressurizing force can be adjusted.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said pressure medium, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, gas, such as hydrocarbon synthetic oil and air, etc. are mentioned.
The set of rollers is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a set of metal rollers, a set of resin rollers, a combination of metal rollers and resin rollers, and the like. Can be mentioned.

Here, an example of the double belt type heating and pressing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cross-sectional view of a double belt type heating and pressing apparatus having a housing mechanism. In FIG. 1, an endless belt 4 as the first belt member and an endless belt 4 ′ as the second belt member are arranged to face each other via a base paper 1 subjected to polymer adhesion treatment. The endless belt 4 is rotatably stretched between the heating roller 2 and the cooling roller 3, and has an upper pressure unit 5 between the heating roller 2 and the cooling roller 3. The upper pressurizing means 5 is a housing mechanism, and has a seal portion 7 and a pressurizing chamber 6 at the periphery of the opening. The pressurizing chamber 6 is configured so that the pressure medium can circulate.
Similarly to the endless belt 4 described above, the endless belt 2 ′ is rotatably stretched between the heating roller 4 ′ and the cooling roller 3 ′, and between the heating roller 4 ′ and the cooling roller 3 ′. Has a lower pressurizing means 5 '. The lower pressurizing means 5 ′ is a housing mechanism, and has a seal portion 7 ′ and a pressurizing chamber 6 ′ at the periphery of the opening. The pressurizing chamber 6 'is configured so that the pressure medium can circulate. The heating rollers 2 and 2 'are located upstream of the cooling rollers 3 and 3' with respect to the flow direction of the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment.

  The base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment is first heated by the heating rollers 2 and 2 'via the endless belts 4 and 4', and the adhered polymer is melted. Next, the base paper 1 having the polymer melted by heating moves to the upper pressurizing means 5 and the lower pressurizing means 5 ′ while being in contact with the endless belts 4 and 4 ′. In the upper pressurizing means 5 and the lower pressurizing means 5 ′, when the pressurizing chambers 6 and 6 ′ are filled with the pressure medium, the seal portions 7 and 7 ′ abut against the endless belts 4 and 4 ′, respectively. The base paper 1 to which the polymer is adhered is pressed from both sides through 4 and 4 '. As a result, the heated and melted polymer is uniformly pressed through the endless belts 4 and 4 ', so that the surface properties of the endless belts 4 and 4' are transferred to the surface of the base paper 1 that has been subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment very effectively. Is done. Further, the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment moves to a pair of cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′, is cooled by the cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′ via the endless belts 4 and 4 ′, and peels off from the endless belts 4 and 4 ′. Is done.

An example of the double belt type heating and pressing apparatus will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a double belt heating and pressing apparatus having a pressure roller.
In FIG. 2, the endless belt 4, the endless belt 4 ′, the heating roller 2, the heating roller 2 ′, the cooling roller 3 and the cooling roller 3 ′ are the same as those in FIG. The pressure means includes an upper pressure means 9 in which an endless belt is rotatably stretched between a pair of pressure rollers between the heating rollers 2 and 2 ′ and the cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′. The base paper 1 having the lower pressurizing means 9 ′ similar to the pressurizing means 9 and subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment is pressurized via the endless belts 4 and 4 ′. The heating rollers 2 and 2 'are located upstream of the cooling rollers 3 and 3' with respect to the flow direction of the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment.

  The base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment is first heated by the heating rollers 2 and 2 'via the endless belts 4 and 4', and the adhered polymer is melted. Next, the heated and melted base paper 1 is brought into contact with the endless belts 4 and 4 ′ that have been previously pressed by the upper pressing means 9 and the lower pressing means 9 ′, and the pair of cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′. The entire base paper 1 that has been subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment while being moved up to is subjected to pressure treatment with a uniform pressure. As a result, the heated and melted polymer is uniformly pressurized through the endless belts 4 and 4 ′, so that the surface properties of the endless belts 4 and 4 ′ are extremely effectively reduced. Transferred to the surface. Further, the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment is cooled by the cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′ via the endless belts 4 and 4 ′ and peeled off from the endless belts 4 and 4 ′.

Further, an example of the double belt type heating and pressing apparatus will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a double belt heating and pressing apparatus having a pressure roller.
In FIG. 3, the upper pressure unit 9 and the lower pressure unit 9 ′ in FIG. 2 are replaced with a set of pressure rollers 8 and a set of pressure rollers 8 ′.

<Base paper>
The base paper is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include base paper, synthetic paper, synthetic resin sheet, coated paper, and laminated paper. Among these, base paper is used. Preferably, a base paper subjected to polymer adhesion treatment is more preferable.
Examples of the base paper include high-quality paper, for example, the papers described in pages 223 to 240 of Corona Co., Ltd. It is mentioned as a suitable thing.
The raw material of the base paper is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.For example, natural pulp selected from conifers and hardwoods, synthetic pulp made of plastic materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or natural pulp Examples include synthetic pulp mixtures.

The pulp that can be used as the raw material of the base paper is hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) from the viewpoint of improving the surface smoothness, rigidity and dimensional stability (curling property) of the base paper to a balanced and sufficient level at the same time. Although desirable, softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP), hardwood sulfite pulp (LBSP) and the like can also be used.
As the pulp fiber, it is preferable to mainly use hardwood pulp having a short fiber length.
A beater or refiner can be used for beating the pulp. Various additives can be further added to the pulp slurry obtained after beating the pulp (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “pulp stock”), if necessary. Examples of the additive include a filler, a dry paper strength enhancer, a sizing agent, a wet paper strength enhancer, a fixing agent, a pH adjuster, and other agents.

Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, white clay, talc, titanium oxide, diatomaceous earth, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide.
Examples of the dry paper strength enhancer include cationized starch, cationized polyacrylamide, anionized polyacrylamide, amphoteric polyacrylamide, and carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol.
Examples of the sizing agent include fatty acid salts, rosin derivatives such as rosin and maleated rosin, paraffin wax, alkyl ketene dimer, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), compounds containing higher fatty acids such as epoxidized fatty acid amide, and the like. Can be mentioned.
Examples of the wet paper strength enhancer include polyamine polyamide epichlorohydrin, melamine resin, urea resin, and epoxidized polyamide resin.
Examples of the fixing agent include polyvalent metal salts such as aluminum sulfate and aluminum chloride, and cationic polymers such as cationized starch.
Examples of the pH adjuster include caustic soda and sodium carbonate.
As said other chemical | medical agent, an antifoamer, dye, a slime control agent, a fluorescent whitening agent, etc. are mentioned, for example.
Furthermore, a softening agent etc. can also be added as needed. Examples of the softening agent are described in New Paper Processing Handbook (edited by Paper Medicine Time), pages 554 to 555 (issued in 1980).

The treatment liquid used for the surface sizing treatment may contain, for example, a water-resistant substance, a pigment, and the like.
Examples of the water resistant material include latex / emulsions such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, vinylidene chloride copolymer, and polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin.
Examples of the pigment include calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, talc, barium sulfate, and titanium oxide.

  The base paper has a longitudinal Young's modulus (Ea) and lateral Young's modulus (Eb) ratio (Ea / Eb) for the purpose of improving the rigidity and dimensional stability (curlability) of the image recording material support. 1.5 to 2.0 is preferred. When the Ea / Eb value is less than 1.5 or more than 2.0, the rigidity and curl property of the image recording material support are likely to be deteriorated, and the traveling property during conveyance is hindered. Sometimes.

The Oken type smoothness on the surface of the base paper on the side where the image recording layer is provided is preferably 210 seconds or more, and more preferably 250 seconds or more. When the Oken smoothness is less than 210 seconds, the image quality may be poor. The upper limit of the Oken smoothness is not particularly limited, and is usually preferably 600 seconds or less, and more preferably 500 seconds or less.
Here, the Oken-type smoothness is measured according to JAPAN TAPPI No. 5 Means the smoothness specified by the B method.

In general, paper “strain” varies based on the beating style, and the elastic force (rate) of paper made after beating is used as an important factor to express the degree of paper “strain”. Can do. In particular, the elastic modulus of paper is measured by measuring the speed of sound propagating through the paper, using the relationship between the dynamic elastic modulus and density, which indicates the physical properties of the viscoelastic material of the paper, and using an ultrasonic vibration element. Can be obtained from the following equation.
E = ρc ² (1-n ² )
In the above formula, E represents a dynamic elastic modulus. ρ represents density. c represents the speed of sound in the paper. n represents a Poisson's ratio.

In the case of normal paper, since n = about 0.2, even if it is calculated by the following formula, it can be calculated without much difference.
E = ρc ²
Therefore, if the density and sound speed of paper can be measured, the elastic modulus can be easily obtained. In the above mathematical formula, when measuring the speed of sound, for example, various known devices such as Sonic Tester SST-110 (manufactured by Nomura Corporation) can be used.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the thickness of the said base paper, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 30-500 micrometers is preferable, 50-300 micrometers is more preferable, 100-250 micrometers is still more preferable. The basis weight of base paper is preferably, for example, ^{50~250g / m 2, 100~200g / m} 2 is more preferable.

  In order to impart a desired centerline average roughness to the surface of the base paper, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-58-68037, a fiber length distribution (for example, a 24 mesh screen residue, It is preferable to use pulp fibers having a total of 42 mesh screen residue, for example, 20 to 45% by mass and 24 mesh screen residue of 5% by mass or less. Further, the center line average roughness can be adjusted by applying heat and pressure to the surface with a machine calendar, a super calendar, or the like.

-Polymer adhesion treatment-
The polymer adhesion treatment is not particularly limited as long as the polymer can be adhered, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, depending on at least one of application and impregnation of the polymer-containing coating solution to the base paper Preferably it is done.
The polymer-containing coating solution is preferably at least one of a water-soluble polymer-containing coating solution and a water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution.

  Examples of the water-soluble polymer include cationized starch, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, gelatin, casein, sodium polyacrylate, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer sodium salt, Examples thereof include sodium polystyrene sulfonate. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

As the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution, for example, either an emulsion or a latex is preferable.
The emulsion is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include hydrocarbon waxes such as paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax; oxygen-containing waxes such as carnauba wax and montan wax oxidized paraffin; petroleum resin , Hydrocarbon resins such as coumarone indene resin, terpene resin, and these carboxylic acid adducts; various emulsions such as polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, acrylics, acrylic styrene and polyesters; alkyl ketene dimers, epoxidized fatty acid amides, etc. Other emulsions can be mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, a soap-free emulsion is particularly preferable.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said soap free emulsion, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, an acrylic soap free emulsion and a polyolefin soap free emulsion are mentioned suitably.
Examples of the acrylic soap-free emulsion include acrylic acid ester homopolymers, copolymers of acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters, vinyl acetate, styrene, acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, and the like. Examples of the polyolefin soap-free emulsion include ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, ionomer and the like.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said aqueous medium, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, what mainly comprised water or added the water-soluble organic solvent to water is mentioned suitably.
Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (average molecular weight of about 190 to 400), glycerin, alkyl ethers of the above glycols, and N-methylpyrrolidone. 1,3-dimethylimidazolinone, thiodiglycol, 2-pyrrolidone, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethanol, isopropanol, and the like.

  If necessary, the soap-free emulsion coating solution may further include, for example, a matting agent, a pigment, a plasticizer, a release agent, a lubricant, a thickener, an antistatic agent, a fluorescent whitening agent, a color adjusting dye, and the like. These various additives can be arbitrarily blended.

The latex is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyether, polyacrylonitrile, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), etc. These include thermoplastic resins such as SBR, MBR, PVdc, and the like. Among these, soap-free latex is particularly preferable.
From the viewpoint of improving the water resistance of the support for image recording materials, a polymer latex is preferred.
The soap-free latex is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, core / shell type latex particles obtained by an emulsion polymerization method not using an emulsifier (surfactant) are suitable. Specifically, those described in “Synthesis / design of acrylic resin and development of new applications” (Chubu Management Development Center Publishing Department, issued July 1, 1985), pages 279-281, etc. Can be mentioned.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a manufacturing method of the said soap free latex, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a seed method, the reactive emulsifier method, an oligomer method etc. are mentioned.
The seed method is a method in which a water-dispersible polymer is prepared in advance and a monomer is added as a seed polymer for polymerization.
In the seed method, the seed polymer usually forms a core part, and the polymerized polymer forms a shell part according to the polymerization of the monomer, thereby forming a core / shell structure.

The reactive emulsifier method is a method of using a compound (reactive emulsifier) having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and an anionic or nonionic hydrophilic group in the molecule in the same manner as a conventional emulsifier. However, the reactive emulsifier used is taken into the polymer to be produced and does not remain as an emulsifier.
The reactive emulsifier is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known reactive emulsifiers according to the purpose. Examples thereof include acrylic acid derivatives (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 55-11152 and 56). -28208, etc.), itaconic acid derivatives (JP-A 51-30284, etc.), maleic acid derivatives (JP-A 51-30284, JP-B 56-29657, etc.), fumaric acid derivatives (spec. No. 51-30285, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-30284, etc.).
Specifically, as a seed polymer suitable for producing the core / shell type latex resin composition, a seed polymer prepared by any of an emulsion polymerization method, a suspension polymerization method and a dispersion polymerization method is used. Among these, it is preferable to use a seed polymer prepared by an emulsion polymerization method. Even if an emulsifier is used in the emulsion polymerization method, the amount of the emulsifier can be significantly reduced by the separation and purification process. In addition, even if the seed polymer contains an emulsifier, the seed polymer is taken into the core / shell structure and does not exist on the surface of the core / shell structure. For the seed polymer prepared by the suspension polymerization method or the dispersion polymerization method, a complicated process for removing the dispersant, the solvent and the like may be required.
The seed polymer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include water-soluble polymers. Specific examples thereof include polyacrylates or copolymers thereof, gelatin , Tragacanth rubber, starch, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

  In the seed method, as the monomer to be added in the presence of the seed polymer, various ethylenically unsaturated monomers can be used as long as they can be radically polymerized. In this case, the monomer may be the same as or different from the monomer used to produce the seed polymer.

