Abstract
The surface defects of an aluminum tube for an OPC drum have been analyzed using a scanning microscopy(SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray analyze.(EDX). The SEM/EDX system, which may provide good information on the surface defects and their distributions, provides an optical diameter of an impurity and a chemical composition. These are strongly related on the coated film thickness and quality of an OPC drum, which is a key element of a toner cartridge for a laser printer. The experimental results show that the local deformations, scratch wear, and flaws are produce the non-uniform coating layers, which may be removed by a manufacturing process of an aluminum tube. The major parameters on the coating quality of an OPC drum are the impurities of an aluminum tube such as silicon, oxygen, calcium, carbon, sulphur, chlorine, and others. These impurities may be removed by an ingot molding, extrusion and drawing, quality control, and packing processes with a strict manufacturing technology.