Fixing member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a fixing member that maintains separation capabilities without containing fluorine compounds while suppressing the release of UFP to the outside. [Solution] The fixing member comprises a base layer, an elastic layer laminated on the base layer, an intermediate layer laminated on the elastic layer and containing a first resin but not containing a fluorine compound, and a surface layer laminated on the intermediate layer and containing a second resin but not containing a fluorine compound. The oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer at 25°C is 3500 mL / (m³). 2 (24 hours · ATM) or less.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing member, a fixing device, and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, including photocopiers and laser beam printers, have a fixing device that fixes a toner image to a recording medium by bringing a heated fixing member into contact with the unfixed toner image supported on the recording medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a fixing device is configured to heat-press the toner image onto the conveyed recording medium and to allow the recording medium to peel off from the fixing member. Furthermore, the fixing member is required to have a surface that does not become contaminated with toner or wax, and to be made of a material with a high melting point in order to melt the toner on the surface of the fixing member.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a fixing device comprising a fixing member, a pressure roller, a fixing belt, an excitation coil, and a demagnetizing coil. The fixing belt in the fixing device described in Patent Document 1 has a base layer, an elastic layer made of silicone rubber, and a barrier layer made of fluororesin. In the fixing device described in Patent Document 1, the fixing belt exhibits the above-mentioned functions because it has an outermost layer containing fluororesin. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-18015 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the elastic layer of the fixing belt is made of silicone rubber, which can cause particles (UFP; Ultra-Fine Particle) with a diameter of 1.3 to 3.0 nm or less to be generated during toner fixing. Furthermore, the outermost layer of fluororesin is chemically very stable and can remain semi-permanently even after the product's lifespan has expired. In addition, some fluororesins are a cause for concern regarding their impact on human health due to their bioaccumulative and toxic properties. In Europe and other regions, regulations on PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances), a general term for organofluororesins, are progressing, and it is expected that regulations on the use of organofluororesins will be further strengthened in the future. Therefore, there is a desire to use fixing components made of resins other than fluororesins.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing member that can suppress the release of UFP to the outside while maintaining separation performance without containing fluorine compounds. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus having said fixing member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A fixing member according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a base layer, an elastic layer laminated on the base layer, an intermediate layer laminated on the elastic layer and containing a first resin but not containing a fluorine compound, and a surface layer laminated on the intermediate layer and containing a second resin but not containing a fluorine compound, wherein the oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer at 25°C is 3500 mL / (m³). 2 (24 hours · ATM) or less.

[0008] A fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixing member of the present invention, a plurality of rollers that pivotally support the fixing member, and a heating unit for heating the fixing member.

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fixing device of the present invention that fixes an unfixed toner image formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method onto the recording medium by heating and pressurizing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, there can be provided a fixing device and an image forming apparatus that suppress the release of UFPs to the outside while maintaining separability without containing a fluorine compound.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fixing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the configuration of a fixing member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fixing device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] (Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus and Fixing Device) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fixing device 60 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, an intermediate transfer unit 40, a fixing device 60, and a recording medium conveyance unit 80.

[0015] The image reading unit 20 reads an image from a document D and obtains image data for forming an electrostatic latent image. The image reading unit 20 includes a paper feeding device 21, a scanner 22, a CCD sensor 23, and an image processing unit 24.

[0016] The image forming unit 30 includes, for example, four image forming units 31 corresponding to each of the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The image forming unit 31 has a photosensitive drum 32, a charging device 33, an exposure device 34, a developing device 35, and a cleaning device 36.

[0017] The photosensitive drum 32 is, for example, a negatively charged organic photosensitive drum having photoconductivity. The charging device 33 charges the photosensitive drum 32. The charging device 33 is, for example, a corona charger. The charging device 33 may also be a contact charging device that brings a contact charging member such as a charging roller, a charging brush, or a charging blade into contact with the photosensitive drum 32 to charge it. The exposure device 34 irradiates the charged photosensitive drum 32 with light to form an electrostatic latent image. The exposure device 34 is, for example, a semiconductor laser. The developing device 35 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 32 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. The developing device 35 is, for example, a known developing device in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cleaning device 36 removes the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 32. Here, the "toner image" refers to a state in which toner is aggregated in an image shape.