  Examples of the monomer include (meth) acrylic acid ester monomers, monovinyl aromatic monomers, (meth) vinyl ester monomers, vinyl ether monomers, monoolefin monomers, diolefin monomers, halogenated olefin monomers, polyvinyl Preferable examples include system monomers.

Examples of the (meth) acrylic monomer include (meth) acrylic acid, methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, ( Cyclohexyl methacrylate, phenyl (meth) acrylate, methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl β-hydroxyacrylate, propyl γ-aminoacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, or And a mixture thereof.
Examples of the vinyl aromatic monomer include styrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, p-phenylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, p-ethylstyrene, p- Butylstyrene, pt-butylstyrene, p-hexylstyrene, p-octylstyrene, p-nonylstyrene, p-decylstyrene, p-dodecylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, 3,4-dichlorostyrene, etc. Styrenic monomers or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof.

Examples of the vinyl ester monomer include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, and vinyl benzoate.
Examples of the vinyl ether monomer include vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, vinyl phenyl ether, and the like.
Examples of the olefin monomer include monoolefin monomers such as ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene, and diolefin monomers such as butadiene, isoprene, and chloroprene. Is mentioned.
Furthermore, a crosslinkable monomer may be added to improve the properties of the seed polymer. Examples of the crosslinkable monomer include those having two or more unsaturated bonds such as divinylbenzene, divinylnaphthalene, divinyl ether, diethylene glycol methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and diallyl phthalate. .

In the seed method, a radical polymerization initiator can be used. The radical polymerization initiator can be appropriately used as long as it is water-soluble.
Examples of the polymerization initiator include persulfates (potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, etc.), azo compounds (4,4′-azobis-4-cyanovaleric acid or salts thereof, 2,2′-azobis (2- Amidinopropane) salts, etc.), peroxide compounds, etc.

Furthermore, the polymerization initiator may be used as a redox initiator in combination with a reducing agent as necessary. By using the redox initiator, the polymerization activity increases, the polymerization temperature can be lowered, and the polymerization time can be expected to be shortened.
The polymerization temperature may be any temperature as long as it is equal to or higher than the lowest radical generation temperature of the polymerization initiator. For example, a range of 50 to 80 ° C. is usually used. However, it is also possible to polymerize at room temperature or lower by using a polymerization initiator that starts at room temperature, for example, a combination of hydrogen peroxide and a reducing agent (ascorbic acid or the like).

In the core / shell type latex particles, the core number average molecular weight [(Mn (c)) is preferably 30,000 to 500,000, and more preferably 40,000 to 400,000.
On the other hand, the number average molecular weight [Mn (s)] of the shell is preferably 4,000 to 30,000, and more preferably 5,000 to 20,000.

In the core / shell type latex particles, the mass ratio of the core to the shell is preferably 10:90 to 90:10, and more preferably 20:80 to 80:20. If the mass ratio of the core to the shell is out of this range, it is difficult to fully exhibit the characteristics of the core / shell structure, and the characteristics are close to those of a simple continuous film.
The average particle size of the core / shell type latex particles is preferably 0.2 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or less. In addition, the minimum of an average particle diameter is about 0.04 micrometer, for example. When the average particle size exceeds 0.2 μm, the characteristics of the core / shell structure cannot be utilized.

  If necessary, the soap-free latex coating solution may further include, for example, matting agents, pigments, plasticizers, release agents, lubricants, thickeners, antistatic agents, fluorescent whitening agents, and color-adjusting dyes. These various additives can be arbitrarily blended.

  The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin in either the soap-free latex or the soap-free emulsion is preferably 30 ° C. or higher, more preferably 50 ° C. or higher.

The polymer-containing aqueous coating solution preferably contains a pigment. As the pigment, for example, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, talc, barium sulfate, silica and the like are preferable.
The method for applying the polymer-containing aqueous coating solution is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include blade coating, curtain coating, bar coating, roll coating, die coating, spin coating, and the like. Examples include coating method, dip coating method, spray coating method, doctor coating method, gravure coating method, air knife coating method, comma coating method, brush coating method, squeeze coating method, kiss coating method, etc. The blade coating method is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of improvement.
Moreover, 0.5-30 g / m < ² > is preferable at solid content, and, as for the application | coating or impregnation amount with respect to the said base paper of the said polymer containing aqueous coating liquid, 1-15 g / m < ² > is more preferable.

-Pressure drying process-
The pressure drying process is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, a drying process using a press (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “press drying process”), a cast drum is used. Preferable examples thereof include a drying process (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “cast drum drying process”).

  The pressure drying treatment may be performed before the polymer adhesion treatment, after the polymer adhesion treatment, or may be used in combination.

The pressure drying treatment before the polymer adhesion treatment (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “first pressure drying treatment”) can soften the paper fibers so as to allow the paper fibers to approach each other and add pulp stock. There is no particular limitation as long as it can be dried while pressing, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
As the first pressure drying treatment, for example, the pulp paper stock is dehydrated by a manual machine, and the moisture content before the first pressure drying treatment is set to 30 to 70% by mass using a wet press device or the like. It is preferable that the drying temperature of the surface of the base paper on which the image recording layer of the base paper having the adjusted water content is adjusted is processed under a condition of 100 to 200 ° C.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a moisture content before said 1st pressure drying process, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 30-70 mass% is preferable, and 45-65 mass% is more preferable. .
When the water content is less than 30% by mass, the effect of improving flatness may be reduced, and when it exceeds 70% by mass, a partial collapse failure may occur.
The water content after the pressure drying treatment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 10% by mass or less, and more preferably 3 to 8% by mass.

The amount of water before the pressure drying treatment (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “second pressure drying treatment”) after the polymer adhesion treatment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. However, for example, in the case of the press drying treatment, 5 to 30% by mass is preferable, and 10 to 25% by mass is more preferable.
When the water content is less than 5% by mass, the planarity may be insufficient, and when it exceeds 30% by mass, water unevenness and density unevenness may occur.

In the case of the cast drum drying process, the water content before the second pressure drying process is preferably, for example, 5 to 35% by mass, and more preferably 10 to 30% by mass.
When the water content is less than 5% by mass, the planarity may be insufficient, and when it exceeds 35% by mass, water unevenness and density unevenness may occur.
The water content after the pressure drying treatment is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 10% by mass or less, and more preferably 3 to 8% by mass.

The drying temperature of the surface of the base paper on the side where the image recording layer is provided is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. 110-180 degreeC is preferable and more preferable.
When the drying temperature is less than 100 ° C., moisture does not evaporate sufficiently, the interfiber bonding becomes insufficient, and paper strength may not be obtained. In some cases, size and flatness may not be sufficient.

Further, the drying temperature of the surface of the base paper on which the image recording layer is provided is preferably, for example, 80 to 200 ° C., more preferably 100 to 180 ° C. in the case of the cast drum drying process.
When the drying temperature is less than 80 ° C., peeling between the surface on which at least one of the coating and impregnation is performed and the cast drum may be non-uniform, and when it exceeds 200 ° C., at least the coating and impregnation are performed. The surface shape of either surface may deteriorate.
The cast drum drying process may be performed by applying a known cast coating solution.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a press pressure in the said press drying process, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 0.05-1.5MPa is preferable and 0.1-1.0MPa is more preferable.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an apparatus which performs the said press drying process, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, as a thing of the research objective which does not go to a manufacturing line, the Condebelt drying method shown in FIG. The press drying apparatus 100 is suitable.
The press drying apparatus 100 includes an upper plate 42, a lower plate 43, and a jacket 44 between the upper and lower plates, and has other members as necessary.

The drying using the press drying apparatus 100 is performed by placing a pulp paper stock by hand and a wet paper (not shown) dehydrated by using a wet press apparatus or the like in a jacket 44 that does not allow air to pass through. This is performed by heating and drying and pressurizing with the upper plate 42 and the lower plate 43 whose temperatures are controlled by the oil 47 heated by flowing. During pressure drying, water vapor generated from the wet paper is removed by the vacuum tank 49. Pressurization is performed by applying pressure to the lower plate 43 with the pressurizer 48 using the hydraulic oil 45. Further, the cooling water 46 is configured to flow into the apparatus during pressure drying.
As the press drying apparatus, for example, “Static Concert” manufactured by VALMET can be used.

Further, when the press drying process is incorporated in the production line and the process is continuously performed, the press drying apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 5 is preferably used.
The press drying apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 5 is arranged such that the first endless belt 38 and the second endless belt 39 that do not allow air to pass therethrough and conduct heat well, and the first endless belt 38 rotates around the first endless belt 38. First rotating rollers 51 and 52, and second rotating rollers 53 and 54 arranged so that the second endless belt 39 rotates around the first rotating rollers 51 and 52.
The first endless belt 38 and the second endless belt 39 are disposed so that the endless belts travel in a part of a path parallel to each other so as to form a dry region therebetween.
The first endless belt 38 is heated in the heat chamber 55, and the second endless belt 39 is cooled in the cooling chamber 56.
The dehydrated wet paper 40 and at least one fabric 41 forming an endless loop are in contact with the heated first endless belt 38, and the fabric 41 is dehydrated wet paper. 40, the second endless belt 39 to be cooled, and a guide roller for guiding the endless fabric, and is introduced between the belts 38 and 39 and is pressure-dried. .
The details of the press drying apparatus 200 are described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-500536.
According to the press drying apparatus, it is possible to achieve a good press drying effect that is more efficient than conventional ones.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said cast drum, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, the metal drum etc. which have the cylindrical outer surface by which the mirror surface process was carried out are mentioned suitably.

  The press drying process and the cast drum drying process may be performed either alone or in combination, but are preferably used together from the viewpoint of improving flatness and rigidity.

  The support for an image recording material of the present invention is improved in density, elastic modulus, tensile strength, strength and the like by performing the pressure drying treatment, and further, the surface properties of the cast drum or the press surface are improved. By transferring, a support for an image recording material that is further excellent in flatness and rigidity and generates less curl can be obtained, and a high-quality image can be formed by using the support.

(Method for producing support for image recording material)
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a manufacturing method of the support body for image recording materials of this invention, According to the objective, it can select suitably.
The method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention preferably includes a heating and pressing treatment step of heating and pressing using a double belt type heating and pressing device, and other steps as required. .

  The base paper, the first belt member, the second belt member, the pressurizing means, the double belt heating / pressurizing device, and the heating / pressurizing treatment are as described above.

  The other steps are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a polymer that performs polymer adhesion treatment by at least one of applying and impregnating a polymer-containing aqueous coating solution to a base paper. Suitable examples include an adhesion treatment step, a pressure drying step for performing pressure drying treatment, a calendar treatment step for performing calendar treatment, and the like. The polymer adhesion treatment and the pressure drying treatment are as described above.

  The calendering treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a soft calender roll comprising a combination of a metal roll and a synthetic resin roll, or a machine calender roll comprising a pair of metal rolls. Among them, those having a soft calender roll are preferable, and in particular, a long nip width of 50 to 270 mm can be taken, and the contact area between the base paper and the roll is increased. In view of the above, a long-nip shoe calender composed of a metal roll and a shoe roll with a synthetic resin belt interposed therebetween is preferable.

  The surface temperature of the metal roll is 140 ° C. or higher, preferably 200 ° C. or higher, and more preferably 250 ° C. or higher. There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the upper limit temperature of the surface temperature of the said metal roll, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, about 300 degreeC is preferable.

The nip pressure during the calender treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 100 kN / cm ² or more, 100~600kN / cm ² is more preferable.

  The method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention is extremely excellent in gloss due to small waviness and extremely excellent in flatness due to large waviness by performing the heating and pressing treatment step. A support for an image recording material having excellent rigidity can be produced continuously in a short time, efficiently, and at a lower cost.

(Image recording material)
The image recording material of the present invention has the support for image recording material of the present invention and an image recording layer on the support.
The pulp and the image recording material support are as described above.
The image recording material varies depending on the use and type of the image recording material, and examples thereof include electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and ink jet recording materials.

<Electrophotographic materials>
The electrophotographic material has the support for an image recording material of the present invention and at least one toner image-receiving layer provided on at least one surface of the support as the image recording layer. Other selected layers, for example, surface protective layer, intermediate layer, undercoat layer, cushion layer, charge control (prevention) layer, reflection layer, tint preparation layer, storage stability improvement layer, adhesion prevention layer, anti-curl layer, smooth It has a chemical layer. Each of these layers may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure.

