TONER, DEVELOPING AGENT, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF IMAGE FORMATION

摘要

A toner wherein the state of wax dispersion in the vicinity of the surface thereof is controlled so as not only to enhance hot offset resistance to thereby realize favorable fixability but also to enhance antiblocking properties to thereby realize excellent long-term storability. In particular, a toner comprising at least a binder resin, a colorant and a wax, characterized in that the content of wax in terms of the value, expressed by weight, wax endotherm determined in accordance with DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) is in the range of 3 to 21 wt.% based on the total toner weight; the intensity ratio of (P2850/P828) wherein P2850 represents the intensity of peak (2850 cm<-1>) ascribed to the wax while P828 represents the intensity of peak (828 cm<-1>) ascribed to the binder resin as determined in accordance with FTIR-ATR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red Attenuated Total Reflection) spectroscopy, as a value defining the amount of wax being present in a region extending from the surface of toner particle to a depth of 0.3 mum, is in the range of 0.01 to 0.40; and at least portion of the wax is present in the form of multiple independent wax disperse subparticles encapsulated in the toner particles.