Rotating body for fixing, fixing device, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, method for manufacturing rotating body for fixing, and conductive member

Abstract

To provide a rotating body for fixing excellent in durability even in such a printing environment in which a high temperature state continues for a long time.SOLUTION: A rotating body for fixing comprises: a base material containing resin; a heat generating layer on the base material; and a resin layer on a surface of the heat generating layer on the opposite side of a side facing the base material. The heat generating layer extends in a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of the base material. The heat generating layer contains silver. Silver sulfide is present in at least one of the surface of the heat generating layer facing the resin layer and the inside of the heat generating layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fixing rotor used in a fixing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or printer, a fixing device, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a method for manufacturing the fixing rotor, and a conductive member. [Background technology]

[0002] A fixing device installed in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copier or printer generally heats a recording material carrying an unfixed toner image while transporting the recording material in a nip formed by a heated fixing rotor and a pressure roller in contact with the heated rotor, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material.

[0003] An electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device has been developed and put into practical use. The fixing device has a heating layer on the fixing rotor, and this heating layer can generate heat directly. The advantage of the electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device is that it has a short warm-up time. The heat generating layer is required to have electrical conductivity and durability against repeated strain under heat. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fixing member having a heat generating layer formed by copper plating and having a predetermined pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-051136 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors attempted to apply silver nanoink, which allows for fine control of line width and spacing, when forming a heat-generating layer, hoping to reduce uneven heat generation. Pores exist in the heat-generating layer formed with silver nanoink. The presence of pores is expected to improve durability by improving adhesion through an anchor effect when forming a resin layer, such as a protective layer, that contacts the heat-generating layer.

[0006] Meanwhile, in the fixing rotor, there is a phenomenon in which the temperature of the components rises at the end where paper does not pass, the so-called non-paper passing area. The fixing rotor is constantly heated to maintain the fixing temperature in the paper passing area where paper passes, in order to reliably fix the toner. In the paper passing area, the paper absorbs heat as it passes, so continuous heating is required. Meanwhile, in the non-paper passing area, there is no exchange of heat due to the passage of paper, so the component temperature can rise above the set temperature. This phenomenon is particularly likely to occur in special usage environments, such as when printing small-size paper continuously.

[0007] The inventors have confirmed that when a fixing rotor using silver nanoink to manufacture the heat-generating layer is used, if the non-paper-passing area remains at a high temperature above the set value for a long period of time, the resistance of the heat-generating layer increases. When this increase in resistance occurs in the non-paper-passing area of ​​small-sized paper, uneven heat generation due to electromagnetic induction occurs, and when fixing larger-sized paper, fixation at the edge of the paper decreases. The present disclosure is directed to a fixing rotor that is highly durable even in a printing environment where high temperatures persist for long periods of time. The present disclosure is also directed to a fixing device and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that include the fixing rotor. The present disclosure is also directed to a method for manufacturing the fixing rotor. The present disclosure is also directed to a conductive member that can suppress an increase in resistance at high temperatures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure provides a fixing rotating body, The fixing rotor is a substrate including a resin; a heat generating layer on the substrate; a resin layer on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate, the heat generating layer extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base material, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate; This relates to a fixing rotor.

[0009] The present disclosure also provides a fixing rotating body, The fixing rotor is a substrate including a resin; a heat generating layer on the substrate; a resin layer on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate, the heat generating layer extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base material, the heat generating layer contains silver; Silver sulfide is present inside the heat generating layer. This relates to a fixing rotor.

[0010] The present disclosure also provides a fixing rotating body, The fixing rotor is a substrate including a resin; a heat generating layer on the substrate; a resin layer on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate, the heat generating layer extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base material, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on at least one of the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and the interior of the heat generating layer; This relates to a fixing rotor.

[0011] The present disclosure also provides a fixing device comprising: and an induction heating device that generates heat from the fixing rotor by induction heating.

[0012] The present disclosure also provides an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer device that transfers the toner image onto a recording material; a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image onto the recording material; Equipped with The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing device is the fixing device described above.

[0013] The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the fixing rotor, comprising: The manufacturing method of the fixing rotating body includes: preparing a laminate in which the heat generating layer is formed on the base material; a step of impregnating a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate with a sulfide liquid containing sulfide ions; a step of removing excess sulfurizing liquid after impregnation of the sulfurizing liquid; The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fixing rotating body, including the steps of:

[0014] The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the fixing rotor, comprising: The manufacturing method of the fixing rotating body includes: Applying a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles onto the substrate; and A step of baking the applied liquid to form a heat generating layer; The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fixing rotating body, including the steps of:

[0015] The present disclosure also provides a conductive member having a substrate and a heat generating layer on the substrate, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate; Regarding conductive members.

[0016] The present disclosure also provides a conductive member having a substrate and a heat generating layer on the substrate, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on at least one of the surface opposite to the side facing the substrate and the interior of the heat generating layer; Regarding conductive members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present disclosure provides a fixing rotor that is highly durable even in a printing environment where high temperatures persist for long periods of time. The present disclosure also provides a fixing device and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that include the fixing rotor. The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the fixing rotor. The present disclosure also provides a conductive member that can suppress an increase in resistance at high temperatures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heat-generating layer formed from silver nanoink according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of a magnetic core and an excitation coil of a fixing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing a magnetic field formed when a current is passed through an excitation coil according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of a fixing rotor according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram showing the film formation mechanism of silver nanoink that forms the heat generating layer of the fixing rotor according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional image and binarized image of the heat generating layer of the fixing rotator according to the embodiment [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heat generating layer of a fixing rotatable body according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In the present disclosure, expressions such as "XX or more and YY or less" or "XX to YY" representing a numerical range mean a numerical range including the upper and lower limits, which are the endpoints, unless otherwise specified. When a numerical range is described in stages, the upper and lower limits of each numerical range can be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, expressions such as "at least one selected from the group consisting of XX, YY, and ZZ" mean any of XX, YY, ZZ, a combination of XX and YY, a combination of XX and ZZ, a combination of YY and ZZ, or a combination of XX, YY, and ZZ.

[0020] A fixing rotator having a heat generating layer according to the present disclosure, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the fixing rotator will be described in detail below based on specific configurations.

[0021] As mentioned above, when using a fixing rotor in which silver nanoink is used to manufacture the heat-generating layer, if the temperature in the non-paper-passing area remains above the set temperature for a long period of time, the resistance of the heat-generating layer may increase. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a heat-generating layer formed with silver nanoink. Heat-generating layers formed using silver nanoink are characterized by smaller crystal grain size (200a) than bulk silver, and by the presence of voids (200b), which results in an extremely large grain boundary area. This increases the area that reacts with oxygen, making oxidation more likely to progress than with bulk silver, and is thought to result in an increase in resistance.

[0022] The present inventors have found that by incorporating silver sulfide into the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate, it is possible to suppress an increase in the resistance of the heat generating layer even when the heat generating layer is kept at a high temperature for a long period of time. For example, the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate is sulfurized. The inventors believe that the reason why silver sulfide can suppress an increase in the resistance of the heating layer is that the dense silver sulfide layer 200c covering the surface of the heating layer acts as a barrier layer, reducing the amount of oxygen that the heating layer comes into contact with, thereby suppressing an increase in resistance even at high temperatures. For example, the heating layer includes a layer containing silver sulfide (silver sulfide layer) on the surface opposite the side facing the substrate.

[0023] The inventors also discovered that the presence of silver sulfide inside the heating layer can also suppress an increase in the resistance of the heating layer even when the layer is kept at a high temperature for a long period of time. For example, the inside of the heating layer is sulfurized. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a heating layer containing silver sulfide inside. The inventors believe that by forming the inner walls of the pores inside the heat generating layer and the grain boundaries of the silver crystals into silver sulfide 200d, the amount of oxygen that the heat generating layer comes into contact with is reduced, and an increase in resistance can be suppressed even at high temperatures. For example, the heat generating layer contains silver sulfide inside the heat generating layer. It is preferable that silver sulfide is present both on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and inside the heat generating layer.

[0024] A fixing rotating member having a heat generating layer, and a fixing device and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same will be described in detail below based on specific configurations. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in this embodiment may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the components to which the disclosure is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the following embodiment. In addition, in the following description, components having the same function are denoted by the same numbers in the drawings, and their description may be omitted.

[0025] (Electrophotographic image forming apparatus) An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an "image forming apparatus") comprises an image carrier that carries a toner image, a transfer device that transfers the toner image to a recording material, and a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image to the recording material. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a color laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as printer) 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a fixing device (image heating device) 15 according to this embodiment. A cassette 2 is housed in the lower part of the printer 1 so that it can be pulled out. The cassette 2 stores a stack of sheets P as recording materials. The sheets P in the cassette 2 are separated one by one by a separation roller 3 and then fed to a registration roller 4. As the recording material, sheet P, a variety of sheets of different sizes and materials can be used, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, surface-treated sheet materials such as plastic film, cloth, and coated paper, and specially shaped sheet materials such as envelopes and index paper.