[Toner image receiving layer]
The toner image receiving layer is a toner image receiving layer for receiving color or black toner and forming an image. The toner image receiving layer has a function of receiving toner for forming an image from a developing drum or an intermediate transfer body by (static) electricity, pressure, etc. in a transfer process, and fixing it by heat, pressure, etc. in a fixing process. Have

The toner image-receiving layer has a light transmittance of preferably 78% or less, more preferably 73% or less, and even more preferably 72% or less, from the viewpoint that the electrophotographic material has a photographic feel.
Here, the light transmittance can be measured by separately forming a coating film having the same thickness on a polyethylene terephthalate film (100 μm) and using the direct reading haze meter (Suga Test Instruments HGM-2DP). it can.

  The toner image-receiving layer contains at least a thermoplastic resin and, if necessary, other components.

-Thermoplastic resin-
The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited as long as it can be deformed under temperature conditions such as fixing and can accept the toner, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. And the same type of resins are preferred. In many of the toners, polyester resins, copolymer resins such as styrene and styrene-butyl acrylate are used. In this case, polyester resins, styrene and styrene are also used as thermoplastic resins for the electrophotographic image receiving paper. -It is preferable to use a copolymer resin such as butyl acrylate, more preferably 20% by mass or more of a copolymer resin such as polyester resin, styrene, or styrene-butyl acrylate. Polymers, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymers and the like are also preferable.

  Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin include, for example, (1) a resin having an ester bond, (2) a polyurethane resin, (3) a polyamide resin, (4) a polysulfone resin, and (5) a polyvinyl chloride resin. (6) Polyvinyl butyral, (7) Polycaprolactone resin, (8) Polyolefin resin, and the like.

Examples of the resin having an ester bond (1) include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, abietic acid, succinic acid, trimellitic acid, and pyromellitic acid. Dicarboxylic acid components such as acids (these dicarboxylic acid components may be substituted with sulfonic acid groups, carboxyl groups, etc.) and diether derivatives of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, bisphenol A, bisphenol A (for example, Bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 adducts, bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 adducts, etc.), bisphenol S, 2-ethylcyclohexyldimethanol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexyldimethanol, glycerin, etc. Polyacrylic acid ester resins such as polyester resins, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, etc. obtained by condensation with the alcohol component (these alcohol components may be substituted with hydroxyl groups, etc.) Alternatively, polymethacrylic acid ester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene acrylate resin, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin, vinyl toluene acrylate resin, and the like can be given.
Specific examples include those described in JP-A Nos. 59-101395, 63-7971, 63-7972, 63-7773, and 60-294862.

Examples of commercially available polyester resins include Toyobo's Byron 290, Byron 200, Byron 280, Byron 300, Byron 103, Byron GK-140, Byron GK-130; Kao's Tufton NE-382, Tufton U- 5, ATR-2009, ATR-2010; Elitel UE3500, UE3210, XA-8153 manufactured by Unitika; Polyester TP-220, R-188 manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd.
Commercially available products of the acrylic resin include Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Dianal SE-5437, SE-5102, SE-5377, SE-5649, SE-5466, SE-5482, HR-169, 124, HR-1127. , HR-116, HR-113, HR-148, HR-131, HR-470, HR-634, HR-606, HR-607, LR-1065, 574, 143, 396, 637, 162, 469, 216 , BR-50, BR-52, BR-60, BR-64, BR-73, BR-75, BR-77, BR-79, BR-80, BR-83, BR-85, BR-87, BR -88, BR-90, BR-93, BR-95, BR-100, BR-101, BR-102, BR-105, BR-106, BR-107, BR- 08, BR-112, BR-113, BR-115, BR-116, BR-117; Sreck P SE-0020, SE-0040, SE-0070, SE-0100, SE-1010, SE- manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. 1035; Sanyo Chemical Industries Himer ST95, ST120; FM601 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals.

Examples of the (5) polyvinyl chloride resin include polyvinylidene chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl propionate copolymer resin, and the like.
Examples of the (6) polyvinyl butyral include cellulose resins such as polyol resins, ethyl cellulose resins, and cellulose acetate resins. Examples of commercially available products include those manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. The polyvinyl butyral preferably has a polyvinyl butyral content of 70% by mass or more, an average polymerization degree of 500 or more, and more preferably an average polymerization degree of 1000 or more. Examples of commercially available products include Denka Butyral 3000-1, 4000-2, 5000A, 6000C manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd .; S-REC BL-1, BL-2, BL-3, BL-S, BX manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. -L, BM-1, BM-2, BM-5, BM-S, BH-3, BX-1, BX-7, and the like.
Examples of the (7) polycaprolactone resin include styrene-maleic anhydride resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyether resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, and the like.
Examples of the (8) polyolefin resin include polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers, acrylic resins, and the like.

  The said thermoplastic resin may be used individually by 1 type, may use 2 or more types together, In addition to these, these mixtures, these copolymers, etc. can also be used.

  The thermoplastic resin is preferably one that can satisfy the following properties of the toner image-receiving layer in the state where the toner image-receiving layer is formed, more preferably one that can satisfy the above-mentioned properties of the toner image-receiving layer even with the resin alone. It is also preferable to use two or more resins having different layer properties.

  As the thermoplastic resin, those having a larger molecular weight than the thermoplastic resin used in the toner are preferable. However, the molecular weight described above is not necessarily preferable depending on the relationship between the thermodynamic properties of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner and the resin used in the toner image-receiving layer. For example, when the softening temperature of the resin used in the toner image receiving layer is higher than that of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the molecular weight is the same or the resin used in the toner image receiving layer is the same. Smallness may be preferred.

It is also preferable to use a mixture of resins having the same composition and different average molecular weights as the thermoplastic resin. Further, as the relationship with the molecular weight of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the relationship disclosed in JP-A-8-334915 is preferable.
The molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin is preferably wider than the molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner.
Examples of the thermoplastic resin include JP-A-5-127413, JP-A-8-194394, JP-A-8-334915, JP-A-8-334916, JP-A-9-171265, and JP-A-10. Those satisfying the physical properties disclosed in the publication No. 221877 / etc. Are preferred.

The thermoplastic resin used in the toner image-receiving layer is particularly preferably an aqueous resin such as a water-soluble resin or a water-dispersible resin for the following reasons (1) to (2).
(1) No organic solvent is discharged in the coating and drying process, and it is excellent in environmental suitability and work suitability. (2) Many release agents such as wax are difficult to dissolve in a solvent at room temperature, and are often dispersed in a solvent (water, organic solvent) in advance. Further, the water dispersion form is more stable and more suitable for the production process. Furthermore, the water-based coating is more likely to cause the wax to bleed onto the surface during the coating and drying process, and the effects of the release agent (offset resistance, adhesion resistance, etc.) can be easily obtained.

As the water-based resin, the composition, the bond structure, the molecular structure, the molecular weight, the molecular weight distribution, and the form are not specified as long as they are water-soluble resins and water-dispersible resins. Examples of the water-based group of the polymer include a sulfonic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, or an ether group.
Examples of the water-soluble resin include Research Disclosure No. 17,643, page 26, No. 18,716, page 651, No. 307,105, pages 873-874, and JP-A No. 64-13546. 71) to those described on pages (75) to (75).
Specifically, vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, water-soluble polyester, water-soluble acrylic, water-soluble polyurethane, water-soluble nylon, water-soluble epoxy Resin can be used. Further, the gelatin may be selected from so-called demineralized gelatin in which the content of lime-processed gelatin, acid-processed gelatin, calcium, or the like is reduced in accordance with various purposes, and is preferably used in combination. Commercially available as water-soluble polyester, various plus coats manufactured by Teraoh Chemical Industry Co., Ltd .; Dainippon Ink Chemicals Co., Ltd. Finetex ES series; Finetex 6161, K-96; Hiros NL-1189, BH-997L manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry, and the like.

Examples of water-dispersible resins include water-dispersed resins such as water-dispersed acrylic resins, water-dispersed polyester resins, water-dispersed polystyrene resins, and water-dispersed urethane resins; acrylic resin emulsions, polyvinyl acetate emulsions, and SBR (styrene / butadiene). -Rubber) Emulsions such as emulsions, resins and emulsions in which the thermoplastic resins (1) to (8) above are dispersed in water, or copolymers, mixtures, and cationically modified ones are appropriately selected. Two or more types can be combined.
Commercially available products of the water-dispersible resin include, for example, Toyobo's Bironal series, Takamatsu Yushi pesresin A series, Kao Tufton UE series, Nippon Synthetic Polyester WR series, Unitika Eliere series, and acrylic series. Then, high loss XE, KE, PE series manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry, Jurimer ET series manufactured by Nippon Pure Chemical Co., Ltd. and the like can be mentioned.
The film formation temperature (MFT) of the polymer used is preferably room temperature or higher for storage before printing, and preferably 100 ° C. or lower for fixing of toner particles.

  The thickness of the toner image-receiving layer is suitably ½ or more, preferably 1 to 3 times the particle diameter of the toner used. The toner image receiving layer preferably has a thickness disclosed in JP-A-5-216322 and JP-A-7-301939. Specifically, the thickness of the toner image receiving layer is, for example, preferably 1 to 50 μm, and more preferably 5 to 15 μm.

  As a component other than the thermoplastic resin in the toner image receiving layer, the light transmittance of the toner image receiving layer can be easily adjusted within the numerical range, and in particular, the whiteness of the toner image receiving layer can be adjusted. Colorants such as pigments and dyes are preferred, and pigments are particularly preferred. In addition, the other components include various additives added for the purpose of improving the thermodynamic properties of the toner image-receiving layer, such as plasticizers, mold release agents or slip agents, matting agents, fillers, and crosslinking agents. , Charge control agents, emulsions, dispersions and the like.

  The content of the thermoplastic resin in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 50% by mass or more, and more preferably 50 to 90% by mass.

-Colorant-
Examples of the colorant include fluorescent brighteners, white pigments, colored pigments, dyes, and the like.
The fluorescent whitening agent is a compound that absorbs in the near ultraviolet region and emits fluorescence at 400 to 500 nm, and various known fluorescent whitening agents can be used without particular limitation. Examples of the optical brightener include K.I. Preferable examples include the compounds described in “The Chemistry of Synthetic Dies” edited by Veen Rataraman, Vol. Specific examples include stilbene compounds, coumarin compounds, biphenyl compounds, benzoxazoline compounds, naphthalimide compounds, pyrazoline compounds, carbostyril compounds, and the like. As a commercial item of the said fluorescent whitening agent, Sumitomo Chemical white fur fur PSN, PHR, HCS, PCS, B; UVITEX-OB made from Ciba-Geigy etc. are mentioned, for example.

As said white pigment, inorganic pigments, such as a titanium oxide and a calcium carbonate, can be used, for example.
Examples of the colored pigment include various pigments and azo pigments described in JP-A-63-44653 (for example, azo lake; carmine 6B, red 2B, insoluble azo; monoazo yellow, disazo yellow, pyrazolo orange, vulcan orange, Condensed azo series; chromophyl yellow, chromophthal red), polycyclic pigments (eg, phthalocyanine series; copper phthalocyanine blue, copper phthalocyanine green, dioxazine series; dioxazine violet, isoindolinone series; isoindolinone yellow, slen series Perylene, perinone, flavantron, thioindigo, lake pigment (eg, malachite green, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, Victoria blue B), and inorganic pigment (eg, oxide, titanium dioxide, bengara, sulfate); Um, carbonate; precipitated calcium carbonate, succinate; hydrous succinate, anhydrous succinate, metal powder; aluminum powder, bronze powder, zinc dust, carbon black, yellow lead, bitumen, etc.) .
These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, titanium oxide is particularly preferable as the pigment.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape of the said pigment, It is preferable that it is a hollow particle shape at the point which is excellent in the heat conductivity at the time of image fixing (low heat conductivity).

As the dye, various dyes such as oil-soluble dyes and water-insoluble dyes can be used.
Examples of the oil-soluble dye include anthraquinone compounds and azo compounds.
Examples of the water-insoluble dye include C.I. I. Vat violet 1, C.I. I. Vat violet 2, C.I. I. Vat violet 9, C.I. I. Vat violet 13, C.I. I. Vat violet 21, C.I. I. Vat Blue 1, C.I. I. Vat Blue 3, C.I. I. Vat Blue 4, C.I. I. Vat Blue 6, C.I. I. Vat Blue 14, C.I. I. Vat Blue 20, C.I. I. Vat dyes such as Vat Blue 35; I. Dispers Violet 1, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 4, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 10, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 3, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 7, C.I. I. Disperse dyes such as Disperse Blue 58; I. Solvent Violet 13, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 14, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 21, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 27, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 11, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 12, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 25, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 55, and the like.
A colored coupler used in silver salt photography can also be preferably used.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner image receiving layer (surface) of the said coloring agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1-8 g / m < ² > is preferable, for example. 5 to 5 g / m ² is more preferable.
When the content of the colorant is less than 0.1 g / m ² , the light transmittance in the toner image-receiving layer may be increased. When the content exceeds 8 g / m ² , handling such as cracking and adhesion resistance is performed. May decrease.
Further, among the colorants, as described above, the addition amount of the pigment is preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, based on the mass of the thermoplastic resin constituting the toner image receiving layer. A mass% or less is more preferable.

-Release agent-
The release agent is blended in the toner image receiving layer in order to prevent the toner image receiving layer from being offset. The release agent is heated and melted at the fixing temperature, deposited on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer, unevenly distributed on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer, and further cooled and solidified to form a release agent material on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer. If it forms a layer, there will be no restriction | limiting in particular, According to the objective, it can select suitably.
Examples of the release agent include at least one selected from a silicone compound, a fluorine compound, a wax, and a matting agent. Among these, at least one selected from silicone oil, polyethylene wax, carnauba wax, silicone particles, and polyethylene wax particles is particularly preferable.

