Fixing member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a fixing member that is less likely to cause toner offset and has excellent image quality of the obtained image. 【Solution means】 A base material and a surface layer containing an organopolysiloxane compound having a structural unit of (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) and a structural unit of (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 ), wherein the storage elastic modulus of the surface layer at 140 °C is 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less. However, R 1 and R 2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a group having a linear polydimethylsiloxane structure having 2 to 40 silicon atoms.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an anchoring belt having at least an elastic layer and a surface layer on a base layer, characterized in that the release properties R of the surface of the surface layer are 1.00N or less, and the liquid repellency HD defined by the n-hexadecane contact angle on the surface of the surface layer is in the range of 48 to 73°.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an elastic body formed by an addition-type silicone rubber elastic material, characterized in that the addition-type silicone rubber elastic material has a cured product of a polysiloxane mixture having (a) a linear dimethylpolysiloxane with terminal vinyl group sealing having a viscosity of 80,000 poise or more at 25°C, and (b) a resin-like organopolysiloxane having a viscosity of 10 poise or more at 25°C, containing a resin segment having two or more vinyl groups and a bifunctional oil segment, the constituent units of which are tetrafunctional or trifunctional. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-165773 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-214250 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an organopolysiloxane compound as described below (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units or (R 2 R 3SiO 2 / 2 A fixing member is provided which is less likely to cause toner offset and has excellent image quality of the obtained image as compared with a case where the surface layer contains only an organopolysiloxane compound not containing the structural unit of 2 / 2 .

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Specific means for solving the above problems include the following aspects. <1> A fixing member having a base material and a surface layer containing a condensate of an organopolysiloxane compound having a structural unit of (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) and a structural unit of (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 ), wherein the storage elastic modulus of the surface layer at 140 °C is 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less. However, R 1 and R 2 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3 represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a group having a linear polydimethylsiloxane structure having 2 to 40 silicon atoms. <2> The fixing member according to <1>, wherein the weight average molecular weight (Mw) in terms of polystyrene in the gel permeation chromatography of the organopolysiloxane compound is 1,000 or more and 50,000 or less. <3> The fixing member according to <1> or <2>, wherein R 3 is a group represented by the following formula (I) or an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0007]

Chemical formula

[0008] In formula (I), * represents a bond to a silicon atom, X each independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms which may contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a sulfur atom instead of a carbon atom, and R 4Each of the above independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, L represents an integer between 10 and 40, and Y represents a silyl group having one or more bonds to the silicon atom represented by * or an alkoxy group.

[0009] <4> In the organopolysiloxane compound, the (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 The number of constituent units of ) is m, and the (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 The value of m / n, where n is the number of constituent units of ), is between 1 and 10. <1> ~ <3> A fixing member as described in any one of the following. <5> The storage modulus of the aforementioned surface layer at 140°C is 30 MPa or more and 80 MPa or less. <1> ~ <4> A fixing member as described in any one of the following. <6> The contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is 12° or less. <1> ~ <5> A fixing member as described in any one of the following. <7> The contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is 5° or less. <6> The fixing member described above. <8> The toner peeling force at 140°C is 50kPa or less. <1> ~ <7> A fixing member as described in any one of the following. <9> The toner peeling force at 140°C is 18kPa or less. <8> The fixing member described above. <10> <1> ~ <9> A fixing device comprising a fixing member as described in any one of the following. <11> An image holder; a charging device for charging the surface of the image holder; an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holder; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holder with toner to form a toner image; a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to a recording medium; and a device for fixing the toner image to the recording medium. <10> An image forming apparatus having the fixing device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] <1> According to the invention relating to this invention, as an organopolysiloxane compound, the (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units or the (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 Compared to a surface layer containing only organopolysiloxane compounds that do not contain the constituent units of ), a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior quality. <2> According to the invention, compared to cases where m is less than 10 or greater than 200, or where n is less than 2 or greater than 200, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. <3> According to the invention relating to the above, R 3 However, compared to the case of an alkyl group, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. <4> According to the invention, compared to cases where the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of an organopolysiloxane compound in gel permeation chromatography is less than 1,000 or more than 50,000, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. <5> According to the invention, compared to cases where the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is less than 30 MPa or more than 80 MPa, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. <6> According to the invention, compared to the case where the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is greater than 12°, a fixing member is provided in which toner offset is less likely to occur and the image quality of the resulting image is superior. <7> According to the invention, compared to the case where the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is greater than 5°, a fixing member is provided in which toner offset is less likely to occur and the image quality of the resulting image is superior. <8> According to the invention, compared to cases where the toner peeling force at 140°C is greater than 50kPa, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. <9> According to the invention, compared to the case where the toner peeling force at 140°C is greater than 18kPa, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. <10> or <11> According to the invention relating to this invention, the surface layer of the fixing member is an organopolysiloxane compound, as described above (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units or the (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 Compared to cases where only organopolysiloxane compounds that do not contain the constituent units of ) are included, a fixing device or image forming apparatus is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing member according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] An example embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this specification, if there are multiple substances that constitute an ingredient, the amount of the ingredient refers to the total amount of all of those substances unless otherwise specified. In this specification, "conductivity" means that the volume resistivity in a normal temperature and humidity environment (22°C, 55% RH environment) is 10 14 This means it is less than or equal to Ω·cm.

[0013] <Fixing material> The fixing member according to this embodiment includes a base material and (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 The material has a surface layer containing a condensate of an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of ), and the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less. However, R 1 and R 2 Each of these independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3 This represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a group having a linear polydimethylsiloxane structure with 2 to 40 silicon atoms. The fixing member according to this embodiment is preferably used as a belt member or a roll member. Furthermore, the fixing member according to this embodiment may further include an elastic layer or the like.

[0014] Conventional fixing members using silicone rubber material on the surface had the problem of toner offset occurring due to insufficient toner release properties. Furthermore, regarding the storage modulus of the surface, if it was too low, the toner would not press down sufficiently during nipping, resulting in a decrease in image quality. If it was too high, the fixing member would not be able to follow the unevenness of the paper or the height of the toner layer, resulting in a decrease in image quality. In the fixing member according to this embodiment, (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 The toner has a surface layer containing a condensate of an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of (R), and the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 10 MPa to 200 MPa, thereby providing sufficient release properties for the toner, and (R 1 SiO3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 It is estimated that the presence of the constituent units of ) allows for an appropriate surface elastic modulus and appropriate pressure, making toner offset less likely and resulting in superior image quality.