[0026] The printer 1 is provided with an image forming unit 5 as an image forming means, in which image forming stations 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K corresponding to the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are arranged in a horizontal row. The image forming station 5Y includes an image carrier (electrode) that carries a toner image. A photosensitive drum 6Y, which is a child photosensitive member, and a charging roller 7Y, which serves as charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 6Y, are provided.

[0027] Furthermore, a scanner unit 8 is disposed below the image forming section 5. The scanner unit 8 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6Y by irradiating the photosensitive drum 6Y with a laser beam that is on / off modulated in accordance with a digital image signal that is input from an external device such as a computer (not shown) based on image information and generated by an image processing means. Furthermore, the image forming station 5Y includes a developing roller 9Y as a developing means that applies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 6Y to develop it into a toner image, and a primary transfer section 11Y that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 6Y to an intermediate transfer belt 10.

[0028] Toner images formed by similar processes at other image forming stations 5M, 5C, and 5K are superimposed and transferred onto the toner image on intermediate transfer belt 10 transferred at primary transfer unit 11Y. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on intermediate transfer belt 10. This full-color toner image is transferred onto sheet P at secondary transfer unit 12, which serves as a transfer means. Primary transfer unit 11Y and secondary transfer unit 12 are examples of transfer devices that fix the transferred toner image onto the recording material. Thereafter, the toner image transferred onto the sheet P (on the recording material) passes through a fixing device 15 and is fixed as a fixed image. The sheet P then passes through a discharge conveyance section 13 and is discharged and stacked on a stacking section 14.

[0029] The image forming unit 5 is an example of an image forming means, and may be configured as a direct transfer type in which a toner image is directly transferred from an image carrier to a sheet P, or as a monochrome type in which only one color of toner is used.

[0030] (fixing device) The fixing device 15 of this embodiment is an induction heating type fixing device (image heating device) that generates heat from a fixing rotor by electromagnetic induction. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the fixing device 15, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fixing device 15. Note that the housing of the fixing device 15 and other components are omitted from Figs. 3 and 4. In the following description, the longitudinal direction X1 of the members that make up the fixing device 15 is the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording material and the thickness direction of the recording material.

[0031] The fixing device 15 includes a fixing rotor 20, a film guide 25, a pressure roller 21, a pressure stay 22, a magnetic core 26, an excitation coil 27 (FIG. 5), a thermistor 40, and a current sensor 30. The fixing device 15 heats a recording material on which an image has been formed, and fixes the image to the recording material. The fixing rotor 20 is the rotor of this embodiment, and the pressure roller 21 is the opposing member of this embodiment. The excitation coil 27 also functions as a magnetic field generating means of this embodiment. Details of the fixing rotor will be described later.

[0032] The fixing rotor 20 has a heat-generating layer 20b on a base material 20a. The heat-generating layer 20b can generate heat, for example, by induced current. The heat-generating layer 20b is formed as a heat-generating pattern in which heat-generating rings 201 ( FIG. 4 ) are electrically connected in the circumferential direction and formed into a ring shape, and electrically divided in the longitudinal direction X1 (the direction of the rotation axis of the fixing rotor 20). In other words, the heat-generating layer 20b is divided into a plurality of annular regions that are connected in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotor 20 and are not electrically connected to each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the fixing rotor 20. Each heat-generating ring 201, which is a component of the heat-generating pattern, is formed with a substantially uniform width in the longitudinal direction X1.

[0033] That is, the heat generating layer has a plurality of segments (for example, heat generating rings) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotor and electrically separated from each other, and each of the plurality of segments is electrically connected to the fixing rotor. It is preferable that the groove is formed continuously over the entire circumferential direction.

[0034] The pressure roller 21, which serves as an opposing body (pressure member) facing the fixing rotor 20, includes a core 21a and an elastic layer 21b that is molded concentrically around the core to form a roller-like covering, with a release layer 21c provided on its surface. The elastic layer 21b is preferably made of a heat-resistant material such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, or fluorosilicone rubber. Both longitudinal ends of the core 21a are rotatably held between metal plates on the chassis (not shown) of the device via conductive bearings.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, pressure springs 24a and 24b are respectively compressed between both longitudinal ends of the pressure stay 22 and spring bearing members 23a and 23b on the device chassis side, thereby applying a downward force to the pressure stay 22. In the fixing device 15 of this embodiment, a total pressure of approximately 100N to 300N (approximately 10kgf to 30kgf) is applied. As a result, the lower surface of the film guide 25 made of a heat-resistant resin such as PPS and the upper surface of the pressure roller 21 are pressed against each other with the fixing rotor 20, which is a cylindrical rotor, sandwiched therebetween, forming a fixing nip N of a predetermined width. The film guide 25 functions as a nip portion forming member that, together with the pressure roller 21, forms a nip portion that sandwiches and conveys the recording material carrying the toner image via the fixing rotor 20. Here, PPS is polyphenylene sulfide.

[0036] The pressure roller 21 is driven to rotate clockwise by a driving means (not shown), and a counterclockwise rotational force acts on the fixing rotor 20 due to friction with the outer surface of the fixing rotor 20. As a result, the fixing rotor 20 rotates while sliding on the film guide 25.

[0037] 5 is a schematic diagram of the magnetic core 26 and the exciting coil 27 in FIG. 3, and the fixing rotor 20 is indicated by a dashed line to explain the positional relationship with the fixing rotor 20. An induction heating device in an induction heating type fixing device that heats the fixing rotor 20 by electromagnetic induction may include the magnetic core 26 and the exciting coil 27. The exciting coil 27 is disposed inside the fixing rotor 20. The exciting coil 27 has a spiral-shaped portion whose spiral axis is approximately parallel to the direction along the rotation axis of the fixing rotor 20, and forms an alternating magnetic field that causes the heat-generating layer 20b to generate heat through electromagnetic induction. "Approximately parallel" does not mean that the two axes are completely parallel, but rather that a slight misalignment is allowed to allow the heat-generating layer to generate heat through electromagnetic induction. The magnetic core 26 is disposed in the spiral portion, extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the fixing rotor 20, and does not form a loop outside the fixing rotor 20. The magnetic core 26 guides the magnetic field lines of the alternating magnetic field.

[0038] 5, the magnetic core 26 is inserted into the hollow portion of the fixing rotor 20, which is a cylindrical rotor. The exciting coil 27 is wound spirally around the outer periphery of the magnetic core 26 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotor 20. The magnetic core 26 has a cylindrical shape and is fixed by a fixing means (not shown) so as to be located approximately in the center of the fixing rotor 20 in a cross section viewed in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 3).

[0039] The magnetic core 26 provided inside the excitation coil 27 has the role of guiding the magnetic field lines (magnetic flux) of the alternating magnetic field generated by the excitation coil 27 inward from the heat generating layer 20b of the fixing rotor 20, and forming a path (magnetic path) for the magnetic field lines. The material of the magnetic core 26 is preferably a material with low hysteresis loss and high relative permeability, such as at least one high-permeability soft magnetic material selected from the group consisting of sintered ferrite, ferrite resin, etc.

[0040] The cross-sectional shape of the magnetic core 26 may be any shape as long as it can be housed in the hollow portion of the fixing rotor 20. Although the shape does not have to be circular, a shape that allows the cross-sectional area to be as large as possible is preferable. In this embodiment, the magnetic core 26 has a diameter of 10 mm and a length in the longitudinal direction of 280 mm.

[0041] The exciting coil 27 is formed by winding 20 turns of a copper wire (single conductor) coated with heat-resistant polyamideimide and having a diameter of 1 to 2 mm in a spiral shape around the magnetic core 26. The exciting coil 27 is wound around the magnetic core 26 in a direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the fixing rotor 20. Therefore, when a high-frequency alternating current is passed through the exciting coil 27, an alternating magnetic field is generated in a direction parallel to the rotational axis direction, and an induced current (circulating current) flows in each heat-generating ring 201 of the heat-generating layer 20b of the fixing rotor 20 according to a principle described below, generating heat.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the thermistor 40, which serves as temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the fixing rotor 20, is composed of a spring plate 40a and a thermistor element 40b. The spring plate 40a is a support member with spring elasticity that extends toward the inner surface of the fixing rotor 20. The thermistor element 40b, which serves as a temperature detection element, is installed at the tip of the spring plate 40a. The surface of the thermistor element 40b is covered with a 50 μm thick polyimide tape to ensure electrical insulation.

[0043] The thermistor 40 is fixed to the film guide 25 and installed at approximately the center of the fixing rotor 20 in the longitudinal direction. The thermistor element 40b is pressed against the inner surface of the fixing rotor 20 by the spring elasticity of the spring plate 40a, and is maintained in contact with the inner surface. The thermistor 40 may also be arranged on the outer periphery of the fixing rotor 20.

[0044] The current sensor 30, which constitutes a continuity monitoring device that monitors the circumferential continuity of the heat-generating layer 20b, is located at the same position as the thermistor 40 in the longitudinal direction of the fixing device 15. That is, what is monitored by the current sensor 30 is the continuity state of the heat-generating ring 201 that is in contact with the thermistor element 40b, among the multiple heat-generating rings 201 that constitute the heat-generating pattern of the fixing rotor 20. The current sensor 30 is composed of an outer magnetic core 30a, an inner magnetic core 30b, and a detection coil 30c.

