Sliding molded article, sliding member, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide sliding moldings having sliding surfaces with reduced friction.SOLUTION: A sliding molding is provided, containing a resin and an aggregate consisting of a plurality of intertwining fibrous carbons.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a functional film that "is made of entangled carbon nanotubes and is characterized by containing aggregates having a diameter of 50 μm or less, a height of less than 5 μm, and a ratio of the height to the diameter (height / diameter) of less than 0.1." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-140105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a sliding molded article containing a resin and fibrous carbon, in which the friction of the sliding surface is reduced compared to when the carbon fibers are fibrous carbon that are not entangled with each other or when the friction coefficient of the sliding surface exceeds 0.1. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The above problems are solved by the following means: <1> A sliding molded article comprising a resin and an aggregate formed by entanglement of a plurality of fibrous carbon fibers with one another. <2> The fibrous carbon is a carbon nanotube. <1> The sliding molded article according to claim 1. <3> The maximum diameter of the aggregate is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. <2> The sliding molded article according to claim 1. <4> The maximum diameter of the aggregate is 8 μm or more and 60 μm or less. <3> The sliding molded article according to claim 1. <5> The resin is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyamideimide, polyamide, and fluororesin. <1> ~ <4> 10. The sliding molded article according to any one of the above. <6> The content of the aggregate relative to the entire sliding molded article is 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less. <1> ~ <5> 10. The sliding molded article according to any one of the above. <7> The content of the aggregate relative to the entire sliding molded article is 2% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less. <6> The sliding molded article according to claim 1. <8> When a cross section of the molded article for sliding cut perpendicular to the sliding surface and in the same direction as the sliding direction is observed, the aggregates present in a region of the cross section extending from the sliding surface to 10 μm in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B): <1> ~ <7> 10. The sliding molded article according to any one of the above. Condition (A): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is 1 / 10 or more and less than 1 / 1. Condition (B): The percentage of the aggregates in which the angle θ formed between an extension line of the long axis X of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees is 60% by number to 100% by number. <9> A composite material including a resin and fibrous carbon, A sliding molded product with a sliding surface friction coefficient of 0.1 or less. <10> The above <1> ~ <9> A sliding member having the sliding molded article according to any one of the above items. <11> A first rotating body; a second rotor disposed in contact with an outer surface of the first rotor; a pressing member disposed inside the second rotating body and pressing the second rotating body against the first rotating body from an inner surface of the second rotating body; a sliding member interposed between the inner surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member, <10> a sliding member according to the above item (1), A fixing device comprising: <12> an image carrier; a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier; a latent image forming device for forming a latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier; a developing device that develops the latent image with toner to form a toner image; a transfer device that transfers the toner image onto a recording medium; a fixing device for fixing the toner image onto a recording medium, <11> a fixing device according to the above; An image forming apparatus comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] <1> or <5> According to the present invention, there is provided a sliding molded article containing a resin and fibrous carbon, in which the friction of the sliding surface is reduced compared to when the carbon fibers are not entangled with each other. <2> According to the invention, a sliding molded article is provided in which the friction of the sliding surface is reduced compared to when the fibrous carbon is not carbon nanotubes. <3> According to the invention, a molded article for sliding is provided which reduces friction on the sliding surface compared to when the maximum diameter of the aggregates is less than 5 μm or exceeds 100 μm. <4> According to the invention, a molded article for sliding is provided which reduces friction on the sliding surface compared to when the maximum diameter of the aggregates is less than 8 μm or exceeds 60 μm. <6> According to the invention, a molded article for sliding is provided which exhibits reduced friction on the sliding surface compared to when the content of the aggregate is less than 1% by mass or more than 50% by mass.

[0007] <7> According to the invention, a molded article for sliding is provided which exhibits reduced friction on the sliding surface compared to when the content of the aggregate is less than 2% by mass or more than 30% by mass. <8> According to the invention, there is provided a molded product for sliding in which, when a cross section of the molded product for sliding taken perpendicular to the sliding surface and in the same direction as the sliding direction is observed, the friction of the sliding surface is reduced compared to when aggregates present in a region of the cross section from the sliding surface to 10 μm in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface satisfy the following conditions (AC) and (BC): Condition (AC): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is less than 1 / 10 or 1 / 1. Condition (BC): The proportion of the aggregates in which the angle θ between an extension line of the long axis Xs of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less is less than 60% by number or more than 100% by number. <9> According to the present invention, there is provided a sliding molded product containing a resin and fibrous carbon, in which the friction of the sliding surface is reduced compared to when the friction coefficient of the sliding surface exceeds 0.1. <10> , <11> , or <12> According to the invention, there is provided a sliding member, a fixing device, or an image forming apparatus having a sliding molding containing a resin and fibrous carbon, which has reduced friction on the sliding surface compared to a sliding molding containing fibrous carbon in which the carbon fibers are not entangled with each other, or a sliding molding having a friction coefficient of the sliding surface exceeding 10. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a fixing device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration example of the fixing device according to the exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. These descriptions and examples are intended to illustrate the embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the present specification, the upper or lower limit of one numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit of another numerical range. In addition, in the present specification, the upper or lower limit of a numerical range may be replaced with a value shown in the examples.

[0010] Each component may contain multiple types of the corresponding substance. When referring to the amount of each component in a composition, if there are multiple substances corresponding to each component in the composition, the amount refers to the total amount of those multiple substances present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0011] <Sliding moldings> The sliding molded article according to this embodiment includes a resin and an aggregate formed by entangling a plurality of fibrous carbon fibers with one another. Here, the sliding molded article refers to a solid object of any shape obtained by molding a resin containing an aggregate of at least a plurality of fibrous carbons intertwined with each other, and which constitutes a sliding surface. The sliding surface is a flat surface of the surface of the sliding molded article, which makes contact with and slides against a sliding member.

[0012] The sliding molded article according to the first embodiment has the above-described structure, which reduces the friction of the sliding surface. The reason for this is presumed to be as follows.

[0013] When a sliding molded article contains, together with a resin, an assembly (hereinafter also referred to as a "specific assembly") formed by at least a plurality of entangled fibrous carbons, the thermal conductivity of the sliding molded article is likely to be high. The specific assembly is capable of conducting heat radially from the entangled portions of the fibrous carbons (i.e., the portions where the fibrous carbons are in contact with each other), and is therefore presumed to provide higher thermal conductivity than when the sliding molded article contains unentangled fibrous carbons. Therefore, the temperature of the sliding surface of the sliding molded article is likely to be uniform. As a result, for example, when a sliding surface of the sliding molded article slides with a lubricant present on it, the temperature uniformity of the lubricant present on the sliding surface is likely to be increased, and the uniformity of the viscosity of the lubricant present on the sliding surface is also likely to be improved. Therefore, friction on the sliding surface caused by non-uniform viscosity of the lubricant is likely to be reduced. The sliding molded article also includes an aggregate formed by entanglement of a plurality of fibrous carbons. When the fibrous carbons are entangled to form an aggregate, the surface of the sliding molded article is less likely to be uneven, and the surface of the sliding molded article is more likely to be nearly smooth, compared to when the fibrous carbons are not entangled. This is thought to reduce the friction of the sliding surface.

[0014] From the above, it is believed that the sliding molded article according to the first embodiment reduces the friction of the sliding surface.

[0015] The sliding molded article according to the second embodiment contains a resin and fibrous carbon, and the coefficient of friction of the sliding surface is 0.1 or less. The sliding molded article according to the second embodiment has the above-described structure, which reduces the friction of the sliding surface. The reason for this is presumed to be as follows.