[0015] The fixing member according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member according to this embodiment. The fixing member 10 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a fixing belt having a layered structure in which a metal layer 10B, an adhesive layer 10C, an elastic layer 10D, and a surface layer 10E are sequentially laminated on the outer circumferential surface of a base material 10A. The metal layer 10B, the elastic layer 10D, and the adhesive layer 10C are layers provided as needed. Furthermore, the metal layer 10B is constructed by laminating, for example, a base metal layer 102, a metal heating layer 104, and a metal protective layer 106 in this order. The base metal layer 102 is a layer that is provided as needed. The metal heating layer 104 is a layer that generates heat through electromagnetic induction when the fixing member 10 is used in an electromagnetic induction type fixing device.

[0017] The fixing member 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to the structure described above and may have other layers. In the following description, the reference numerals for each layer may be omitted.

[0018] (surface) The fixing member according to this embodiment is (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 The surface layer contains a condensate of an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of ), and the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less.

[0019] -Storage modulus at 140℃- The storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is preferably 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less, and from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality, it is preferably 20 MPa or more and 150 MPa, more preferably 30 MPa or more and 80 MPa, and particularly preferably 40 MPa or more and 70 MPa.

[0020] The method for measuring the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C in this embodiment is as follows. First, the fixing member is cut into slices along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction (i.e., a plane along the circumferential direction), and layers other than the surface layer (e.g., the base material) are peeled off. The obtained surface layer is then shaped into a 4 mm wide sheet, and the storage modulus at 140°C is measured using a dynamic viscoelasticity testing apparatus (DDV-01FP, manufactured by A&D Co., Ltd.) in accordance with JIS K7244-4.

[0021] -Organopolysiloxane compounds- The aforementioned surface layer is (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 It contains a condensate of an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of ). However, R 1 and R 2 Each of these independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3 This represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a group having a linear polydialkylsiloxane structure with 2 to 40 silicon atoms. (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) (also called "T unit") has a molecular skeleton that suppresses molecular mobility at high temperatures, and even at high temperatures, functional groups R remain on the surface of the component. 1 Because it stably contains alkyl groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methyl groups, which have release properties, it exhibits release properties to toner. (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2The D unit (also called the "D unit") is a flexible molecular framework, and therefore, when present with a rigid T unit, it can be easily adjusted to the desired storage modulus. Therefore, it is estimated that by having a surface layer containing an organopolysiloxane compound having T units and D units, it is possible to suppress toner offset, which was difficult to achieve with materials other than fluorine materials in the past, and to provide a fixing member that can obtain good image quality with appropriate pressure.

[0022] The organopolysiloxane compound is, from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality, (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 It is preferable that the polymer has the constituent units of (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 It is more preferable that the block copolymer has the constituent units of )

[0023] The aforementioned R 1 and R 2 Each of these groups is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a methyl group, from the viewpoint of suppressing toner offset and image quality. In the organopolysiloxane compound, there are multiple R's present. 1 and R 2 These may be the same group or different groups, but it is preferable that they be the same group. Furthermore, the R that exists in multiple locations in the organopolysiloxane compound 2 These may be the same group or different groups, but it is preferable that they be the same group.

[0024] The aforementioned R 3The group having a linear polydialkylsiloxane structure with 2 to 40 silicon atoms is preferably a monovalent or divalent group. In the case of a divalent group having a linear polydialkylsiloxane structure with 2 to 40 silicon atoms, two (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 ) structures represent a group for crosslinking as R 3 . In the organopolysiloxane compound, the plurality of R 3 may be the same group or different groups.

[0025] The R 3 is preferably a group represented by the following formula (I) or an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms from the viewpoints of toner offset suppression and image quality, and more preferably a group represented by the following formula (I).

[0026]

Chemical formula

[0027] In formula (I), * represents a bond to a silicon atom, X each independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms which may contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a sulfur atom in place of a carbon atom, R 4 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, L represents an integer of 10 or more and 40 or less, and Y represents a bond to the silicon atom represented by * or a silyl group having one or more alkoxy groups.

[0028] The X is each independently preferably a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms which may contain an oxygen atom in place of a carbon atom from the viewpoints of toner offset suppression and image quality, and more preferably a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may contain an oxygen atom in place of a carbon atom. Also, the divalent hydrocarbon group is preferably a linear or branched alkylene group, and more preferably a linear alkylene group.

[0029] The silyl group having one or more alkoxy groups in Y is preferably a trialkoxysilyl group from the viewpoint of promoting the hydrolysis and condensation of the organopolysiloxane compound, and the alkoxy group is preferably a methoxy group or an ethoxy group. The plurality of Ys present in the organopolysiloxane compound may be the same group or different groups.

[0030] The R 4 is each independently preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a methyl group, from the viewpoints of toner offset suppression and image quality. The plurality of Rs present 4 may be the same group or different groups, but are preferably the same group. L is preferably an integer of 15 or more and 30 or less from the viewpoints of toner offset suppression and image quality.

[0031] In the organopolysiloxane compound, when the number of structural units of (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) is m and the number of structural units of (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 ) is n, the value of m / n is preferably 1 or more and 10 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 8 or less, still more preferably 1.5 or more and 5.0 or less, and particularly preferably 2.0 or more and 4.0 or less, from the viewpoints of toner offset suppression and image quality.

[0032] m represents the number of (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) structures in the organopolysiloxane compound, and is preferably 5 or more and 500 or less, more preferably 10 or more and 200 or less, and particularly preferably 20 or more and 100 or less, from the viewpoints of toner offset suppression and image quality.

[0033] The n is (R) in the organopolysiloxane compound. 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 This represents the number of structures, and from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality, it is preferably 1 to 500, more preferably 2 to 200, and particularly preferably 5 to 100. Furthermore, it is preferable that n is smaller than m from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality.

[0034] The organopolysiloxane compound can be obtained, for example, by the manufacturing method described in International Publication No. 2023 / 157603.

[0035] In gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the organopolysiloxane compound: The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) on a polystyrene basis is preferably 1,000 to 50,000, and more preferably 3,000 to 30,000. If w is 1,000 or more, it offers excellent film-forming properties and can be applied uniformly. Furthermore, if the Mw is 50,000 or less, it exhibits excellent reactivity and workability.

[0036] The content of the organopolysiloxane compound in the surface layer is preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, even more preferably 95% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 100% by mass, based on the total mass of the surface layer, from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality. That is, the surface layer is (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 It is particularly preferable that the layer consists of an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of ).