[0045] (Heating principle) The heating principle of the fixing rotor 20 in the induction heating type fixing device 15 will now be described. Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the moment when current increases in the direction of the arrow I0 in the excitation coil 27. The excitation coil 27 is inserted into the fixing rotor 20 and functions as a magnetic field generating means that generates an induced current I in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotor 20 by passing an alternating current through it.

[0046] Furthermore, magnetic core 26 functions as a component that induces magnetic field lines B (dotted lines in the figure) generated by excitation coil 27 and forms a magnetic path. While typical induction heating methods involve magnetic field lines penetrating the heat-generating layer to generate eddy currents, in this embodiment, magnetic field lines B loop around the outside of the fixing rotor. That is, heat-generating layer 20b is primarily generated by induced currents induced by magnetic field lines that emerge from one longitudinal end of magnetic core 26, pass outside heat-generating layer 20b, and return to the other longitudinal end of magnetic core 26. This allows for efficient heat generation even when the heat-generating layer is as thin as 5 μm or less.

[0047] When an alternating magnetic field is formed by the excitation coil 27, an induced current I according to Faraday's law flows in each heat-generating ring 201 of the heat-generating layer 20b of the fixing rotor 20. Faraday's law states that "when the magnetic field in a circuit is changed, an induced electromotive force that tries to cause a current to flow in the circuit is generated, and the induced electromotive force is proportional to the time change in the magnetic flux that penetrates the circuit perpendicularly."

[0048] Regarding the heat generating ring 201c located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic core 26 shown in FIG. Consider the induced current I that flows in heat-generating ring 201c when a high-frequency alternating current is passed through exciting coil 27. When a high-frequency alternating current is passed, an alternating magnetic field is formed inside magnetic core 26. The induced electromotive force acting on heat-generating ring 201c at this time is proportional to the time change in the magnetic flux that perpendicularly penetrates the inside of heat-generating ring 201c, according to the following formula:

[0049]

number

[0050] This induced electromotive force V causes an induced current I, which is a circular current circulating through the heat-generating ring 201c, to flow, and the heat-generating ring 201c generates heat due to Joule heat generated by the induced current I. However, if the heat-generating ring 201c is broken, the induced current I does not flow, and the heat-generating ring 201c does not generate heat.

[0051] (1) Outline of the fixing rotor The fixing rotor of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A fixing rotor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a rotatable member having the shape of an endless belt, etc. The fixing rotor includes a substrate containing a resin, a heat-generating layer on the substrate, and a resin layer on the surface of the heat-generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of the fixing rotor. As shown in Fig. 7, the fixing rotor has a base material 20a, a heat-generating layer 20b on the outer surface of the base material 20a, and a resin layer (protective layer) 20e on the outer surface of the heat-generating layer. The resin layer includes, for example, a protective layer. As the resin layer, an elastic layer 20c and a surface layer (release layer) 20d may be further provided on the protective layer 20e as necessary, and an adhesive layer 20f may also be provided between the elastic layer 20c and the surface layer 20d.

[0053] (2) Base material The material of the substrate 20a is not particularly limited. The substrate 20a contains a resin (preferably a heat-resistant resin). When the belt is used in an electromagnetic induction type fixing device, the substrate 20a is preferably a layer that maintains high strength and exhibits little change in physical properties when the heat-generating layer generates heat. For this reason, the substrate 20a preferably contains a heat-resistant resin as a main component, and is more preferably made of a heat-resistant resin.

[0054] The resin contained in the substrate 20a (preferably the resin constituting the substrate) preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), modified polyimide, and modified polyamideimide. More preferably, it is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide and polyamideimide. Of these, polyimide is particularly preferred. In the present disclosure, the term "main component" refers to the component that is contained in the largest amount among the components constituting the target object (here, the substrate). The modified polyimide and modified polyamideimide may be modified by siloxane, carbonate, fluorine, urethane, triazine, or phenol.

[0055] The substrate 20a may contain a filler to improve heat insulation and strength. The shape of the substrate can be appropriately selected depending on the shape of the fixing rotary member, and can be various shapes such as an endless belt shape, a hollow cylinder shape, a film shape, and the like.

[0056] In the case of a fixing belt, the thickness of the substrate 20a is preferably, for example, 10 to 100 μm, and more preferably 20 to 60 μm. By setting the thickness of the substrate 20a within the above range, it is possible to achieve both high levels of strength and flexibility. In addition, on the surface of the substrate 20a opposite to the side facing the heat generating layer 20b, for example, a layer for preventing wear of the inner surface of the fixing belt when the inner surface of the fixing belt comes into contact with other members, or a layer for improving sliding properties with other members may be provided.

[0057] Other members such as sliding members are disposed on the inner surface of the substrate 20a, and the sliding load is large. Therefore, in order to ensure the durability of the substrate, the substrate is preferably a solid layer. The outer peripheral surface of the base material 20a may be subjected to a roughening treatment such as blasting, or a modification treatment such as ultraviolet light, plasma, or chemical etching in order to improve adhesion and wettability with the heat generating layer 20b.

[0058] (3) Heat generating layer The heat-generating layer 20b is a layer that generates heat when current is applied. In the heat generation principle by induction heating using an excitation coil, when an alternating current is supplied to an excitation coil arranged near the fixing rotor, a magnetic field is induced, and this magnetic field generates a current in the heat-generating layer 20b of the fixing rotor, which generates heat by Joule heat. The heat-generating layer extends in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the substrate.

[0059] The heat generating layer contains silver. Silver has low volume resistivity and is resistant to oxidation. The silver content of the entire heat generating layer 20b is preferably 90.0 mass% or more, more preferably 99.0 mass% or more, and particularly preferably 99.9 mass% or more. The upper limit is, for example, 99.999 mass% or less, or 99.99 mass% or less.

[0060] The volume resistivity of the heat generating layer 20b is preferably 1.0×10 -8 ~8.0×10 -8 Ω m, 2.0×10 -8 ~7.0×10 -8 Ω m, 2.0×10 -8 ~6.0×10-8 Examples include the Ω·m range.

[0061] The number-average crystal grain size of the silver crystals contained in the heat-generating layer is preferably 500 nm or less. When the number-average crystal grain size is within the above range, even when the fixing rotor 20 is pressurized and deformed in the nip portion N and subjected to repeated stress, numerous stable crystal interfaces are formed in the heat-generating layer 20b, thereby suppressing the occurrence of cracks at the crystal interfaces. The number-average crystal grain size of the silver crystals is preferably 10 to 500 nm, more preferably 100 to 450 nm, even more preferably 150 to 400 nm, and even more preferably 170 to 350 nm. The number-average crystal grain size can be controlled by the firing conditions during the formation of the heat generating layer. By increasing the firing temperature and lengthening the firing time, the grain size becomes larger, and by decreasing the firing temperature and shortening the firing time, the grain size becomes smaller.

[0062] The heat generating layer preferably has pores. The heat generating layer preferably has pores when observed in a cross section in the circumferential direction. Specifically, at least one pore is present in a cross section along the circumferential direction of the heat generating layer. The presence of pores in the heat generating layer has an anchoring effect that improves durability when a protective layer is formed. From the viewpoint of conductivity and durability, it is preferable to adjust the amount and size of the pores.

[0063] As a method for providing pores in the heat generating layer 20b, for example, a photolithography process is performed on the heat generating layer 20b. After forming a pattern, holes are formed by chemical etching, or holes are formed using a laser or focused ion beam. In this disclosure, hole formation using a silver nanoparticle material will be particularly described.

[0064] The heat-generating layer is preferably a fired (sintered) body of silver nanoparticles, and more preferably a fired body of a silver nanoink coating. When a coating containing silver nanoparticles with particle sizes of approximately 10 to 50 nm is formed, the particles are layered as shown in Figure 8A. Due to the instability of the surface energy of nanoparticles, the particles fuse together even when fired at a low temperature of approximately 100°C, and a film can be formed with nano-sized pores as shown in Figure 8B. The size and number of pores can be expressed as the porosity.

[0065] Specifically, the proportion of pores in the cross section of the heat generating layer (porosity), measured by observing a cross section of the heat generating layer sampled from the fixing rotor and cut in the thickness direction, is preferably 13 to 50 area %, more preferably 13 to 45 area %, even more preferably 15 to 40 area %, even more preferably 15 to 30 area %, and especially preferably 15 to 22 area %. The porosity can be increased by increasing the temperature during firing of the heat generating layer. The porosity can be decreased by decreasing the temperature during firing of the heat generating layer. The porosity can also vary within a small range depending on the concentration of the sulfurizing liquid.

[0066] The number average crystal grain size and porosity of silver in the heat generating layer are determined as follows. First, a sample for evaluation is prepared. A sample measuring 5 mm in length, 5 mm in width, and the entire thickness of the fixing rotor is taken from the center of the fixing rotor in the direction of its rotation axis. The resulting sample's circumferential cross section is polished using an ion beam. The polishing position is adjusted so that the circumferential cross section of the heating layer is exposed by the ion beam polishing.