[0016] By including carbon fibers in a sliding molded product, the thermal conductivity of the sliding molded product is likely to be increased. Therefore, the temperature of the sliding surface of the sliding molded product is likely to be uniform. As a result, for example, when a sliding surface of the sliding molded product slides with a lubricant present on it, the temperature uniformity of the lubricant present on the sliding surface is likely to be increased, and the viscosity uniformity of the lubricant present on the sliding surface is likely to be improved. Therefore, friction on the sliding surface caused by non-uniform viscosity of the lubricant is likely to be reduced. Furthermore, by setting the coefficient of friction of the sliding surface to 0.1 or less, the friction of the sliding surface can be easily reduced.

[0017] From the above, it is believed that the sliding molded article according to the second embodiment reduces the friction of the sliding surface.

[0018] Hereinafter, a sliding molded article corresponding to either the sliding molded article according to the first or second embodiment will be described in detail, however, an example of the sliding molded article of the present invention may be any sliding molded article corresponding to either the sliding molded article according to the first or second embodiment.

[0019] (resin) The sliding molded article contains a resin. The resin is preferably a heat-resistant resin.

[0020] The resin content is preferably 20% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or more and 93% by mass or less, and even more preferably 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the sliding molded article.

[0021] Examples of the resin include heat-resistant resins with high heat resistance and high strength, such as polyimide, polyamideimide, polyamide, and fluororesin.

[0022] Among these, the resin is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of polyimide, polyamideimide, polyamide, and fluororesin. Since the compound is a heat-resistant resin having particularly high heat resistance and high strength, the inclusion of the compound as a resin makes the sliding surface less susceptible to wear even when the sliding molded article is used continuously in the sliding part, which makes it easier to maintain the sliding surface in a nearly smooth state and a low friction state even when the sliding molded article is used continuously.

[0023] -Polyimide- Examples of polyimides include imidized products of polyamic acids (precursors of polyimide resins), which are polymers of tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and diamine compounds.Specific examples of polyimides include resins obtained by polymerizing equimolar amounts of tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and diamine compounds in a solvent to obtain a polyamic acid solution, and then imidizing the polyamic acid.

[0024] The tetracarboxylic dianhydride may be either an aromatic or aliphatic compound, but from the viewpoint of heat resistance, an aromatic compound is preferred.

[0025] Examples of aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides include pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenylethertetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-dimethyldiphenylsilanetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-tetraphenylsilanetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,3,4-furantetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenylsulfide dianhydride, 4,4 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenylsulfone dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenylpropane dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-perfluoroisopropylidenediphthalic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, bis(phthalic acid)phenylphosphine oxide dianhydride, p-phenylene-bis(triphenylphthalic acid) dianhydride, m-phenylene-bis(triphenylphthalic acid) dianhydride, bis(triphenylphthalic acid)-4,4'-diphenylether dianhydride, bis(triphenylphthalic acid)-4,4'-diphenylmethane dianhydride, and the like.

[0026] Examples of aliphatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides include butane tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,3-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-cyclobutane tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,3,4-cyclopentane tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,5-tricarboxycyclopentyl acetic dianhydride, 3,5,6-tricarboxynorbornane-2-acetic dianhydride, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 5-(2,5-dioxotetrahydrofuryl)-3-methyl-3-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboxylic dianhydride, bicyclo[2,2,2]-oct-7-ene aliphatic or alicyclic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides such as 1,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-2,5-dioxo-3-furanyl)-naphtho[1,2-c]furan-1,3-dione, 1,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-5-methyl-5-(tetrahydro-2,5-dioxo-3-furanyl)-naphtho[1,2-c]furan-1,3-dione, and 1,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-8-methyl-5-(tetrahydro-2,5-dioxo-3-furanyl)-naphtho[1,2-c]furan-1,3-dione.

[0027] Among these, the tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride is preferably an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, specifically, for example, pyromellitic acid dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, 2,3,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenylethertetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, further, pyromellitic acid dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride is more preferable, and 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride is particularly preferable.

[0028] The tetracarboxylic dianhydrides may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When two or more tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides are used in combination, aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides or aliphatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides may be used in combination, or an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and an aliphatic tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride may be used in combination.

[0029] On the other hand, the diamine compound is a diamine compound having two amino groups in its molecular structure. The diamine compound may be either an aromatic or aliphatic compound, but is preferably an aromatic compound.

[0030] Examples of the diamine compound include p-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, 3,3-dimethyl-4,4'-diaminobiphenyl, 5-amino-1-(4'-aminophenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindane, 6-amino-1-(4'-aminophenyl)-1,3 ,3-Trimethylindane, 4,4'-diaminobenzanilide, 3,5-diamino-3'-trifluoromethylbenzanilide, 3,5-diamino-4'-trifluoromethylbenzanilide, 3,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 2,7-diaminofluorene, 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)hexafluoropropane, 4,4'-methylene-bis(2-chloroaniline), 2,2',5,5'-tetrachloro-4,4'-diaminobiphenyl, 2,2'-dichloro-4,4'-diamino-5,5'-dimethicone 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane, 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, 4,4'-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-biphenyl, 1,3'-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene, 9,9-bis(4-aminophenyl)fluorene aromatic diamines such as 4,4'-(p-phenyleneisopropylidene)bisaniline, 4,4'-(m-phenyleneisopropylidene)bisaniline, 2,2'-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane, and 4,4'-bis[4-(4-amino-2-trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-octafluorobiphenyl; aromatic diamines having two amino groups bonded to an aromatic ring and a heteroatom other than the nitrogen atom of the amino groups, such as diaminotetraphenylthiophene;Examples of the diamines include aliphatic diamines and alicyclic diamines such as 1,1-meta-xylylenediamine, 1,3-propanediamine, tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, nonamethylenediamine, 4,4-diaminoheptamethylenediamine, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, isophoronediamine, tetrahydrodicyclopentadienylenediamine, hexahydro-4,7-methanoindanylenediamine, tricyclo[6,2,1,02.7]-undecylenedimethyldiamine, and 4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine);

[0031] Among these, the diamine compound is preferably an aromatic diamine compound, specifically, for example, p-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 3,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and particularly, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether and p-phenylenediamine are preferred.

[0032] The diamine compounds may be used singly or in combination of two or more. When two or more diamine compounds are used in combination, aromatic diamine compounds or aliphatic diamine compounds may be used in combination, or an aromatic diamine compound and an aliphatic diamine compound may be used in combination.

[0033] Among these, from the viewpoint of heat resistance, aromatic polyimides (specifically, imidized products of polyamic acids (precursors of polyimide resins), which are polymers of aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and aromatic diamine compounds) are preferred as polyimides. The aromatic polyimide is more preferably a polyimide having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (PI1).

[0034] [ka]

[0035] In the general formula (PI1), R P1 represents a phenyl group or a biphenyl group, and R P2 represents a divalent aromatic group. R P2 Examples of the divalent aromatic group represented by include a phenylene group, a naphthyl group, a biphenyl group, a diphenyl ether group, etc. As the divalent aromatic group, a phenylene group and a biphenyl group are preferred from the viewpoint of flexural durability.

[0036] The number average molecular weight of the polyimide is preferably 5,000 or more and 100,000 or less, more preferably 7,000 or more and 50,000 or less, and even more preferably 10,000 or more and 30,000 or less.