[0037] The organopolysiloxane compound undergoes hydrolysis of the alkoxy groups bonded to the silicon atoms by moisture in the surface layer or air, and readily undergoes condensation reactions with hydroxyl groups (silanol groups) or alkoxy groups bonded to the silicon atoms to form a cured product (condensate). The curing conditions can be appropriately selected depending on the type of substrate, but specifically, at 10-30°C, the curing time is usually 12 hours or more, and particularly 12 hours to 7 days. Furthermore, a condensation catalyst may be used to promote the condensation reaction. Examples of such condensation catalysts include metal alkoxide compounds such as Ti, Al, Zr, and Sn, metal chelate compounds, metal ester compounds, amine compounds, and alkali metal compounds.

[0038] -Contact angle hysteresis- The contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is preferably 20° or less, more preferably 12° or less, even more preferably 8° or less, and particularly preferably 5° or less. Within this range, the contact angle hysteresis between the release agent contained in the toner and the surface layer of the fixing member is reduced, improving the release effect of the release agent and suppressing toner offset.

[0039] The method for measuring the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax at 140°C on the surface layer in this embodiment is as follows. A test specimen is taken from the fixing member to be measured and placed on a heater fabricated to match the sample support of the contact angle meter (Kyowa Interface Science CA-X type). 6.5 ml of paraffin wax (FNP-0090: manufactured by Nippon Seiro Co., Ltd.) is dropped onto the surface of the fixing member, and the surface temperature of the fixing member is heated to 140°C. With the wax melted, the sample is tilted, and the advance angle and receding angle of the wax droplet as it slides are measured. The contact angle hysteresis is obtained by subtracting the receding angle from the advance angle.

[0040] The thickness of the surface layer is preferably 1 μm to 100 μm, more preferably 5 μm to 50 μm, and even more preferably 10 μm to 40 μm, from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality.

[0041] (base material) When the fixing member is in the form of a roll, the base material can be a cylindrical body made of, for example, metal (aluminum, stainless steel, iron, copper, etc.), alloy, ceramics, FRM (fiber-reinforced metal), etc. When the fixing member is in the form of a roll, the outer diameter and thickness of the base material are often, for example, an outer diameter of 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less. For example, if it is made of aluminum, the thickness is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less, and if it is made of SUS (stainless steel) or iron, the thickness is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

[0042] On the other hand, when the fixing member is in the form of a belt, the base material can be, for example, a metal belt (e.g., a metal belt made of nickel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) or a resin belt (e.g., a resin belt made of polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, polybenzimidazole, etc.). Furthermore, the volume resistivity of the resin belt may be controlled by adding and dispersing conductive agents or the like. Specifically, an example of a resin belt is a polyimide belt in which carbon black is added and dispersed to control the volume resistivity. Another example of a resin belt is one made by combining the ends of a long polyimide sheet in a puzzle-like fashion, heat-sealing them together using a heat-sealing component, and then forming it into a belt.

[0043] When the fixing member is belt-shaped, the thickness of the base material is often, for example, 20 μm to 200 μm, preferably 30 μm to 150 μm, and more preferably 40 μm to 130 μm.

[0044] Furthermore, an adhesive may be applied to the outer surface of the substrate. In other words, the substrate and the elastic layer may be laminated with an adhesive layer in between.

[0045] (metal layer) The fixing member according to this embodiment may have a metal layer between the base material and the elastic layer. The base metal layer is a layer that is formed in advance on the outer surface of the substrate in order to form a metal heating layer by electroplating. Examples of the base metal layer include electroless nickel plating layers and electroless copper plating layers. Note that "nickel plating layer" refers to a plating layer containing Ni (e.g., a nickel layer, a nickel alloy layer, etc.), and "copper plating layer" refers to a plating layer containing Cu (e.g., a copper layer, a copper alloy layer, etc.). A metal heating layer is a heating layer that generates heat through eddy currents that occur within the layer when a magnetic field is applied, and is composed of a metal that exhibits electromagnetic induction. Examples of metals that exhibit electromagnetic induction include single metals such as nickel, iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, chromium, tin, and zinc, or alloys containing two or more types of metals. The metal protective layer is provided in contact with the metal heating layer to improve the film strength of the metal heating layer, suppress cracking due to repeated deformation and oxidative degradation due to repeated heating over long periods, and maintain the heating characteristics. The metal protective layer is preferably a thin film with high tensile strength, high durability and oxidation resistance, and preferably an oxide-resistant metal. Specifically, it is often composed of copper or nickel, and in particular, it is preferable to include nickel (or a nickel alloy), which is an oxide-resistant metal, from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of cracks due to repeated deformation and oxidative degradation due to repeated heating.

[0046] (Elastic layer) In this embodiment, it is preferable that the fixing member further has an elastic layer between the base material and the surface layer. Examples of materials for the elastic layer include fluororesin, silicone resin, silicone rubber, fluororubber, and fluorosilicone rubber. From the viewpoint of heat resistance, thermal conductivity, and insulation, silicone rubber is preferred as the material for the elastic layer.

[0047] Examples of silicone rubber include RTV silicone rubber, HTV silicone rubber, and liquid silicone rubber. Specifically, examples include polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methylphenyl silicone rubber (PMQ), and fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ).

[0048] As for the silicone rubber, those with an addition reaction type as the crosslinking mechanism are preferred. Furthermore, various types of functional groups are known for silicone rubber, and dimethyl silicone rubber having methyl groups, methylphenyl silicone rubber having methyl and phenyl groups, and vinyl silicone rubber having vinyl groups (vinyl group-containing silicone rubber) are preferred. More preferably, vinyl silicone rubber having vinyl groups is preferred, and even more preferably, silicone rubber having an organopolysiloxane structure having vinyl groups and a hydrogen organopolysiloxane structure having hydrogen atoms (SiH) bonded to silicon atoms is preferred.

[0049] In the elastic material contained in the elastic layer, it is preferable that silicone rubber is the main component (i.e., it makes up 50% or more by mass), more preferably that its content is 90% or more by mass, and even more preferably 99% or more by mass.

[0050] The elastic layer may contain various additives. Examples of additives include reinforcing agents (such as carbon black), fillers (such as calcium carbonate), softeners (such as paraffin), processing aids (such as stearic acid), antioxidants (such as amine), vulcanizing agents (such as sulfur, metal oxides, and peroxides), and functional fillers (such as alumina).

[0051] The thickness of the elastic layer is often, for example, between 30 μm and 1 mm, and preferably between 100 μm and 500 μm.