[0067] An ion milling machine (product name: IM4000, manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) can be used for cross-section polishing using an ion beam. Cross-section polishing using an ion beam prevents filler from falling off the sample and abrasive contamination, and also produces a cross-section with minimal polishing marks. The cross-section of the heating layer was then observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) (product name: JSM-F100, manufactured by JEOL Ltd.), and cross-sectional images and EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) images were acquired. The observation conditions were a 10,000x backscattered electron image mode, and the backscattered electron image acquisition conditions were an accelerating voltage of 5.0 kV and a working distance of 4 mm.

[0068] Next, the obtained image is binarized using commercially available image software so that the silver-containing metal crystal particle portion is white and the other portion is black. Specifically, the backscattered electron image is read using ImageProPlus, an image analysis software manufactured by MediaCybernetics, and the brightness distribution of this image is determined. Next, by setting the brightness range of the determined brightness distribution, binarization can be performed to distinguish between the silver-containing metal crystal particle and the other portion. As a binarization method, for example, Otsu's method can be used.

[0069] Then, lines separating the crystal grains, obtained from the contrast difference due to differences in brightness or crystal orientation between the crystal grains in the cross-sectional image (Figure 9A), are added to the binarized image to obtain a binarized image in which each crystal grain is separated (Figure 9B). The black areas in Fig. 9B are pores in the heat generating layer and materials of layers other than the heat generating layer, such as the polyimide or polyamideimide base material. The materials of layers other than the heat generating layer are the black areas above and below the heat generating layer in Fig. 9B. The blackened areas are materials other than the heating layer, as can be seen from the EDS image. This can be confirmed based on the proportion of elements in the blackened areas. For example, elements specific to the resin, such as the base material, can be confirmed in the blackened areas. Of the blackened areas, the parts excluding the materials of layers other than the heat-generating layer can be determined to be voids.

[0070] We will now explain how to calculate the number average crystal grain size from the binarized images of the cross section of the heating layer obtained in this way. Because digital image processing technology is applied to these images, it is assumed that all images are in a general digital image format with pixels arranged in a grid pattern. Furthermore, the binarized images are grayscale images containing only brightness information, and the images obtained by subsequently performing image processing on these images are all grayscale images in the same format unless otherwise noted.

[0071] First, the circle-equivalent diameter of each crystal particle is calculated. The circle-equivalent diameter of each crystal particle refers to the diameter of a circle having the same area as the crystal particle. Specifically, the number of pixels constituting each crystal particle is calculated, and the actual area of ​​the crystal particle is calculated by multiplying this number of pixels by the area of ​​one pixel. In the SEM images used in this disclosure, the length of one side of one pixel corresponds to 0.01 μm, so the number of pixels that each crystal grain constitutes is 0.01 × 0.01 μm 2 Furthermore, the diameter of a circle having this area is calculated to calculate the equivalent circle diameter. Here, six samples are collected as follows: That is, as described above, one sample is collected from the central part in the rotational axis direction of the fixing rotor. Furthermore, when the length of the fixing rotor in the rotational axis direction is L, one sample is collected from a part 0.1 L away from the central part in the rotational axis direction. From each of the collection points, samples are similarly collected at parts 120° and 240° away in the circumferential direction of the fixing rotor, for a total of six samples.

[0072] The average crystal grain size is calculated by dividing the sum of the equivalent circle diameters of the crystal grains thus obtained by the total number of crystal grains. The above procedure was repeated for six samples taken from the fixing rotor, and the average crystal grain size for each sample was calculated. The arithmetic mean of these six average crystal grain sizes was then calculated to calculate the number-average crystal grain size of the silver crystals in the heating layer.

[0073] Next, a method for calculating the porosity from the binarized image of the cross section of the heating layer obtained by the above-mentioned procedure will be described. An image measuring 2.0 μm x 2.0 μm is cut out at the position of the heating layer in the binarized image obtained using the above procedure. Four images are cut out from one SEM image. The position from which the image is cut out is such that the center of the heating layer in the thickness direction is the center of the cut-out image in the vertical direction. In addition, the four images are cut out so that the spacing between them is the same in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the heating layer. The above operation is performed on six SEM images, and cross-sectional images at 24 locations are obtained.

[0074] Each particle of the silver-containing metal crystal is shown as a white area, and the area of ​​each of these crystal particles in the image is calculated. Specifically, the number of pixels that make up each crystal particle is calculated, and the total number of pixels is calculated. This total number of pixels is multiplied by the area of ​​one pixel, 0.01 x 0.01 μm. 2 By multiplying this by , the area occupied by the crystal grains can be calculated. As mentioned above, the blackened areas are voids and materials other than the heat generating layer. Therefore, the area of ​​the blackened areas occupied by materials of layers other than the heat generating layer is calculated. Specifically, the number of pixels constituting each material other than the heat generating layer is calculated, and the total number of pixels is calculated. This total number of pixels is multiplied by the area of ​​one pixel, 0.01 x 0.01 μm. 2 By multiplying this by , the area occupied by materials other than the heat generating layer can be calculated.

[0075] The porosity indicates the proportion of space that is not occupied by crystal particles or materials other than the heat generating layer. Therefore, using the area occupied by the crystal particles and the area occupied by materials other than the heat generating layer calculated above, the porosity can be calculated as follows: Porosity=(2.0×2.0(μm 2 )-area occupied by crystal grains (μm 2 ) - Area occupied by materials other than the heating layer (μm2 ))÷(2.0×2.0(μm 2 ))×100 This can be expressed as: The above porosity calculation is performed for 24 locations within a range of 2.0 μm×2.0 μm in size on the cross-sectional image of the heat generating layer, and the average porosity obtained by arithmetically averaging is taken as the porosity of the heat generating layer.

[0076] The thickness of the heat-generating layer 20b is preferably 5 μm or less. This is because the fixing rotor needs to have adequate flexibility and a small heat capacity. Another advantage is improved bending resistance. As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing rotor 20 is rotated while being pressed by the film guide 25 and the pressure roller 21. With each rotation, the fixing rotor 20 is pressurized and deformed at the nip N, and is subjected to stress.

[0077] It is preferable to design the heat-generating layer 20b of the fixing rotor 20 so that it will not break due to fatigue even if it continues to be repeatedly bent over the lifespan of the fixing device. Reducing the thickness of the heat-generating layer 20b significantly improves the resistance of the heat-generating layer 20b to fatigue failure. This is because, when the heat-generating layer 20b is pressed and deformed to fit the curved surface of the film guide 25, the thinner the heat-generating layer 20b, the smaller the internal stress acting on the heat-generating layer 20b. For the above reasons, from the viewpoint of further improving resistance to a decrease in heat capacity and fatigue fracture, the thickness of the heat generating layer 20b is preferably 5 μm or less. Examples of the thickness of the heat generating layer 20b include 1 to 5 μm, 2 to 5 μm, and 2 to 4 μm.

[0078] The heat generating layer 20b extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base material 20a. The heat generating layer 20b may be configured in a predetermined pattern as long as it is capable of generating heat when energized. In particular, from the viewpoint of safety, a configuration in which a plurality of ring-shaped heat generating layers 20b are formed around the circumferential direction of the fixing rotor and electrically separated in the direction of the rotation axis, as shown in FIG. 4, is preferable. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress local temperature rises if cracks occur in the heat generating layer 20b. It is preferable that the width of the ring shape in the direction of the rotor axis is approximately constant.

[0079] However, such a pattern configuration increases the surface area of ​​the heat generating layer 20b, increasing the risk of deterioration due to oxidation. In the fixing rotating member according to the present disclosure, deterioration can be suppressed by the heat generating layer containing silver sulfide.

[0080] The ring width of the heat generating layer 20b is preferably 100 μm or more, more preferably 200 μm or more, and even more preferably 250 μm or more, from the viewpoints of manufacturability and heat generation. From the viewpoints of uneven heat generation and safety, it is preferably 1000 μm or less, more preferably 900 μm or less, and even more preferably 700 μm or less. Examples of the ring width include 100 to 1000 μm, 200 to 900 μm, and 250 to 700 μm.

[0081] The spacing between the rings of the heat generating layer 20b is preferably 50 μm or more, more preferably 100 μm or more, from the viewpoints of manufacturability and heat generation. From the viewpoint of uneven heat generation, the spacing is preferably 400 μm or less, more preferably 300 μm or less. The spacing between the rings may be, for example, 50 to 400 μm or 100 to 300 μm.

[0082] As mentioned above, silver sulfide is present on the surface of the heat-generating layer opposite the substrate (the surface on the resin layer side). For example, by treating silver with a sulfide solution containing sulfide ion components, a silver sulfide layer is formed, which functions as a barrier layer that blocks oxygen. Silver is a precious metal and does not react easily with other components, but it reacts very easily with sulfide ions, instantly forming silver sulfide.

[0083] The heat generating layer containing silver sulfide can be formed by, for example, applying or impregnating a sulfide solution containing sulfide ions. Examples of application methods include dipping, spraying, flow coating, and It is possible to use contact application using a sponge, etc. In the present disclosure, a method of application using a sponge will be described.