  As the mold release agent, for example, compounds described in “Summary of properties and applications of revised wax” by Kosho Shobo and the Silicone Handbook published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Inc. can be used. JP-B-59-38581, JP-B-4-32380, Patent Nos. 2838498, 2949558, JP-A-50-117433, 52-52640, 57-148755, 61-62056. 61-62057, 61-118760, JP-A-2-42451, 3-41465, 4-212175, 4-214570, 4-263267, 5-34966, 5-119514, 6-59502, 6-161150, 6-175396, 6-219040, 6-230600, 6-295093, 7-36210, 7 -43940, 7-56387, 7-56390, 7-64335, 7-199682, 7-223362 7-287413, 8-184992, 8-227180, 8-248671, 8-248799, 8-248801, 8-278663, 9-152939, 9 -160278, 9-185181, 9-319139, 9-319143, 10-20549, 10-48889, 10-198069, 10-207116, 11-2917 No. 11-44969, No. 11-65156, No. 11-73049, No. 11-194542, and the silicone compounds, fluorine compounds, and waxes used in the toners are also preferably used. it can. Moreover, these may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the silicone compounds include non-modified silicone oils as silicone oils (specifically, dimethylsiloxane oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, phenylmethyl silicone oil, commercially available products KF-96 and KF-96L manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). KF-96H, KF-99, KF-50, KF-54, KF-56, KF-965, KF-968, KF-994, KF-995, HIVAC F-4, F-5; Toray Dow Corning SH200, SH203, SH490, SH510, SH550, SH710, SH704, SH705, SH7028A, SH7036, SM7060, SM7001, SM7706, SH7036, SH8710, SH1107, SH8627; Toshiba TSF 00, TSF401, TSF404, TSF405, TSF431, TSF433, TSF434, TSF437, TSF450 series, TSF451 series, TSF456, TSF458 series, TSF483, TSF484, TSF4045, TSF4300, TSF4600, YF33 series, YF-3057, YF-3800 3802, YF-3804, YF-3807, YF-3897, XF-3905, XS69-A1753, TEX100, TEX101, TEX102, TEX103, TEX104, TSW831, etc., amino-modified silicone oil (KF manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercial product) -857, KF-858, KF-859, KF-861, KF-864, KF-880, Toray Dow Corning Ricone SF8417, SM8709, Toshiba Silicone TSF4700, TSF4701, TSF4702, TSF4703, TSF4704, TSF4705, TSF4706, TEX150, TEX151, TEX154, etc., carboxy-modified silicone oil (Toray Dow Corning Silicone BY16-880, commercially available products) Toshiba silicone TSF4770, XF42-A9248, etc.), carbinol modified silicone oil (commercially available Toshiba Silicone XF42-B0970 etc.), vinyl modified silicone oil (commercially available Toshiba Silicone XF40-A1987 etc.), epoxy modified silicone oil (As commercial products, Toray Dow Corning Silicone SF8411, SF8413; Toshiba Silicone T F3965, TSF4730, TSF4732, XF42-A4439, XF42-A4438, XF42-A5041, XC96-A4462, XC96-A4463, XC96-A4464, TEX170, etc., polyether-modified silicone oil (KF-351 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercial product) (A), KF-352 (A), KF-353 (A), KF-354 (A), KF-355 (A), KF-615 (A), KF-618, KF-945 (A); Toray Dow Corning Silicone SH3746, SH3771, SF8421, SF8419, SH8419, SH8410; Toshiba Silicone TSF4440, TSF4441, TSF4445, TSF4446, TSF4450, TSF4452, TSF4453, TSF4 60), silanol-modified silicone oil, methacryl-modified silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified silicone oil (commercially available products include Toray Dow Corning Silicone SF8427, SF8428, Toshiba Silicone TSF4750, TSF4751 and XF42-B0970) , Alkyl-modified silicone oil (SF8416 made by Toray Dow Corning Silicone, TSF410, TSF411, TSF4420, TSF4421, TSF4422, TSF4450, XF42-334, XF42-A3160, XF42-A3161, etc. made by Toshiba Silicone) Oil (commercially available Toray Dow Corning Silicone FS1265, Toshiba Silicone FQF 501), silicone rubber and silicone fine particles (Toray Dow Corning Silicone SH851U, SH745U, SH55UA, SE4705U, SH502UA & B, SRX539U, SE6770U-P, DY38-038, DY38-047, Trefill F-201, F -202, F-250, R-900, R-902A, E-500, E-600, E-601, E-506, BY29-119; Toshiba Silicone Tospearl 105, 120, 130, 145, 240, 3120 Etc.), silicone-modified resins (specifically, olefin resins, polyester resins, vinyl resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, phenoxy resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resins, urethane resins, acrylic resins, styrene-acrylic resins) And compounds obtained by modifying these copolymer resins with silicone, etc., and commercially available products such as DAIROMAR SP203V, SP712, SP2105, SP3023 manufactured by Daiichi Seika; MODIPER FS700, FS710, FS720, FS730, FS770; Cymac US-270, US-350, US-352, US-380, US-413, US-450, Reseda GP-705, GS-30, GF-150, GF-300; manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone SH997, SR2114, SH2104, SR2115, SR2202, DCI-2577, SR2317, SE4001U, SRX625B, SRX643, SRX439U, SRX488U, SH804, SH840, SR2107, SR2115 Toshiba Silicone YR3370, TSR1122, TSR102, TSR108, TSR116, TSR117, TSR125A, TSR127B, TSR144, TSR180, TSR187, YR47, YR3187, YR3224, YR3232, YR3270, YR3286, TE2175, TE2 , Reactive silicone compounds (specifically, there are addition reaction type, peroxide curable type, ultraviolet curable type, and TSR1500, TSR1510, TSR1511, TSR1515, TSR1520, YR3286, YR3340, PSA6574, manufactured by Toshiba Silicones as commercially available products. TPR6500, TPR6501, TPR6600, TPR6702, TPR6604, T PR6700, TPR6701, TPR6705, TPR6707, TPR6708, TPR6710, TPR6712, TPR6721, TPR6722, UV9300, UV9315, UV9425, UV9430, XS56-A2775, XS56-A2982, XS56-A3075, XS56-A3957, X56-A3957, X56-A3957 XS56-B1794, SL6100, SM3000, SM3030, SM3200, YSR3022, etc.).

  Examples of the fluorine compound include fluorine oil (Daikin Industries # 1, # 3, # 10, # 20, # 50, # 100, Unidyne TG-440, TG-452, TG-490, TG as commercially available products). -560, TG-561, TG-590, TG-652, TG-670U, TG-991, TG-999, TG-3010, TG-3020, TG-3510; TF-100, MF-110 manufactured by Tochem Products , MF-120, MF-130, MF-160, MF-160E; Asahi Glass Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113, S-121, S-131, S-132, S-141, S- 145; Mitsui Fluorochemicals FC-430, FC-431, etc.), fluoro rubber (Toray Dow Corning Silicone L as a commercial product) 63U, etc.), fluorine-modified resin (Nippon Yushi Modiper F200, F220, F600, F2020, F3035; Dainichi Seika's Dialomers FF203, FF204; Asahi Glass Surflon S-381, S-383, S-393, SC -101, SC-105, KH-40, SA-100; manufactured by Tochem Products EF-351, EF-352, EF-801, EF-802, EF-601, TFE, TFEA, TFEMA, PDFOH; manufactured by Sumitomo 3M THV-200P, etc.), fluorine sulfonic acid compounds (commercially available products from Tochem Products such as EF-101, EF-102, EF-103, EF-104, EF-105, EF-112, EF-121, EF-122A, EF-122B, EF-122C, EF-123A, EF-12 B, EF-125M, EF-132, EF-135M, EF-305, FBSA, KFBS, LFBS, etc.), fluorosulfonic acid, fluoric acid compounds and salts (specifically, anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, dilute hydrofluoric acid, borohydrofluoric acid) , Zinc borofluoride, nickel borofluoride, tin borofluoride, lead borofluoride, copper borofluoride, silicofluoric acid, potassium fluorotitanate, perfluorocaprylic acid, ammonium perfluorooctanoate), inorganic fluoride (specifically Is aluminum fluoride, potassium silicofluoride, potassium fluoride zirconate, zinc fluoride tetrahydrate, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, barium fluoride, tin fluoride, potassium fluoride, acidic potassium fluoride, fluoride Magnesium, fluorinated titanic acid, fluorinated zirconic acid, ammonium hexafluorophosphate, hexafluorophosphoric acid Potassium etc.).

  Examples of the wax include synthetic hydrocarbons, modified waxes, hydrogenated waxes, natural waxes, and the like.

  Examples of the synthetic hydrocarbon include polyethylene wax (as commercial products, Polylon A, 393, H-481, manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd., Sanyo Kasei Sun Wax E-310, E-330, E-250P, LEL-250, LEL- 800, LEL-400P, etc.), polypropylene wax (commercially available Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd. Biscol 330-P, 550-P, 660-P), Fischer-Tropsch wax (commercially available products such as Nippon Seiki FT100, FT-0070, etc.) , Acid amide compounds or acid imide compounds (specifically, stearamide, phthalimide anhydride, etc., commercially available products such as Chukyo Oil & Fats Cellosol 920, B-495, High Micron G-270, G-110, Hydrin D- 757) and the like.

  Examples of the modified wax include amine-modified polypropylene (QN-7700 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercial product), acrylic acid-modified, fluorine-modified, olefin-modified wax, and urethane type wax (NPS-6010 manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. as a commercial product). -5090), alcohol type wax (NPS-9210, NPS-9215, OX-1949, XO-020T, etc., manufactured by Nippon Seiki) and the like.

  Examples of the hydrogenated wax include hardened castor oil (as a commercially available product, castor wax from Ito Oil Co., Ltd.), castor oil derivatives (dehydrated castor oil DCO, DCO Z-1, DCO Z-3, castor from Ito Oil as commercial products). Oil fatty acid CO-FA, ricinoleic acid, dehydrated castor oil fatty acid DCO-FA, dehydrated castor oil fatty acid epoxy ester D-4 ester, castor oil-based urethane acrylate CA-10, CA-20, CA-30, castor oil derivative MINERASOL S -74, S-80, S-203, S-42X, S-321, Special castor oil-based condensed fatty acid MINERASOL RC-2, RC-17, RC-55, RC-335, Special castor oil-based condensed fatty acid ester MINERASOL LB-601, LB-603, LB-604, LB-702, L B-703, # 11, L-164, etc.), stearic acid (12-hydroxystearic acid made by Ito Oil as a commercial product), lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, behenic acid, sebacic acid (as commercial products) Sebacic acid from Ito Oil), undecylenic acid (such as undecylenic acid from Ito Oil as a commercial product), heptylic acid (such as heptyl acid from Ito Oil as a commercial product), maleic acid, highly maleated oil (as a commercial product) HIMALIN DC-15, LN-10, 00-15, DF-20, SF-20, etc., manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd., blown oil (commercially available, Celbonol # 10, # 30, # 60, R-40 manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd.) , S-7, etc.), cyclopentadiene oil (CP oil, CP oil-S, etc. made by Ito Oil Co., Ltd. as commercial products) and the like.

  As the natural wax, for example, at least one selected from plant waxes, animal waxes, mineral waxes and petroleum waxes is preferable, and plant waxes are particularly preferable. As the natural wax, a water-dispersed wax is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of compatibility when a water-based thermoplastic resin is used as the thermoplastic resin of the toner image-receiving layer.

Examples of the plant wax include carnauba wax (Nippon Seiki EMUSTAR-0413, Chukyo Yushi Cellosol 524, etc. as commercial products), castor oil (commercially available Ito Oil refined castor oil, etc.), rapeseed oil, large Examples include bean oil, wax, cotton wax, rice wax, sugarcane wax, candelilla wax, Japan wax, jojoba oil, and the like. Among these, in particular, it has an excellent offset resistance, adhesion resistance, paper permeability, glossiness, is resistant to cracking, and can provide an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet capable of forming a high-quality image. Is particularly preferably a carnauba wax having a temperature of 70 to 95 ° C.
Examples of the animal wax include beeswax, lanolin, spermaceti, stew wax (whale oil), and wool wax.

  Examples of the mineral wax include, for example, montan wax, montan ester wax, ozokerite, ceresin, and fatty acid ester (commercially available products are Nippon Sanka's Sansosizer DOA, AN-800, DINA, DIDA, DOZ, DOS, TOTM, TITM. , E-PS, nE-PS, E-PO, E-4030, E-6000, E-2000H, E-9000H, TCP, C-1100, etc.). Among these, in particular, it has an excellent offset resistance, adhesion resistance, paper permeability, glossiness, is resistant to cracking, and can provide an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet capable of forming a high-quality image. Is particularly preferably a montan wax having a temperature of 70 to 95 ° C.