[0018] Known toner can be used as the toner. The toner may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. The one-component developer is composed of toner particles. The two-component developer is composed of toner particles and carrier particles. The toner particles are composed of toner mother particles and external additives such as silica attached to the surface thereof. The toner mother particles are composed of, for example, a binder resin, a colorant, and wax.

[0019] The intermediate transfer unit 40 includes a primary transfer unit 41 and a secondary transfer unit 42.

[0020] The primary transfer unit 41 includes an intermediate transfer belt 43, a primary transfer roller 44, a backup roller 45, a plurality of first support rollers 46, and a cleaning device 47. The intermediate transfer belt 43 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 43 is stretched by the backup roller 45 and the first support rollers 46. The intermediate transfer belt 43 travels on the endless track at a constant speed in one direction by the rotational drive of at least one of the backup rollers 45 and the first support rollers 46.

[0021] The secondary transfer unit 42 includes a secondary transfer belt 48, a secondary transfer roller 49, and a plurality of second support rollers 50. The secondary transfer belt 48 is an endless belt. The secondary transfer belt 48 is stretched by the secondary transfer roller 49 and the second support rollers 50.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the fixing device 60 fixes the unfixed toner image formed on the recording medium S by electrophotography to the recording medium S by heating and pressurizing. The fixing device 60 includes a fixing member 61, a heating roller 62, a first pressure roller 63, a second pressure roller 64, heaters (heating parts) 65 and 66, a first temperature sensor 67, a second temperature sensor 68, an airflow separation device 69, a guide plate 70, and a guide roller 71.

[0023] The shape of the fixing member 61 is not particularly limited as long as the fixing device 60 can perform the above functions. Examples of the shape of the fixing member 61 include an endless belt shape, a roller shape, and a plate shape. In this embodiment, the fixing member 61 is an endless belt shape. The fixing member 61 is constructed by laminating a base layer 61a, an elastic layer 61b, an intermediate layer 61c, and a surface layer 61d in this order (see Figure 3). The fixing member 61 is pivotally supported by two or more rollers with the base layer 61a on the inside and the surface layer 61d on the outside. In this embodiment, the fixing member 61 is pivotally supported by a heating roller 62 and a first pressure roller 63. The tension of the fixing member 61 is preferably 45N or less. If the tension of the fixing member 61 exceeds 45N, the first pressure roller 63 may be damaged. The tension of the fixing member 61 is, for example, 43N.

[0024] The heating roller 62 has a rotatable aluminum sleeve and a heater 65 disposed inside it. The type of heater 65 is not particularly limited. Examples of heater types include halogen heaters (halogen heater type) and electromagnetic induction coils (IH type). In this embodiment, the heater 65 is a halogen heater disposed inside the heating roller 62. The first pressure roller 63 has, for example, a rotatable core and an elastic layer disposed on its outer circumferential surface.

[0025] The second pressure roller 64 is positioned opposite the first pressure roller 63 via a fixing member 61. The second pressure roller 64 includes, for example, a rotatable aluminum sleeve and a heater 66 positioned inside the sleeve. The second pressure roller 64 is positioned to move closer to and further away from the first pressure roller 63, and when it approaches the first pressure roller 63, it presses against the elastic layer of the first pressure roller 63 via the fixing member 61, forming a fixing nip portion which is the contact portion with the fixing member 61. The outer diameter of the second pressure roller 64 is preferably 50 mm or more. If the outer diameter of the second pressure roller 64 is less than 50 mm, the heat capacity of the roller cannot be secured, and the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be increased. The type of heater 66 is not particularly limited. Examples of types of heater 66 include halogen heaters and electromagnetic induction coils. In this embodiment, the heater 66 is a halogen heater positioned inside the heating roller 62.

[0026] The first temperature sensor 67 is a device for detecting the temperature of the fixing member 61 heated by the heating roller 62. The second temperature sensor 68 is a device for detecting the temperature of the outer surface of the second pressure roller 64.