[0084] To impregnate the heat generating layer with the sulfurizing liquid, for example, a urethane sponge is impregnated with the sulfurizing liquid and the surface of the heat generating layer is traced. The sulfide ion concentration in the sulfurizing liquid is, for example, preferably 0.001 to 5.00 mass%, more preferably 0.005 to 2.00 mass%, and even more preferably 0.005 to 1.00 mass%. After tracing evenly, it is preferable to wash away and remove excess sulfurizing liquid with purified water, and then remove remaining moisture with an air blower. The sulfurizing liquid is selected from those containing sulfide ion components, such as sodium sulfide, potassium sulfide, and lime sulfur mixture (calcium polysulfide).

[0085] That is, the manufacturing method of the fixing rotating body is as follows: A step of preparing a laminate having a heat generating layer formed on a substrate; A step of impregnating a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate with a sulfide liquid containing sulfide ions; a step of removing excess sulfurizing liquid after impregnation; It is preferred that the compound contains:

[0086] In addition, oxidation may also progress from pores inside the heating layer or the grain boundaries of silver crystals contained in the heating layer. Therefore, a configuration in which silver sulfide exists inside the heating layer may be used (Figure 10). More specifically, the heat generating layer may have a structure in which silver sulfide is present at the grain boundaries of silver crystals contained therein. The heat generating layer may have pores when observed in cross section in the circumferential direction, and silver sulfide may be present on the inner walls of the pores.

[0087] The heat generating layer containing silver sulfide therein can be formed, for example, by applying a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles and baking the applied liquid.

[0088] A liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles can be produced by mixing a liquid containing sulfide ions with silver nanoink. Examples of mixing methods include a planetary stirrer or a mixer. After mixing, the sulfide ions react with the silver nanoparticles to form silver sulfide. The concentration of sulfide ions in the liquid containing sulfide ions is preferably 0.001 to 6.00% by mass, more preferably 1.50 to 5.00% by mass, and even more preferably 2.40 to 3.00% by mass. Examples of liquids containing sulfide ions include sodium sulfide, potassium sulfide, and lime sulfur mixture (calcium polysulfide).

[0089] That is, the manufacturing method of the fixing rotating body preferably includes a step of applying a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles onto a substrate, and a step of baking the applied liquid to form a heat-generating layer.

[0090] The process of preparing the laminate includes, for example, a process of obtaining a substrate, a process of applying silver nanoink or a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles to the outer surface of the obtained substrate, and a process of baking the substrate to obtain a heat-generating layer. The process for obtaining the substrate is not particularly limited. For example, the substrate may be in the form of an endless belt or a roller. For example, the substrate may be obtained by applying a resin material of the substrate to the surface of a cylindrical mold or the like and heating it as necessary. Next, a silver nano-ink or a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the obtained substrate, and the substrate is baked (sintered) to form a heat-generating layer. The baking temperature is not particularly limited, but is preferably 150 to 450°C, and more preferably 250 to 350°C. That is, the heat generating layer is preferably a fired (sintered) body of silver nanoparticles. The firing time is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 10 to 120 minutes.

[0091] (4) Resin layer The fixing rotor has a resin layer on the surface opposite to the side of the heat generating layer facing the substrate. In the present disclosure, the portion including the protective layer 20e, elastic layer 20c, adhesive layer 20f, and surface layer 20d may be referred to as the resin layer. That is, the fixing rotor preferably has a resin layer including the protective layer 20e, elastic layer 20c, adhesive layer 20f, and surface layer 20d on the surface opposite to the side of the heat generating layer facing the substrate. The resin layer may consist of only one protective layer or only one surface layer. It is preferable that the resin layer includes a protective layer.

[0092] (5) Protective layer The fixing rotor may have a protective layer on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate. The protective layer 20e protects the heat generating layer 20b and has the functions of preventing oxidation of the heat generating layer 20b, ensuring insulation, and improving strength.

[0093] The material constituting the protective layer 20e is not particularly limited. The material of the protective layer 20e is preferably a layer containing at least a resin. When the belt is used in an electromagnetic induction type fixing device, the protective layer 20e, like the base material 20a, is preferably a layer that exhibits little change in physical properties and maintains high strength when the heat-generating layer 20b generates heat. For this reason, the protective layer 20e preferably contains a heat-resistant resin, more preferably contains a heat-resistant resin as a main component, and is preferably made of a heat-resistant resin. The heat-resistant resin is a resin that does not melt or decompose at temperatures below 200°C (preferably below 250°C), for example.

[0094] The resin constituting the protective layer 20e preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), modified polyimide, and modified polyamideimide. More preferably, it contains at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide and polyamideimide. The modification is the same as that described for the substrate 20a. Among these, polyimide is particularly preferable. The term "main component" refers to the component that is contained in the largest amount among the components that make up the object (here, the protective layer). There are no particular limitations on the method for forming the substrate 20a or the protective layer 20e. For example, an imide-based material can be formed into a film by applying a liquid called a varnish using a known method and baking it.

[0095] The protective layer 20e may contain a thermally conductive filler from the viewpoint of heat transferability. By improving the heat transferability, the heat generated in the heat-generating layer 20b can be efficiently transferred to the outer surface of the fixing rotor.

[0096] The thickness of the protective layer 20e is preferably 10 to 100 μm, and more preferably 20 to 60 μm. From the viewpoint of the flex resistance of the heat generating layer 20b, the thickness of the protective layer 20e is preferably adjusted so that the heat generating layer 20b is positioned on the neutral axis. The neutral axis can be calculated from the thickness and elastic modulus of the substrate 20a and the thickness and elastic modulus of the protective layer 20e. By positioning the heat generating layer 20b on the neutral axis, even when the heat generating layer 20b is repeatedly flexed, the stress applied to the heat generating layer 20b is balanced, thereby suppressing the occurrence of cracks in the heat generating layer 20b.

[0097] (6) Elastic layer The fixing rotor may have an elastic layer 20c on the outer surface of the protective layer 20e. The elastic layer 20c is a layer for imparting flexibility to the fixing rotor in order to ensure a fixing nip in the fixing device. When the fixing rotor is used as a heating member that comes into contact with toner on paper, the elastic layer 20c imparts flexibility so that the surface of the heating member can follow the unevenness of the paper. It also functions as a layer for The elastic layer 20c includes, for example, rubber as a matrix and particles dispersed in the rubber. More specifically, the elastic layer 20c preferably includes rubber and a thermally conductive filler, and is preferably made of a cured product obtained by curing a composition including at least rubber raw materials (base polymer, crosslinking agent, etc.) and the thermally conductive filler. The thickness of the elastic layer is, for example, 100 to 1000 μm, or 200 to 500 μm.

[0098] From the viewpoint of realizing the above-mentioned functions of the elastic layer 20c, the elastic layer 20c is preferably made of a cured silicone rubber containing thermally conductive particles, and more preferably made of a cured addition-curing type silicone rubber composition. The silicone rubber composition may contain, for example, thermally conductive particles, a base polymer, a crosslinking agent, a catalyst, and, if necessary, additives. Because the silicone rubber composition is often liquid, the thermally conductive filler is easily dispersed therein, and the elasticity of the elastic layer 20c to be produced can be easily adjusted by adjusting the degree of crosslinking depending on the type and amount of the thermally conductive filler.

[0099] The matrix functions to impart elasticity to the elastic layer 20c. From the viewpoint of imparting the above-described functions of the elastic layer 20c, the matrix preferably contains silicone rubber. Silicone rubber is preferable because it has high heat resistance, allowing it to maintain flexibility even in environments where the non-paper passing area reaches a high temperature of approximately 240°C. For example, a cured product of an addition-curing liquid silicone rubber composition, which will be described later, can be used as the silicone rubber. The elastic layer 20c can be formed by applying and heating the liquid silicone rubber composition using a known method.

[0100] The liquid silicone rubber composition typically contains the following components (a) to (d): Component (a): organopolysiloxane having an unsaturated aliphatic group; Component (b): an organopolysiloxane having silicon-bonded active hydrogen; Component (c): catalyst; Component (d): Thermally conductive filler Each component will be described below.

[0101] Component (a) The organopolysiloxane having an unsaturated aliphatic group is an organopolysiloxane having an unsaturated aliphatic group such as a vinyl group, and examples thereof include those represented by the following formulas (1) and (2). [ka]

[0102] In formula (1), m 1 indicates an integer of 0 or more, and n 1 represents an integer of 3 or more. In addition, in the structural formula (1), R 1 each independently represents a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group that does not contain an unsaturated aliphatic group, provided that R 1 At least one of R represents a methyl group. 2 each independently represents an unsaturated aliphatic group. [ka]

[0103] In formula (2), n 2 denotes a positive integer, and R 3 each independently represents a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group that does not contain an unsaturated aliphatic group, provided that R 3 At least one of R represents a methyl group. 4 each independently represents an unsaturated aliphatic group.

[0104] In formulas (1) and (2), R 1 and R 3 Examples of the monovalent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group containing no unsaturated aliphatic group that can be represented by include the following groups: Unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups Alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl). Aryl groups (for example, phenyl groups). Substituted hydrocarbon groups Substituted alkyl groups (for example, chloromethyl, 3-chloropropyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, 3-cyanopropyl, 3-methoxypropyl).