  Examples of the petroleum wax include paraffin wax (paraffin wax 155, 150, 140, 135, 130, 125, 120, 115, HNP-3, HNP-5, HNP-9, HNP- 10, HNP-11, HNP-12, HNP-14G, SP-0160, SP-0145, SP-1040, SP-1035, SP-3040, SP-3035, NPS-8070, NPS-L-70, OX- 2151, OX-2251, EMUSTAR-0384, EMUSTAR-0136, Chukyo Oil & Fats Cellosol 686, 428, 651-A, A, H-803, B-460, E-172, 866, K-133, Hydrin D-337 E-139, 125 ° paraffin, 125 ° FD, 130 ° Fins, 135 ° paraffin, 135 ° H, 140 ° paraffin, 140 ° N, 145 ° paraffin, paraffin wax M, etc., microcrystalline wax (commercially available from Nihon Seiki Hi-Mic-2095, Hi-Mic-3090) , Hi-Mic-1080, Hi-Mic-1070, Hi-Mic-2065, Hi-Mic-1045, Hi-Mic-2045, EMUSTAR-0001, EMUSTAR-042X, Chukyo Oil & Fats Cellosol 967, M, Nisseki Mitsubishi Petroleum (manufactured by Nippon Seiki OX-1749, OX-0450, OX-0650B, OX-0153, OX-261BN, OX-0551, OX-0550, OX) -0750B, JP- 500, JP-056R, such as JP-011P), and the like.

The content of the natural wax in the toner image-receiving layer (surface), for example, preferably ^{0.1~4g / m 2, 0.2~2g / m} 2 is more preferable.
When the content is less than 0.1 g / m ² , offset resistance and adhesion resistance may be particularly insufficient. When the content exceeds 4 g / m ² , the amount of wax is excessive and formed. The image quality may be inferior.

  The melting point (° C.) of the natural wax is preferably 70 to 95 ° C., more preferably 75 to 90 ° C., particularly in terms of offset resistance and paper passing properties.

  Examples of the matting agent include various known ones. Solid particles used as the matting agent can be classified into inorganic particles and organic particles. Specific examples of the material for the inorganic matting agent include oxides (for example, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide), alkaline earth metal salts (for example, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate), halogens Examples include silver halide (eg, silver chloride, silver bromide) and glass.

  Examples of the inorganic matting agent include West German Patent 2529321, British Patent 760775, 1260772, U.S. Patent 1201905, 2192241, 3030562, 3030649, 3257206, 3322555, and 3353958. No. 3,370,951, No. 3,411,907, No. 3,437,484, No. 3523022, No. 3,615,554, No. 3,635,714, No. 3769020, No. 40212245, and No. 4029504.

The material of the organic matting agent includes starch, cellulose ester (for example, cellulose acetate propionate), cellulose ether (for example, ethyl cellulose) and synthetic resin. The synthetic resin is preferably water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble. Examples of the water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble synthetic resin include poly (meth) acrylic acid esters (for example, polyalkyl (meth) acrylate, polyalkoxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, polyglycidyl (meth) acrylate), poly (meth) acrylate. ) Acrylamide, polyvinyl ester (eg, polyvinyl acetate), polyacrylonitrile, polyolefin (eg, polyethylene), polystyrene, benzoguanamine resin, formaldehyde condensation polymer, epoxy resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, phenol resin, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinylidene chloride, etc. Is mentioned.
You may use the copolymer which combined the monomer used for the above polymer.

In the case of the copolymer, a small amount of hydrophilic repeating units may be contained. Examples of the monomer that forms the hydrophilic repeating unit include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α, β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, sulfoalkyl (meth) acrylate, and styrene sulfonic acid.
Examples of the organic matting agent include British Patent No. 1055713, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,939,213, 2221873, 2268661, 2322037, 2376005, 2391181, 2701245, 2992101, and 3079257. Nos. 3,262,782, 3,443,946, 3,516,832, 3,539,344, 3,591,379, 3,754,924, 3,767,448, JP-A-49-106821, JP-A-57-14835 Are described in the above.
Two or more kinds of solid particles may be used in combination. As an average particle diameter of the said solid particle, 1-100 micrometers is preferable, for example, and 4-30 micrometers is more preferable. The amount of the solid particles, preferably ^{0.01~0.5g / m 2, 0.02~0.3g / m} 2 is more preferable.

  As the release agent added to the toner image-receiving layer of the present invention, these derivatives, oxides, purified products, and mixtures can also be used. Moreover, these may have a reactive substituent.

The melting point (° C.) of the release agent is preferably 70 to 95 ° C., and more preferably 75 to 90 ° C., particularly in terms of offset resistance and paper passing properties.
The release agent is particularly preferably a water-dispersed release agent from the viewpoint of compatibility when an aqueous thermoplastic resin is used as the thermoplastic resin of the toner image receiving layer.

  The content of the release agent in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.3 to 8.0% by mass, and still more preferably 0.5 to 5.0% by mass. .

-Plasticizer-
As the plasticizer, known plasticizers for resins can be used without particular limitation. The plasticizer has a function of adjusting the flow or softening of the toner image-receiving layer by either heat or pressure when fixing the toner.
Examples of the plasticizer include "Chemical Handbook" (edited by the Chemical Society of Japan, Maruzen), "Plasticizer-Theory and Application-" (edited by Koichi Murai, Koshobo), "Research on plasticizer""Studyunder" (edited by Polymer Chemistry Association) and "Handbook Rubber and Plastic Compounded Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.).

  Examples of the plasticizer include phthalic acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, fatty acid esters, abietic acid esters, adipic acid esters, sebacic acid esters, azelaic acid esters, benzoic acid esters, butyric acid esters. Epoxidized fatty acid esters, glycolic acid esters, propionic acid esters, trimellitic acid esters, citric acid esters, sulfonic acid esters, carboxylic acid esters, succinic acid esters, maleic acid esters, fumaric acid Esters, phthalic acid esters, stearic acid esters, etc .; amides (for example, fatty acid amides, sulfoamides, etc.), ethers, alcohols, lactones, polyethyleneoxys, etc. -83154, 59-178451 59-178453, 59-178454, 59-178455, 59-178457, 62-174754, 62-245253, 61-209444, 61-200538, 62 No.-8145, No. 62-9348, No. 62-30247, No. 62-136646, No. 62-174754, No. 62-245253, No. 61-209444, No. 61-200538, No. 62-8145 Nos. 62-9348, 62-30247, 62-136646, JP-A-2-235694, etc.). In addition, the said plasticizer can be mixed and used for resin.

  A relatively low molecular weight polymer can be used as the plasticizer. In this case, the molecular weight of the plasticizer is preferably lower than the molecular weight of the binder resin to be plasticized. The molecular weight is preferably 15,000 or less, and more preferably 5,000 or less. In the case of a polymer plasticizer, the polymer is preferably the same type as the binder resin to be plasticized. For example, a low molecular weight polyester is preferable for plasticizing a polyester resin. Furthermore, oligomers can also be used as plasticizers. In addition to the above compounds, commercially available products include, for example, Adeka Sizer PN-170, PN-1430 manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo; P. HALL products PARAPLEX-G-25, G-30, G-40; Rika Hercules products Ester gum 8L-JA, Ester R-95, Pentaline 4851, FK115, 4820, 830, Louisol 28-JA, Picolastic A75, Pico Tex LC, Crystallex 3085, etc. are mentioned.

The plasticizer relieves stress and strain (physical strain such as elastic force and viscosity, strain due to mass balance of molecules, binder main chain, pendant, etc.) generated when toner particles are embedded in the toner image receiving layer. Can be used arbitrarily to
The plasticizer may be in a micro-dispersed state in the toner image-receiving layer, may be in a phase-separated microscopically in a sea-island shape, or may be in a sufficiently mixed and dissolved state with other components such as a binder.
The content of the plasticizer in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 0.001 to 90% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 60% by mass, and particularly preferably 1 to 40% by mass.
The plasticizer adjusts smoothness (improves transportability due to reduced frictional force), improves fixing unit offset (detachment of toner and layers from the fixing unit), adjusts curl balance, and adjusts charging (toner electrostatic image It may be used for the purpose of forming).

-Filler-
As said filler, an organic or inorganic filler is mentioned, A well-known thing can be used as a reinforcing agent for binder resin, a filler, and a reinforcing material. The filler should be selected with reference to "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.), "New Edition Plastic Compounding Agent Fundamentals and Applications" (Taiseisha), "Filler Handbook" (Taiseisha), etc. Can do.
As the filler, an inorganic filler (or inorganic pigment) can be suitably used. Examples of the inorganic filler (inorganic pigment) include silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, mica-like iron oxide, white lead, lead oxide, cobalt oxide, strontium chromate, molybdenum-based pigment, smectite, magnesium oxide. , Calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, mullite, and the like. Among these, silica and alumina are preferable. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, as said filler, a thing with a small particle size is preferable. If the particle size is large, the surface of the toner image-receiving layer tends to be roughened.

The silica includes spherical silica and amorphous silica. The silica can be synthesized by a dry method, a wet method, or an airgel method. The surface of the hydrophobic silica particles may be surface-treated with a trimethylsilyl group or silicone. As silica, colloidal silica is preferable. The average particle size of the silica is preferably 4 to 120 nm, and more preferably 4 to 90 nm.
The silica is preferably porous. The average pore diameter of the porous silica is preferably 50 to 500 nm. Moreover, the average pore volume per mass of the porous silica is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 3 ml / g.

  The alumina includes anhydrous alumina and alumina hydrate. As the crystal form of anhydrous alumina, α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, κ, ρ, or χ can be used. Alumina hydrate is preferred over anhydrous alumina. As the alumina hydrate, a monohydrate or a trihydrate can be used. Monohydrates include pseudoboehmite, boehmite and diaspore. Trihydrates include dibsite and bayerite. As an average particle diameter of an alumina, 4-300 nm is preferable and 4-200 nm is more preferable. Alumina is preferably porous. As an average hole diameter of porous alumina, 50-500 nm is preferable, for example. The average pore volume per mass of the porous alumina is preferably, for example, 0.3 to 3 ml / g.

The alumina hydrate can be synthesized by a sol-gel method in which ammonia is added to an aluminum salt solution to precipitate, or a method in which an alkali aluminate is hydrolyzed. Anhydrous alumina can be obtained by dehydrating alumina hydrate by heating.
The filler is preferably 5 to 2000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the dry mass of the binder of the toner image receiving layer.

-Crosslinking agent-
The cross-linking agent can be added to adjust the storage stability, thermoplasticity, etc. of the toner image-receiving layer. As the crosslinking agent, a compound having two or more known reactive groups in the molecule, such as an epoxy group, an isocyanate group, an aldehyde group, an active halogen group, an active methylene group, an acetylene group, or the like as a reactive group is used.

As the crosslinking agent, a compound having two or more groups capable of forming a bond by a hydrogen bond, an ionic bond, a coordination bond, or the like can also be used.
Examples of the crosslinking agent include resin coupling agents, curing agents, polymerization agents, polymerization accelerators, coagulants, film-forming agents, film-forming aids, and the like. Examples of the coupling agent include chlorosilanes, vinyl silanes, epoxy silanes, aminosilanes, alkoxyaluminum chelates, titanate coupling agents, etc., and “Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals” (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.). ) Etc. can be used.

-Charge control agent-
The toner image-receiving layer preferably contains a charge control agent in order to adjust toner transfer, adhesion, etc., and to prevent charge adhesion of the toner image-receiving layer. As the charge control agent, conventionally known various charge control agents can be used. Examples of the charge control agent include surfactants such as cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants, polymer electrolytes, conductive metal oxides, and the like. Can be used. For example, quaternary ammonium salts, polyamine derivatives, cation-modified polymethyl methacrylate, cationic antistatic agents such as cation-modified polystyrene, anionic antistatic agents such as alkyl phosphates and anionic polymers, fatty acid esters, polyethylene oxide, etc. Nonionic antistatic agents may be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

In the case where the toner has a negative charge, preferred examples of the charge control agent blended in the toner image receiving layer include cations and nonions.
Examples of the conductive metal oxide include ZnO, TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , MgO, BaO, and MoO ₃ . These conductive metal oxides may be used alone or in combination with these composite oxides. Further, the metal oxide may further contain a different element, for example, Al, In, etc. for ZnO, Nb, Ta, etc. for TiO ₂ , Sb, Nb, for SnO ₂ . A halogen element or the like can be contained (doping).

  The material that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer may contain various additives for improving the stability of the output image and for improving the stability of the toner image-receiving layer itself. Examples of the additive include various known antioxidants, antioxidants, deterioration inhibitors, ozone deterioration inhibitors, ultraviolet absorbers, metal complexes, light stabilizers, preservatives, fungicides, and the like.

  Examples of the antioxidant include a chroman compound, a coumaran compound, a phenol compound (eg, hindered phenol), a hydroquinone derivative, a hindered amine derivative, and a spiroindane compound. The antioxidant is described in JP-A No. 61-159644.

  Examples of the antiaging agent include those described in “Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals Revised 2nd Edition” (1993, Rubber Digest Co.) p76-121.

  Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include a benzotriazole compound (described in US Pat. No. 3,533,794), a 4-thiazolidone compound (described in US Pat. No. 3,352,681), a benzophenone compound (described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 46-2784), Examples thereof include ultraviolet absorbing polymers (described in JP-A-62-260152).

  Examples of the metal complex include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,241,155, 4,425,018, and 4,254,195, JP-A-61-88256, JP-A-62-174741, JP-A-63-199248, and JP-A-1-75568. No. 1-74272.

