Molded body, composite body, tubular fixing member, fixing device, and image forming device

Abstract

To provide a molded body with superior thermal conductivity.SOLUTION: A molded body contains a resin and a filler dispersed in the resin, and a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of Martens hardness is 200 N / m2 or greater when measuring the Martens hardness at 10 positions in a 50 mm square area on the maximum surface. The molded body contains rubber and a filler dispersed in the rubber, and a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 5 N / m2 or greater when measuring the Martens hardness at 10 positions in a 50 mm square area on the maximum surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a molded body, a composite body, a tubular fixing member, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seamless type cylindrical heating fixing member having an elastic layer, in which carbon fibers are arranged in the elastic layer and the thermal conductivity in the thickness direction of the elastic layer is 1.0 W / m·K or more.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a thermally conductive laminate having at least one insulating layer containing a filler-containing polyimide resin layer containing a thermally conductive filler in a polyimide resin, and a metal layer laminated on one or both sides of the insulating layer. In the filler-containing polyimide resin layer, the content ratio of the thermally conductive filler is in the range of 35 to 80 vol%, the maximum particle diameter of the thermally conductive filler is less than 15 μm, the thermally conductive filler contains a plate-like filler and a spherical filler, the average major axis DL of the plate-like filler is in the range of 0.1 to 2.4 μm, and a thermally conductive laminate having a thermal conductivity λz in the thickness direction of the insulating layer of 0.8 W / mK or more is disclosed.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a resin substrate including a resin, a first filler having an aspect ratio of 2 or more and dispersed in the in-plane direction of the substrate in the resin, and a second filler having an aspect ratio of 2 or more and a major axis shorter than that of the first filler and dispersed in the thickness direction of the substrate in the resin.

[0005] Patent Document 4 discloses a structure made of a semiconductor resin composition including a thermoplastic resin and a conductive resin incompatible with the thermoplastic resin, wherein the Martens hardness measured in the vertical direction from the surface of the structure is 50 (N / mm 2 ) or more, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness measured at any 10 points is within 20 (N / mm 2 ). A structure made of a semiconductor resin composition is disclosed.

[0006] Patent Document 5 discloses a fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on a recording material to the recording material, which includes an endless fixing belt rotatably provided, a backup member non-rotatably provided inside the fixing belt and sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt, and a rotating body that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt so as to sandwich the fixing belt between the backup member and forms a fixing nip portion for sandwiching and conveying the recording material to fix the toner image to the recording material. The fixing belt has a base body and a sliding layer formed on the inner circumference of the base body and sliding in contact with the backup member. The backup member has a surface roughness of the contact surface with the sliding layer of 0.10 μm or more and less than 0.15 μm in terms of ten-point average roughness. The sliding layer has a hardness of 80 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less in terms of martensite hardness. And when the surface roughness of the backup member is defined as ten-point average roughness A and the surface roughness of the sliding layer is defined as ten-point average roughness B, a fixing device is disclosed in which the surface roughness of the sliding layer satisfies 0.35 μm < A + B < 0.6 μm.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In a molded body containing a resin and a filler, when the martensite hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square of the largest surface, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensite hardness is 200 N / mm 2An object of the present invention is to provide a molded article having excellent thermal conductivity as compared with a molded article having a smaller size. In a molded article containing rubber and a filler, when the martensitic hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square on the largest surface, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensitic hardness is 5 N / mm 2 An object of the present invention is to provide a molded article having excellent thermal conductivity as compared with a molded article having a smaller size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] Specific means for solving the above problems include the following aspects. <1> A molded article containing a resin and a filler dispersed in the resin, when the martensitic hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square on the largest surface of the molded article, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensitic hardness is 200 N / mm 2 or more, Molded article. <2> A molded article containing rubber and a filler dispersed in the rubber, when the martensitic hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square on the largest surface of the molded article, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensitic hardness is 5 N / mm 2 or more, Molded article. <3> The molded article according to <1> or <2>, wherein the filler includes two or more types of fillers having different shapes or two or more types of fillers having different surface properties. <4> The molded article according to <1> or <2>, wherein the filler includes a first filler having a first functional group on the surface and a second filler having a second functional group different from the first functional group on the surface. <5> The molded article according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the average value of the aspect ratio of the filler is 10 or more and 500 or less. <6> The molded article according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the volume ratio of the filler in the molded article is 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less. <7> A composite body comprising the molded article according to any one of <1> to <6>. <8> A tubular fixing member comprising the molded article according to any one of <1> to <6> formed into a tubular shape. <9> Comprising a first rotating body and a second rotating body disposed in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body. At least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is the tubular fixing member according to <8>. Fixing the toner image by passing a recording medium having a toner image formed on its surface through a contact portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body. Fixing device. <10> An image carrier. A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier. An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier. A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner to form a toner image. A transfer device for transferring the toner image to the surface of a recording medium. Comprising the fixing device according to <9> for fixing the toner image to the recording medium. Image forming apparatus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to <1>, <3>, <4>, <5> or <6>, in a molded article containing a resin and a filler, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square of the largest surface, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 200 N / mm 2 Less than that, a molded article having excellent thermal conductivity is provided as compared with a molded article. According to <2>, <3>, <4>, <5> or <6>, in a molded article containing rubber and a filler, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square of the largest surface, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is less than 5 N / mm 2 compared to a molded article, a molded article having excellent thermal conductivity is provided. According to <7>, a composite having excellent thermal conductivity is provided. According to <8>, a tubular fixing member having excellent thermal conductivity is provided. According to <9>, a fixing device including a tubular fixing member having excellent thermal conductivity is provided. According to <10>, an image forming apparatus including a tubular fixing member having excellent thermal conductivity is provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. These descriptions and examples are illustrative of the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0013] In the present disclosure, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B". That is, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B.

[0014] In the present disclosure, a numerical range indicated using "~" indicates a range including the numerical values described before and after "~" as the minimum value and the maximum value, respectively. In the numerical ranges described step by step in the present disclosure, the upper limit value or the lower limit value described in one numerical range may be replaced with the upper limit value or the lower limit value of another numerically described range. Further, in the numerical ranges described in the present disclosure, the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the numerical range may be replaced with the value shown in the examples.

[0015] In the present disclosure, the term "step" includes not only an independent step but also the step even if it cannot be clearly distinguished from other steps as long as the purpose of the step is achieved.

[0016] When describing an embodiment in the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. Further, the size of the members in each drawing is conceptual, and the relative relationship of the sizes between the members is not limited thereto.