[0105] The organopolysiloxanes represented by formulas (1) and (2) have at least one methyl group directly bonded to the silicon atom forming the chain structure. However, for ease of synthesis and handling, R 1 and R 3 Preferably, 50% or more of each group is a methyl group, and all of the R 1 and R 3 is more preferably a methyl group.

[0106] In addition, in formulas (1) and (2), R 2 and R 4 Examples of unsaturated aliphatic groups that can be represented by include the following groups. That is, examples of unsaturated aliphatic groups include vinyl groups, allyl groups, 3-butenyl groups, 4-pentenyl groups, and 5-hexenyl groups. Among these groups, R 2 and R 4 is preferably a vinyl group.

[0107] From the viewpoint of moldability, the viscosity of component (a) is 1000mm 2 / s or more 50000mm 2 / s or less is preferable. 2 / s or more, it is easy to adjust the hardness required for the elastic layer 20c, 2 The viscosity (kinetic viscosity) can be measured using a capillary viscometer, rotational viscometer, or the like in accordance with JIS Z 8803:2011.

[0108] The amount of component (a) is preferably 55% by volume or more from the viewpoint of durability and 65% by volume or less from the viewpoint of heat transfer, based on the liquid silicone rubber composition used to form the elastic layer 20c.

[0109] Ingredient (b) The organopolysiloxane having silicon-bonded active hydrogen atoms functions as a crosslinker that reacts with the unsaturated aliphatic groups of component (a) under the action of a catalyst to form a cured silicone rubber.

[0110] Any organopolysiloxane having a Si-H bond can be used as component (b). In particular, from the viewpoint of reactivity with the unsaturated aliphatic group of component (a), those having an average of three or more hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms per molecule are preferably used.

[0111] Specific examples of component (b) include the linear organopolysiloxane shown in formula (3) below and the cyclic organopolysiloxane shown in formula (4) below. [ka]

[0112] In formula (3), m 2 indicates an integer of 0 or more, and n 3 represents an integer of 3 or more, and R 5 each independently represents a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group that does not contain an unsaturated aliphatic group. [ka]

[0113] In formula (4), m 3 indicates an integer of 0 or more, and n 4 represents an integer of 3 or more, and R 6 each independently represents a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group that does not contain an unsaturated aliphatic group.

[0114] R in formulas (3) and (4) 5 and R 6 Examples of the monovalent unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group not containing an unsaturated aliphatic group that can be represented by R 1 Among these, R 5 and R 6 Preferably, 50% or more of each group is a methyl group, and all of the R 5 and R6 is more preferably a methyl group.

[0115] Ingredient (c) Examples of catalysts used in forming silicone rubber include hydrosilylation catalysts for accelerating the curing reaction. Known substances such as platinum compounds and rhodium compounds can be used as the hydrosilylation catalyst. The amount of catalyst used can be appropriately determined and is not particularly limited.

[0116] Ingredient (d) Examples of the thermally conductive filler include metals, metal compounds, and carbon fibers. Highly thermally conductive fillers are more preferred, and specific examples thereof include the following materials: Silicon metal (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), boron nitride (BN), aluminum nitride (AlN), alumina (Al2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), silica (SiO2), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), vapor grown carbon fiber, PAN-based (polyacrylonitrile) carbon fiber, pitch-based carbon fiber.

[0117] These fillers can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The average particle size of the filler is preferably 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less from the viewpoints of handling and dispersibility. The filler may be spherical, pulverized, needle-like, plate-like, or whisker-like in shape. From the viewpoint of dispersibility, spherical fillers are particularly preferred. Furthermore, at least one of a reinforcing filler, a heat-resistant filler, and a coloring filler may be added.

[0118] (7) Adhesive layer The fixing rotor may have an adhesive layer 20f on the outer surface of the elastic layer 20c for adhering the surface layer 20d (described later). The adhesive layer 20f is a layer for adhering the elastic layer 20c and the surface layer 20d together. The adhesive used for the adhesive layer 20f can be appropriately selected from known adhesives and is not particularly limited. However, from the viewpoint of ease of handling, it is preferable to use an addition-curing silicone rubber containing a self-adhesive component. This adhesive may contain, for example, a self-adhesive component, an organopolysiloxane having multiple unsaturated aliphatic groups, typically vinyl groups, in the molecular chain, a hydrogen organopolysiloxane, and a platinum compound as a crosslinking catalyst. The adhesive applied to the surface of the elastic layer 20c is cured by an addition reaction to form an adhesive layer 20f that bonds the surface layer 20d to the elastic layer 20c.

[0119] Examples of the self-adhesive component include the following: A silane having at least one, preferably two or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of an alkenyl group such as a vinyl group, a (meth)acryloxy group, a hydrosilyl group (SiH group), an epoxy group, an alkoxysilyl group, a carbonyl group, and a phenyl group. · Organosilicon compounds such as cyclic or linear siloxanes having 2 to 30 silicon atoms, preferably 4 to 20 silicon atoms. A non-silicon-based (i.e., silicon-free) organic compound that may contain oxygen atoms in the molecule, provided that it contains one to four, preferably one to two, aromatic rings such as monovalent to tetravalent, preferably divalent to tetravalent, phenylene structures per molecule, and at least one, preferably two to four, functional groups capable of participating in a hydrosilylation addition reaction (e.g., alkenyl group, (meth)acryloxy group) per molecule.

[0120] The above self-adhesive components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Furthermore, in order to adjust viscosity and ensure heat resistance, a filler component may be added to the adhesive within the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of such filler components include the following: Silica, alumina, iron oxide, cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, carbon black, etc.

[0121] The amounts of each component contained in the adhesive are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. Such addition-curing silicone rubber adhesives are commercially available and easily available. The thickness of the adhesive layer 20f is preferably 20 μm or less. By setting the thickness of the adhesive layer 20f to 20 μm or less, when the fixing belt according to this embodiment is used as a heating belt in a thermal fixing device, the thermal resistance can be easily set low, and heat from the inner surface can be efficiently transferred to a recording medium.

[0122] (8) Surface layer The fixing rotor may have a surface layer 20d. The surface layer 20d preferably contains a fluororesin to function as a release layer that prevents toner from adhering to the outer surface of the fixing rotor. The surface layer 20d may be formed, for example, by molding one of the resins listed below into a tube shape, or by coating the surface layer 20d with a resin dispersion liquid. Tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), etc. Among the resin materials exemplified above, PFA is particularly suitable from the viewpoint of moldability and toner releasability.

[0123] The thickness of the surface layer 20d is preferably 10 μm to 50 μm, inclusive. By keeping the thickness of the surface layer 20d within this range, it is easy to maintain an appropriate surface hardness of the fixing rotor.

[0124] As described above, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a fixing device including a fixing rotor. Therefore, it is possible to provide a fixing device including a fixing rotor that is highly conductive and durable. The present disclosure also provides a conductive member including a substrate and a heat-generating layer on the substrate. The substrate and the heat-generating layer are as described above. Such a conductive member can suppress an increase in resistance at high temperatures.

[0125] In the conductive member, silver sulfide is preferably present on the surface opposite to the side facing the substrate, i.e., on the outer surface of the heat generating layer. It is also preferable that a silver sulfide layer be present on the surface opposite to the side facing the substrate.

[0126] In addition, it is preferable that silver sulfide is present inside the heat generating layer of the conductive member. [Example]

[0127] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below using examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0128] [Example 1] A cylindrical stainless steel mold with an outer diameter of 30 mm was subjected to a release treatment, and a commercially available polyimide precursor solution (U Varnish S, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.) was applied by immersion to form a coating film. The coating film was then dried at 140°C for 30 minutes to volatilize the solvent, followed by baking at 200°C for 30 minutes and 400°C for 30 minutes to imidize the film, forming a polyimide film substrate with a thickness of 40 μm and a length of 300 mm. Next, a ring-shaped pattern with a width of 600 μm and intervals of 200 μm was formed on the polyimide film by inkjet printing using a silver nanoparticle-containing ink (DNS169I, manufactured by Daicel Corporation). After that, the pattern was baked at 300° C. for 30 minutes to form a heat generating layer 20b with a thickness of 3 μm.

[0129] Next, a silver sulfide layer was formed on the surface of the heat generating layer by the following method. A lime sulfur mixture solution (containing 27.5% by mass of calcium polysulfide, manufactured by Miyauchi Sulfur Mixture Co., Ltd.) was prepared and diluted 2750 times with 0.01M NaOH aqueous solution (0.01% by mass of calcium polysulfide (sulfide ion concentration 0.008% by mass)) to obtain a sulfide solution. A urethane sponge was impregnated with this sulfide solution and the surface of the heat generating layer was traced. After tracing evenly, the excess sulfide solution was washed away with purified water, and the remaining water was removed with an air blower to form a silver sulfide layer.

[0130] Next, a PAI solution (Viromax HR-16NN, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) was applied to the entire surface of the heat generating layer 20b by ring coating. The resulting product was baked at 250°C for 60 minutes to form a 50 μm thick protective layer 20e. (resin layer) was formed.

[0131] Next, a primer (product name: DY39-051A / B, manufactured by Dow-Toray Industries, Inc.) was applied approximately uniformly to the outer surface of the protective layer 20e so that the dry weight was 40 mg, and after the solvent was dried, the primer was baked for 30 minutes in an electric furnace set to 160°C. A silicone rubber composition layer having a thickness of 250 μm was formed on this primer by ring coating, and was subjected to primary crosslinking at 160° C. for 1 minute, followed by secondary crosslinking at 200° C. for 30 minutes to form the elastic layer 20c.