[0027] The airflow separation device 69 is a device that generates an airflow from the downstream side in the direction of movement of the fixing member 61 toward the fixing nip portion, thereby promoting the separation of the recording medium (in this embodiment, standard paper, special paper, etc.) S from the fixing member 61.

[0028] The guide plate 70 is a component for guiding the recording medium S having an unfixed toner image to the fixing nip section. The guide roller 71 is a component for guiding the recording medium S with the fixed toner image from the fixing nip section to outside the image forming apparatus 10.

[0029] The recording medium transport unit 80 has three paper feed tray units 81 and a plurality of registration roller pairs 82. The paper feed tray units 81 contain recording media S identified based on basis weight, size, etc., according to pre-set types. The registration roller pairs 82 are arranged to form a predetermined transport path.

[0030] In this type of image forming apparatus 10, a toner image is formed on the recording medium S, which has been transported by the recording medium transport unit 80, in the intermediate transfer unit 40 based on the image data acquired by the image reading unit 20. The recording medium S on which the toner image has been formed in the intermediate transfer unit 40 is then sent to the fuser unit 60.

[0031] In the fixing device 60, the fixing member 61 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed and is heated to a desired temperature (e.g., 190°C) by a heater 65 through feedback control by, for example, a first temperature sensor 67. The second pressure roller 64 is heated to a desired temperature (e.g., 180°C) by a heater 66 through feedback control by, for example, a second temperature sensor 68. Then, in conjunction with the arrival of the recording medium S, the second pressure roller 64 biases the outer surface of the first pressure roller 63 via the fixing member 61, forming a fixing nip.

[0032] Meanwhile, the recording medium S, which carries the unfixed toner image, is guided by the guide plate 70 and then to the fixing nip section. When the fixing member 61 comes into close contact with the recording medium S, the unfixed toner image is quickly fixed to the recording medium S. In addition, the recording medium S receives airflow from the airflow separation device 69 at the downstream end of the fixing nip section. This promotes the separation of the recording medium S from the fixing member 61. The recording medium separated from the fixing member 61 is guided out of the image forming apparatus 10 by the guide roller 71.

[0033] (Configuration of the fixing member) Next, the fixing member 61 will be described in detail. Figure 3A is a perspective view of the fixing member 61, and Figure 3B is an enlarged view of area A shown in Figure 3A.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the fixing member 61 has a base layer 61a, an elastic layer 61b, an intermediate layer 61c, and a surface layer 61d. In the fixing member 61, the base layer 61a is located on the inside and the surface layer 61d is located on the outside.

[0035] The base layer 61a is made of a heat-resistant resin. The heat-resistant resin can be appropriately selected from resins that do not undergo modification or deformation within the operating temperature range of the fixing member 61. Examples of heat-resistant resins include polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, polyamideimide, and polyetheretherketone. From the viewpoint of heat resistance, polyimide is preferred as the heat-resistant resin. One type of heat-resistant resin may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0036] Polyimides are obtained by heating their precursor, polyamic acid, at a temperature of 200°C or higher, or by using a catalyst to carry out a dehydration and cyclization (imidization) reaction of the polyamic acid. Polyamic acid may be produced by dissolving a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine compound in a solvent and performing a polycondensation reaction by mixing and heating, or commercially available products may be used. Examples of diamine compounds and tetracarboxylic dianhydrides include the compounds described in paragraphs 0123 to 0130 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-25120.

[0037] The base layer 61a may further contain components other than the heat-resistant resin, to the extent that the effects of this embodiment can be obtained. From the viewpoint of moldability and other factors, the heat-resistant resin content in the base layer 61a material is preferably in the range of 40 to 100% by volume.

[0038] The elastic layer 61b is made of a heat-resistant elastic material. The elastic layer 61b is placed on top of the base layer 61a. Examples of materials for the elastic layer 61b include elastic resin materials such as silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, and rubber materials. Silicone rubber is preferred as the material for the elastic layer 61b.