[0017] In the present disclosure, each component may include a plurality of corresponding substances. When referring to the amount of each component in the composition, in the case where there are a plurality of substances corresponding to each component in the composition, unless otherwise specified, it means the total amount of the plurality of substances present in the composition. In the present disclosure, the particles corresponding to each component may include a plurality of types. When there are a plurality of types of particles corresponding to each component in the composition, the particle diameter of each component means a value for a mixture of the plurality of types of particles present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] In the present disclosure, the "axial direction" of the tubular member means the direction in which the rotation axis of the tubular member extends, and the "circumferential direction" of the tubular member means the rotation direction of the tubular member.

[0019] <Formed body> The present disclosure provides a first formed body and a second formed body. When describing matters common to the first formed body and the second formed body, they are collectively referred to as "the formed body of the present disclosure".

[0020] The first molded body contains a resin and a filler dispersed in the resin. When the Martens hardness is measured at 10 locations within a 50 mm square area of the maximum surface of the molded body, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 200 N / mm 2 or more.

[0021] The second molded body contains a rubber and a filler dispersed in the rubber. When the Martens hardness is measured at 10 locations within a 50 mm square area of the maximum surface of the molded body, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 5 N / mm 2 or more.

[0022] A method for measuring the Martens hardness of the molded body according to the present disclosure will be described. Hereinafter, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 locations within a 50 mm square area of the maximum surface of the molded body, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is referred to as the "Martens hardness difference".

[0023] The sample to be used for the measurement is a 50 mm × 50 mm sample in the thickness direction, and is a sample taken from the central part of the maximum surface of the molded body while maintaining the thickness of the molded body. The Martens hardness is measured by the nanoindentation method using a microhardness tester conforming to ISO 14577 (for example, Fischer Scope HM2000). The indenter is a Vickers indenter (a square pyramid made of diamond with a face angle of 136). The measurement environment is a temperature of 28°C and a relative humidity of 60%. Fix the sample to the sample stage of the measuring device. Apply a load to the sample up to 500 mN over 20 seconds and hold it at 500 mN for 5 seconds. Then, unload the load from 500 mN to 5 mN over 20 seconds and hold it at 5 mN for 1 minute. During the above load application and unloading, measure the indentation depth to obtain a load-displacement curve, and obtain the Martens hardness (N / mm 2 ) from the load-displacement curve. Measure any 10 locations within the 50 mm square area and calculate the difference (N / mm 2 ) between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness.

[0024] The first molded body has a martensitic hardness difference of 200 N / mm 2 or more, thereby having excellent thermal conductivity. The second molded body has a martensitic hardness difference of 5 N / mm 2 or more, thereby having excellent thermal conductivity. The mechanism is presumed as follows. If the filler is uniformly dispersed in the molded body, the martensitic hardness difference of the molded body is small. In other words, a large martensitic hardness difference of the molded body means that the filler is unevenly distributed in the molded body. And the unevenly distributed fillers have a relatively short distance from each other, that is, they are close to form a heat conduction path. The molded body of the present disclosure conducts heat through the heat conduction path composed of the unevenly distributed fillers, so it has excellent thermal conductivity.

[0025] From the viewpoint of excellent thermal conductivity, the first molded body has a martensitic hardness difference of 200 N / mm 2 or more, preferably 220 N / mm 2 or more, and more preferably 250 N / mm 2 or more. From the viewpoint of mechanical strength, the first molded body preferably has a martensitic hardness difference of 500 N / mm 2 or less, more preferably 400 N / mm 2 or less, and even more preferably 350 N / mm 2 or less.

[0026] From the viewpoint of excellent thermal conductivity, the second molded body has a martensitic hardness difference of 5 N / mm 2 or more, preferably 10 N / mm 2 or more, and more preferably 15 N / mm 2 or more. From the viewpoint of mechanical strength, the second molded body preferably has a martensitic hardness difference of 30 N / mm 2 or less, more preferably 25 N / mm 2 or less, and even more preferably 20 N / mm 2 or less.

[0027] The martensitic hardness difference of the molded body of the present disclosure can be controlled by, for example, the following means. (1) Use two or more types of fillers with different shapes, and distribute the fillers unevenly by the distance between kneading means (for example, multiple roll mills) and / or the kneading speed when kneading the resin or rubber and the fillers. (2) Use two or more types of fillers with different surface properties, and distribute the fillers unevenly by the bonds that exhibit the surface properties. (3) Use fillers with a relatively large aspect ratio (preferably fillers with an average aspect ratio of 10 or more), and stand the fillers in the thickness direction of the molded body by the distance between kneading means (for example, multiple roll mills) and / or the kneading speed when kneading the resin or rubber and the fillers.

[0028] Hereinafter, the materials constituting the molded body of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0029] [Resin, Rubber] The first molded body contains a resin. The resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] Examples of the resin include polyimide resin, polyamide resin, polyamideimide resin, thermotropic liquid crystal polymer, fluororesin, silicone resin, polystyrene resin, etc. The resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more. From the viewpoint of the heat resistance of the molded body, polyimide resin is preferable as the resin.

[0031] The second molded body contains rubber. The rubber may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0032] Examples of the rubber include acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluororubber, etc. The rubber may be used alone or in combination of two or more. From the viewpoint of the heat resistance of the molded body, acrylic rubber or silicone rubber is preferable as the rubber.

[0033] [Filler] The molded article of the present disclosure contains a filler. The filler may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0034] As the material of the filler, from the viewpoint of thermal conductivity, carbon materials; silicon carbide; metal nitrides such as aluminum nitride and boron nitride; metal oxides such as aluminum oxide (alumina), boehmite (aluminum oxide monohydrate), silica, titania, zirconia, magnesium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and barium oxide; etc. are preferable.

[0035] As an example of the embodiment of the filler, at least one kind of ceramic particle selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and silicon carbide can be mentioned.

[0036] As an example of the embodiment of the filler, carbon fibers such as carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes can be mentioned.

[0037] The shape of the filler may be any of particulate, fibrous, branched, plate-like, scaly, flaky, etc.

[0038] As a preferable embodiment of the filler, an embodiment including two or more kinds of fillers having different shapes from each other can be mentioned. As a specific example of two or more kinds of fillers having different shapes from each other, a combination of a filler having a relatively large aspect ratio (for example, fibrous filler, plate-like filler, scaly filler, flaky filler) and a particulate filler can be mentioned. By interspersing particulate fillers among fillers having a relatively large aspect ratio, it is easy to realize that the fillers are unevenly distributed to form a heat conduction path, that is, to increase the martensitic hardness difference.

