Influence of Paper Lint on Friction and Wear of Rubber Rollers

This paper deals with the influence of surface contamination on the frictional mechanisms of rubber rollers. The contamination which adhered on the rollers after feeding many sheets of papers is one of the predominant causes of paper jams. However, the mechanism has not been understood. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationships between the friction force and the real contact area of papers and contaminated rubber rollers. Carrying out paper feeding tests by using a commercial multifunction peripheral, we tested different types of papers produced by different manufacturers. The tests have been done with combinations of different manufacturer’s papers and different kinds of roller materials. Observations of the real contact area clarified that the roller surfaces covered with paper powders or lint reduces the friction coefficient.