[0132] The silicone rubber compositions used were as follows: As component (a), an organopolysiloxane having an alkenyl group was prepared. The component (a) was a vinylated polydimethylsiloxane having at least two vinyl groups per molecule (trade name: DMS-V41, manufactured by Gelest, number average molecular weight: 68,000 (polystyrene equivalent), molar equivalent of vinyl group: 0.04 mmol / g). Furthermore, as component (b), an organopolysiloxane having Si-H groups was prepared: a methylhydrogenpolysiloxane (trade name: HMS-301, manufactured by Gelest, number average molecular weight 1300 (polystyrene equivalent), molar equivalent of Si-H groups 3.60 mmol / g) having at least two Si-H groups per molecule. 0.5 parts by mass of component (b) was added to 100 parts by mass of component (a) and thoroughly mixed to obtain an addition-curing silicone rubber stock solution. Furthermore, a trace amount of component (c) catalyst for addition curing reaction (platinum catalyst: platinum carbonylcyclovinylmethylsiloxane complex) and inhibitor were added and mixed thoroughly. High-purity spherical alumina (product name: Alnabeads CB-A10S, manufactured by Showa Titanium Co., Ltd.) as component (d) thermally conductive filler was blended and kneaded into this addition-curing silicone rubber stock solution at a volume ratio of 45% based on the elastic layer, yielding an addition-curing silicone rubber composition with a JIS K 6253A durometer hardness of 10° after curing.

[0133] Next, an addition-curing silicone rubber adhesive (product name: SE1819CV A / B, manufactured by Dow-Toray Industries, Inc.) for forming adhesive layer 20f was applied uniformly to a thickness of approximately 20 μm onto the resulting elastic layer 20c. A fluororesin tube (product name: NSE, manufactured by Gunze Co., Ltd.) with an inner diameter of 29 mm and a thickness of 30 μm for forming surface layer 20d was laminated on top of this while expanding its diameter. The belt surface was then uniformly rubbed from above the fluororesin tube to rub excess adhesive between the elastic layer 20c and the fluororesin tube until the thickness was approximately 5 μm. The fluororesin tube was then heated at 200°C for 30 minutes to harden the adhesive, fixing the fluororesin tube to the elastic layer 20c. Finally, both ends were cut to a length of 240 mm, yielding a fixing rotor. The number average crystal grain size of silver in the heat generating layer of the obtained fixing rotary member was 182 nm, and the porosity was 22 area %.

[0134] [Example 2] A fixing rotor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the calcium polysulfide concentration was 0.05% by mass (sulfide ion concentration: 0.04% by mass). The number average crystal grain size of silver in the heat-generating layer was 243 nm, and the porosity was 19% by area.

[0135] [Example 3] A fixing rotor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the calcium polysulfide concentration was 1.00 mass % (sulfide ion concentration 0.8 mass %). The number average crystal grain size of silver in the heat-generating layer was 339 nm, and the porosity was 15 area %.

[0136] [Example 4] Example 4 is an example related to a conductive member. A conductive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that no layers after the protective layer were formed. The number average crystal grain size of silver in the heat-generating layer was 211 nm, and the porosity was 20 area %.

[0137] [Example 5] A fixing rotor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the calcium polysulfide concentration was 0.002% by mass (sulfide ion concentration: 0.0016% by mass). The number-average crystal grain size of silver in the heat-generating layer was 160 nm, and the porosity was 23% by area.

[0138] [Comparative Example 1] A fixing rotor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the silver sulfide layer was not formed in the heat generating layer treatment.

[0139] (Evaluation: Evaluation of silver sulfide content on the surface of the heat generating layer) Whether silver sulfide is present on the surface of the heat generating layer was confirmed by checking for the presence of elemental sulfur as follows: In Examples 1 to 5, a sulfur peak was observed on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite the side facing the substrate (the surface on the protective layer side), but not in Comparative Example 1.

[0140] First, an evaluation sample was prepared. Resin layers, such as a protective layer, formed on the surface of the heat-generating layer were removed with a cutter to obtain a sample in which the heat-generating layer 20b was formed on the substrate. The sample was cut into a length of 10 mm and a width of 10 mm. The cut sample was placed on a sample stage called a platen for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and placed in an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, which is an ultra-high vacuum. Measurements were performed with the X-ray photoelectron spectrometer in an environment of 23°C.

[0141] The X-ray photoelectron spectrometer used was a PHI Qunatera II manufactured by ULVAC-PHI. AlKα rays were used as the X-ray source, and depth profile analysis was performed in conjunction with Ar sputtering. The X-ray irradiation conditions were 200 μm, 50 W, 15 kV, and the detector conditions were a pass energy of 112 eV and a time per step of 10 ms. The Ar sputtering conditions were an acceleration voltage of 4 kV, processing an area of ​​2 mm x 2 mm. The processing rate was 37.5 nm / min. The heat-generating layer described above, with a known film thickness, was excavated under the same conditions, and the film was deemed to have disappeared when the proportion of silver in the measured elements reached 50%, and the processing rate was calculated from the time required.

[0142] The elements measured were C, N, O, Si, Ag, and S. The orbitals and measurement energy ranges of each element measured are as follows: C measured C1s at 278-298 eV, N measured N1s at 391-411 eV, O measured O1s at 523-543 eV, Si measured Si2p at 94-114 eV, Ag measured Ag3d at 362-382 eV, and S measured S2p at 154-176 eV. The measurement repetition counts were 10 for C1s, 10 for N1s, 10 for O1s, 10 for Si2p, 10 for Ag3d, and 40 for S2p.

[0143] For the depth direction measurement, under the above processing conditions, the surface of the heat generating layer was measured, followed by 10 minutes of Ar sputtering, and the measurement was repeated 10 times. Since the processing rate was 37.5 nm / min, the analysis was carried out at a pitch of 375 nm in the depth direction. The obtained depth spectra were analyzed using the analysis software MultiPak manufactured by UlVAC-PHI. First, peak shift correction was performed on all the obtained spectra. The method is as follows. The top of the most intense peak that can be confirmed around 368 eV in the Ag 3d spectrum was taken as Ag3d5 / 2, and set to 368.3 eV. This value was obtained from the X-ray spectrometer of Maruzen Co., Ltd. Electron Spectroscopy (6th edition) was used as a reference.

[0144] Next, for each measured spectrum, the background range was determined, and the integrated intensity was calculated and divided by the instrument-specific sensitivity factor (Corrected RSF) to obtain the respective intensity. The background setting was performed using the Shirley method. The elements and orbitals using each background setting range and instrument-specific sensitivity factor are as follows: C is C1s at 280.0-292.0 eV, N is N1s at 396.5-404.0 eV, O is O1s at 526.0-538.0 eV, Si is Si2p at 99.7-108.0 eV, Ag is Ag3d at 364.0-380.0 eV, and S is S2p ​​at 166.0-171.0 eV. For the sake of analysis, a deviation of ±0.1 eV was allowed if the ranges did not match exactly.

[0145] The calculated intensity was divided by the intensity of the measured element to obtain a percentage, which was used as the element ratio. The ratio is expressed in at% (atomic %). The S ratio is shown as an example. S ratio (at%) = (S strength) / (C strength + N strength + O strength + Si strength + Ag strength + S strength) × 100 is.

[0146] Since the detection limit of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is stated to be 0.1 at%, it was determined that the S element was present when S was 0.1 at% or more using the above calculation method. As a result, in Examples 1 to 5, the S element was confirmed to be 0.2 to 7 at% within a depth of 1 μm from the surface of the heat generating layer opposite the substrate (the surface on the protective layer side), whereas in Comparative Example 1, the S element was not confirmed.

[0147] (Evaluation: High temperature test) The fixing rotors obtained in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1 were stored for 200 hours at atmospheric pressure at 240°C. This storage temperature was set based on the assumed overheating temperature in non-paper passing areas under a special usage environment (when small size paper is continuously printed) when the fixing rotor is actually incorporated into a fixing device and used.

[0148] (Evaluation: Resistance measurement) The resistance value was evaluated using a contact resistance measurement. The manufactured fixing rotor was cut in half, one half was used for initial resistance evaluation and the other half was used for evaluation after heating. When measuring the resistance, the resin layer was peeled off with a cutter and the measurement was carried out using the four-terminal resistance measurement method. Details of the resistance measurement are described below. Resistance measurements were made using a HIOKI 3541 resistance meter and two FormFactor FPC-GS-500 probes. The mode was set to low power mode, and the probes were pressed against the heating layer so that the distance between each sense probe was 20 mm, and the resistance value was measured. The volume resistivity value was converted from the width and film thickness of the heating layer. Similar measurements were performed before and after heating, and the value before heating was considered the initial value. Variations in volume resistivity from the initial value of less than ±5% were rated as A, ±5% or more but less than ±10% as B, and ±10% or more as C.