[0039] When the molded article contains two kinds of fillers having different shapes from each other, the content ratio of the two kinds of fillers may be, for example, 35:65 to 65:35, 40:60 to 60:40, 45:55 to 55:45 on a volume basis.

[0040] As a preferred embodiment of the filler, a form including two or more kinds of fillers having different surface properties is mentioned. As specific examples of two or more kinds of fillers having different surface properties, a combination of a filler having an acidic group on the surface and a filler having a basic group on the surface; a combination of a positively charged filler and a negatively charged filler; can be mentioned. Since two or more kinds of fillers having different surface properties are brought close to each other by forces such as intermolecular force, van der Waals force, electrostatic attraction, ionic bond, and covalent bond, it is easy to realize that the fillers are unevenly distributed to form a heat conduction path, that is, to increase the martensitic hardness difference. The surface property of the filler can be imparted to the filler by surface-treating the filler with a coupling agent or a surfactant.

[0041] When the molded body contains two kinds of fillers having different surface properties, the content ratio of the two kinds of fillers may be, for example, 35:65 to 65:35, 40:60 to 60:40, 45:55 to 55:45 on a volume basis.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment of the filler, a form including a first filler having a first functional group on the surface and a second filler having a second functional group different from the first functional group on the surface is mentioned. The types of the first functional group and the second functional group are different. The first filler and the second filler are connected or brought close to each other by the attraction or reaction (for example, intermolecular force, van der Waals force, electrostatic attraction, ionic bond, covalent bond) between the first functional group and the second functional group, and it is easy to realize that the fillers are unevenly distributed to form a heat conduction path, that is, to increase the martensitic hardness difference.

[0043] As a combination of the first functional group and the second functional group, for example, a combination of an acidic group and a basic group can be mentioned, and specifically, a combination of a carboxy group or a hydroxy group and an amino group can be mentioned. In addition, for example, a combination of an isocyanate group and a hydroxy group; a combination of an epoxy group and an amino group; and the like can be mentioned.

[0044] A filler having a functional group on its surface can be produced by surface-treating the filler with a coupling agent having a functional group. The type of functional group on the surface of the filler can be confirmed from the peak intensity of the functional group by infrared absorption spectrum (IR) measurement.

[0045] The first filler having a first functional group on its surface and the second filler having a second functional group on its surface preferably have different shapes from each other. Specific examples of two types of fillers having different shapes from each other include a combination of a filler having a relatively large aspect ratio (for example, fibrous filler, plate-like filler, scaly filler, flake-like filler) and a particulate filler.

[0046] The content ratio of the first filler and the second filler in the molded body may be, for example, 35:65 to 65:35, 40:60 to 60:40, 45:55 to 55:45 on a volume basis.

[0047] The average value of the aspect ratio of the entire filler in the molded body is preferably 10 or more and 500 or less, more preferably 20 or more and 450 or less, and still more preferably 30 or more and 400 or less. The aspect ratio of the filler is determined by analyzing a three-dimensional image obtained by FIB-SEM.

[0048] A method for three-dimensional analysis of a molded body by FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopes) and a method for obtaining the average value of the aspect ratio of the filler are described. The formed body is cut out into a rectangular parallelepiped with a width of 1 mm and embedded in an epoxy resin. The embedded material is subjected to cross-section processing with a microtome to form a block cross-section where the cross-section in the thickness direction of the formed body can be seen. The sample with the formed block cross-section is fixed to the sample stage of a FIB-SEM apparatus (FIB-SEM Helios NanoLab 600i, FEI Company, USA) and subjected to vapor deposition treatment. The FIB processing and SEM observation of the block cross-section are repeated using the FIB-SEM apparatus to obtain a two-dimensional stacking image. The FIB processing and SEM observation are repeated until at least 100 fillers are observed. The SEM observation is performed at a magnification at which the fillers dispersed in the formed body can be observed. The two-dimensional stacking image is imported into three-dimensional image analysis software (Avizo-Fire, VSG) to construct a three-dimensional image. In the constructed three-dimensional image, at least 100 fillers are randomly selected. For each of the randomly selected fillers, the X-axis of the three mutually perpendicular axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) is aligned with the major axis direction of the filler, and the filler lengths of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are measured respectively. Among the filler lengths of the three axes, the ratio of the longest length (the filler length of the X-axis, that is, the length of the major axis) to the shortest length (the filler length of the Y-axis or the Z-axis) is defined as the aspect ratio. The aspect ratios of at least 100 fillers are averaged arithmetically to obtain an average value.

[0049] The average value of the major axis lengths of all the fillers in the formed body (that is, the average value of the filler lengths of the X-axis as described above) is preferably 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less, more preferably 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and still more preferably 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0050] From the viewpoint of the balance between the thermal conductivity and the flexural resistance of the formed body, the volume ratio of the fillers in the formed body is preferably 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less, more preferably 12% by volume or more and 48% by volume or less, and still more preferably 15% by volume or more and 45% by volume or less. The volume ratio of the fillers in the formed body is determined by analyzing the three-dimensional image obtained by FIB-SEM.

[0051] [Properties of the Molded Body] The molded body of the present disclosure preferably has a thermal conductivity in the thickness direction of 1.0 W / m·K or more, more preferably 1.5 W / m·K or more, and still more preferably 2.0 W / m·K or more. From the viewpoint of heat storage properties, the molded body of the present disclosure preferably has a thermal conductivity in the thickness direction of 6.0 W / m·K or less, more preferably 5.0 W / m·K or less, and still more preferably 4.0 W / m·K or less.

[0052] The method for measuring the thermal conductivity (W / m·K) in the thickness direction of the molded body according to the present disclosure is as follows. The sample used for measurement is a 2 mm × 2 mm × sample in the thickness direction, and is a sample taken from the central part of the maximum surface of the molded body while maintaining the thickness of the molded body. At room temperature (25°C ± 3°C), the thermal diffusivity in the thickness direction is measured using a thermal diffusivity measuring device, and the thermal conductivity (W / m·K) is calculated by multiplying the specific heat and density by the thermal diffusivity.

[0053] When the molded body of the present disclosure is in the form of a film, it may be a flat film or a tubular film. When the molded body of the present disclosure is in the form of a film, its average thickness may be set according to the application, for example, 10 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, 15 μm or more and 800 μm or less, 20 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

[0054] When the molded body of the present disclosure is in the form of a film, examples of its manufacturing method include a manufacturing method in which the following steps (1) to (3) are sequentially performed.