As described above, known photographic additives can be added to the material that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer. Examples of the photographic additive include, for example, Research Disclosure Magazine (hereinafter abbreviated as RD) No. 17643 (December 1978), 18716 (November 1979) and 307105 (November 1989), and the corresponding parts are summarized below.
Type of additive RD17643 RD18716 RD307105
1. Brightener 24 pages 648 right column 868 pages 2. Stabilizer Pages 24-25 Page 649 Right column 868-870 Light Absorber Page 25-26 Page 649 Right Column 873 (Ultraviolet Absorber)
4). Dye image stabilizer page 25 page 650 right column page 872 5. Hardener 26 pages 651 left column 874-875 6. Binder page 26 page 651 left column pages 873-874 Plasticizer, lubricant page 27 page 650 right column page 876 8. Coating aid 26-27 pages 650, right column 875-876 (surfactant)
9. Antistatic agent page 27 page 650 right column pages 876-877
10. Matting agent 878-879 pages

[Physical properties of toner image-receiving layer]
The toner image-receiving layer has a 180-degree peel strength at a fixing temperature with the fixing member of preferably 0.1 N / 25 mm or less, and more preferably 0.041 N / 25 mm or less.
Here, the 180-degree peel strength can be measured according to the method described in JIS K6887 using the surface material of the fixing member.
The toner image receiving layer preferably has high whiteness. The whiteness is preferably 85% or more as measured by the method defined in JIS P8123. Further, it is preferable that the spectral reflectance is 85% or more in the wavelength region of 440 nm to 640 nm and the difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the same wavelength region is within 5%. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the spectral reflectance is 85% or more in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the same wavelength region is within 5%.
Further, as the whiteness, specifically, in the CIE 1976 (L ^* a ^* b ^* ) color space, the L ^* value is preferably 80 or more, more preferably 85 or more, and particularly preferably 90 or more. The white color is preferably neutral as much as possible. As the white color, in the L ^* a ^* b ^* space, the value of (a ^* ) ² + (b ^* ) ² is preferably 50 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and particularly preferably 5 or less.

The toner image receiving layer preferably has a high glossiness. As the glossiness, the 45 ° glossiness is preferably 60 or more, more preferably 75 or more, and particularly preferably 90 or more in the entire region from white without toner to black having the maximum density.
However, the glossiness is preferably 110 or less. When the glossiness exceeds 110, it becomes like metallic luster, which is not preferable for image quality.
The glossiness can be measured based on JIS Z8741.

The toner image receiving layer preferably has high smoothness. As the smoothness, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) is preferably 3 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or less, and particularly preferably 0.5 μm or less in the entire region from white without toner to black having the maximum density.
The arithmetic average roughness can be measured based on JIS B0601, JIS B0651, and JIS B0652.

The toner image-receiving layer preferably has physical properties of one of the following items, more preferably a plurality of items, and most preferably all physical properties.
(1) Tm (melting temperature) of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 30 ° C. or higher, and more preferably Tm + 20 ° C. or lower of the toner.
(2) The temperature at which the viscosity of the toner image-receiving layer becomes 1 × 10 ⁵ cp is preferably 40 ° C. or higher, and more preferably lower than that of the toner.
(3) The storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner image receiving layer is preferably 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa. The loss elastic modulus (G ″) is preferably 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa.
(4) The loss tangent (G ″ / G ′), which is the ratio of the loss elastic modulus (G ″) at the fixing temperature of the toner image receiving layer and the storage elastic modulus (G ′), is preferably from 0.01 to 10.
(5) The storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably −50 to +2500 with respect to the loss elastic modulus (G ″) at the fixing temperature of the toner.
(6) The inclination angle of the molten toner on the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 50 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or less.
The toner image-receiving layer preferably satisfies the physical properties disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2788358, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-248637, 8-305067, and 10-239889. .

The toner image-receiving layer preferably has a surface electrical resistance in the range of 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ¹⁵ Ω / cm ² (under conditions of 25 ° C. and 65% RH).
If the surface resistance is less than 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω / cm ² , the amount of toner when the toner is transferred to the toner image-receiving layer is not sufficient, and the density of the resulting toner image tends to be low, If it exceeds 1 × 10 ¹⁵ Ω / cm ² , an excessive charge is generated at the time of transfer, the toner is not sufficiently transferred, the density of the image is low, and electrostatic charge is generated during handling of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet. May be easily attached. Misfeeds, double feeds, discharge marks, toner transfer missing, etc. may occur during copying.

The surface electrical resistance of the surface opposite to the toner image-receiving layer with respect to the support is preferably 5 × 10 ^{8 to} 3.2 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω / cm ² and 1 × 10 ⁹ to 1 × 10 ^10. More preferable is Ω / cm ² .
Here, the surface electrical resistance is measured in accordance with JIS K6911. The sample is conditioned for 8 hours or more in an environment of temperature 20 ° C. and humidity 65%, and R8340 manufactured by Advantest Corporation is used in the same environment. In addition, the measurement can be performed after 1 minute has passed since energization under the condition of an applied voltage of 100V.

-Other layers-
Examples of the other layers include a surface protective layer, a back layer, an intermediate layer, an adhesion improving layer, an undercoat layer, a cushion layer, a charge control (prevention) layer, a reflective layer, a tint adjusting layer, a storage stability improving layer, and an adhesive. Examples include a prevention layer, an anti-curl layer, and a smoothing layer. These layers may be composed of a single layer or may be composed of two or more layers.

  The surface protective layer is used for the purpose of protecting the surface of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, improving storage stability, improving handleability, imparting writing properties, improving instrument passage properties, imparting anti-offset properties, and the like. It can be provided on the surface of the image receiving layer. The surface protective layer may be a single layer or may be composed of two or more layers. In the surface protective layer, various thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, and the like can be used as a binder, and it is preferable to use the same type of resin as the toner image receiving layer. However, thermodynamic characteristics, electrostatic characteristics, and the like do not need to be the same as those of the toner image-receiving layer, and can be optimized.

The surface protective layer may contain the various additives described above that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer. In particular, the surface protective layer may be blended with other additives such as a matting agent in addition to the release agent used in the present invention. In addition, as said mat agent, various well-known things are mentioned.
The outermost surface layer in the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet (for example, the surface protective layer when a surface protective layer is formed) preferably has good compatibility with the toner from the viewpoint of fixability. Specifically, the contact angle with the melted toner is preferably, for example, 0 to 40 degrees.

In the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, the back layer is provided on the opposite side of the toner image-receiving layer with respect to the support for the purpose of imparting backside output suitability, improving backside output image quality, improving curl balance, and improving device passability. It is preferred that
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a color of the said back layer, When the said electrophotographic image receiving sheet is a double-sided output type image receiving paper which forms an image also in a back surface, it is preferable that a back layer is also white. The whiteness and the spectral reflectance are preferably 85% or more like the surface.
Further, the back layer may have the same structure as that of the toner image receiving layer for improving the duplex output suitability. Various additives described above can be used for the back layer. As such an additive, it is particularly suitable to blend a matting agent, a charge adjusting agent and the like. The back layer may have a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration of two or more layers.
Further, in order to prevent offset at the time of fixing, when a releasable oil is used for the fixing roller or the like, the back layer may be oil absorbing.

  The adhesion improving layer is preferably formed for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the support and the toner image receiving layer in the electrophotographic image receiving paper. The above-mentioned various additives can be blended in the adhesion improving layer, and it is particularly preferable to blend a crosslinking agent. The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet is preferably further provided with a cushion layer or the like between the adhesion improving layer and the toner image-receiving layer in order to improve toner acceptability.

  The intermediate layer is formed, for example, between the support and the adhesion improving layer, between the adhesion improving layer and the cushion layer, between the cushion layer and the toner image receiving layer, and between the toner image receiving layer and the storage stability improving layer. Can do. Of course, in the case of an electrophotographic material comprising a support, a toner image receiving layer and an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer can be present, for example, between the support and the toner image receiving layer.

〔toner〕
The electrophotographic material is used with a toner receiving layer receiving toner in printing or copying.
The toner contains at least a binder resin and a colorant, and if necessary, a release agent and other components.

-Toner binder resin-
Examples of the binder resin include styrenes such as styrene and parachlorostyrene; vinyl esters such as vinyl naphthalene, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinyl fluoride, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, and vinyl butyrate; Methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl α-chloroacrylate, methyl methacrylate, methacryl Methylene aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl methacrylate; Vinyl nitriles such as acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and acrylamide; Vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, and vinyl isobutyl ether Tells; N-vinyl compounds such as N-vinyl pyrrole, N-vinyl carbazole, N-vinyl indole, N-vinyl pyrrolidone; single weight of vinyl monomers such as vinyl carboxylic acids such as methacrylic acid, acrylic acid and cinnamic acid Copolymers, copolymers thereof, and various polyesters can be used, and various waxes can be used in combination.
Among these resins, it is preferable to use a resin of the same system as that used for the toner image receiving layer.

-Toner Colorant-
As the colorant, those usually used in toners can be used without limitation. For example, carbon black, chrome yellow, hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, sren yellow, quinoline yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone. Orange, Vulcan Orange, Watch Young Red, Permanent Red, Brilliantamine 3B, Brilliantamine 6B, Daypon Oil Red, Pyrazolone Red, Risor Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Calco Examples include various pigments such as oil blue, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, and malachite green oxalelate. Acridine, xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thioindico, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indico, thioindico, phthalocyanine, aniline black, polymethine, triphenyl Examples include various dyes such as methane, diphenylmethane, thiazine, thiazole, and xanthene. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The content of the colorant is preferably 2 to 8% by mass. If the content of the colorant is 2% by mass or more, the coloring power is not weakened. On the other hand, if the content is 8% by mass or less, the transparency is not impaired.

-Toner release agent-
As the mold release agent, all known waxes can be used in principle, but polar waxes containing nitrogen such as relatively low molecular weight high crystalline polyethylene wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, amide wax, urethane compound, etc. Etc. are particularly effective. About polyethylene wax, molecular weight 1000 or less is preferable and 300-1000 are more preferable.

  The compound having a urethane bond is suitable because even if it has a low molecular weight, the solid state can be maintained and the melting point can be set high for the molecular weight due to the strength of cohesive force due to the polar group. The preferred range of molecular weight is 300-1000. Raw materials are combinations of diisocyanate compounds and monoalcohols, combinations of monoisocyanic acid and monoalcohols, combinations of dialcohols and monoisocyanic acid, combinations of trialcohols and monoisocyanic acid, triisocyanic acid Various combinations such as combinations of compounds and monoalcohols can be selected, but in order not to increase the molecular weight, it is preferable to combine a compound of a polyfunctional group and a monofunctional group, and an equivalent functional group amount. It is important to ensure that

Examples of the monoisocyanate compound include dodecyl isocyanate, phenyl isocyanate and derivatives thereof, naphthyl isocyanate, hexyl isocyanate, benzyl isocyanate, butyl isocyanate, and allyl isocyanate.
Examples of the diisocyanate compound include tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4'diphenylmethane, toluene diisocyanate, 1,3-diisocyanate 1,3-phenylene, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 4-methyl-m-phenylene diisocyanate, and diisocyanate. Examples include isophorone.
Examples of the monoalcohol include very common alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, and heptanol.
Examples of the dialcohols include many glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and trimethylene glycol; examples of the trialcohol include trimethylolpropane, triethylolpropane, and trimethanolethane. It is not necessarily limited to this range.

  These urethane compounds can be mixed with a resin and a colorant at the time of kneading and used as a kneaded and pulverized toner as in a normal release agent. Also, when used in the emulsion polymerization aggregation melting toner described above, it is dispersed in water together with a polymer electrolyte such as an ionic surfactant, a polymer acid or a polymer base, and heated to a melting point or higher to produce a homogenizer or pressure discharge. A fine dispersion is obtained by applying strong shearing with a mold disperser to prepare a release agent particle dispersion of 1 μm or less, which can be used together with a resin particle dispersion, a colorant dispersion and the like.

-Toner and other components-
The toner may contain other components such as an internal additive, a charge control agent, and inorganic fine particles. As the internal additive, a magnetic material such as a metal such as ferrite, magnetite, reduced iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, an alloy, or a compound containing these metals can be used.

  As the charge control agent, various commonly used charge control agents such as quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine compounds, dyes composed of complexes of aluminum, iron, chromium, and triphenylmethane pigments may be used. it can. A material that is difficult to dissolve in water is preferable from the viewpoint of controlling the ionic strength that affects the stability during aggregation and melting and reducing wastewater contamination.

  Examples of the inorganic fine particles include silica, alumina, titania, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and tricalcium phosphate. These may be used alone, and these may be used as an ionic surfactant or a polymer acid. Alternatively, it may be used after being dispersed with a polymer base.

  Furthermore, a surfactant can be used for emulsion polymerization, seed polymerization, pigment dispersion, resin particle dispersion, mold release dispersion, aggregation, and stabilization thereof. For example, anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester, sulfonate, phosphate, and soap, cationic surfactants such as amine salt type and quaternary ammonium salt type, polyethylene glycol type, alkylphenol It is also effective to use a nonionic surfactant such as an ethylene oxide adduct system or a polyhydric alcohol system in combination. As a dispersing means at that time, a general means such as a rotary shear type homogenizer, a ball mill having a media, a sand mill, a dyno mill, or the like can be used.

An external additive may be further added to the toner as necessary.
Examples of the external additive include inorganic powder and organic particles.
Examples of the inorganic particles include SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO. _{SiO 2, K 2 O · (} TiO 2) n, Al 2 O 3 · 2SiO 2, CaCO 3, MgCO 3, BaSO 4, MgSO 4, and the like.
Examples of the organic particles include fatty acid or derivatives thereof, powders of these metal salts, and resin powders of fluorine resins, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, and the like. For example, the average particle size of these powders is preferably 0.01 to 5 μm, and more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.