[0149] [Table 1]

[0150] The results in Table 1 show that the presence of silver sulfide on the surface of the heat generating layer can suppress the increase in resistance due to heating at 240° C., and can also suppress the occurrence of image defects.

[0151] [Example 6] Next, silver sulfide was formed on the surface or inside of the heat generating layer by the following method. A lime sulfur mixture solution (containing 27.5% by mass of calcium polysulfide, manufactured by Miyauchi Sulfur Mixture Co., Ltd.) was prepared and diluted 9.17 times with 0.01M NaOH aqueous solution (3.00% by mass of calcium polysulfide (sulfide ion concentration 2.40% by mass)) to obtain a sulfide solution. This sulfide solution was added to a silver nanoparticle-containing ink (DNS169I, manufactured by Daicel Corporation). The mass ratio of sulfide solution to silver nanoparticle-containing ink was 1:66.7. After addition, the mixture was stirred at 2000 rpm for 2 minutes using a planetary centrifugal mixer to obtain a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles. Using this liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles, a ring-shaped pattern with a width of 600 μm and a spacing of 200 μm was formed on the polyimide film by inkjet printing, followed by baking at 300°C for 30 minutes to form a heat generating layer 20b with a thickness of 3 μm. Other than the above, a fixing rotor was produced in the same manner as in Example 1. The number average crystal grain size of silver in the heat generating layer was 180 nm, and the porosity was 22 area %.

[0152] [Example 7] A fixing rotor was produced in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the calcium polysulfide concentration was 1.50% by mass (sulfide ion concentration 1.20% by mass). The number average crystal grain size of silver in the heat-generating layer was 154 nm, and the porosity was 24% by area. (Evaluation: Evaluation of silver sulfide content inside the heat generating layer) The "inside" of the heat generating layer was defined as the area deeper than 1 μm from the outermost surface of the heat generating layer on the side opposite to the substrate. Whether silver sulfide is present inside the heat generating layer was confirmed by checking for the presence of elemental sulfur by the following method: In Examples 6 and 7, sulfur was detected inside the heat generating layer.

[0153] The amount of sulfur inside the heat generating layer was determined as follows. First, an evaluation sample was prepared. A sample measuring 5 mm in length, 5 mm in width, and the entire thickness of the fixing rotor was taken from the center of the fixing rotor in the direction of its rotation axis. The resulting sample's circumferential cross section was polished using an ion beam. The polishing position was adjusted so that the circumferential cross section of the heating layer was exposed by the ion beam polishing.

[0154] An ion milling machine (product name: IM4000, manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) was used to polish the cross section using an ion beam. Polishing the cross section using an ion beam prevents filler from falling off the sample and abrasive contamination, and also produces a cross section with minimal polishing marks. Next, backscattered electron images of the cross section of the heating layer were obtained using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) (product name: JSM-F100, manufactured by JEOL Ltd.). The backscattered electron image acquisition conditions were a field of view of 4.2 μm × 3.2 μm, an acceleration voltage of 5.0 kV, and a working distance of 10 mm. EDS spectra were also acquired at an acceleration voltage of 10.0 kV. The spatial range for EDS analysis was a field of view of 4.2 μm × 3.2 μm, and the position was adjusted to select only the heating layer portion within the observed image. Five images were taken for one sample, and EDS analysis was performed on the five images. The at% of sulfur was calculated from the ratio of elements obtained by EDS analysis. The average value of the at% analysis results of sulfur for the five images was calculated and used as the sulfur amount.

[0155] The detection limit for EDS analysis was set at 0.1 at%. Therefore, when S was 0.1 at% or more, it was determined that S element was present, that is, silver sulfide was present inside the heat generating layer. As a result, in Examples 6 and 7, S element was confirmed to be 0.2 to 0.4 at% inside the heat generating layer. [Table 2]

[0156] From the results in Table 2, it can be seen that the presence of silver sulfide on the surface or inside of the heat generating layer can suppress the increase in resistance due to heating at 240° C., and can also suppress the occurrence of image defects. [Industrial Applicability]

[0157] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a fixing rotating body that is highly durable even in special environments such as continuous printing on small-sized paper.

[0158] The present disclosure relates to the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A fixing rotor, The fixing rotor is a substrate including a resin; a heat generating layer on the substrate; a resin layer on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate, the heat generating layer extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base material, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on at least one of the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and the interior of the heat generating layer; A fixing rotating body characterized by the above. (Configuration 2) 2. The fixing rotating member according to claim 1, wherein silver sulfide is present both on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and inside the heat generating layer. (Configuration 3) 3. The fixing rotating member according to claim 1, wherein the number average crystal grain size of the silver contained in the heat generating layer is 500 nm or less. (Configuration 4) 4. The fixing rotor according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein silver sulfide is present at grain boundaries of silver crystals contained in the heat generating layer. (Configuration 5) 5. The fixing rotating member according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the heat generating layer has pores when observed in cross section in the circumferential direction, and silver sulfide is present on the inner walls of the pores. (Configuration 6) The fixing rotor according to configuration 5, wherein the proportion of pores in the cross section of the heat generating layer, measured by observing a cross section of the heat generating layer sampled from the fixing rotor and cut in the thickness direction, is 13 to 50 area %. (Configuration 7) 7. The fixing rotatable member according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the heat generating layer has a thickness of 5 μm or less. (Configuration 8) The fixing rotor according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the heat generating layer has a plurality of segments arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotor and electrically isolated from one another, and each of the plurality of segments is formed continuously over the entire circumferential direction. (Configuration 9) 9. The fixing rotatable member according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the heat generating layer includes a silver sulfide layer on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate. (Configuration 10) The fixing rotating body according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, a fixing device comprising: an induction heating device for generating heat from the fixing rotor by induction heating; (Configuration 11) An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer device that transfers the toner image onto a recording material; a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image onto the recording material; Equipped with 11. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing device is the fixing device according to Configuration 10. (Method 1) A method for producing a fixing rotating body according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, The manufacturing method of the fixing rotating body includes: preparing a laminate in which the heat generating layer is formed on the base material; a step of impregnating a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate with a sulfide liquid containing sulfide ions; a step of removing excess sulfurizing liquid after impregnation of the sulfurizing liquid; Contains, or Applying a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles onto the substrate; and a step of baking the applied liquid to form a heat generating layer; A method for manufacturing a fixing rotating body, comprising: (Configuration 12) A conductive member having a substrate and a heat generating layer on the substrate, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on at least one of the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and the interior of the heat generating layer; A conductive member characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1 image forming apparatus, 15 fixing device, 20 fixing rotor, 20a substrate, 20b heat generating layer, 20c elastic layer, 20d surface layer, 20e protective layer, 20f adhesive layer, 21 pressure roller, 200a silver crystals, 200b pores, 200c silver sulfide, 200d silver sulfide

Claims

1. A fixing rotor, The fixing rotor is a substrate including a resin; a heat generating layer on the substrate; a resin layer on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate, the heat generating layer extends in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the base material, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on at least one of the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and the interior of the heat generating layer; A fixing rotating body characterized by the above.

2. 2. The fixing rotating member according to claim 1, wherein silver sulfide is present both on the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and inside the heat generating layer.

3. 2. The fixing rotating member according to claim 1, wherein the number average crystal grain size of the silver contained in the heat generating layer is 500 nm or less.

4. 2. The fixing rotor according to claim 1, wherein silver sulfide is present at grain boundaries of silver crystals contained in the heat generating layer.

5. 2. The fixing rotor according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating layer has pores when observed in cross section in the circumferential direction, and silver sulfide is present on the inner walls of the pores.

6. The fixing rotor according to claim 5, wherein the proportion of pores in a cross section of the heat generating layer, measured by observing a cross section of the heat generating layer sampled from the fixing rotor and cut in the thickness direction, is 13 to 50 area %.

7. 2. The fixing rotating member according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating layer has a thickness of 5 [mu]m or less.

8. 2. The fixing rotor according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating layer has a plurality of segments arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fixing rotor and electrically isolated from one another, and each of the plurality of segments is formed continuously over the entire circumferential area.

9. The fixing rotator according to claim 1 , wherein the heat generating layer includes a silver sulfide layer on a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate.

10. The fixing rotating body according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a fixing device comprising: an induction heating device for generating heat from the fixing rotor by induction heating;

11. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, The electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer device that transfers the toner image onto a recording material; a fixing device that fixes the transferred toner image onto the recording material; Equipped with 11. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing device is the fixing device according to claim 10.

12. A method for manufacturing the fixing rotating body according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The manufacturing method of the fixing rotating body includes: preparing a laminate in which the heat generating layer is formed on the base material; a step of impregnating a surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the surface facing the substrate with a sulfide liquid containing sulfide ions; a step of removing excess sulfurizing liquid after impregnation of the sulfurizing liquid; Contains, or Applying a liquid containing sulfide ions and silver nanoparticles onto the substrate; and a step of baking the applied liquid to form a heat generating layer; A method for manufacturing a fixing rotating body, comprising:

13. A conductive member having a substrate and a heat generating layer on the substrate, the heat generating layer contains silver; silver sulfide is present on at least one of the surface of the heat generating layer opposite to the side facing the substrate and the interior of the heat generating layer; A conductive member characterized by:

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