Resistance Complemented Carbon-Nanotube Composite for Laser Printer Fusers Element

Abstract: To utilize carbon nanotubes (CNT) polymer composite as practical heat related applications, resistance dependence on temperature and mechanical deformation (compression and tension) issues have to be solved. We report a resistance compensated laser printer fuser element using CNT composite which indicates rapid heating properties. During electric heating, highly conducting CNT/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites show a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of resistivity due to interconnection resistance between the CNTs. The NTC property is redeemed through use of the positive pressure coefficient (PPC) effect of CNT/PDMS. In laser printer fuser system, CNT/PDMS film is properly compressed by pressing roller and heating roller which showed a constant normalized resistance (with less than 4 ％ deviation) until 200 °C. The proposed laser printer fuser element could be used as basis for heating-unit applications.