[0039] Examples of silicone rubber include polyorganosiloxanes or their heat-cured products, and addition-reaction type silicone rubber described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-122317. Examples of polyorganosiloxanes include dimethylpolysiloxane, described in paragraph 0029 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-255283, which is sealed at both ends with trimethylsiloxane groups and has vinyl groups in its side chains. One type of silicone rubber may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0040] The content of the elastic resin material in the elastic material is preferably in the range of 60 to 100% by volume, more preferably in the range of 75 to 100% by volume, and even more preferably in the range of 80 to 100% by volume.

[0041] The thickness of the elastic layer 61b is preferably in the range of 30 to 400 μm, more preferably in the range of 50 to 300 μm, and even more preferably in the range of 100 to 250 μm, from the viewpoint of sufficiently exhibiting heat transfer properties and elasticity.

[0042] The elastic layer 61b may further contain components other than the elastic resin material to the extent that the effects of this embodiment are obtained. For example, the elastic material may further contain a heat-conductive filler to enhance the heat transfer properties of the elastic layer. Examples of filler materials include silica, metallic silica, alumina, zinc, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, carbon, and graphite. The form of the filler is not limited and may be, for example, spherical powder, amorphous powder, flattened powder, or fibers.

[0043] The intermediate layer 61c suppresses the release of UFP generated from the elastic layer 61b to the outside during use. The intermediate layer 61c is laminated on the elastic layer 61b. The intermediate layer 61c contains a first resin and does not contain fluorine compounds. Examples of the first resin include polyimide, polymethylpentene, and polyethylene. Polyimide is preferred as the first resin of the intermediate layer 61c.

[0044] Examples of fluorinated compounds that cannot be contained in the intermediate layer 61c include perfluoropolymers having a fluorinated aliphatic ring structure in the main chain, fluoropolymers copolymerized using monomers having a methylene group in the molecule and highly fluorinated monomers, and fluoropolymers in which crystalline fluorinated segments are graft-polymerized onto a main chain having a structure similar to that of a fluorinated elastomer. Examples of copolymer components of fluorinated compounds include perfluorovinyl monomers such as tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), vinylidene fluoride (VDF), and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethers. Specific examples of such fluorinated compounds include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy fluororesins (PFA), copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene (ETFE), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

[0045] The oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer 61c is 3500 mL / (m³). 2 (24hrs·atm) or less, and 2000mL / (m³) 2 A 24hrs·atm or less oxygen permeability of 3500 mL / (m³) is preferable. 2 If the duration exceeds 24 hours (atm), the release of UFP generated from the elastic layer 61b to the outside cannot be suppressed.

[0046] The oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer 61c can be measured, for example, by the following method. First, the oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer 61c (50cm) 2The ) is attached to the test cell. While maintaining the test cell at 25°C, oxygen with a stable relative humidity is flowed on one side of the intermediate layer 61c, and high-purity nitrogen is flowed on the other side. At this time, the oxygen permeates through the intermediate layer 61c and penetrates from one side to the other. The oxygen that has penetrated to the nitrogen side is measured with an oxygen / water vapor permeability analyzer (C406H; Labthink). Through the above process, the oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer 61c can be measured.

[0047] The method for adjusting the oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer 61c is not limited. An example of a method for adjusting the oxygen permeability of the intermediate layer 61c is a method for controlling the crystallinity of the polymer constituting the first resin.

[0048] Here, we will explain the relationship between oxygen permeability and the suppression of UFP release to the outside. As mentioned above, UFP refers to particles with a diameter in the range of 1.3 to 3.0 nm or less. On the other hand, the diameter of an oxygen molecule is approximately 0.34 nm. In other words, oxygen molecules are significantly smaller than UFPs. Therefore, if the fixing member 61 has an intermediate layer 61c with pores of a size that does not allow oxygen molecules to pass through, UFPs, which are larger than oxygen molecules, cannot pass through the fixing member 61. Thus, by defining the oxygen permeability, we can define whether or not the release of UFPs to the outside can be suppressed.