[0037] The number average molecular weight of polyimide is measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) under the following measurement conditions. Column: Tosoh TSKgel α-M (7.8 mm ID x 30 cm) Eluent: DMF (dimethylformamide) / 30mM LiBr / 60mM phosphoric acid ·Flow rate: 0.6mL / min ·Injection volume: 60μL Detector: RI (Differential Refractive Index Detector)

[0038] -Polyamide-imide- There are no particular limitations on the polyamideimide, so long as it is a resin having imide bonds and amide bonds in the repeating units. More specifically, the polyamideimide may be a polymer of a trivalent carboxylic acid (also called tricarboxylic acid) having an acid anhydride group and a diisocyanate compound or a diamine compound.

[0039] As the tricarboxylic acid, trimellitic anhydride and its derivatives are preferred. In addition to the tricarboxylic acid, tetracarboxylic dianhydride, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, etc. may be used in combination.

[0040] Examples of the diisocyanate compound include 3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,3'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate, and naphthalene-2,6-diisocyanate. The diamine compound may be a compound having a structure similar to that of the above-mentioned isocyanate, but having an amino group instead of the isocyanato group.

[0041] The number average molecular weight of the polyamideimide is preferably 5,000 or more and 100,000 or less, more preferably 7,000 or more and 50,000 or less, and even more preferably 10,000 or more and 30,000 or less.

[0042] The number average molecular weight of the polyamideimide is measured in the same manner as in the measurement of the number average molecular weight of the polyimide.

[0043] -polyamide- The polyamide is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include the polyamides described in Polyamide Resin Handbook, Osamu Fukumoto, 8400 (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun), and among these, solvent-soluble nylons such as alcohol-soluble nylons that are soluble in alcohols such as methanol and ethanol are preferred.

[0044] Examples of solvent-soluble nylons include N-alkoxyalkylated nylons obtained by alkoxyalkylating nylons such as nylon 6, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6,6, and nylon 6,10, and copolymer nylons that are copolymers of at least two of nylon 6, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6,6, and nylon 6,10.

[0045] The number average molecular weight of the polyamide is preferably 5,000 or more and 100,000 or less, more preferably 7,000 or more and 80,000 or less, and even more preferably 10,000 or more and 50,000 or less.

[0046] The number average molecular weight of the polyamide is measured in the same manner as in the measurement of the number average molecular weight of the polyimide.

[0047] -Fluorine resin- Fluorine resin is a resin containing fluorine atoms. The fluororesin is preferably a resin obtained by polymerizing a monomer containing a fluorine atom as a polymerization component. Examples of the fluorine atom-containing monomer include fluorine atom-containing olefins. Examples of the monomer containing a fluorine atom include tetrafluoroethylene, trifluorochloroethylene, vinyl fluoride, and vinylidene fluoride.

[0048] Specific examples of fluororesins include tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polyethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF).

[0049] The number average molecular weight of the fluororesin is preferably 5,000 or more and 600,000 or less, more preferably 7,000 or more and 550,000 or less, and even more preferably 10,000 or more and 500,000 or less.

[0050] The number average molecular weight of the fluororesin is measured in the same manner as that of the polyimide.

[0051] (specific aggregate) The sliding molded article contains an aggregate (specific aggregate) formed by a plurality of fibrous carbons intertwined with one another. The particular mass is used as a heat conducting material.

[0052] The maximum diameter of the specific aggregate is preferably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, more preferably 7 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and even more preferably 8 μm or more and 60 μm or less.

[0053] By making the maximum diameter of the specific aggregates 5 μm or more, the effect of improving thermal conductivity due to the inclusion of the specific aggregate and the effect of making the surface of the sliding molded article nearly smooth tend to be more enhanced. Furthermore, by making the maximum diameter of the specific aggregates 100 μm or less, the durability of the sliding molded article tends to be increased. For these reasons, by setting the maximum diameter of the specific aggregates within the range of 5 μm to 100 μm, it is easy to maintain a low friction state even when the sliding molded article is used continuously.

[0054] The specific aggregates may have any shape as long as they are formed by a plurality of fibrous carbons entangled with one another. The specific aggregates in the sliding molded article may be, for example, spherical, ellipsoidal, or irregular in shape.

[0055] The ratio of the minor axis Y to the major axis X of the specific aggregate (minor axis Y / major axis X) is preferably 1 / 10 or more and 1 / 1 or less, more preferably 1 / 10 or more and 4 / 5 or less, even more preferably 1 / 10 or more and 3 / 5 or less, and particularly preferably 1 / 10 or more and 1 / 3 or less.

[0056] Measurement of the maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of a specific assembly The maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of a particular aggregate are measured by the following method. The sliding molded product is cut with a microtome perpendicular to the sliding surface and in the same direction as the sliding direction, and the resulting cross section is observed with an electron microscope to measure the longest axis X of the specific aggregate and the longest axis in the direction perpendicular to the long axis X. The number of measurement samples for the specific aggregate is 10, and the maximum value of the long axis X among the 10 samples is defined as the "maximum diameter of the specific aggregate," while the "long axis X" and "short axis Y" are each defined as the arithmetic mean values ​​of the 10 samples.

[0057] Here, the sliding direction refers to the direction in which an object in contact with the sliding surface moves relative to the sliding surface.

[0058] When a cross section of a molded product for sliding cut perpendicular to the sliding surface and in the same direction as the sliding direction is observed, the aggregates present in a region of the cross section extending from the sliding surface to 10 μm in the direction perpendicular to the sliding surface preferably satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B), more preferably satisfy the following conditions (A′) and (B′), and further preferably satisfy the following conditions (A″) and (B″).

[0059] Condition (A): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is 1 / 10 or more and less than 1 / 1. Condition (B): The percentage of the aggregates in which the angle θ formed between an extension line of the long axis X of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees is 60% by number to 100% by number.

[0060] Condition (A'): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is 1 / 8 or more and 4 / 5 or less. Condition (B'): The proportion of the aggregates in which the angle θ between an extension line of the long axis X of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less is 65% by number or more and 100% by number or less.

[0061] Condition (A″): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is 1 / 6 or more and 2 / 3 or less. Condition (B''): The percentage of the aggregates in which the angle θ between an extension line of the long axis X of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less is 70% by number or more and 100% by number or less.

[0062] By making the sliding molded product satisfy the above conditions (A) and (B), the long axis X of the specific aggregates present near the sliding surface of the sliding molded product is likely to be aligned along the sliding direction. Therefore, the sliding surface of the sliding molded product is less likely to become uneven, and the sliding surface of the sliding molded product is likely to be closer to smooth. Therefore, the friction of the sliding surface of the sliding molded product is more likely to be reduced.

[0063] Calculation procedure for major axis Xs and minor axis Ys The cross section of the sliding molded article observed in the above "Measurement of the maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of specific aggregates" is observed with an electron microscope, and the major axis X and minor axis Y of the aggregates present in the region of the cross section extending from the sliding surface to 10 μm in the direction perpendicular to the sliding surface are measured. The "major axis X" and "minor axis Y" are each the arithmetic mean values ​​of 10 samples. The arithmetic mean value of the obtained major axis X is the major axis Xs, and the arithmetic mean value of the minor axis Y is the minor axis Ys.

[0064] - Procedure for calculating the percentage (number %) of aggregates with an angle θ between 0 and 45 degrees The cross section of the sliding molded article observed in the above-mentioned "Measurement of the maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of a specific aggregate" is observed with an electron microscope. The angle θ formed by an extension line of the major axis X of an aggregate present in the region of the cross section extending from the sliding surface to 10 μm in the direction perpendicular to the sliding surface and the extension line with the sliding direction is measured. The angle θ is measured for 20 aggregates, and the percentage (number %) of the number of aggregates whose angle θ is measured is calculated as 100, where the number of aggregates whose angle θ is measured is 0 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less.