  The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited, and (i) a step of forming aggregated particles in a dispersion obtained by dispersing resin particles to prepare an aggregated particle dispersion, (ii) in the aggregated particle dispersion. A step of adding and mixing a fine particle dispersion in which fine particles are dispersed to adhere the fine particles to the aggregated particles to form adhered particles; and (iii) heating and fusing the adhered particles to form toner particles. Those obtained by a method for producing a toner including the steps are preferable.

-Toner physical properties-
The volume average particle diameter of the toner is preferably 0.5 to 10 μm.
If the volume average particle size of the toner is too small, there may be an adverse effect on toner handling (replenishability, cleaning properties, fluidity, etc.), and particle productivity may be reduced. On the other hand, if the volume average particle size of the toner is too large, the image quality and resolution due to graininess and transferability may be adversely affected.
Further, the toner preferably satisfies the toner volume average particle size range, and the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is preferably 1.3 or less.
The ratio (GSDv / GSDn) of the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) to the number average particle size distribution index (GSDn) is preferably 0.95 or more.
Further, the toner preferably satisfies the volume average particle diameter range of the toner, and the average value of the shape factor represented by the following formula is preferably 1.00 to 1.50.
Shape factor = (π × L ² ) / (4 × S)
In the above formula, L represents the maximum length of toner particles. S represents the projected area of the toner particles.
When the toner satisfies the above conditions, it has an effect on image quality, particularly graininess and resolution, and it is difficult to cause omission and blur due to transfer, and handling properties are adversely affected even if the average particle size is not small. It becomes difficult.

  The storage modulus G ′ (measured at an angular frequency of 10 rad / sec) at 150 ° C. of the toner itself is preferably 10 to 200 Pa from the viewpoint of improving the image quality in the fixing process and preventing the offset property.

<Thermal material>
The heat-sensitive material has, for example, a structure in which at least a thermochromic layer is provided as the image-recording layer on the image-recording material support of the present invention, and is repeated by heating with a heat-sensitive head and fixing with ultraviolet rays. Examples thereof include heat-sensitive materials used in a thermoautochrome method (TA method) for forming an image.

<Sublimation transfer material>
The sublimation transfer material has, for example, a configuration in which an ink layer containing at least a heat diffusible dye (sublimation dye) is provided as the image recording layer on the support for image recording material of the present invention. And a sublimation transfer method in which a heat-diffusible dye is transferred from an ink layer onto a sublimation transfer sheet by heating with a thermal head.

<Thermal transfer material>
The thermal transfer material has, for example, a configuration in which at least a heat-meltable ink layer is provided as the image recording layer on the image recording material support of the present invention, and is heated and melted by a thermal head. Examples include a method of melting and transferring ink from an ink layer onto a thermal transfer sheet.

<Silver salt photographic material>
The silver salt photographic material has, for example, a structure in which an image forming layer that develops at least YMC as the image recording layer is provided on the support for image recording material of the present invention, and is subjected to printing exposure. Examples include a silver halide photographic system in which a silver halide photographic sheet is passed through a plurality of processing tanks while being immersed, and color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water and drying are performed.

<Inkjet recording material>
As the ink jet recording material, for example, on the support for image recording material of the present invention, as the image recording layer, liquid ink such as water-based ink (using a dye or pigment as a coloring material) and oil-based ink, The colorant receiving layer is solid at room temperature and can receive solid ink or the like that is melted and liquefied and used for printing.

<Printing paper>
The image recording material support is also preferably used as printing paper. When used as printing paper, a material having high mechanical strength is preferable from the viewpoint of applying ink or the like by a printing machine.

  When the base paper is used as the support for the image recording material, it is preferable that the paper contains a filler, a softening agent, an internal additive for papermaking, and the like. As fillers, commonly used ones can be used, such as clay, calcined clay, diatomaceous earth, talc, kaolin, calcined kaolin, deramikaolin, heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, titanium dioxide. Inorganic fillers such as zinc oxide, silicon oxide, amorphous silica, aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, organic fillers such as urea-formalin resin, polystyrene resin, phenol resin, and fine hollow particles , Etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the internal additive for papermaking include various conventionally used nonionic, cationic, and anionic yield improvers, freeness improvers, paper strength improvers, and internally added sizing agents. Can be mentioned. Specifically, basic aluminum compounds such as sulfate band, aluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, basic aluminum chloride, basic polyaluminum hydroxide; polyvalent metal compounds such as ferrous sulfate and ferric sulfate, starch , Modified starch, polyacrylamide, urea resin, melamine resin, epoxy resin, polyamide resin, polyamine resin, polyamine, polyethyleneimine, vegetable gum, polyvinyl alcohol, latex, polyethylene oxide and other water-soluble polymers, hydrophilic cross-linked polymer particle dispersion And various compounds such as derivatives and modified products thereof, and these substances simultaneously have some of the functions as an internal additive for papermaking.

  Next, as the functions of the internal sizing agent, the alkyl ketene dimer compound, alkenyl succinic anhydride compound, styrene-acrylic compound, higher fatty acid compound, petroleum resin sizing agent and rosin sizing agent are used. Is mentioned.

  Furthermore, internal additives for papermaking such as dyes, fluorescent brighteners, pH adjusters, antifoaming agents, pitch control agents, slime control agents and the like may be appropriately added depending on the intended use.

  The printing paper is particularly suitable as offset printing paper, and can be used as letterpress printing paper, gravure printing paper, and electrophotographic paper.

  The image recording material of the present invention is extremely excellent in glossiness due to small waviness, extremely excellent in flatness due to large waviness, and further excellent in rigidity, and on the support. Since it has the image recording layer, it can record high-quality images, has excellent gloss and flatness, and is an electrophotographic material, heat-sensitive material, sublimation transfer material, thermal transfer material, silver salt photographic material, and inkjet recording material. It is suitable for either.

  Hereinafter, although the Example of this invention is described, this invention is not limited to this Example at all. In the following examples, the support for image recording material of the present invention is manufactured by the method for manufacturing the support for image recording material of the present invention, and further the image recording material having the support for image recording material of the present invention is manufactured. Content.

(Example 1)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
Hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) was beaten with a disc refiner to 300 ml (Canadian standard freeness, CSF) to prepare a pulp stock having a fiber length of 0.65 mm.
With respect to this pulp stock, based on the pulp mass, 1.3% by mass of cation starch, 0.6% by mass of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), 0.2% by mass of anionic polyacrylamide, 0.2% of epoxidized fatty acid amide (EFA) It added so that it might become a ratio of the mass% and the polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin 0.3 mass%. The AKD means an alkyl ketene dimer (the alkyl part is derived from a fatty acid mainly composed of behenic acid). The EFA means an epoxidized fatty acid amide (the fatty acid part is derived from a fatty acid mainly composed of behenic acid).

Using the obtained pulp paper material, a wet paper having an absolute dry weight of 160 g / m ² and a water content of 68% by mass was prepared using a handsheet machine.
Both sides of the obtained wet paper were sandwiched with filter paper, dehydrated with a wet press device, and the water content was adjusted to 55% by mass.
The wet paper after dehydration was press-dried using the press-drying apparatus (Static Conbelt manufactured by VALMET) shown in FIG. 4 as the above-mentioned pressure drying treatment to produce a base paper having a water content of 7 mass%.
In the press drying, the temperature of the upper plate in contact with the surface side (front surface) on which the image recording layer of the base paper is provided in the press drying apparatus is adjusted to 150 ° C., and the side on which the image recording layer of the base paper is not provided (back surface) The temperature of the lower plate in contact with was adjusted to 85 ° C., and the press pressure was 0.45 MPa and the drying time was 1 second.

  The paper was passed so that a metal roll having a surface temperature of 220 ° C. was in contact with the surface side (front surface) on which the pressure-dried base paper image recording layer was provided, and soft calendering was performed.

-Preparation of water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution-
As the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution, a water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution obtained by mixing 20% by mass of titanium dioxide, 70% by mass of an acrylic emulsion (manufactured by Daicel, Aquabrid, Tg 65 ° C.) and 10% by mass of starch. (Liquid A) was prepared. In addition, solid content of this water-dispersible polymer containing coating liquid was 60 mass%.

As the polymer adhesion treatment, the coating amount of the prepared water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution is solid by a blade coating method using a blade coater (sheet type) on the surface side (surface) on which the image recording layer of the base paper is provided. The coating was performed so that the amount was 10 g / m ² . Finally, the surface coated with the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution was dried with a hot air dryer. The above is the polymer adhesion treatment step.

-Heat and pressure treatment-
As the heat and pressure treatment, a heat and pressure treatment was performed using a double belt type heat and pressure apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to prepare a support for an image recording material. That is, in FIG. 1, an endless belt 4 as the first belt member and an endless belt 4 ′ as the second belt member are disposed to face each other via the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment. The endless belt 4 is rotatably stretched between the heating roller 2 and the cooling roller 3, and has an upper pressure unit 5 between the heating roller 2 and the cooling roller 3. The upper pressurizing means 5 is a housing mechanism, and has a seal portion 7 and a pressurizing chamber 6 at the periphery of the opening. The pressurizing chamber 6 is configured so that the pressure medium can circulate.
Similarly to the endless belt 4 described above, the endless belt 4 ′ is rotatably stretched between the heating roller 4 ′ and the cooling roller 3 ′, and is interposed between the heating roller 4 ′ and the cooling roller 3 ′. Has a lower pressurizing means 5 '. The lower pressurizing means 5 ′ is a housing mechanism, and has a seal portion 7 ′ and a pressurizing chamber 6 ′ at the periphery of the opening. The pressurizing chamber 6 'is configured so that the pressure medium can circulate. The heating rollers 2 and 2 'are located upstream of the cooling rollers 3 and 3' with respect to the flow direction of the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment.

The base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment was first moved to the heating rollers 2 and 2 ′, heated through the endless belts 4 and 4 ′, and the acrylic polymer adhered by the heating was melted. The base paper 1 having the melted acrylic polymer is moved to the positions of the upper pressurizing means 5 and the lower pressurizing means 5 ′ while being in contact with the endless belts 4 and 4 ′, and the pressure medium is pressurized. The chambers 6 and 6 ′ were filled at a pressure of 50 kg / cm ² (490.3 kPa), and the base paper 1 with the polymer adhered was pressed from both sides via the endless belts 4 and 4 ′. Further, the base paper 1 subjected to the polymer adhesion treatment moves to the pair of cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′, is cooled by the cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′ via the endless belts 4 and 4 ′, and is moved as it is to thereby move the endless belt 4 and Peeled from 4 '. Thus, a support for image recording material was prepared.

The surface temperature of the heating rollers 2 and 2 ′ is 120 ° C., the surface temperature of the cooling rollers 3 and 3 ′ is 50 ° C., and the pressing force of the upper pressing means 5 and the lower pressing means 5 ′ is 500 kPa. there were. As the endless belt, a mirror-finished stainless steel belt was used. The above is the heating and pressing treatment step.
The prepared support for image recording material was manufactured by the method for manufacturing a support for image recording material of the present invention, so that it could be manufactured efficiently in a short time, continuously, and at low cost.

  The prepared support for an image recording material was evaluated for glossiness due to small waviness, flatness due to large waviness, and rigidity as follows. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Glossiness>
The prepared support for image recording material was visually observed, and based on the following criteria, the best glossiness due to small waviness of 1 mm or less was designated as A, and then B, C, D, and E were ranked. Attached and evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... very good B ... good C ... middle D ... inferior E ... very inferior

<Flatness>
The prepared support for image recording material was visually observed, and based on the following criteria, the one having the best flatness due to large waviness of 5 to 6 mm was designated as A, and then B, C, D, and E Ranked and evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... very good B ... good C ... middle D ... inferior E ... very inferior

<Rigidity evaluation>
About each support body for image recording materials, the strength (rigidity) of "strain" in the touch by 20 panelists was evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A ... No problem with rigidity.
B ... No problem in rigidity.
C .. Although the rigidity slightly decreases, it is a level that does not cause a problem in practical use.
D ··· Insufficient rigidity, which is a practically problematic level.
E. ・ There is no rigidity ("strain").

(Example 2)
In Example 1, a support for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a drying process using a cylinder dryer was performed by a conventional method instead of the pressure drying process, resulting in small waviness. Glossiness, flatness due to large waviness, and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.
The prepared support for image recording material can be manufactured efficiently, continuously and at low cost in a short time by being manufactured by the method for manufacturing a support for image recording material of the present invention. It was.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, except that the soft calendar process was not performed, a support for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and gloss caused by small waviness, flatness caused by large waviness, and Stiffness was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.
The prepared support for image recording material can be manufactured efficiently, continuously and at low cost in a short time by being manufactured by the method for manufacturing a support for image recording material of the present invention. It was.

Example 4
In Example 1, the drying process using a cylinder dryer was performed instead of the pressure drying process, the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating liquid was replaced with a coating liquid having the following composition, and the coating amount was determined as a solid content. A substrate for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that it was changed to 12 g / m ² , and glossiness due to small waviness, flatness due to large waviness, and evaluation of rigidity were evaluated. went. The results are shown in Table 2.
-Preparation of water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution-
A water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution (liquid B) was prepared by mixing 60% by mass of starch fatty acid ester resin, 10% by mass of wax emulsion, and 30% by mass of titanium dioxide. The solid content of the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution was 30% by mass.
The prepared support for image recording material can be manufactured efficiently, continuously and at low cost in a short time by being manufactured by the method for manufacturing a support for image recording material of the present invention. It was.