[0055] Step (1): Mix a resin or rubber and a filler to prepare a coating solution. If necessary, a solvent or a dispersion medium is also mixed. Step (2): Apply the coating solution onto a substrate and dry it to form a coating film. Step (3): Bake the coating film to obtain a molded body.

[0056] By using a cylindrical mold as the substrate in step (2), a tubular molded body can be manufactured.

[0057] As applications of the molded article of the present disclosure, there may be mentioned a sheet installed in an electronic device for the purpose of heat absorption and heat dissipation, a tubular fixing member of an image forming apparatus, and the like.

[0058] <Composite> The composite of the present disclosure includes the molded article of the present disclosure. The composite of the present disclosure may be a composite in which a plurality of the molded articles of the present disclosure are combined, or may be a composite in which the molded article of the present disclosure and another object are combined.

[0059] When the composite of the present disclosure includes an object other than the molded article of the present disclosure, there is no limitation on the material and shape of the other object. Examples of the other object included in the composite of the present disclosure include an object made of a polymer material, an object made of a metal material, an object in which a polymer material and a metal material are combined, and the like.

[0060] There is no limitation on the form and application of the composite of the present disclosure. Examples of the application of the composite of the present disclosure include a heat conduction sheet, a heat dissipation sheet, furniture, building materials, machine parts, vehicle parts, aircraft parts, and the like.

[0061] As an example of an embodiment of the composite of the present disclosure, there may be mentioned a laminated film including the molded article of the present disclosure formed in a film shape. Here, the molded article of the present disclosure may be a flat film or a tubular film. Hereinafter, the laminated film will be described in detail.

[0062] [Laminated film] The laminated film of the present disclosure includes the molded article of the present disclosure formed in a film shape. The laminated film of the present disclosure may be a laminated film in which only the molded article of the present disclosure is laminated, or may be a laminated film in which the molded article of the present disclosure and another film (for example, a film having releasability, a metal substrate, a ceramic film, etc.) are laminated. There may be an adhesive layer between the laminated films.

[0063] The laminated film of the present disclosure may have one or more than one layer of the molded body of the present disclosure formed in a film shape. When the laminated film of the present disclosure has two or more layers of the molded body of the present disclosure, the two or more molded bodies may be the same or different in terms of components and / or composition.

[0064] When the laminated film of the present disclosure has two or more layers of the molded body of the present disclosure formed in a film shape, it may be a laminated film in which only the first molded body is laminated, or a laminated film in which only the second molded body is laminated, or a laminated film in which the first molded body and the second molded body are laminated. The lamination order of these molded bodies is not limited.

[0065] The laminated film of the present disclosure may be a flat film or a tubular film. Examples of the use of the laminated film of the present disclosure include a sheet installed in an electronic device for the purpose of heat absorption and heat release, and a tubular fixing member of an image forming apparatus.

[0066] <tubular fixing member> The tubular fixing member of the present disclosure includes the molded body of the present disclosure formed in a tubular shape. The tubular fixing member of the present disclosure may be a member composed only of the molded body of the present disclosure, a member in which the molded body of the present disclosure and another film are laminated, or a member in which a plurality of the molded bodies of the present disclosure are laminated. When a plurality of the molded bodies of the present disclosure are laminated, the plurality of molded bodies may be the same or different in terms of components and / or composition.

[0067] As an example of an embodiment of the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure, there is a form in which a base material layer, an elastic layer, and a release layer are laminated in this order, and one or both of the base material layer and the elastic layer are the molded body of the present disclosure. As an example of the above embodiment, there is a form in which the base material layer is the first molded body and / or the elastic layer is the second molded body.

[0068] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure. The tubular fixing member 110 shown in Fig. 1 has a base material layer 110A, an elastic layer 110B provided on the base material layer 110A, and a release layer 110C provided on the elastic layer 110B. An adhesive layer may be provided between the base material layer 110A and the elastic layer 110B, and / or between the elastic layer 110B and the release layer 110C. One or both of the base material layer 110A and the elastic layer 110B are the molded articles of the present disclosure. The base material layer 110A is preferably the first molded article. The elastic layer 110B is preferably the second molded article.

[0069] From the viewpoints of durability and thermal conductivity, the average thickness of the base material layer 110A is preferably 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less, more preferably 30 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and still more preferably 40 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0070] From the viewpoints of durability and thermal conductivity, the average thickness of the elastic layer 110B is preferably 30 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 50 μm or more and 480 μm or less, and still more preferably 80 μm or more and 450 μm or less.

[0071] The release layer 110C desirably contains a release material having heat resistance. Examples of the release material having heat resistance include fluororesins. Examples of the fluororesin include tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polyethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), vinyl fluoride (PVF), etc.

[0072] The release layer 110C may contain various additives. Examples of the additives include fillers (such as calcium carbonate), functional fillers (such as alumina), softeners (such as paraffin), processing aids (such as stearic acid), anti-aging agents (such as amines), crosslinking agents, etc.

[0073] The average thickness of the release layer 110C is preferably 5 μm or more and 30 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and still more preferably 15 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0074] The average thickness of each layer provided in the tubular fixing member is a value obtained by measuring the layer thickness with an eddy current thickness gauge at a total of 40 locations at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction and 10 locations evenly in the axial direction of the tubular fixing member and calculating the arithmetic mean.

[0075] The embodiment of the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 1. For example, any of the forms without the base material layer 110A, without the elastic layer 110B, and without the release layer 110C may be used.

[0076] Examples of the shape of the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure include a cylindrical shape and a belt shape. The tubular fixing member of the present disclosure may be a fixing belt or a fixing roll.

[0077] <Fixing device> The fixing device of the present disclosure includes a first rotating body and a second rotating body disposed in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body, and fixes the toner image on the recording medium by passing the recording medium having the toner image formed on its surface through the contact portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body. At least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is a rotating body that applies heat to the recording medium, and is the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure.

[0078] Examples of the embodiments of the fixing device of the present disclosure include a first embodiment and a second embodiment. The fixing device according to the first embodiment includes a heating roll and a pressure belt, and at least the heating roll is the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure. The fixing device according to the second embodiment includes a heating belt and a pressure roll, and at least the heating belt is the tubular fixing member of the present disclosure.

[0079] [First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment. The fixing device 60 includes a heating roll 61 (an example of a first rotating body) and a pressure belt 62 (an example of a second rotating body).

