Universal Laser Printer Toner - Is there such a thing?

A user of a popular community website asked if toner powder compatible with the Samsung ML1640 can be used on an ML2010 printer series. I take it that the user was considering the refill of an ML2010D3 cartridge with third party toner intended for the MLT-D108S which loads the ML1640 series.

Well, this is typical since same brand OEM toner cartridges are designed compatible for use on other laser printer units from the same or another series, as specified by the manufacturer. The ML2010D3 loads not only the ML2010 unit but also the ML2510 and ML2570 printers. Third party toner on the other hand extends this compatibility across laser printer brands as Samsung ML-2010 toner refill kits can also be used to replenish the toner supply of Xerox Phaser and Workcenter models as well as Dell 1100 toner cartridges.

So can one indeed refill toner cartridges with compatible toners sparingly? In the case of the ML1640 and ML2010, OEM specs do not indicate compatibility and the same goes for third party toner refills. While both units are monochrome laser printers and can produce effective resolution of 1200x600 dpi, yield rating for both the ML2010D3 and MLT-D108S varies at 3000 and 1500 pages - at 5% page coverage.

Page yield is directly influenced by toner particle size and this likely is an indicator of incompatibility, among other factors. In a WhatTheyThink.com interview, Xerox VP Hadi Mahabadi discussed how a 5 micron toner can produce double the yield of a 9 micron toner.

There is no such thing as a universal laser printer toner. While toner composition can be identical, differences in particle size and toner technology used in its production generate various toner formulations that are specific to the output requirements of a laser printer in terms of resolution, speed and yield - including the fusing process. This should then prompt laser printer users to stick with specific OEM cartridges or be meticulous in the choice of compatible toner as well as with vendors supplying toner refill kits because toner is exclusive for a certain laser printer or a particular series and is not compatible with just about any printer unit or cartridge for that matter.

Toner Powder deciphered. Laser printer OEMs base toner specifications on the technical designs of a laser printer, as follows: Toner substances utilized are usually of the styrene acrylate copolymer, polyester resin, styrene butadiene copolymer and a few other polymers, tested by manufacturers to fit a printer’s specification. Toner formulation differs for each laser printer model, particularly on the percentages of substances deemed necessary to produce the desired printed output. Granule size is also a major consideration since it will all depend on the laser beam's capacity to engrave the dot size on the photoreceptor surface that could accommodate a toner particle. Naturally if the dot calls for a 4 micron toner particle, such should be supplied or the printout quality will be affected. Toner melting point is the most important aspect, since toner is expected to bond with the paper fibers in the process of fusing. Toner is devised to have low melting point, because it will need a lot of energy if fusing temperature exceeds 220 degrees Celsius.