[0065] The length of the fibrous carbon contained in the specific aggregate is preferably 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, more preferably 2 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and even more preferably 3 μm or more and 60 μm or less.

[0066] The diameter of the fibrous carbon contained in the specific aggregate is preferably 20 nm or more and 300 nm or less, more preferably 25 nm or more and 250 nm or less, and even more preferably 30 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

[0067] The length and diameter of the fibrous carbon constituting the specific aggregate are measured by the following method. The cross section of the sliding molded article observed in the above "Measurement of the maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of the specific aggregate" is observed under an electron microscope, and the length and diameter of the fibrous carbon constituting the specific aggregate are measured. The number of measurement samples for the specific aggregate is 10, and measurements are made on two pieces of fibrous carbon per specific aggregate, and the "length of the fibrous carbon constituting the specific aggregate" and the "diameter of the fibrous carbon constituting the specific aggregate" are each the arithmetic mean values ​​of the measurement values ​​for 20 points (10 samples x 2 pieces).

[0068] The number of fibrous carbon fibers contained in the specific aggregate is not particularly limited as long as it is plural (that is, two or more).

[0069] Here, fibrous carbon refers to a fiber whose mass ratio relative to the entire fiber is 90% or more of carbon. Examples of fibrous carbon include carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers (fibers made by carbonizing acrylic fibers or pitch (a by-product of petroleum, coal, coal tar, etc.) at high temperatures). The fibrous carbon contained in the specific aggregate is preferably a carbon nanotube from the viewpoints of availability, thermal conductivity, and the like.

[0070] The content of the specific aggregate is preferably 1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, more preferably 1.5% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less, even more preferably 2% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 2% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, relative to the total mass of the sliding molding. By setting the content of the specific aggregate to 1 mass % or more relative to the total mass of the sliding molded article, the effect of improving the thermal conductivity of the sliding molded article due to the inclusion of the specific aggregate is more likely to be enhanced. Furthermore, by setting the content of the specific aggregate to 50 mass% or less relative to the total mass of the sliding molded product, the occurrence of cracks in the sliding molded product originating from the specific aggregate is suppressed, thereby improving the wear resistance of the sliding molded product. As a result, even when the device is used continuously, the sliding surfaces tend to remain nearly smooth, and friction tends to be maintained at a low level.

[0071] (unentangled fibrous carbon) The sliding molded article may contain, in addition to the specific aggregates described above, fibrous carbon that is not intertwined with one another. That is, the sliding molded article according to this embodiment may contain a resin, a specific aggregate, and fibrous carbon that is not entangled with one another. The term "non-intertwined fibrous carbon" refers to fibrous carbon that is free and does not belong to an entangled aggregate (i.e., a specific aggregate) when a cross-section of a sliding molded article is observed under an electron microscope, or fibrous carbon that does not have multiple contact points with a single entangled aggregate.

[0072] The length of the non-entangled carbon fibers is preferably 1 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, more preferably 2 μm or more and 500 μm or less, and even more preferably 3 μm or more and 300 μm or less.

[0073] The diameter of the non-entangled carbon fibers is preferably 20 nm or more and 300 nm or less, more preferably 25 nm or more and 250 nm or less, and even more preferably 30 nm or more and 200 nm or less.

[0074] The length and diameter of the fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other are measured by the following method. The cross section of the sliding molded article observed in the above "Measurement of the maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of the specific aggregate" is observed with an electron microscope, and the length and diameter of the fibrous carbon that are not entangled with each other are measured. The number of measurement samples is 5, and the "length of the fibrous carbon that are not entangled with each other" and the "diameter of the fibrous carbon that are not entangled with each other" are each the arithmetic mean values ​​of the 5 samples.

[0075] The fibrous carbon that is not entangled with one another may be the same as or different from the fibrous carbon contained in the specific aggregate (that is, the fibrous carbon that constitutes the specific aggregate).

[0076] The unentangled carbon fibers are preferably carbon nanotubes from the viewpoints of availability, thermal conductivity, and the like.

[0077] If the content of non-entangled fibrous carbon is high, the surface of the sliding molded article is likely to become uneven, which may improve the friction of the sliding surface. Therefore, when non-entangled fibrous carbon is contained, the content thereof is preferably small. Specifically, when fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other is contained, the content thereof is preferably more than 0% by mass and not more than 5% by mass, more preferably more than 0% by mass and not more than 4% by mass, even more preferably 0% by mass or more and not more than 3% by mass, and particularly preferably 0% by mass or more and not more than 2% by mass, relative to the total mass of the sliding molding.

[0078] From the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of irregularities on the surface of the sliding molded article and reducing friction on the sliding surface, it is preferable that the content A of the specific aggregate and the content B of the unentangled fibrous carbon satisfy the relationship A≧B on a mass basis. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of irregularities on the surface of the sliding molded article and reducing friction on the sliding surface, the ratio (A / (A+B)) of the content A of the specific aggregate to the total amount of the content A of the specific aggregate and the content B of the fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other is preferably 0.7 or more and 1 or less, more preferably 0.8 or more and 1 or less, and even more preferably 0.9 or more and 1 or less, on a mass basis.

[0079] The content A of specific aggregates and the content B of non-entangled fibrous carbon are measured by the following method. The "specific aggregate content A" is the arithmetic mean value of the "total area of ​​specific aggregates in the cross section of the sliding molded product" obtained by the above-mentioned "measurement of the maximum diameter, major axis X, and minor axis Y of the specific aggregates," and is determined by image analysis of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph of the cross section of the sliding molded product. The total area of ​​the specific aggregates in the cross section of the sliding molded product and the total area of ​​the fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other are determined by image analysis of the SEM photograph. Here, the number of measurement samples (i.e., the number of SEM photographs to be analyzed) is 5. The "specific aggregate content A" is the arithmetic mean value of the "total area of ​​specific aggregates in the cross section of the sliding molded product" obtained by the above-mentioned method for the five samples, and the "non-entangled fibrous carbon content B" is the arithmetic mean value of the "total area of ​​the fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other in the cross section of the sliding molded product" obtained by the above-mentioned method for the five samples. Then, the ratio (A / (A+B)) is calculated from the "content A of specific aggregates" and the "content B of fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other" obtained as described above. When calculating the ratio (A / (A+B)), if the specific gravities of the specific aggregates and the fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other are different, the contents A and B may be corrected using the respective specific gravities.

[0080] (additives) The sliding molded article may contain well-known additives such as a filler and a lubricant in addition to the resin, the specific aggregate, and the non-entangled fibrous carbon.

[0081] <Physical properties and shape of sliding molded products> (thermal conductivity) The thermal conductivity of the sliding molded article is preferably 0.5 W / m·K or more and 10 W / m·K or less, more preferably 0.6 W / m·K or more and 10 W / m·K or less, and even more preferably 0.8 W / m·K or more and 10 W / m·K or less.

[0082] The thermal conductivity of the sliding molded article is measured as follows. Specifically, a flat test piece (10 mm long, 10 mm wide, 100 mm thick) is cut from the target sliding molded product, and the thermal conductivity is determined from the thermal diffusivity in the thickness direction of the test piece. Specifically, the test piece is placed on the probe of a thermal conductivity measuring device, iPhase Mobile (manufactured by iPhase Corporation), and a 50 gf weight is placed on it. The thermal conductivity is measured three times in manual mode under the following conditions: 1.41 V, 3 Hz to 100 Hz, 10 divisions, and a measurement time of 2 seconds. The arithmetic mean of the three measurements is taken as the thermal conductivity of the sliding molded product.