[0049] The thickness of the intermediate layer 61c is preferably in the range of 1 to 20 μm, and more preferably in the range of 5 to 10 μm.

[0050] The tensile strength of the intermediate layer 61c is preferably 20 MPa or higher, and more preferably 40 MPa or higher. If the tensile strength is less than 20 MPa, the anchoring member 61 may be damaged. The tensile strength of the intermediate layer 61c can be measured using a Tensilon universal tensile testing machine (A&D Company, Limited).

[0051] The melting point of the intermediate layer 61c (first resin) is preferably 200°C or higher, and more preferably 220°C or higher. If the tensile strength is less than 20 MPa, it may not be able to withstand the temperature during use and may melt. The melting point of the intermediate layer 61c (first resin) can be determined by measuring it at 2°C / min using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC-60: Shimadzu Corporation) and observing the melting peak.

[0052] The surface layer 61d has moderate release properties for toner. The surface layer 61d is located on top of the intermediate layer 61c. The surface layer 61d contains a second resin but does not contain a fluorine compound. Examples of the second resin include silicone resin and polymethylpentene.

[0053] Examples of fluorine compounds that cannot be contained in the surface layer 61d include the same fluorine compounds that cannot be contained in the intermediate layer 61c.

[0054] The thickness of the surface layer 61d is preferably in the range of 10 to 50 μm, and more preferably in the range of 15 to 30 μm, from the viewpoint of heat transfer, conformity to deformation of the elastic layer 61b, and release properties.

[0055] The hexadecane contact angle of the surface layer 61d at 150°C is preferably greater than 25°. If the hexadecane contact angle is 25° or less, the release properties to the recording medium S may decrease.

[0056] The hexadecane contact angle can be measured, for example, by the following method: An automatic contact angle meter (Dmo-602; Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the hexadecane contact angle at 150°C. 2 μL of n-hexadecane was dropped onto the surface of the 61d surface layer, and the hexadecane contact angle was measured after 5 seconds.

[0057] The fixing member 61 may further have other layers besides the base layer 61a, elastic layer 61b, intermediate layer 61c, and surface layer 61d described above, to the extent that the effects of this embodiment can be obtained. Examples of other layers include reinforcing layers.

[0058] The reinforcing layer is a layer for increasing the mechanical strength of the fixing member 61, and is, for example, placed on the surface of the fixing member 61 opposite to the surface layer 61d (the inner circumferential surface of the base layer 61a). The reinforcing layer can be made of the heat-resistant resin described above, and its thickness can be determined as appropriate.

[0059] In the above description, it was specified that the intermediate layer 61c and the surface layer 61d do not contain fluorine compounds. However, in this embodiment, none of the components of the fixing member 61 contain fluorine compounds. The examples of fluorine compounds that are not included are the same as the examples of fluorine compounds that are not included in the intermediate layer 61c and the surface layer 61d.

[0060] The fixing member 61 of this embodiment can be manufactured using a known method for manufacturing a laminated fixing belt. The method for manufacturing the fixing member 61 includes the steps of: covering the outer surface of an endless base layer 61a made of heat-resistant resin with a tube that will become an intermediate layer 61c; injecting an elastic material or its precursor between the molded body and the tube; heating and curing the elastic material or its precursor as needed; and forming a surface layer 61d on the surface of the intermediate layer 61c.

[0061] (effect) As described above, the fixing member 61 according to this embodiment has an intermediate layer 61c that does not contain fluorine compounds, so it can suppress the release of UFP to the outside while maintaining separation performance.

[0062] [Embodiment 2] Next, an image forming apparatus of Embodiment 2 will be described. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment differs from the image forming apparatus 10 of Embodiment 1 only in the configuration of the fixing device 60. Therefore, components similar to those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0063] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fixing device 60 in the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 4, the fixing device 60 in this embodiment includes a fixing member 61, a heating roller 62 and a first pressure roller 63, a second pressure roller 64, a heater (heating section) 65, a first temperature sensor 67, a second temperature sensor 68, an airflow separation device 69, a guide plate 70, and a guide roller 71.