(Example 5)
In Example 4, a support for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the drying process using a cylinder dryer was replaced with the pressure drying process of Example 1, and glossiness caused by small waviness. The flatness and rigidity due to large undulations were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 6)
In Example 4, a support for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the soft calendar process was not performed, and glossiness due to small waviness, flatness due to large waviness, and rigidity Was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.
The prepared support for image recording material can be manufactured efficiently, continuously and at low cost in a short time by being manufactured by the method for manufacturing a support for image recording material of the present invention. It was.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 1, a support for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the heat and pressure treatment was not performed. Glossiness caused by small waviness, flatness caused by large waviness, and Stiffness was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 1, an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that a drying process using a cylinder dryer was performed in a conventional manner instead of the pressure drying process, and the soft calendar process was not performed. The substrate for the test was prepared, and the glossiness caused by the small waviness, the flatness caused by the large waviness, and the rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 1 except that a drying process using a cylinder dryer was performed by a conventional method instead of the pressure drying process, and a gloss calendar process was performed by a conventional method instead of the heating and pressing process. In the same manner as described above, a support for an image recording material was prepared, and glossiness due to small waviness, flatness due to large waviness, and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 4)
In Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 1 except that a drying process using a cylinder dryer was performed by a conventional method instead of the pressure drying process, and a machine calendar process was performed by a conventional method instead of the heating and pressing process. In the same manner as described above, a support for an image recording material was prepared, and glossiness due to small waviness, flatness due to large waviness, and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 5)
In Comparative Example 1, a drying process using a cylinder dryer was performed by a conventional method instead of the pressure drying process, a gloss calendar process was performed by a conventional method instead of the heating and pressing process, and water dispersibility A support for an image recording material was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that the polymer-containing coating solution was not applied, and glossiness due to small waviness, flatness due to large waviness, and evaluation of rigidity were evaluated. Went. The results are shown in Table 2.

表２の結果から、実施例１〜６は、前記ダブルベルト式加熱加圧装置を用いて加熱加圧処理をすることにより、小さなうねりに起因する光沢性、及び、大きなうねりに起因する平面性に共に極めて優れ、更に剛性にも優れることが判る。

From the results shown in Table 2, in Examples 1 to 6, glossiness due to small waviness and flatness due to large waviness are obtained by performing heat and pressure treatment using the double belt type heat and pressure apparatus. It is found that both are extremely excellent and have excellent rigidity.

(Examples 7-12 and Comparative Examples 6-10)
-Production of electrophotographic materials-
Using the obtained support for each image recording material, electrophotographic materials of Examples 7 to 12 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 were produced by the following method.

--- Preparation of titanium dioxide dispersion-
40.0 g of titanium dioxide (Typaque (registered trademark) “A-220”, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo), 2.0 g of PVA102, and 58.0 g of ion-exchanged water are mixed, and NBK-2 manufactured by Nippon Seiki Seisakusho is used. Dispersion was carried out to prepare a titanium dioxide dispersion (titanium dioxide pigment 40% by mass).

--- Preparation of coating solution for toner image-receiving layer-
15.5 g of the titanium dioxide dispersion prepared above, carnauba wax dispersion (Cerosol 524, 15.0 g manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd.), and polyester resin aqueous dispersion (solid content 30% by mass, KZA-7049, manufactured by Unitika) 100.0 g, thickener (Alcox E30, manufactured by Meisei Chemical Co., Ltd., 2.0 g), anionic surfactant (AOT) 0.5 g, and ion-exchanged water 80 ml are mixed and stirred for toner image-receiving layer. A coating solution was prepared.
The prepared toner image-receiving layer coating solution had a viscosity of 40 mPa · s and a surface tension of 34 mN / m.

--- Preparation of coating solution for back layer--
100.0 g of acrylic resin water dispersion (manufactured by Seiko Chemical Co., Ltd., solid content 30% by mass, Hiros XBH-997L), 5.0 g of matting agent (manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd., Techpomer MBX-12), and release agent (Made by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd., Hydrin D337) 10.0 g, 2.0 g thickener (CMC), 0.5 g anionic surfactant (AOT), and 80 ml ion-exchanged water are mixed and stirred. A coating solution for the back layer was prepared.
The viscosity of the coating solution for the back layer was 35 mPa · s, and the surface tension was 33 mN / m.

--Coating of back layer and toner image receiving layer--
The back layer coating solution was applied with a bar coater to the back surface of each of the image recording material supports obtained in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 in contact with the heat roll. Next, the toner image-receiving layer coating solution was applied to the surface in contact with the heat roll with a bar coater in the same manner as in the case of the back layer.
The coating amount is 9 g / m ² in terms of dry mass for the back layer, and the toner image receiving layer coating solution and the back layer coating solution are applied so that the toner image receiving layer has a dry mass of 12 g / m ^2. did. The pigment in the toner image-receiving layer was 5% by mass of the mass of the thermoplastic resin used.
The back layer and the toner image-receiving layer were dried on-line with hot air after coating. In drying, the amount of drying air and the temperature were adjusted so that both the back surface and the toner image-receiving surface were dried within 2 minutes after coating. The drying point was the point at which the coating surface temperature was the same as the wet bulb temperature of the drying air.
After drying, a calendar process was performed. The calendar treatment was performed at a pressure of 14.7 kN / cm ² (15 kgf / cm ² ) using a gloss calendar while keeping the metal roller at 40 ° C.

Each obtained electrophotographic material was cut into A4 size, and an image was printed. The printer used was a Fuji Xerox color laser printer (DocuColor 1250-PF) except that the fixing belt device shown in FIG. 6 was used.
That is, in the fixing belt device 1 shown in FIG. 6, the fixing belt 62 is suspended over the heating roller 63 and the tension roller 65, and the cleaning roller 66 is interposed above the tension roller 65 via the fixing belt 62. Furthermore, a pressure roller 64 is provided below the heating roller 63 via a fixing belt 62. In FIG. 6, the electrophotographic material having the latent toner image is inserted between the heating roller 63 and the pressure roller 64 from the right side, fixed, and then moved on the fixing belt 62 in the process. Then, it is cooled by the cooling device 67 and finally cleaned by the cleaning roller 66.
In this fixing belt system, the conveyance speed of the fixing belt 62 is 30 mm / second, the nip pressure between the heating roller 63 and the pressure roller 64 is 0.2 MPa (2 kgf / cm ² ), and heating is performed. The set temperature of the roller 63 is 150 ° C., which corresponds to the fixing temperature. The set temperature of the pressure roller 64 was set to 120 ° C.

  Each electrophotographic print obtained was evaluated for image quality, gloss due to small waviness, and flatness due to large waviness as follows. The results are shown in Table 3.

<Evaluation of image quality>
The image quality of each electrophotographic print was visually observed, and the best image quality was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

<Evaluation of glossiness>
The surface properties of each electrophotographic print were visually observed, and the best glossiness due to small waviness of 1 mm or less was ranked as A, then B, C, D, E based on the following criteria. And evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

<Evaluation of flatness>
The surface properties of each electrophotographic print were visually observed. Based on the following criteria, the best flatness due to large waviness of 5 to 6 mm was designated as A, and then ranked as B, C, D, E. Attached and evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

表３の結果から、比較例６〜１０と比較して、実施例７〜１２の画像記録材料は、画質、光沢性及び平面性にいずれも極めて優れていることが判る。

From the results of Table 3, it can be seen that the image recording materials of Examples 7 to 12 are extremely excellent in image quality, glossiness and flatness as compared with Comparative Examples 6 to 10.

(Examples 13 to 18 and Comparative Examples 11 to 15)
-Production of silver salt photographic materials-
For each of the image recording material supports obtained in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, one surface was subjected to corona discharge treatment, gelatin was applied at 0.1 g / m ² , and silver salt photographic material was used. A support was prepared.

  The silver halide photographic materials of Examples 13 to 18 and Comparative Examples 11 to 15 were prepared by coating ordinary silver halide photographic emulsions on the gelatin coated surface of each of the obtained silver salt photographic material supports. Each obtained silver salt photographic material was exposed and developed to obtain a photographic print.

  About each obtained photographic print, the image quality of the printing surface, the glossiness resulting from a small waviness, and the flatness resulting from a big waviness were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 4.

<Evaluation of image quality>
The image quality of each photographic print was visually observed, and the best image quality was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

<Evaluation of glossiness>
The surface properties of each photographic print were visually observed, and the best glossiness due to a small swell of 1 mm or less was ranked as A and then B, C, D, E based on the following criteria. ,evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

<Evaluation of flatness>
The surface properties of each photographic print were visually observed, and the one with the best flatness due to large waviness of 5 to 6 mm was ranked as A, then B, C, D, E based on the following criteria. And evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

表４の結果から、比較例１１〜１５と比較して、実施例１３〜１８の画像記録材料は、画質、光沢性及び平面性がいずれも極めて優れていることが判る。

From the results of Table 4, it can be seen that the image recording materials of Examples 13 to 18 are extremely excellent in image quality, glossiness and flatness as compared with Comparative Examples 11 to 15.

  The present invention suppresses both small undulations and large undulations, so that it is extremely excellent in gloss and flatness, and is also excellent in rigidity, and therefore suitable for use in various image recording materials capable of recording high-quality images. In particular, it can be suitably used for a support such as an electrophotographic material, a heat-sensitive material, a sublimation transfer material, a heat transfer material, a silver salt photographic material, and an ink jet recording material. The image recording material of the present invention is capable of recording high-quality images using the support for image-recording materials, and is extremely excellent in gloss and flatness. It can be suitably used for image recording materials. In particular, it can be suitably used as electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

FIG. 1 is an example of a double belt heating / pressurizing device (with a housing mechanism). FIG. 2 is an example of a double belt heating and pressing apparatus (with a pressure roller). FIG. 3 is an example of a double belt heating and pressing apparatus (with a pressure roller). FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a press drying apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a pressure drying apparatus when the press drying process is performed as a production line. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a belt fixing device in the printer used in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base paper 2 Heating roller 2 'Heating roller 3 Cooling roller 3' Cooling roller 4 Endless belt 4 'Endless belt 5 Upper pressurizing means 5' Lower pressurizing means 6 Heating chamber 6 'Heating chamber 7 Sealing part 7' Sealing part 8 Addition Pressure roller 8 'Pressure roller 38 Endless belt 39 Endless belt 40 Pulp stock 41 Fabric 42 Upper plate 43 Lower plate 44 Jacket 45 Hydraulic oil 46 Cooling water 47 Heating oil 48 Pressurizer 49 Vacuum tank 51 First rotating roller 52 First rotating roller 53 Second rotating roller 54 Second rotating roller 55 Heat chamber 56 Cooling chamber 61 Belt fixing device 62 Fixing belt 63 Heating roller 64 Pressure roller 65 Tension roller 66 Cleaning roller 67 Cooling device 100 Press drying device 200 Press drying apparatus

Claims (19)

  A support for an image recording material, wherein the base paper is heated and pressed using a double belt type heating and pressing apparatus.   A first belt member, a second belt member, and a first belt member and a second belt member, which are disposed opposite to each other so as to be in contact with each other via a base paper; The image recording material support according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurizing unit arranged to pressurize a contact portion that contacts the base paper.   The support for an image recording material according to claim 2, wherein the first belt member and the second belt member are endless belts, and each is rotatably stretched by a heating roller and a rotating roller.   The pressurizing means is disposed between the heating roller and the rotating roller, and the contact portion is disposed so as to be capable of being pressed from both sides via the first belt member and the second belt member. The support for image recording materials described in 1.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pressurizing means is a housing mechanism arranged so that the contact portion can be held.   6. The support for an image recording material according to claim 5, wherein the housing mechanism is capable of adjusting the pressure by filling the inside with a pressure medium.   The image recording material support according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the pressurizing means is at least one set of rollers arranged so that the abutting portion can be pinched.   The heating roller is provided upstream of the rotating roller, the surface temperature of the heating roller is 80 to 200 ° C, and the surface temperature of the rotating roller is 10 to 80 ° C. Support for image recording material.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the applied pressure at the contact portion is 100 to 2,000 kPa.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the base paper is a base paper subjected to a polymer adhesion treatment.   The support for an image recording material according to claim 10, wherein the polymer adhesion treatment is at least one of application and impregnation of a polymer-containing coating solution on the base paper.   The support for an image recording material according to claim 11, wherein the polymer-containing coating solution is at least one of a water-soluble polymer-containing coating solution and a water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution.   The support for an image recording material according to claim 12, wherein the water-dispersible polymer-containing coating solution contains either an emulsion or a latex.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the pressure-dried base paper is heat-pressed.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the base paper before the polymer adhesion treatment is subjected to a pressure drying treatment.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the pressure drying process is at least one of a drying process using a press machine and a drying process using a cast drum.   A method for producing a support for an image recording material, wherein the base paper includes a heat and pressure treatment step in which heat and pressure treatment is performed using a double belt type heat and pressure apparatus.   An image recording material comprising the support for image recording material according to claim 1 and an image recording layer on the support. 19. The image recording material according to claim 18, wherein the image recording material is any one selected from electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

Images