[0083] (coefficient of friction) The coefficient of friction of the sliding surface of the sliding molded article is 0.1 or less. From the viewpoint of obtaining a sliding molded product with reduced friction on the sliding surface, the coefficient of friction of the sliding surface of the sliding molded product is preferably 0.1 or less, more preferably 0.095 or less, and even more preferably 0.09 or less.

[0084] The coefficient of friction of the sliding surface of the sliding molded article is a value measured as follows. Using a friction and wear tester (FPR-2100, manufactured by Rhesca Corporation), the sliding molded product was placed on a 170°C heating stage, and the sliding molded product was placed so that it was in contact with the pin. A lubricant (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., product name: X-22-9446) was applied to the surface of the sliding molded product, and the coefficient of dynamic friction was measured when it was rotated and slid at a radius of 40 mm and at 100 mm / s. The dynamic friction coefficient is measured on the surface of the sliding molded article that is to be used as the sliding surface.

[0085] (Shape of sliding molded product) The shape of the sliding molded article is not particularly limited and may be determined appropriately depending on the application. The shape of the sliding molded article may be, for example, a sheet, a block, a belt, or the like.

[0086] <Method of manufacturing a sliding molded article> The sliding molded article is produced, for example, by the following method. That is, the sliding molded product can be obtained by preparing a coating liquid containing each component constituting the sliding molded product, applying the obtained coating liquid onto a substrate, and drying it. The coating liquid contains a resin, a specific aggregate, and other components (unentangled fibrous carbon, additives, etc.) that are used as needed. When the resin is polyimide, the sliding molded product is preferably obtained by preparing a coating liquid containing polyamic acid (a precursor of polyimide resin), a specific aggregate, and other components used as needed (unentangled fibrous carbon, additives, etc.), applying the obtained coating liquid onto a substrate, and baking (i.e., imidization).

[0087] When preparing the above coating solution, it is preferable to simultaneously produce the specific aggregate. Specifically, a method includes preparing a precursor liquid containing a resin and fibrous carbon (also referred to as a precursor liquid preparation process), producing a specific aggregate in the precursor liquid system (also referred to as a specific aggregate production process), and obtaining a coating liquid containing the resin and the specific aggregate. The precursor liquid preparation step and the specific assembly production step will be described below.

[0088] (Precursor liquid preparation process) In the precursor liquid preparation step, it is preferable to first mix the fibrous carbon with a dispersion medium to prepare a dispersion liquid in which the fibrous carbon is dispersed. Here, examples of the dispersion medium include organic solvents in which the fibrous carbon is insoluble or hardly soluble, but the resin is soluble. For example, when polyamic acid (a precursor of polyimide resin) is used as the resin, examples of the dispersion medium include N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), Examples include dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Here, the content of the fibrous carbon in the dispersion liquid is preferably 0.1 mass % or more and 10 mass % or less (more preferably 0.3 mass % or more and 5 mass % or less) relative to the total mass of the dispersion liquid.

[0089] The obtained dispersion is preferably subjected to a high-pressure dispersion treatment. By performing the high-pressure dispersion treatment, the fibrous carbon in the dispersion is loosened and individually isolated, and further the length of the fibrous carbon in the dispersion is adjusted. Here, the conditions for the high-pressure dispersion treatment may be any conditions that allow the fibrous carbon to be individually isolated and the length of the fibrous carbon to be adjusted to a desired value. For example, the high-pressure dispersion treatment is preferably carried out under a liquid temperature of 25°C or higher and 90°C or lower and a pressure of 1 MPa or higher and 100 MPa or lower (preferably, 3 MPa or higher and 80 MPa or lower). The high-pressure dispersion treatment is carried out using a high-pressure homogenizer or the like.

[0090] The length of the fibrous carbon in the dispersion is preferably adjusted to about 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less (more preferably, 3 μm or more and 50 μm or less). Here, the length of the fibrous carbon in the dispersion can be measured by observation with an optical microscope or an electron microscope. The maximum diameter of specific aggregates can be controlled by the length of the fibrous carbon in the dispersion liquid, and specifically, the longer the fibrous carbon, the larger the maximum diameter of aggregates that can be produced tends to be.

[0091] In the precursor liquid preparation step, a resin is subsequently added to the dispersion liquid obtained as described above to prepare a precursor liquid. The amount of resin added is preferably about 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less (more preferably 3% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less) relative to the total mass of the dispersion.

[0092] (Specific aggregate manufacturing process) In the specific assembly production step, the precursor liquid obtained in the precursor liquid preparation step is stirred with a planetary mixer, and the specific assembly is produced in the system. By stirring the precursor liquid with a planetary mixer, the fibrous carbon that was individually isolated in the precursor liquid gradually becomes entangled and forms agglomerates, producing a specific aggregate.

[0093] Here, the stirring conditions for the planetary mixer may be any conditions that allow specific aggregates having the desired maximum diameter to be obtained. For example, the stirring conditions are preferably such that the temperature of the precursor liquid is 25° C. or higher and 60° C. or lower, and the stirring is carried out for 3 to 90 minutes. The maximum diameter of a specific aggregate can be controlled by the stirring conditions. Specifically, the longer the stirring time using a planetary mixer, the larger the maximum diameter of the aggregates that can be produced tends to be.

[0094] In the specific aggregate manufacturing process, all of the fibrous carbon contained in the precursor liquid may become specific aggregates, or some fibrous carbon that does not form specific aggregates (i.e., fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other) may remain along with the specific aggregates.

[0095] In this manner, a mixed liquid containing the resin and the specific aggregate is obtained. To the obtained mixture, other components (unentangled fibrous carbon, additives, etc.) are added as needed to obtain a coating liquid to be used in producing a sliding molded article. The obtained mixture may be diluted with an organic solvent to adjust the viscosity of the coating liquid. The ratio of the minor axis Y to the major axis X of a specific aggregate (minor axis Y / major axis X) can be controlled by the solids concentration in the coating solution. Specifically, the lower the solids concentration in the coating solution, the more likely it is that an aggregate with a smaller ratio (minor axis Y / major axis X) can be produced.

[0096] <Sliding member> The sliding member has the sliding molded article according to this embodiment. The sliding member may be composed of only the sliding molded article according to this embodiment, or may have the sliding molded article according to this embodiment and a member such as a substrate that supports the sliding molded article.

[0097] (base material) In the sliding member according to this embodiment, the shape of the substrate supporting the sliding molded article is not particularly limited as long as it has a desired shape, but is preferably in the form of a sheet. The material of the substrate is not particularly limited, and any known substrate material can be used. Examples of the substrate include a resin substrate, a woven fabric substrate, and a nonwoven fabric substrate. Examples of the resin include polyimide resin, polyamide resin, polyamideimide resin, polyetherester resin, polyarylate resin, and polyester resin. Examples of fibers used for the woven fabric and nonwoven fabric include synthetic resin fibers, natural fibers, glass fibers, etc. Among these, glass cloth is preferred.

[0098] When the substrate is in the form of a sheet, the thickness of the substrate is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 μm or more and 500 μm or less, more preferably 8 μm or more and 300 μm or less, even more preferably 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and particularly preferably 13 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0099] (adhesive layer) The sliding member according to this embodiment may also have an adhesive layer. When the sliding member includes a sliding member and a member other than the sliding member, such as a substrate, an adhesive layer may be provided between the members. The adhesive layer may be a layer formed from a known adhesive such as a heat-resistant silicone resin or an epoxy-based resin, may be fused with a fluororesin dispersion liquid, or may be a layer formed using an adhesive sheet.