[0064] In this embodiment, the heater (heating unit) 65 is a heat source (SURF type) located on the back side of the fixing member 61. The fixing member 61 may be in the shape of a roller or a plate.

[0065] (effect) As described above, the fixing member 61 according to this embodiment has the same effects as in the first embodiment. [Examples]

[0066] The present invention will be described in more detail using the following examples and comparative examples. Unless otherwise specified, each operation was performed at room temperature (20°C). The present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0067] [Example 1] Polyimide (UBE Corporation) was applied to the outside of a cylindrical mold while rotating it. Then, it was dried at 250-450°C to imidize it, thereby obtaining a cylindrical polyimide tubular material (base layer) with a thickness of 70 μm.

[0068] Next, polyimide (Upirex S; UBE Corporation) was applied to the inside of a cylindrical mold on the outside of the base layer. Then, by drying at 250-450°C and imidizing it, a cylindrical polyimide tubular material (intermediate layer) with a thickness of 10 μm was obtained.

[0069] Next, a silicone rubber material (X-34-2888; Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was injected into the gap between the base layer and the intermediate layer, and heat-cured to obtain a 200 μm thick silicone rubber tubular material (elastic layer).

[0070] Next, silicone resin (SR2361: Dow-Toray Industries, Inc.) was coated onto the intermediate layer to obtain a 20 μm thick silicone tubular material (surface layer).

[0071] Through the above process, a fixing belt 1 of Example 1 was obtained, having a base layer (polyimide tubular material), an elastic layer (silicone rubber tubular material), a polyimide tubular material (intermediate layer), and a silicone tubular material (surface layer) on top of it.

[0072] [Examples 2-4, Comparative Example 1] Except for changing the above components and proportions as shown in Table 1, fixing belts 2-5 for Examples 2-4 and Comparative Example 1 were obtained in the same manner as fixing belt 1.

[0073] [Comparative Example 2] By changing the above components as shown in Table 1, and except for not forming an intermediate layer, the fixing belt 6 of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as fixing belt 1.

[0074] In Table 1, MX002 and DX845 (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) are polymethylpentene. UHMW-PE (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) is polyethylene. TK-2500PE (Shin-Etsu Kogyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) is polyvinyl chloride.

[0075] The hexadecane contact angle at 150°C for each anchoring belt was measured using the method described above. The tensile strength of each intermediate layer was 20 MPa or higher. The melting points of the intermediate layers of anchoring belts 1-3, 5, and 6 were 200°C or higher. The melting point of the intermediate layer of anchoring belt 4 was 150°C.

[0076] [Assessment of separation ability] Each image forming apparatus was prepared by attaching a fuser unit, equipped with the fabricated fuser belt, to the fuser unit within a full-color production printer (Accurio Press C3070; Konica Minolta, Inc.). Using each image forming apparatus, color copy paper (basis weight 90 / m²) was used as A4 plain paper. 2:Using [company name Mondi], a cyan and magenta two-layer solid image (red) with an arbitrary margin at the tip of the image in 1 mm increments was output as the output image. With the separation air volume reduced to 30% of the setting, the paper passing state of the color copy paper was visually observed. The separation performance was evaluated according to the following criteria. A: Plain paper separated without curling. B: Plain paper curled slightly but there was no problem. C: Plain paper could not be separated.

[0077] [Evaluation of UFP] Each fixing belt (diameter 100 mm, length 400 mm) was placed in a metal tube with a diameter of 200 mm, a length of 500 mm, and also having ventilation holes to the outside (diameter 20 mm). While flowing nitrogen at 2 l / min through the metal tube, the metal tube was heated to 200 °C. The number of UFPs in the flowing air was measured with an ultrafine particle counter (P-TRAK; Trans Tech Co., Ltd.). The UFPs were evaluated according to the following criteria. A: Less than 200,000 particles / cc. B: 200,000 or more and 400,000 particles / cc or less. C: More than 400,000 particles / cc.