[0052] (adhesive layer) The fixing member according to this embodiment may further have an adhesive layer between the metal layer and the elastic layer, between the elastic layer and the surface layer, etc. Examples of adhesive layers include cured layers of compositions containing adhesives.

[0053] Examples of adhesives include silane coupling agent-based adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, epoxy resin-based adhesives, and urethane resin-based adhesives.

[0054] -Other ingredients- The composition for forming the adhesive layer may optionally contain other components. Other components include, for example, solvents (e.g., butyl acetate) and inorganic particles (e.g., iron oxide, silica). The composition may also further contain a silane coupling agent along with the SiH group-containing polysiloxane. Examples of silane coupling agents include alkoxy group-containing silane coupling agents, alkenyl group-containing silane coupling agents, epoxy group-containing silane coupling agents, amino group-containing silane coupling agents, methacrylic group-containing silane coupling agents, styryl group-containing silane coupling agents, and amino group-containing silane coupling agents.

[0055] (Toner peeling power) The toner peeling force of the fixing member according to this embodiment at 140°C is preferably 50kPa or less, more preferably 30kPa or less, even more preferably 18kPa or less, and particularly preferably 1kPa or more and 18kPa or less, from the viewpoint of toner offset suppression and image quality.

[0056] The method for measuring the toner peeling force of the fixing member at 140°C according to this embodiment is as follows. First, as preparation, prepare A4-sized P-paper (manufactured by Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd.) and use a Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd. copier (ApeosPort-V C3375) to print a full-page process black image onto the test paper. Also, take a 10mm x 10mm square sample from the fixing material to be measured. Next, the sample piece is attached to the probe of a tack tester (TA-500, manufactured by UBM) at room temperature (25°C) or preheated to 140°C. The probe is then brought close to the test paper at a speed of 0.1 mm / s, pressed against the image surface of the test paper, and then subjected to a pressing load of 5.0 kgf / cm². 2 The object is held for 10 seconds, and the peeling force is measured when it is pulled up at a lifting speed of 10 mm / s. Here, the developer used was the same as that used for the Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd. copier (ApeosPort-V C3375).

[0057] (Applications of fixing members) The fixing member according to this embodiment is applied to, for example, a heating roll, a pressure roll, a heating belt, and a pressure belt. Examples of heat sources for the heating roll and heating belt include heating from an external heat source and heating by electromagnetic induction.

[0058] <Fusing device> The fixing device according to this embodiment includes a fixing member according to this embodiment. The fixing device according to this embodiment can have various configurations, for example, comprising a first rotating body and a second rotating body positioned in contact with the outer surface of the first rotating body. The fixing device fixes the toner image by inserting a recording medium on which a toner image has been formed on its surface into the contact portion between the first rotating body and the second rotating body. The fixing member according to this embodiment is applied as at least one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body.

[0059] Below, the fixing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described as follows: as the first embodiment, a fixing apparatus equipped with a heating roll and a pressure belt; as the second embodiment, a fixing apparatus equipped with a heating belt and a heating roll; and as the third embodiment, an electromagnetic induction heating type fixing apparatus equipped with a heating belt and a pressure roll. Furthermore, the fixing device according to this embodiment is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and may be a fixing device equipped with a heating roll or heating belt and a pressure belt. Furthermore, in the fixing device according to this embodiment, the fixing member according to this embodiment may be applied to any of the heating roll, heating belt, pressure roll, and pressure belt.

[0060] (First embodiment of the fixing device) A first embodiment of the fixing device will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the first embodiment of the fixing device.

[0061] An example of a fixing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing device according to this embodiment.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, the fixing device 60 is configured to include, for example, a rotating heating roll 61, a pressure belt 62, and a pressure pad 64 that presses the heating roll 61 via the pressure belt 62. The heating roll 61 is an example of a first rotating body. The pressure belt 62 is an example of a second rotating body. The pressing pad 64 is a pad that presses the heating roll 61 via the pressure belt 62, and is an example of a pressing member. The pressure pad 64 only needs to be relatively pressurized, for example, by the pressure belt 62 and the heating roll 61. Therefore, the pressure belt 62 may be pressed against the heating roll 61, or the heating roll 61 may be pressed against the pressure belt 62.

[0063] A halogen lamp 66 (an example of a heating device) is installed inside the heating roll 61. The heating device is not limited to a halogen lamp; other heat-generating components may be used.

[0064] On the other hand, a temperature-sensing element 69, for example, is positioned in contact with the surface of the heating roll 61. Based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensing element 69, the illumination of the halogen lamp 66 is controlled, and the surface temperature of the heating roll 61 is maintained at the desired set temperature (for example, 150°C).

[0065] The pressure belt 62 is rotatably supported, for example, by an internally positioned pressure pad 64 and a belt travel guide 63. In the clamping region N (nip portion), it is pressed against the heating roll 61 by the pressure pad 64.

[0066] The pressure pad 64 is positioned, for example, inside the pressure belt 62, and is pressed against the heating roll 61 via the pressure belt 62, forming a clamping area N between it and the heating roll 61. The pressing pad 64 includes, for example, a front clamping member 64a positioned on the entrance side of the clamping area N to secure a wide clamping area N, and a peeling clamping member 64b positioned on the exit side of the clamping area N to impart distortion to the heating roll 61.

[0067] A sheet-like sliding member 68 is provided on the surfaces of the front clamping member 64a and the peeling clamping member 64b that are in contact with the pressure belt 62. The sliding member 68 reduces the sliding resistance between the inner circumferential surface of the pressure belt 62 and the pressing pad 64. The pressing pad 64 and the sliding member 68 are held together by a metal retaining member 65. The sliding member 68 is provided, for example, so that its sliding surface contacts the inner circumferential surface of the pressure belt 62. The sliding member 68 is involved in retaining and supplying the oil present between it and the pressure belt 62.

[0068] A belt guide 63, for example, is attached to the holding member 65. The holding member 65 allows the pressure belt 62 to rotate.

[0069] The heating roll 61 rotates in the direction of arrow S by, for example, a drive motor (not shown). Following the rotation of the heating roll 61, the pressure belt 62 rotates in the direction of arrow R, opposite to the direction of rotation of the heating roll 61. That is, for example, while the heating roll 61 rotates clockwise in Figure 2, the pressure belt 62 rotates counterclockwise.

[0070] Then, the paper K (an example of a recording medium) having an unfixed toner image is guided, for example, by a fuser entrance guide 56 and transported to the sandwiching area N. As the paper K passes through the sandwiching area N, the unfixed toner image on the paper K is fixed by the pressure and heat acting on the sandwiching area N.