[0100] The adhesive sheet is preferably one that can undergo thermal fusion by heating above its melting point, thereby bonding the laminated layers together. Among these, fluorine-based adhesive sheets are preferred. A specific example is Silky Bond (manufactured by Junkosha Co., Ltd.). There are no particular restrictions on the thickness of the adhesive sheet, but it is preferably 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0101] (Specific examples of sliding members) Specific examples of the sliding member include, in applications to image forming apparatuses, sheet-like sliding members used in fixing devices described below, belt running guides, and pressing pads, and in applications other than image forming apparatuses, sliding bearings, etc.

[0102] <Fixing device> The fixing device according to this embodiment is A first rotating body; a second rotor disposed in contact with an outer surface of the first rotor; a pressing member disposed inside the second rotating body and pressing the second rotating body against the first rotating body from an inner surface of the second rotating body; a sliding member interposed between an inner surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member, the sliding member according to the present embodiment; Equipped with.

[0103] The inner surface (inner peripheral surface) of the heating belt or pressure belt, which is an example of the second rotating body, preferably has a surface roughness Ra of 0.1 μm to 2.0 μm, more preferably 0.3 μm to 1.5 μm. When the surface roughness is within the above range, the sliding resistance between the heating belt or pressure belt, which is an example of the second rotating body, and the sliding member is reduced, and when a lubricant (oil) is interposed between the two members, the lubricant (oil) is more easily retained between the two members, improving the wear resistance of the sliding member. Here, the surface roughness Ra is measured using a surface roughness meter Surfcom 1400A (manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.) in accordance with JIS B0601-1994 under measurement conditions of an evaluation length Ln of 4 mm, a reference length L of 0.8 mm, and a cutoff value of 0.8 mm.

[0104] The fixing device according to this embodiment can have various configurations, but the following two embodiments will be specifically described. As a first embodiment, a fixing device including a heating roll having a heat source and a pressure belt against which a pressure pad is pressed will be described. As the second embodiment, a fixing device will be described that includes a heating belt having a heat source and pressed by a pressure pad, and a pressure roll. The sliding member according to this embodiment is applied as a sheet-like sliding member in these fixing devices.

[0105] (First embodiment of fixing device) A fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a fixing device 60 according to the first embodiment.

[0106] The fixing device 60 includes a heating roll 61 (an example of a first rotating body), a pressure belt 62 (an example of a second rotating body), a pressure pad 64 (an example of a pressure member), a sliding member 68 (an example of a sliding member according to this embodiment), and a halogen lamp 66 (an example of a heat source).

[0107] The heating roll 61 and the pressure belt 62 contact each other at their outer circumferential surfaces and apply pressure to each other. The pressure belt 62 may press against the heating roll 61, or the heating roll 61 may press against the pressure belt 62. A pinch region N (nip portion) is formed in the region where the heating roll 61 and the pressure belt 62 contact each other.

[0108] The heating roll 61 has a halogen lamp 66 (an example of a heat source) inside it. The heat source is not limited to a halogen lamp, and may be any other heat-generating member. A temperature sensor 69 is arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 61. Based on the temperature measurement value by the temperature sensor 69, the lighting of the halogen lamp 66 is controlled, and the surface temperature of the heating roll 61 is maintained at a set temperature (for example, 150°C). The heating roll 61 is configured by laminating a heat-resistant elastic layer 612 and a release layer 613 in this order around a metal core (cylindrical core metal) 611, for example.

[0109] The pressure belt 62 is disposed in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the heating roll 61 . The pressure belt 62 is rotatably supported by a pressure pad 64 and a belt running guide 63 disposed inside the pressure belt 62 .

[0110] The pressure pad 64 is disposed inside the pressure belt 62 and applies pressure to the heating roll 61 via the pressure belt 62 . The pressure pad 64 includes a front clamping member 64a on the entrance side of the clamping region N, and a peeling clamping member 64b on the exit side of the clamping region N. The front pinching member 64a is formed in a concave shape that follows the outer peripheral shape of the heating roll 61, and ensures the length of the pinching region N (the distance in the sliding direction). The peeling and pinching member 64b is configured in a shape that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the heating roll 61, causing local distortion in the heating roll 61 at the exit area of ​​the pinching region N, making it easier to peel the recording medium from the heating roll 61 after fixing.

[0111] The sliding member 68 is formed in a sheet shape and is disposed between the pressure belt 62 and the pressure pad 64 so that its sliding surface comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 62 . The sliding surface of the sliding member 68 has low friction, which contributes to achieving a longer life and improving the paper transport performance of the fixing device 60. Therefore, even if the fixing device is used for a long period of time, wrinkles are less likely to occur on the paper after fixing. The sliding member 68 is disposed so as to cover the front clamping member 64a and the peeling clamping member 64b in order to reduce the sliding resistance between the inner circumferential surface of the pressure belt 62 and the pressure pad 64.

[0112] The holding member 65 holds the pressure pad 64 and the sliding member 68. The holding member 65 is made of, for example, metal. A belt running guide 63 is attached to the holding member 65. The pressure belt 62 rotates along the belt running guide 63. The belt running guide 63 may be provided with a lubricant supplying device 67, which is a means for supplying a lubricant (oil) to the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt 62.

[0113] A peeling member 70 is provided downstream of the pinch region N as an auxiliary means for peeling off the recording medium. The peeling member 70 includes a peeling claw 71 and a holding member 72 that holds the peeling claw 71. The peeling claw 71 is disposed adjacent to the heating roll 61 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the heating roll 61 (counter direction).

[0114] The heating roll 61 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by a drive motor (not shown), and the pressure belt 62 is driven by this rotation to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the heating roll 61.

[0115] The paper K (recording medium) having an unfixed toner image thereon is guided by the fixing entrance guide 56 and conveyed to the nip area N. Then, as the paper K passes through the nip area N, the toner image on the paper K is fixed by the pressure and heat acting on the nip area N.

[0116] (Second embodiment of fixing device) A fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a fixing device 80 according to the second embodiment.

[0117] The fixing device 80 includes a pressure roll 88 (an example of a first rotating body) and a fixing belt module 86. The fixing belt module 86 comprises a heating belt 84 (an example of a second rotating body), a pressure pad 87 (an example of a pressure member), a sliding member 82 (an example of a sliding member according to this embodiment), and a halogen heater 89A (an example of a heat source) arranged near the pressure pad 87. Furthermore, the fuser belt module 86 includes a support roll 90 , a support roll 92 , a posture correction roll 94 , and a support roll 98 .

[0118] The pressure roll 88 is arranged to press against the heating belt 84 (fixing belt module 86), and a pinch region N (nip portion) is formed in the region where the pressure roll 88 and the heating belt 84 (fixing belt module 86) contact each other.

[0119] The heating belt 84 is configured to be endless, and is rotatably supported by a pressure pad 87 and a support roll 90 disposed inside the heating belt 84.