[0080] Inside the heating roll 61, a halogen lamp 66 (an example of a heating means) is disposed. A temperature-sensitive element 69 is disposed in contact with the surface of the heating roll 61. Based on the temperature measurement value by the temperature-sensitive element 69, the lighting of the halogen lamp 66 is controlled, and the surface temperature of the heating roll 61 is maintained at a target set temperature (for example, 150°C).

[0081] The pressure belt 62 is rotatably supported by a pressing pad 64 disposed inside and a belt running guide 63.

[0082] The pressing pad 64 presses the pressure belt 62 against the heating roll 61. The pressure belt 62 is pressed against the heating roll 61 by the pressing pad 64, and a sandwiching region N (nip portion) is formed.

[0083] The pressing pad 64 includes a sandwiching member 64a and a sandwiching member 64b. The sandwiching member 64a is disposed on the inlet side of the sandwiching region N in order to secure a wide sandwiching region N. The sandwiching member 64b is disposed on the outlet side of the sandwiching region N in order to apply distortion to the heating roll 61 and facilitate the peeling of the recording medium.

[0084] Between the pressing pad 64 and the pressure belt 62, a sheet-like sliding member 68 is disposed in order to reduce the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 62 and the pressing pad 64. The pressing pad 64 and the sliding member 68 are held by a metal holding member 65. A belt running guide 63 is attached to the holding member 65. A lubricant supply device 67, which is a means for supplying a lubricant (oil) to the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 62, is attached to the belt running guide 63.

[0085] The peeling member 70 is an auxiliary means for peeling the recording medium from the fixing device 60, and is disposed on the downstream side of the sandwiching region N. The peeling member 70 includes a peeling claw 71 and a holding member 72. The peeling claw 71 is held by the holding member 72 at a position close to the heating roll 61.

[0086] The heating roll 61 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). The heating roll 61 rotates in the direction of arrow S by the drive motor, and the pressure belt 62 rotates in the direction of arrow R following this rotation. The paper K (an example of a recording medium) having an unfixed toner image is guided by the guide 56 and conveyed to the sandwiching region N, and when passing through the sandwiching region N, the toner image on the paper K is fixed by pressure and heat.

[0087] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment. The fixing device 80 includes a fixing belt module 86 having a heating belt 84 (an example of a first rotating body), and a pressure roll 88 (an example of a second rotating body) disposed in pressure contact with the heating belt 84 (fixing belt module 86).

[0088] A sandwiching region N (nip portion) is formed at the contact portion between the heating belt 84 (fixing belt module 86) and the pressure roll 88.

[0089] The fixing belt module 86 includes a heating belt 84, a heating pressure roll 89, a support roll 90, a support roll 92, a posture correcting roll 94, and a support roll 98. The heating belt 84 is wound around the heating pressure roll 89 and the support roll 90. The heating pressure roll 89 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) and presses the heating belt 84 from its inner peripheral surface toward the pressure roll 88. The support roll 92 is disposed outside the heating belt 84 and defines the circumferential path of the heating belt 84. The posture correcting roll 94 corrects the posture of the heating belt 84 from the support roll 90 to the heating pressure roll 89 and suppresses the meandering of the heating belt 84. The support roll 98 applies tension to the heating belt 84 from the inner peripheral surface on the downstream side of the sandwiching region N.

[0090] Between the heating belt 84 and the heating and pressing roll 89, a sheet-like sliding member 82 is disposed to reduce the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 84 and the heating and pressing roll 89. The sliding member 82 is disposed in a state where both ends thereof are supported by a support member 96.

[0091] Inside the heating and pressing roll 89, a halogen heater 89A (an example of a heating means) is disposed to heat the heating belt 84 from the inner peripheral surface side. Inside the support roll 90, a halogen heater 90A (an example of a heating means) is disposed to heat the heating belt 84 from the inner peripheral surface side. Inside the support roll 92, a halogen heater 92A (an example of a heating means) is disposed to heat the heating belt 84 from the outer peripheral surface side.

[0092] The pressing roll 88 is rotatably supported and is provided by being pressed against a portion where the heating belt 84 is wound around the heating and pressing roll 89 by a biasing means (not shown). By the rotational drive of the heating and pressing roll 89, the heating belt 84 rotates and moves in the direction of arrow S, and the pressing roll 88 rotates and moves in the direction of arrow R following this rotational movement.

[0093] The paper K (an example of a recording medium) having an unfixed toner image is conveyed in the direction of arrow P and guided to the sandwiching region N of the fixing device 80. When the paper K passes through the sandwiching region N, the toner image on the paper K is fixed by pressure and heat.

[0094] <Image forming apparatus> The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes an image carrier, a charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, a transfer device that transfers the toner image to the surface of a recording medium, and the fixing device of the present disclosure that fixes the toner image to the recording medium. The fixing device may be a cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0095] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes the fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment described above. The image forming apparatus 100 may include the fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment described above instead of the fixing device 60.

[0096] The image forming apparatus 100 is an image forming apparatus of an intermediate transfer type generally called a tandem type. The image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K in which toner images of respective colors are formed by an electrophotographic method, a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the toner images of respective colors to an intermediate transfer belt 15, a secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 to a sheet K which is a recording medium, a fixing device 60 that fixes the secondarily transferred image onto the sheet K, and a control unit 40 that controls the operations of the respective devices (units).

[0097] The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of 1Y (yellow unit), 1M (magenta unit), 1C (cyan unit), and 1K (black unit) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K each include a photoreceptor 11 (an example of an image holding member). The photoreceptor 11 rotates in the direction of arrow A.

[0098] Around the photoreceptor 11, a charger 12 (an example of a charging device), a laser exposure device 13 (an example of an electrostatic latent image forming device), a developing device 14 (an example of a developing device), a primary transfer roll 16, and a photoreceptor cleaner 17 are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 11.

[0099] The charger 12 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 11. The laser exposure device 13 emits an exposure beam Bm to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 11. The developing device 14 stores toner of each color and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 11 with the toner. The primary transfer roll 16 transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10. The photoreceptor cleaner 17 removes the residual toner on the photoreceptor 11.

[0100] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is a belt made of a material in which an antistatic agent such as carbon black is added to a resin such as polyimide or polyamide. The intermediate transfer belt 15 has a volume resistivity of, for example, 1×10 6 Ω·cm or more and 1×10 14 Ω·cm or less, and a thickness of, for example, 0.1 mm.