[0071] In the fixing device 60, for example, a concave front clamping member 64a that conforms to the outer surface of the heating roll 61 ensures a wider clamping area N compared to a configuration without the front clamping member 64a.

[0072] Furthermore, in the fixing device 60, for example, a peeling and clamping member 64b is positioned to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the heating roll 61. The peeling and clamping member 64b is configured to locally increase the distortion of the heating roll 61 in the exit region of the clamping area N.

[0073] By arranging the peeling and clamping member 64b in this manner, for example, when the fixed paper K passes through the peeling and clamping region, it will pass through a locally large amount of strain, making it easier for the paper K to peel off from the heating roll 61.

[0074] As an auxiliary device for peeling, for example, a peeling member 70 is provided downstream of the clamping area N of the heating roll 61. The peeling member 70 is held by a holding member 72 in a position where the peeling claws 71 are in close proximity to the heating roll 61 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the heating roll 61 (counter direction).

[0075] (Second embodiment of the fixing device) A second embodiment of the fixing device will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second embodiment of the fixing device.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3, the fixing device 80 is configured to include, for example, a fixing belt module 86 equipped with a heating belt 84, and a pressure roll 88 positioned in pressure on the heating belt 84 (i.e., the fixing belt module 86). A pinching region N (nip portion) is formed at the contact point between the heating belt 84 (i.e., the fixing belt module 86) and the pressure roll 88. In the pinching region N, the paper K (an example of a recording medium) is pressurized and heated, and the toner image is fixed. The heating belt 84 is an example of the first rotating body. The pressure roll 88 is an example of the second rotating body.

[0077] The fixing belt module 86 includes, for example, an endless heating belt 84, a heating and pressing roll 89, and a support roll 90. The heated pressing roll 89 is a roll on which a heated belt 84 is wrapped around the pressurizing roll 88 side, and which is rotated by the rotational force of a motor (not shown) and presses the heated belt 84 from its inner circumference toward the pressurizing roll 88 side. The support roll 90 is a roll that supports the heating belt 84 from the inside at a different position from the heating and pressing roll 89. The fixing belt module 86 is provided with, for example, a support roll 92, a posture correction roll 94, and a support roll 98. The support roll 92 is a roll positioned on the outside of the heating belt 84 and defines its circumferential path. The posture correction roll 94 is a roll that corrects the posture of the heating belt 84 from the heating and pressing roll 89 to the support roll 90. The support roll 98 is a roll that applies tension to the heating belt 84 from its inner circumferential surface downstream of the clamping region N formed by the heating belt 84 and the pressure roll 88.

[0078] The fixing belt module 86 is provided such that, for example, a sheet-like sliding member 82 is interposed between the heating belt 84 and the heating pressure roll 89. The sliding member 82 is provided, for example, so that its sliding surface contacts the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt 84. The sliding member 82 is involved in retaining and supplying the oil present between it and the heating belt 84. Here, the sliding member 82 is provided such that both ends are supported by the support member 96.

[0079] Inside the heated pressing roll 89, for example, a halogen heater 89A (an example of a heating device) is provided.

[0080] The support roll 90 is, for example, a cylindrical roll. A halogen heater 90A (an example of a heating device) is installed inside the support roll 90. The halogen heater 90A heats the heating belt 84 from the inner circumferential side. Spring members (not shown) are provided at both ends of the support roll 90, for example, to press the heating belt 84 outwards.

[0081] The support roll 92 is, for example, a cylindrical roll. A release layer is formed on the surface of the support roll 92. The release layer on the support roll 92 is formed, for example, to prevent toner or paper dust from the outer surface of the heating belt 84 from accumulating on the support roll 92. Inside the support roll 92, for example, a halogen heater 92A (an example of a heating device) is installed. The halogen heater 92A heats the heating belt 84 from the outer surface side.

[0082] In other words, for example, the heating belt 84 is heated by the heating and pressing roll 89, the support roll 90, and the support roll 92.

[0083] The posture correction roll 94 is, for example, a cylindrical roll. Near the posture correction roll 94, an end position measuring mechanism (not shown) is located to measure the end position of the heating belt 84. The posture correction roll 94 is equipped with, for example, an axial displacement mechanism (not shown) that displaces the contact position of the heating belt 84 in the axial direction according to the measurement results of the end position measuring mechanism. The posture correction roll 94 is configured to control the meandering of the heating belt 84.

[0084] On the other hand, the pressure roll 88 is supported, for example, so as to be rotatable. The pressure roll 88 is pressed against the portion where the heating belt 84 is wound around the heating pressure roll 89 by a biasing device, for example, a spring (not shown). The heating belt 84 (i.e., the heating and pressing roll 89) of the fixing belt module 86 rotates in the direction of arrow S. Consequently, the pressure roll 88 rotates in the direction of arrow R, following the heating belt 84 (i.e., the heating and pressing roll 89).

[0085] The paper K, which has an unfixed toner image (not shown), is then transported in the direction of arrow P and guided to the clamping area N of the fixing device 80. As the paper K passes through the clamping area N, the unfixed toner image on the paper K is fixed by the pressure and heat acting on the clamping area N.

[0086] In the fixing device 80, a halogen heater (halogen lamp) was described as an example of one of several heating devices. However, the device is not limited to this, and other heating elements such as radiant lamps (heating elements that emit radiation (infrared rays, etc.)) and resistive heating elements (heating elements that generate Joule heat by passing an electric current through a resistor: for example, those made by forming a resistive film on a ceramic substrate and firing it) may also be used.

[0087] (Third embodiment of the fixing device) A third embodiment of the fixing device will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the third embodiment of the fixing device (i.e., fixing device 200).

[0088] As shown in Figure 4, the fixing device 200 is an electromagnetic induction heating type fixing device equipped with a heating belt 220 having a metal heating layer. In the fixing device 200, a pressure roll 211 is positioned to pressurize a portion of the heating belt 220. A contact area (i.e., a nip) is formed between the heating belt 220 and the pressure roll 211, and the heating belt 220 is curved to conform to the circumferential surface of the pressure roll 211. Furthermore, a bent portion is formed at the end of the contact area (i.e., the nip) where the heating belt 220 bends, in order to ensure the release of the recording medium.

[0089] The pressure roll 211 is constructed by forming an elastic layer 211B made of silicone rubber or the like on a base material 211A, and further forming a surface layer 211C on the elastic layer 211B.