[0120] The heating belt 84 is wound around the pressure pad 87 , which presses the heating belt 84 against the pressure roll 88 . The pressure pad 87 includes a front clamping member 87 a and a peeling clamping member 87 b , and is supported by a holding member 89 . The front pinching member 87a is formed in a concave shape that follows the outer peripheral shape of the pressure roll 88, and is arranged on the entrance side of the pinching region N to ensure the length of the pinching region N (the distance in the sliding direction). The peeling pinch member 87b is configured in a shape that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the pressure roll 88 and is arranged on the exit side of the pinch area N, causing local distortion in the pressure roll 88 in the exit area of ​​the pinch area N, making it easier to peel the recording medium from the pressure roll 88 after fixing. The pressure pad 87 is provided with a halogen heater 89A (an example of a heat source) in the vicinity thereof (for example, inside the holding member 89), and heats the heating belt 84 from the inner circumferential surface side. For example, upstream of the front pinching member 87a of the holding member 89, a lubricant supplying device (not shown) that supplies a lubricant (oil) to the inner circumferential surface of the heating belt 84 may be attached.

[0121] The sliding member 82 is formed in a sheet shape and is disposed between the heating belt 84 and the pressure pad 87 so that the sliding surface thereof comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 84 . The sliding member 82 has low friction on the sliding surface, which contributes to extending the life of the fixing device 80 and improving the paper conveyance performance. Therefore, even if the fixing device is used for a long period of time, wrinkles are less likely to occur on the paper after fixing.

[0122] The support roll 90 has the heating belt 84 wound therearound and supports the heating belt 84 at a position different from the pressure pad 87 . The support roll 90 has a halogen heater 90A (an example of a heat source) therein, which heats the heating belt 84 from the inner circumferential surface side. The support roll 90 is, for example, an aluminum cylindrical roll having a release layer made of, for example, a 20 μm-thick fluororesin formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

[0123] The support roll 92 is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heating belt 84 between the pressure pad 87 and the support roll 90 , and defines the circulating path of the heating belt 84 . The support roll 92 includes a halogen heater 92A (an example of a heat source) therein, which heats the heating belt 84 from the outer circumferential surface side. The support roll 92 is, for example, an aluminum cylindrical roll having a release layer made of, for example, a 20 μm-thick fluororesin formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

[0124] At least one of the halogen heaters 89A, 90A, and 92A, which are examples of heat sources, may be provided.

[0125] The posture correction roll 94 is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heating belt 84 between the support roll 90 and the pressure pad 87 , and corrects the posture of the heating belt 84 between the support roll 90 and the pressure pad 87 . An end position measuring mechanism (not shown) that measures the end position of the heating belt 84 is arranged near the posture correction roll 94, and an axial displacement mechanism (not shown) that displaces the contact position in the axial direction of the heating belt 84 depending on the measurement results of the end position measuring mechanism is arranged on the posture correction roll 94, and these mechanisms correct the posture of the heating belt 84. The posture correction roll 94 is, for example, a cylindrical roll made of aluminum.

[0126] The support roll 98 is arranged in contact with the inner surface of the heating belt 84 between the pressure pad 87 and the support roll 92, and applies tension to the heating belt 84 from the inner surface of the heating belt 84 downstream of the clamping region N. The support roll 98 is, for example, an aluminum cylindrical roll on whose outer peripheral surface a release layer made of, for example, a 20 μm-thick fluororesin is formed.

[0127] The pressure roll 88 is disposed so as to press the heating belt 84 at the portion where the heating belt 84 is wound around the pressure pad 87 . The pressure roll 88 is provided so as to be freely rotatable, and rotates in the direction of arrow F following the rotation of the heating belt 84 as the heating belt 84 rotates in the direction of arrow E. The pressure roll 88 is configured by laminating, in this order, an elastic layer 88B made of, for example, silicone rubber and a release layer (not shown) made of, for example, fluororesin with a thickness of 100 μm on the outer surface of a cylindrical roll 88A made of, for example, aluminum.

[0128] For example, support roll 90 and support roll 92 are rotated by a drive motor (not shown), and in response to this rotation, heating belt 84 rotates in the direction of arrow E, and in response to the rotation of heating belt 84, pressure roll 88 rotates in the direction of arrow F.

[0129] A sheet of paper K (recording medium) having an unfixed toner image thereon is transported to a nip area N of the fixing device 80. Then, as the sheet of paper K passes through the nip area N, the toner image on the sheet of paper K is fixed by the pressure and heat acting on the nip area N.

[0130] <Image forming apparatus and process cartridge> The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming device that forms a latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, a developing device that develops the latent image with toner to form a toner image, a transfer device that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, and a fixing device that fixes the toner image to the recording medium, and the fixing device is the fixing device according to this embodiment. The process cartridge according to this embodiment is a process cartridge that includes the fixing device according to this embodiment and is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus.

[0131] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below by taking an electrophotographic image forming apparatus as an example. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, but may be a known image forming apparatus other than an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (for example, an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with an endless belt for transporting paper). In addition, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a portion including at least the fixing device may have a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus.

[0132] The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes the fixing device 60 of the first embodiment described above. The image forming apparatus 100 may include the fixing device 80 of the second embodiment described above instead of the fixing device 60.

[0133] Image forming apparatus 100 is an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus generally called a tandem type. Image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K that form toner images of each color by electrophotography, a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the toner images of each color onto intermediate transfer belt 15, a secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner images transferred onto intermediate transfer belt 15 onto paper K, which is a recording medium, a fixing device 60 that fixes the secondarily transferred images onto paper K, and a control unit 30 that controls the operation of each device (each unit).

[0134] The image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged in a substantially linear fashion in the following order from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15: 1Y (yellow unit), 1M (magenta unit), 1C (cyan unit), and 1K (black unit). Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K includes a photoconductor 11 (an example of an image carrier). The photoconductor 11 rotates in the direction of arrow G.

[0135] Around the photosensitive member 11, a charger 12 (an example of a charging device), a laser exposure device 13 (an example of a latent image forming device), a developer 14 (an example of a developing device), a primary transfer roll 16, and a photosensitive member cleaner 17 are arranged in sequence along the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 11.

[0136] The charger 12 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 11 . The laser exposure device 13 emits an exposure beam Bm to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 11 . The developing unit 14 contains toner of each color, and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 11 with the toner. The primary transfer roll 16 transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 11 onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer section 10 . The photoreceptor cleaner 17 removes residual toner from the photoreceptor 11 .

[0137] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is a belt made of a material in which an antistatic agent such as carbon black is added to a resin such as polyimide or polyamide. The intermediate transfer belt 15 has a volume resistivity of, for example, 10 6 Ωcm or more 10 14 The resistance is Ωcm or less, and the thickness is, for example, 0.1 mm.

[0138] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is supported by a drive roll 31, a support roll 32, a tensioning roll 33, a back roll 25, and a cleaning back roll 34, and is driven (rotated) in a circular manner in the direction of arrow H as the drive roll 31 rotates. The driving roll 31 is driven by a motor (not shown) that has excellent constant speed, and rotates the intermediate transfer belt 15 . The support roll 32 supports, together with the drive roll 31, the intermediate transfer belt 15 that extends substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the four photosensitive members 11. The tension applying roll 33 applies a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and also functions as a correction roll that suppresses meandering of the intermediate transfer belt 15 . The back roll 25 is provided in the secondary transfer unit 20 , and the cleaning back roll 34 is provided in a cleaning unit that scrapes off residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0139] The primary transfer roll 16 is disposed in pressure contact with the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 sandwiched therebetween, forming the primary transfer section 10 . A voltage (primary transfer bias) of the opposite polarity to the charge polarity of the toner (negative polarity; the same applies below) is applied to the primary transfer roll 16. As a result, the toner images on the photoconductors 11 are electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 in sequence, and superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15. The primary transfer roll 16 is a cylindrical roll that is composed of a shaft (for example, a cylindrical rod made of a metal such as iron or SUS) and an elastic layer (for example, a sponge layer of blended rubber containing a conductive agent such as carbon black) that is fixed to the periphery of the shaft. The primary transfer roll 16 has a volume resistivity of, for example, 10 7.5 Ωcm or more 10 8.5 It is less than Ωcm.