[0078] The configuration and physical properties of each fixing belt and the evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

[0079] [[ID=2二十七]]

Table 1

[0080] As shown in Table 1, for the fixing belts 1 to 4 of Examples 1 to 4 with an oxygen permeability of 3500 mL / (m 2 ·24 hrs·atm) or less, the separation performance and the suppression of UFP generation were good. In particular, for the fixing belts 1 and 3 of Examples 1 and 3 with an oxygen permeability of 2000 mL / (m 2 ·24 hrs·atm) or less, the suppression of UFP generation was particularly good. Note that the oxygen permeability is 2000 mL / (m 2Although the duration was less than 24 hours atm, the fixing belt 4 of Example 4, which is made of polyethylene, showed good suppression of UFP generation. Furthermore, the fixing belts 1, 2, and 4 of Examples 1, 2, and 4, in which the surface material was silicone, exhibited particularly good separation properties. Oxygen permeability of 400 mL / (m³) 2 In Example 4, fixing belt 4 (24hrs·atm) showed good suppression of UFP generation. This is thought to be because the melting point of the intermediate layer is 150°C, which reduced the suppression of UFP generation compared to fixing belts 1 and 3 in Examples 1 and 3.

[0081] On the other hand, the oxygen permeability is 3500 mL / (m³). 2 In comparative examples 1 and 2, the fixing belts 5 and 6, which were either over 24 hours (atm) or lacked an intermediate layer, showed poor suppression of UFP generation. [Industrial applicability]

[0082] According to the present invention, further speed improvements, performance enhancements, and labor savings are expected in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, and further widespread adoption of image forming apparatuses is anticipated. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Image reading unit 21 Paper feeder 22 Scanners 23 CCD sensor 24 Image Processing Unit 30 Image forming unit 31 Image forming unit 32 Photoconductor Drum 33 Charging device 34 Exposure equipment 35. Developing device 36 Cleaning device 40 Intermediate transfer section 41 Primary Transfer Unit 42 Secondary Transfer Unit 43 Intermediate transfer belt 44 Primary transfer roller 45 Backup Roller 46. ​​First support roller 47 Cleaning device 48 Secondary transfer belt 49 Secondary transfer roller 50 Second support roller 60 Fixing device 61 Fixing member 61a Base layer 61b Elastic layer 61c middle class 61d surface layer 62 Heating rollers 63 First pressure roller 64. Second pressure roller 65, 66 Heater 67. First temperature sensor 68 Second temperature sensor 69 Airflow Separator 70 Information board 71 Guide roller 80 Recording medium transport unit 81 Paper feed tray unit 82 Resistola vs D Manuscript S Paper (recording medium)

Claims

1. The base layer, An elastic layer laminated on the aforementioned base layer, Laminated on the elastic layer is an intermediate layer containing a first resin and not containing a fluorine compound, A surface layer laminated on the aforementioned intermediate layer, containing a second resin and not containing a fluorine compound, It has, The oxygen permeability of the aforementioned intermediate layer at 25°C is 3500 mL / (m³). ２ • Less than 24 hours atm Fixing member.

2. The oxygen permeability of the aforementioned intermediate layer at 25°C is 2000 mL / (m³). ２ The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the operating time is 24 hours (atm) or less.

3. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the hexadecane contact angle of the surface layer at 150°C is greater than 25°.

4. The tensile strength of the first resin is 20 MPa or more. The melting point of the first resin is 200°C or higher. The fixing member according to claim 1.

5. The shape of the fixing member is an endless belt shape. The aforementioned base layer is located on the inside, The aforementioned surface layer is located on the outside. The fixing member according to claim 1.

6. The fixing member according to claim 5, Multiple rollers supporting the aforementioned fixing member, A heating section for heating the fixing member, Having, Fixing device.

7. The fixing device according to claim 6, wherein the heating element is a heat source located on the back side of the fixing member, a halogen heater located inside the roller, or an electromagnetic induction coil located inside the roller.

8. An image forming apparatus having a fixing device according to claim 6 or claim 7, which fixes an unfixed toner image formed on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method onto the recording medium by heating and pressurizing.

Images