[0090] Inside the heating belt 220, an opposing member 213 is positioned opposite the pressure roll 211. The opposing member 213 is made of metal, heat-resistant resin, heat-resistant rubber, or the like. The opposing member 213 has a pad 213B that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt 220 to locally increase the pressure, and a support 213A that supports the pad 213B.

[0091] An electromagnetic induction heating device 212, which incorporates an electromagnetic induction coil 212a, is provided at a position opposite the pressure roll 211 with respect to the heating belt 220. The electromagnetic induction heating device 212 changes the magnetic field generated by the excitation circuit by applying an alternating current to the electromagnetic induction coil. This generates eddy currents in the metal heating layer (not shown) of the heating belt 220. These eddy currents are converted into heat (Joule heat) by the electrical resistance of the metal heating layer (not shown), causing the surface of the heating belt 220 to heat up. Note that the position of the electromagnetic induction heating device 212 is not limited to the position shown in Figure 4. For example, the electromagnetic induction heating device 212 may be installed upstream of the contact area of ​​the heating belt 220 in the rotation direction B, or it may be installed inside the heating belt 220.

[0092] In the fixing device 200, a drive force is transmitted by a drive device to a gear fixed to the end of the heating belt 220. As a result, the heating belt 220 rotates on its own in the direction of arrow B, and the pressure roll 211 rotates in the opposite direction, i.e., in the direction of arrow C, as the heating belt 220 rotates. The recording medium 215 on which the unfixed toner image 214 is formed is passed through the contact area (nip) between the heating belt 220 and the pressure roll 211 in the fixing device 200 in the direction of arrow A. At that time, the unfixed toner image 214 is in a molten state and pressure is applied to fix it to the recording medium 215.

[0093] <Image forming apparatus> Next, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is Image holder and, A charging device for charging the surface of the image holder, An electrostatic latent image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image holder, A developing apparatus that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holder with toner to form a toner image, A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to a recording medium, A fixing device for fixing the toner image onto the recording medium, It holds. The fixing device is the fixing device according to the present embodiment described above.

[0094] In this embodiment, the fixing device may be a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. In other words, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment may include the fixing device according to this embodiment as a component of the process cartridge.

[0095] The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0096] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the image forming apparatus 1200 according to this embodiment includes a photoreceptor (an example of an image holder) 1202, a charging device 1204, a laser exposure device (an example of an electrostatic latent image forming device) 1206, a mirror 1208, a developing device 1210, an intermediate transfer body 1212, a transfer roll (an example of a transfer device) 1214, a cleaning device 1216, a static eliminator 1218, a fixing device 1100, and a paper feeding device. The paper feeding device includes a paper feeding unit 1220, a paper feeding roller 1222, an alignment roller 1224, and a recording medium guide 1226.

[0097] When image formation is performed in the image forming apparatus 1200, first, a non-contact type charging device 1204, which is provided in close proximity to the photoreceptor 1202, charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1202.

[0098] Laser light corresponding to the image information (signal) of each color is shone from the laser exposure device 1206 onto the surface of the photoreceptor 1202, which has been charged by the charging device 1204, via the mirror 1208. This forms an electrostatic latent image.

[0099] The developing device 1210 applies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1202. This forms a toner image. The developing device 1210 is equipped with separate developing units (not shown) for each of the four colors of toner: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. By rotating the developing device 1210 in the direction of the arrow, the toner of each color is applied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1202, thereby forming a toner image.

[0100] The toner images of each color formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1202 are transferred to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer body 1212 by a bias voltage applied between the photoreceptor 1202 and the intermediate transfer body 1212. Specifically, at the contact area between the photoreceptor 1202 and the intermediate transfer body 1212, the toner images are superimposed and transferred to the outer surface of the intermediate transfer body 1212 in a manner that matches the image information for each color of toner image.

[0101] The intermediate transfer body 1212 rotates in the direction of arrow E with its outer surface in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 1202. In addition to the photoreceptor 1202, a transfer roll 1214 is provided around the intermediate transfer body 1212.

[0102] The intermediate transfer body 1212, onto which the multi-colored toner image has been transferred, rotates in the direction of arrow E. The recording medium 1115 is transported to the contact area in the direction of arrow A by the paper feed device. The toner image on the intermediate transfer body 1212 is then transferred to the surface of the recording medium 1115 at the contact area between the transfer roll 1214 and the intermediate transfer body 1212.

[0103] The feeding of paper to the contact area between the intermediate transfer body 1212 and the transfer roll 1214 is performed as follows: The recording medium 1115 housed in the paper feeding unit 1220 is pushed up to a position where it contacts the paper feeding roller 1222 by a recording medium pushing mechanism (not shown) built into the paper feeding unit 1220. When the recording medium 1115 contacts the paper feeding roller 1222, the paper feeding roller 1222 and the alignment roller 1224 rotate, causing the recording medium to be transported along the recording medium guide 1226 in the direction of arrow A.

[0104] The toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium 1115 moves in the direction of arrow A and is fixed to the recording medium 1115 by the fixing device 1110. Specifically, in the contact area (nip) between the heating belt 1111 and the pressure roll 1111, the toner image is pressed onto the surface of the recording medium 1115 in a molten state and fixed to the surface of the recording medium 1115. This forms an image fixed to the surface of the recording medium 1115.

[0105] After transferring the toner image onto the surface of the intermediate transfer body 1212, the surface of the photoreceptor 1202 is cleaned by the cleaning device 1216. The surface of the photoreceptor 1202 is cleaned by the cleaning device 1216 and then static electricity is removed by the static elimination device 1218.

[0106] Although this embodiment has been described above, it is not intended to be interpreted as being limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible. [Examples]

[0107] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. However, these examples are not intended to limit the present invention. In this text, "parts" and "%" refer to mass unless otherwise specified.

[0108] <Example 1> An N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solution (solid content concentration 18% by mass) of polyimide precursor (polyimide varnish "U Varnish-S", manufactured by UBE Co., Ltd.) was spirally coated onto a mold with a diameter of φ30 mm to a film thickness of 60 μm, and fired to 380°C by the following step heating procedure. The step heating procedure involved raising the temperature from 25°C to 120°C, maintaining it at 120°C for 1 hour, raising the temperature from 120°C to 250°C, maintaining it at 250°C for 1 hour, raising the temperature from 250°C to 380°C, maintaining it at 380°C for 1 hour, and then cooling it down from 380°C to 25°C. This resulted in a tubular polyimide substrate (hereinafter referred to as PI substrate) consisting of a single layer of polyimide resin with an outer diameter of 30 mm, a film thickness of 60 μm, and a width of 400 mm.