[0101] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is supported by a driving roll 31, a supporting roll 32, a tension applying roll 33, a back roll 25, and a cleaning back roll 34, and is circulated (rotated) in the direction of arrow B in accordance with the rotation of the driving roll 31. The driving roll 31 is driven by a motor (not shown) having excellent constant speed performance to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15. The supporting roll 32 supports the intermediate transfer belt 15 extending substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the four photoreceptors 11 together with the driving roll 31. The tension applying roll 33 applies a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and functions as a correction roll for suppressing the meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The back roll 25 is provided in the secondary transfer unit 20, and the cleaning back roll 34 is provided in a cleaning unit that scrapes off the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0102] The primary transfer roll 16 is press-contacted with the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween to form the primary transfer unit 10. A voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner (negative polarity. The same applies hereinafter) is applied to the primary transfer roll 16. Thereby, the toner images on the respective photoreceptors 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a toner image superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is formed. The primary transfer roll 16 is a cylindrical roll composed of a shaft (e.g., a cylindrical bar of metal such as iron or SUS) and an elastic layer fixed around the shaft (e.g., a sponge layer of blend rubber containing a conductive agent such as carbon black). The primary transfer roll 16 has a volume resistivity of, for example, 1×10 7.5 Ω·cm or more and 1×10 8.5 Ω·cm or less.

[0103] The secondary transfer roll 22 is disposed in pressure contact with the back roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween to form the secondary transfer portion 20. The secondary transfer roll 22 forms a secondary transfer bias with the back roll 25 and secondarily transfers the toner image onto the paper K (recording medium) conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 20. The secondary transfer roll 22 is a cylindrical roll composed of a shaft (e.g., a cylindrical bar of metal such as iron or SUS) and an elastic layer fixed around the shaft (e.g., a sponge layer of blend rubber containing a conductive agent such as carbon black). The secondary transfer roll 22 has a volume resistivity of, for example, 1×10 7.5 Ω·cm or more and 1×10 8.5 Ω·cm or less.

[0104] The back roll 25 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to form a counter electrode for the secondary transfer roll 22 and forms a transfer electric field between the secondary transfer roll 22. The back roll 25 is formed by covering, for example, a rubber base material with a tube of blend rubber in which carbon is dispersed. The back roll 25 has a surface resistivity of, for example, 1×10 7 Ω / □ or more and 1×10 10 Ω / □ or less and a hardness of, for example, 70° (Asker C: manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd., the same applies hereinafter). A power supply roll 26 made of metal is disposed in contact with the back roll 25. The power supply roll 26 applies a voltage (secondary transfer bias) having the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner to form a transfer electric field between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25.

[0105] On the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35 is provided so as to be capable of approaching and separating from the intermediate transfer belt 15. The intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35 removes residual toner and paper dust on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after secondary transfer.

[0106] On the upstream side of the image forming unit 1Y, a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 is disposed. The reference sensor 42 generates a reference signal serving as a reference for the image forming timing in each image forming unit. The reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to generate a reference signal, and the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K start image formation according to an instruction from the control unit 40 that has recognized this reference signal. On the downstream side of the image forming unit 1K, an image density sensor 43 for performing image quality adjustment is disposed.

[0107] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper storage unit 50, a paper feed roll 51, a conveyance roll 52, a conveyance guide 53, a conveyance belt 55, and a fixing entrance guide 56 as conveyance means for conveying paper K. The paper storage unit 50 stores the paper K before image formation. The paper feed roll 51 takes out the paper K stored in the paper storage unit 50. The conveyance roll 52 conveys the paper K taken out by the paper feed roll 51. The conveyance guide 53 feeds the paper K conveyed by the conveyance roll 52 into the secondary transfer portion 20. The conveyance belt 55 conveys the paper K onto which an image has been transferred in the secondary transfer portion 20 to the fixing device 60. The fixing entrance guide 56 guides the paper K to the fixing device 60.

[0108] An image forming method by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 100, image data output from an image reading device (not shown), a computer (not shown), etc. is image-processed by an image processing device (not shown), and an image forming operation is executed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0109] In the image processing apparatus, image processing such as shading correction, misregistration correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame removal, color editing, movement editing, etc. is performed on the input reflectance data. The image data on which the image processing has been performed is converted into colorant gradation data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and output to the laser exposure device 13.

[0110] The laser exposure device 13 irradiates the exposure beam Bm to each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K according to the input colorant gradation data. After the surface of each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is charged by the charger 12, the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure device 13, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoreceptor 11 is developed into a toner image of each color by each image forming unit.

[0111] The toner images formed on each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer portion 10 where each photoreceptor 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15. In the primary transfer portion 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer roll 16, and the toner images are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0112] The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 20 as the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves. In accordance with the timing when the toner image reaches the secondary transfer portion 20, the paper K accommodated in the paper storage portion 50 is conveyed by the paper feed roll 51, the conveyance roll 52, and the conveyance guide 53, supplied to the secondary transfer portion 20, and sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. Then, in the secondary transfer portion 20 where a transfer electric field is formed, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) onto the paper K.

[0113] The paper K onto which the toner image has been electrostatically transferred is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22 and conveyed to the fixing device 60 by the conveyance belt 55. The paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 60, and the unfixed toner image is fixed. Through the above steps, an image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus 100.

Example

[0114] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the molded body will be described in detail by way of examples. However, the embodiments of the molded body are not limited to these examples. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "parts" and "%" are based on mass. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, synthesis, production, processing, measurement, etc. were carried out at normal temperature (25 °C ± 3 °C).

[0115] <Manufacture of a Molded Body in which a Filler is Dispersed in a Resin> [Example 1] A polyamic acid solution (TX-HMM, Unitika Ltd.) and carbon nanotubes were mixed and kneaded with a three-roll mill to prepare a coating solution (1). They were mixed in an amount such that the volume ratio of the carbon nanotubes would be the volume ratio shown in Table 1 when the polyamic acid solution hardened. By adjusting the distance between the roll mills and the rotational speed of the roll mills when kneading the polyamic acid solution and the carbon nanotubes, the dispersion state of the carbon nanotubes was controlled.

[0116] The coating solution (1) was applied onto the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold made of aluminum (diameter 30 mm) and dried at a temperature of 100 °C for 80 minutes. The coating amount of the coating solution (1) was adjusted so that the thickness of the molded body would be 80 μm. The cylindrical mold having the coating film was placed in a heating furnace and heated at a temperature of 380 °C for 40 minutes to bake the molded body. The cylindrical mold under the molded body was pulled out to obtain a tubular molded body.