[0109] Using a liquid honing apparatus (LH-8TTHiS, manufactured by Fuji Seiki Co., Ltd.), the surface of the PI substrate was roughened to a surface roughness of Ra = 0.5 μm to 1.0 μm. The honing conditions were abrasive grain #320, spray pressure 0.3 MPa, spray distance 100 mm, and processing time 1.5 minutes. After the abrasive grains on the roughened surface of the PI substrate were washed off with deionized water, the moisture on the surface of the PI substrate was removed with compressed air.

[0110] Next, the PI substrate was assembled into a plating jig, and an electroless nickel plating layer (metal underlayer) with a thickness of 0.5 μm was formed by electroless plating. Next, after forming an electroless copper plating layer (metal base layer), electrodes were set at both ends of the plating jig, and electroplating was performed using copper sulfate plating solution to form an electrolytic copper plating layer (metal heating layer) with a thickness of 10 μm. Next, electrodes were set at both ends of the plating jig, and electrolytic nickel plating was performed using an electrolytic plating solution to form an electrolytic nickel plating layer (metal protective layer) with a thickness of 10 μm.

[0111] Next, a solution was prepared by mixing equal amounts of solution A and solution B of PRIMER-NO.32 (two-component silicone rubber primer, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), stirring it, and applying it to the surface of the nickel metal protective layer using a spiral coating apparatus. The mixture was then air-dried at room temperature for 30 minutes and baked at 170°C for 20 minutes to form an adhesive layer with a thickness of 0.2 μm.

[0112] Next, a low-hardness type silicone rubber (X-34-1053-A / B, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was diluted with butyl acetate to a solid content concentration of 85% by mass to obtain a coating solution for forming an elastic layer. The coating solution for forming the elastic layer was applied to the surface (i.e., the outer surface) of the adhesive layer to a thickness of 200 μm using a spiral coating apparatus to form a coating film. Next, the formed coating film was subjected to a self-smoothing treatment (30°C for 5 minutes) and primary vulcanization (120°C for 20 minutes) to form an elastic layer.

[0113] Next, we synthesized (R) referring to Examples 1-3 of International Publication No. 2023 / 157603. 1 -SiO 3 / 2 ) and (R 2 R 3 -SiO 2 / 2 ) ) containing the structural unit organopolysiloxane compound (m / n=7, R 1 =methyl group, R 2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I), X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * and trimethoxysilyl group, R 4 A methyl group (represented by L=9, Mw=6,000) was diluted with n-heptane to a solid content concentration of 80% to prepare a coating solution for surface formation. A coating film was formed on the elastic layer by applying a surface-forming coating solution to a thickness of 30 μm using a spiral coating apparatus. The coating film was then left to stand at room temperature for 7 days to form a 30 μm surface layer.

[0114] The fixing belt was obtained through the above process.

[0115] <Measurement of Storage Modulus> The storage modulus was measured using the previously described method with the fabricated anchoring belt.

[0116] <Measurement of contact angle hysteresis> The contact angle hysteresis was measured using the fabricated fixing belt with the method described above.

[0117] <Measurement of toner peeling force> The toner peeling force was measured using the fabricated fixing belt and the method described above.

[0118] <Evaluation of toner offset suppression> The fabricated fuser belt was installed in the fuser unit of a Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd. copier (ApeosPort-V C3375), and the image quality formed on the paper (P paper) was visually evaluated. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria. A: Offset cannot be seen. B: An offset is visible upon close observation, but this does not pose a problem in practical use. C: Offset can be seen

[0119] <Image Quality Evaluation> The fabricated fuser belt was installed in the fuser unit of a Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd. copier (ApeosPort-V C3375), and the image quality formed on paper (P paper, OSC paper, Lezack 66) was visually evaluated. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria. A: No problem B: There is a slight decrease in image quality, but it does not affect practical use. C: The image quality is significantly degraded, posing a problem for practical use.

[0120] <Example 2> The composition of the organopolysiloxane compound in Example 1 is "m / n=7, R 1 =methyl group, R 2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I), X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * and trimethoxysilyl group, R4 Except for changing the group to a methyl group, represented by L=15, and Mw=10,000, a fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0121] <Example 3> The composition of the organopolysiloxane compound in Example 1 is "m / n=3.5, R 1 =methyl group, R 2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I) above, X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * above and dimethoxymethylsilyl group, R 4 Except for changing the group to a methyl group, represented by L=19, and Mw=46,000, a fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0122] <Example 4> The composition of the organopolysiloxane compound in Example 1 is "m / n=7, R 1 =methyl group, R 2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I), X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * and a dimethoxymethyl group, R 4 Except for changing the group to a methyl group, represented by L=19, and Mw=23,000, a fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0123] <Example 5> The composition of the organopolysiloxane compound in Example 1 is "m / n=1.2, R 1 =methyl group, R 2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I), X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * and a dimethoxymethyl group, R 4 Except for changing the group to a methyl group, represented by L=19, and Mw=15,000, a fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0124] <Example 6> Except for forming the surface layer and allowing the coating film to stand at room temperature for 12 hours, a fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 4.

[0125] <Example 7> The composition of the organopolysiloxane compound in Example 1 was m / n=10, R 1 =methyl group, R 2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I), X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * and a dimethoxymethyl group, R 4 A fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that it was changed to a methyl group (L=9, Mw=5,000).

[0126] <Example 8> A fixing roll was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the base material was changed to an iron base material with an outer diameter of 25 mm and a thickness of 0.4 mm, and the metal layer was removed. Toner offset evaluation and image quality evaluation were performed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the fabricated fuser roll was mounted in the fuser unit of a Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd. copier (ApeosPrint C3560S).

[0127] <Comparative Example 1> A fixing belt was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the surface layer was formed as shown below. Silicone rubber (X-34-1053-A / B, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was diluted with butyl acetate to a solid content concentration of 30% by mass to obtain a coating solution for surface layer formation. The coating solution for surface layer formation was applied to the surface of the elastic layer to a thickness of 30 μm using a spiral coating apparatus to form a coating film. Next, the formed coating film was subjected to a self-smoothing treatment (30°C x 5 minutes), primary vulcanization (120°C x 20 minutes), and secondary vulcanization (200°C x 4 hours) to form a surface layer.

[0128] <Comparative Example 2> The composition of the organopolysiloxane compound in Example 1 was m / n=15, R 1 =methyl group, R2 =methyl group, R 3 = vinyl group, and in formula (I), X = ethylene group, Y = bond to the silicon atom represented by * and a dimethoxymethyl group, R 4 A fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that it was changed to a methyl group (L=19, Mw=15,000).

[0129] <Comparative Example 3> A fixing belt was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the coating film was left to stand at room temperature for 12 hours after the surface layer was formed.

[0130] [Table 1]

[0131] As shown in Table 1, the fixing member of the example was found to be less prone to toner offset and to produce superior image quality compared to the fixing member of the comparative example.

[0132] (((1))) Substrate and (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units and (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 An anchoring member having a surface layer containing an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of ), wherein the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less. However, R 1 and R 2 Each of these independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 3 This represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a group having a linear polydimethylsiloxane structure with 2 to 40 silicon atoms. (((2))) The fixing member according to (((1))), wherein the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the organopolysiloxane in gel permeation chromatography, calculated on a polystyrene basis, is 1,000 or more and 50,000 or less. (((3))) The aforementioned R 3However, the fixing member is a group represented by the following formula (I), or an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, as described in (((1))) or (((2))).

[0133] [ka]

[0134] In formula (I), * represents a bond to a silicon atom, and X independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, or a sulfur atom instead of a carbon atom, and R 4 Each of the above independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, L represents an integer between 10 and 40, and Y represents a silyl group having one or more bonds to the silicon atom represented by * or an alkoxy group.

[0135] (((4))) In the organopolysiloxane, the (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 The number of constituent units of ) is m, and the (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 An anchoring member as described in any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the value of m / n, when the number of constituent units of ) is n, is 1 or more and 10 or less. (((5))) The anchoring member according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 30 MPa or more and 80 MPa or less. (((6))) The fixing member according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax of the surface layer at 140°C is 12° or less. (((7))) The fixing member according to (((6))), wherein the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax of the surface layer at 140°C is 5° or less. (((8))) A fixing member according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))) wherein the toner peeling force at 140℃ is 50kPa or less. (((9))) The fixing member described in (((8))) wherein the toner peeling force at 140℃ is 18kPa or less. A fixing device comprising a fixing member described in any one of (((10))) (((1))) to (((9))). (((11))) An image forming apparatus comprising: an image holder; a charging device for charging the surface of the image holder; an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holder; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holder with toner to form a toner image; a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to a recording medium; and a fixing device as described in (((10))) for fixing the toner image to the recording medium.

[0136] According to the invention relating to (((1))), the organopolysiloxane compound is the (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units or the (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 Compared to a surface layer containing only organopolysiloxane compounds that do not contain the constituent units of ), a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior quality. According to the invention of (((2))), compared to cases where the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of polystyrene in gel permeation chromatography of organopolysiloxane is less than 1,000 or more than 50,000, a fixing member is provided which is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior quality. According to the invention relating to (((3))), the R 3 However, compared to the case of an alkyl group, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. According to the invention of (((4))), compared to the case where the m / n value is less than 1 or greater than 10, a fixing member is provided in which toner offset is less likely to occur and the image quality of the resulting image is superior. According to the invention of (((5))), compared to the case where the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is less than 30 MPa or more than 80 MPa, a fixing member is provided in which toner offset is less likely to occur and the image quality of the obtained image is superior. According to the invention of (((6))), compared to the case where the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is greater than 12°, a fixing member is provided in which toner offset is less likely to occur and the image quality of the obtained image is superior. According to the invention of (((7))), compared to the case where the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax on the surface layer at 140°C is greater than 5°, a fixing member is provided in which toner offset is less likely to occur and the image quality of the obtained image is superior. According to the invention of (((8))), compared to the case where the toner peeling force at 140°C is greater than 50kPa, a fixing member is provided which is less likely to cause toner offset and which has superior image quality. According to the invention of (((9))), compared to the case where the toner peeling force at 140°C is greater than 18kPa, a fixing member is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. According to the invention relating to (((10))) or (((11))), the surface layer of the fixing member is an organopolysiloxane compound, as described above (R 1 SiO 3 / 2 ) constituent units or the (R 2 R 3 SiO 2 / 2 Compared to cases where only organopolysiloxane compounds that do not contain the constituent units of ) are included, a fixing device or image forming apparatus is provided that is less prone to toner offset and produces images with superior image quality. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0137] 1200 Image forming apparatus 1202 Photoreceptor 1204 Charging device 1206 Exposure equipment 1210 Developing device 1212 Intermediate Transfer 1214 Transfer Roll 1100 Fixing device

Claims

1. Substrate and (R １ SiO ３／２ ) constituent units and (R ２ R ３ SiO ２／２ It has a surface layer containing a condensate of an organopolysiloxane compound having the constituent units of ), The storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 10 MPa or more and 200 MPa or less. Fixing member. However, R １ and R ２ Each of these independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ３ This represents an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a group having a linear polydialkylsiloxane structure with 2 to 40 silicon atoms.

2. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the organopolysiloxane compound in gel permeation chromatography is 1,000 or more and 50,000 or less in terms of polystyrene.

3. The above R ３ The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein R is a group represented by the following formula (I) or an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. 【Chemistry 1】 In formula (I), * represents a bond to a silicon atom, and X independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, or a sulfur atom instead of a carbon atom, and R ４ Each of the following independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, L represents an integer between 10 and 40, and Y represents a silyl group having one or more bonds to the silicon atom represented by * or an alkoxy group.

4. In the organopolysiloxane compound, the (R １ SiO ３／２ The number of constituent units of ) is m, and the (R ２ R ３ SiO ２／２ The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the value of m / n, when the number of constituent units of ) is n, is 1 or more and 10 or less.

5. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the storage modulus of the surface layer at 140°C is 30 MPa or more and 80 MPa or less.

6. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax of the surface layer at 140°C is 12° or less.

7. The fixing member according to claim 6, wherein the contact angle hysteresis of the paraffin wax of the surface layer at 140°C is 5° or less.

8. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the toner peeling force at 140°C is 50 kPa or less.

9. The fixing member according to claim 8, wherein the toner peeling force at 140°C is 18 kPa or less.

10. A fixing device comprising a fixing member according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Image holder and, A charging device for charging the surface of the image holder, An electrostatic latent image forming apparatus for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image holder, A developing apparatus that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holder with toner to form a toner image, A transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image holder to a recording medium, A fixing device according to claim 10 for fixing the toner image onto the recording medium, Image forming apparatus.

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