[0117] [Comparative Example 1] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that the distance between the rolls of the three-roll mill was shortened to 1 / 1.3 to change the dispersion state of the filler, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0118] [Comparative Example 2] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that the volume ratio of the filler was changed as shown in Table 1 and the distance between the rolls of the three-roll mill was shortened to 1 / 1.5 to change the dispersion state of the filler, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0119] [Comparative Example 3] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that the filler was changed to carbon black and the distance between the rolls of the three-roll mill was shortened to 1 / 2 to change the dispersion state of the filler, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0120] [Examples 2 to 7] In the same manner as in Example 1, except that the type, size, and volume ratio of the filler were changed as shown in Table 1, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0121] [Example 8] Boron nitride particles were surface-treated with a silane coupling agent having an isocyanate group to impart an isocyanate group to the surface of the boron nitride particles. Boron nitride particles were surface-treated with a silane coupling agent having a hydroxy group to impart a hydroxy group to the surface of the boron nitride particles. The above two types of fillers were mixed, placed in a heating furnace, heated to 150 °C at a heating rate of 2 °C / min and held for 50 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a filler mixture. In the same manner as in Example 1, except that the filler was changed to the filler mixture and the heating rate of the heating furnace when the cylindrical mold having a coating film was placed in the heating furnace and fired was changed to half that of Example 1, a tubular molded body was produced. The amount of each of the two types of boron nitride particles used is such that when the polyamic acid solution is cured, each has the volume ratio shown in Table 1.

[0122] [Example 9] The boron nitride particles were surface-treated with a silane coupling agent having an epoxy group to impart an epoxy group to the surface of the boron nitride particles. The aluminum oxide particles were surface-treated with a silane coupling agent having an amino group to impart an amino group to the surface of the aluminum oxide particles. The above two types of fillers were mixed, placed in a heating furnace, heated to 120 °C at a heating rate of 2 °C / min, held for 50 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a filler mixture. In the same manner as in Example 1, except that the filler was changed to the filler mixture and the heating rate of the heating furnace when firing the cylindrical mold having the coating film was changed to half of that in Example 1, a tubular molded body was produced. The amount of each of the boron nitride particles and the aluminum oxide particles used was such that when the polyamic acid solution was cured, each had the volume ratio described in Table 1.

[0123] <Production of a molded body in which a filler is dispersed in rubber> [Example 11] A liquid silicone rubber (two-component type, X-34-2826-A / B, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and carbon nanotubes were mixed and kneaded with a three-roll mill to prepare a coating liquid (11). The volume ratio of the carbon nanotubes was mixed such that when the liquid silicone rubber was cured, it had the volume ratio described in Table 2. The dispersion state of the carbon nanotubes was controlled by adjusting the distance between the roll mills and the rotation speed of the roll mills when kneading the liquid silicone rubber and the carbon nanotubes.

[0124] The coating liquid (11) was applied onto the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold made of aluminum (diameter 30 mm) and dried at 115 °C for 15 minutes. The coating amount of the coating liquid (11) was adjusted so that the thickness of the molded body became 400 μm. The cylindrical mold having the coating film was placed in a heating furnace and heated at 200 °C for 2 hours to bake the molded body. The cylindrical mold under the molded body was pulled out to obtain a tubular molded body.

[0125] [Comparative Example 11] In the same manner as in Example 11, except that the distance between the rolls of the three-roll mill was shortened to 1 / 1.5 to change the dispersion state of the filler, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0126] [Comparative Example 12] In the same manner as in Example 11, except that the volume ratio of the filler was changed as shown in Table 2 and the distance between the rolls of the three-roll mill was shortened to 1 / 1.3 to change the dispersion state of the filler, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0127] [Comparative Example 13] In the same manner as in Example 11, except that the filler was changed to carbon black and the distance between the rolls of the three-roll mill was shortened to 1 / 2 to change the dispersion state of the filler, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0128] [Examples 12 to 17] In the same manner as in Example 11, except that the type and volume ratio of the filler were changed as shown in Table 2, a tubular molded body was produced.

[0129] [Example 18] Boron nitride particles having isocyanate groups on the surface and boron nitride particles having hydroxy groups on the surface, which were used in Example 8, were prepared. The above two types of fillers were mixed, placed in a heating furnace, heated to 150°C at a heating rate of 2°C / min and held for 50 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a filler mixture. In the same manner as in Example 11, except that the filler was changed to the filler mixture, a tubular molded body was produced. The respective amounts of the two types of boron nitride particles used were such that each had the volume ratio shown in Table 2 when the polyamic acid solution was cured.

[0130] [Example 19] Boron nitride particles having epoxy groups on the surface and aluminum oxide particles having amino groups on the surface, which were used in Example 9, were prepared. The above two types of fillers were mixed, put into a heating furnace, heated to 120 °C at a heating rate of 2 °C / min, held for 50 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a filler mixture. In the same manner as in Example 11, except that the filler was changed to a filler mixture, a tubular molded body was produced. The respective amounts of boron nitride particles and aluminum oxide particles used were such that each had the volume ratio described in Table 2 when the polyamic acid solution was cured.

[0131] <Cross-sectional analysis of the molded body> From the central portion in the axial direction of the tubular molded body, a rectangular parallelepiped having three sides in the axial direction, circumferential direction, and film thickness direction, and having a length of 1 mm in the circumferential direction and long in the axial direction, was cut out and embedded in an epoxy resin. The embedded material was sectioned with a microtome to form a block cross-section where the cross-section in the film thickness direction could be seen. The sample with the block cross-section formed was fixed to the sample stage of a FIB-SEM apparatus (FIB-SEM Helios NanoLab 600i, FEI Company, USA), and a vapor deposition treatment was performed. The FIB processing and SEM observation of the block cross-section were repeated with the FIB-SEM apparatus to obtain a two-dimensional stacking image. The FIB processing and SEM observation were repeated until at least 100 fillers were observed. The SEM observation was performed at a magnification at which the fillers dispersed in the molded body could be observed. The two-dimensional stacking image was imported into three-dimensional image analysis software (Avizo-Fire, VSG) to construct a three-dimensional image. In the constructed three-dimensional image, 100 fillers were randomly selected. For each of the 100 fillers, the major axis length and aspect ratio were measured, and the respective average values were calculated. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Also, the volume ratio of the fillers in the molded body was determined by analyzing the constructed three-dimensional image. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0132] <Measurement of the martensitic hardness of the molded body> A square with an axial dimension of 50 mm × a circumferential dimension of 50 mm was taken from the central portion in the axial direction of the tubular molded body with the thickness of the molded body remaining unchanged, and this was used as a sample. Using a microhardness tester Fischer Scope HM2000, the measurement was performed as described above, and the martensite hardness (N / mm 2 ) was determined. Ten arbitrary locations within the 50 mm square region were measured, and the difference (N / mm 2 ) between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensite hardness was calculated.

[0133] <Performance Evaluation of Molded Body> [Thermal Conductivity] A square with an axial dimension of 2 mm × a circumferential dimension of 2 mm was taken from the central portion in the axial direction of the tubular molded body with the thickness of the molded body remaining unchanged, and this was used as a sample. At room temperature (25°C ± 3°C), the thermal diffusivity in the film thickness direction was measured using a thermal diffusivity measurement device ai-phase (Ai Phases Co., Ltd.), and the thermal conductivity (W / m·K) was calculated by multiplying the specific heat and the density by the thermal diffusivity. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0134] The abbreviations in Tables 1 and 2 have the following meanings. · PI: Polyimide resin · Si rubber: Silicone rubber · CNT: Carbon nanotube · CB: Carbon black · BN: Boron nitride · SiC: Silicon carbide · Alumina: Aluminum oxide

[0135]

Table 1

[0136]

Table 2

[0137] The molded body, composite, tubular fixing member, fixing device, and image forming device of the present disclosure include the following aspects.

[0138] (((1))) A molded article containing a resin and a filler dispersed in the resin, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 locations within a 50 mm square region of the largest surface of the molded article, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 200 N / mm 2 or more, Molded article. (((2))) A molded article containing a rubber and a filler dispersed in the rubber, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 locations within a 50 mm square region of the largest surface of the molded article, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 5 N / mm 2 or more, Molded article. (((3))) The molded article according to (((1))) or (((2))), wherein the filler includes two or more fillers having different shapes from each other, or two or more fillers having different surface properties from each other. (((4))) The molded article according to (((1))) or (((2))), wherein the filler includes a first filler having a first functional group on the surface and a second filler having a second functional group different from the first functional group on the surface. (((5))) The molded article according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein the average value of the aspect ratio of the filler is 10 or more and 500 or less. (((6))) The molded article according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein the volume ratio of the filler in the molded article is 10 volume % or more and 50 volume % or less. (((7))) A composite including the molded article according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))). (((8))) A tubular fixing member including the molded article according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))), which is formed into a tubular shape. (((9))) Comprising a first rotating body and a second rotating body disposed in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body, At least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is the tubular fixing member described in (((8))), The toner image is fixed by passing the recording medium with the toner image formed on the surface thereof through the contact portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body. Fixing device. (((10))) An image carrier, A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier, An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, A transfer device for transferring the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium, The fixing device described in (((9))) for fixing the toner image to the recording medium, and Image forming apparatus.

[0139] (((1))), (((3))), (((4))), (((5))) or (((6))), in a molded article containing a resin, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square of the largest surface, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 200 N / mm 2 A molded article having better thermal conductivity is provided as compared with a molded article having a difference less than that. (((2))), (((3))), (((4))), (((5))) or (((6))), in a molded article containing a rubber, when the Martens hardness is measured at 10 points within a region of 50 mm square of the largest surface, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the Martens hardness is 5 N / mm 2 A molded article having better thermal conductivity is provided as compared with a molded article having a difference less than that. (((7))) provides a composite having excellent thermal conductivity. (((8))) provides a tubular fixing member having excellent thermal conductivity. (((9))) provides a fixing device including a tubular fixing member having excellent thermal conductivity. According to ((10)), an image forming apparatus including a tubular fixing member excellent in heat conductivity is provided.

Explanation of Signs

[0140] 110 Tubular fixing member 110A Base material layer 110B Elastic layer 110C Release layer

[0141] 60 Fixing device 61 Heating roll 62 Pressing belt 63 Belt running guide 64 Pressing pad 64a Clamping member 64b Clamping member 65 Holding member 66 Halogen lamp 67 Lubricant supply device 68 Sliding member 69 Temperature sensing element 70 Peeling member 71 Peeling claw 72 Holding member

[0142] 80 Fixing device 82 Sliding member 84 Heating belt 86 Fixing belt module 88 Pressing roll 89 Heating and pressing roll 89A Halogen heater 90 Support roll 90A Halogen heater 92 Support roll 92A Halogen heater 94 Posture correcting roll 96 Support member 98 Support roll

[0143] 100 Image forming apparatus 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming unit 11 Photoconductor (an example of an image holding member) 12 Charger (an example of a charging device) 13 Laser exposure device (an example of an electrostatic latent image forming device) 14 Developing device (an example of a developing device) 15 Intermediate transfer belt 16 Primary transfer roll (an example of a transfer device) 22 Secondary transfer roll (an example of a transfer device) K paper (an example of a recording medium)

Claims

1. A molded article containing a resin and a filler dispersed in the resin, When measuring the martensite hardness at 10 locations within a 50 mm square area of the largest surface of the shaped body, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensite hardness is 200 N / mm ２ or more. Molded article.

2. A molded article containing a rubber and a filler dispersed in the rubber, When measuring the martensite hardness at 10 points within a 50 mm square area of the largest surface of the molded body, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the martensite hardness is 5 N / mm ２ or more. Molded article.

3. The molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filler includes two or more types of fillers having different shapes from each other, or includes two or more types of fillers having different surface properties from each other.

4. The molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filler includes a first filler having a first functional group on the surface and a second filler having a second functional group different from the first functional group on the surface.

5. The molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an average value of the aspect ratio of the filler is 10 or more and 500 or less.

6. The molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a volume ratio of the filler in the molded article is 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less.

7. A composite including the molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. A tubular fixing member including the molded article according to claim 1 or claim 2 formed into a tubular shape.

9. Comprising a first rotating body and a second rotating body disposed in contact with an outer surface of the first rotating body, At least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body is the tubular fixing member according to claim 8, Fixing the toner image by passing a recording medium having a toner image formed on its surface through a contact portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body, Fixing device.

10. An image carrier, A charging device for charging a surface of the image carrier, An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on a charged surface of the image carrier, A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, A transfer device for transferring the toner image to a surface of a recording medium, An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device according to claim 9 for fixing the toner image to the recording medium. Image forming apparatus.

Images