[0140] The secondary transfer roll 22 is disposed in pressure contact with the back roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 sandwiched therebetween, forming the secondary transfer section 20 . The secondary transfer roll 22 forms a secondary transfer bias between itself and the back roll 25, and performs second transfer of the toner image onto the paper K (recording medium) conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20. The secondary transfer roll 22 is a cylindrical roll that is composed of a shaft (for example, a cylindrical rod made of a metal such as iron or SUS) and an elastic layer (for example, a sponge layer of blended rubber containing a conductive agent such as carbon black) that is fixed to the periphery of the shaft. The secondary transfer roll 22 has a volume resistivity of, for example, 10 7.5 Ωcm or more 10 8.5 It is less than Ωcm.

[0141] The back roll 25 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and constitutes an opposing electrode to the secondary transfer roll 22 , forming a transfer electric field between itself and the secondary transfer roll 22 . The back roll 25 is configured by, for example, covering a rubber base material with a tube of blended rubber in which carbon is dispersed. The back roll 25 has a surface resistivity of, for example, 10 7 Ω / □ or more 10 10 The hardness is Ω / □ or less, and the hardness is, for example, 70° (Asker C: manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd., the same applies below). A metallic power supply roll 26 is arranged in contact with the backing roll 25. The power supply roll 26 applies a voltage (secondary transfer bias) of the same polarity as the charged polarity (negative polarity) of the toner, and forms a transfer electric field between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the backing roll 25.

[0142] An intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35 is provided on the intermediate transfer belt 15 downstream of the secondary transfer unit 20 so as to be able to move toward and away from the intermediate transfer belt 15. The intermediate transfer belt cleaner 35 removes residual toner and paper dust from the intermediate transfer belt 15 after secondary transfer.

[0143] A reference sensor (home position sensor) 43 is disposed upstream of image forming unit 1Y. Reference sensor 43 generates a reference signal that serves as a reference for timing image formation in each image forming unit. Reference sensor 43 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of intermediate transfer belt 15 and generates a reference signal. Upon recognizing this reference signal, image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K start image formation in response to an instruction from control unit 30. An image density sensor 45 for adjusting image quality is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 1K.

[0144] The image forming apparatus 100 includes, as conveying means for conveying the paper K, a paper storage unit 50, a paper feed roll 51, a conveying roll 52, a conveying guide 53, a conveying belt 55, and a fixing entrance guide 56. The paper storage section 50 stores paper K before image formation. The paper feed roll 51 takes out the paper K stored in the paper storage unit 50. The transport roll 52 transports the paper K picked up by the paper feed roll 51. The transport guide 53 sends the paper K transported by the transport roll 52 into the secondary transfer unit 20. The conveyor belt 55 conveys the paper K onto which the image has been transferred in the secondary transfer unit 20 to the fixing device 60. The fixing entrance guide 56 guides the paper K to the fixing device 60 .

[0145] Next, an image forming method using the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 100, image data output from an image reading device (not shown), a computer (not shown), etc. is image processed by an image processing device (not shown), and image forming operations are performed by image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0146] The image processing device performs image processing on the input reflectance data, such as shading correction, positional deviation correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame erasure, color editing, movement editing, etc. The image data that has undergone image processing is converted into color material gradation data for four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and output to the laser exposure device 13.

[0147] The laser exposure device 13 irradiates the exposure beam Bm onto the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K in accordance with the input color material gradation data. The surface of each photoconductor 11 in the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is charged by a charger 12, and then scanned and exposed by a laser exposure device 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on each photoconductor 11 is developed into a toner image of each color by each image forming unit.

[0148] The toner images formed on the photoconductors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer section 10 where the photoconductors 11 come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 15. In the primary transfer section 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) of the opposite polarity to the charge polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer roll 16, and the toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in succession, overlapping each other.

[0149] The toner image that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transported to the secondary transfer unit 20 as the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves. At the timing when the toner image reaches the secondary transfer section 20, the paper K stored in the paper storage section 50 is transported by the paper feed roll 51, the transport roll 52 and the transport guide 53, supplied to the secondary transfer section 20, and sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. Then, in the secondary transfer section 20 where a transfer electric field is formed, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred (secondarily transferred) onto the paper K.

[0150] The paper K onto which the toner image has been electrostatically transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22 and is transported to the fixing device 60 by the transport belt 55 . The paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is heated and pressed by the fixing device 60, and the unfixed toner image is fixed. Through the above steps, an image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus 100. [Example]

[0151] Examples will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, all "parts" and "%" are by mass.

[0152] Example 1 (Formation of sheet-shaped sliding molded product (sliding member)) A dispersion (hereinafter also referred to as "CNT 5% dispersion") was prepared by mixing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and carbon nanotubes (manufactured by Showa Denko K.K.) in a mass ratio of 5:95. The obtained dispersion was subjected to high-pressure dispersion treatment (conditions: 50 MPa, 5 times) using a high-pressure homogenizer (manufactured by Sanmaru Machinery Industry Co., Ltd., HC3) to obtain a dispersion after high-pressure treatment. Next, 20 parts by mass of polyamic acid solution (TX-HMM (polyimide varnish) manufactured by Unitika Ltd., solid content concentration: 18% by mass, solvent: NMP) was added to 100 parts by mass of the dispersion liquid after the high-pressure dispersion treatment to prepare a precursor liquid. The obtained precursor liquid (liquid temperature 30°C) was stirred for 15 minutes while evacuating using a planetary mixer (Aikosha Seisakusho Co., Ltd., ACM-5LVT). 137 parts of the polyamic acid solution was added, and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes while evacuating using a planetary mixer. As a result, a coating liquid was obtained containing 5 mass % of aggregates (specific aggregates) formed by a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with one another in the solid content. Next, the obtained coating liquid was applied onto a flat mold to form a coating film, and the coating film was baked at 380°C to form a sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) with a film thickness of 120 µm.

[0153] <Example 2> The precursor liquid was stirred in a planetary mixer while being evacuated for a varying time to adjust the maximum diameter of the specific aggregates as shown in Table 1, carbon nanotubes (manufactured by Showa Denko K.K.) were added as non-entangled fibrous carbon to a content ratio shown in Table 1, and then the mixture was stirred under vacuum for an additional minute, and 137 parts of the polyamic acid solution was added, and the mixture was stirred in a planetary mixer while being evacuated for 5 minutes to obtain a coating liquid. Except for this, a sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) of each example was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Example 3 The sheet-like sliding molded articles (sliding members) of each example were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the precursor liquid was stirred in a planetary mixer while being evacuated to a vacuum, and the maximum diameter of the specific aggregates was adjusted as shown in Table 1.

[0154] Example 4 A sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the coating liquid was obtained by the following procedure. Coating solution preparation procedure A dispersion liquid (100 parts by mass) after high pressure treatment was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that water was used instead of NMP. Next, 20 parts by mass of polytetrafluoroethylene solution (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd., product name: Polyflon PTFE D-711, solid content: 60% by mass, solvent: water) was added to 100 parts by mass of the dispersion liquid after the high-pressure dispersion treatment to prepare a precursor liquid. The obtained precursor liquid (liquid temperature: 30°C) was stirred for 15 minutes while evacuating using a planetary mixer. 27 parts of polytetrafluoroethylene solution was added, and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes while evacuating using a planetary mixer. As a result, a coating liquid containing aggregates (specific aggregates) in which a plurality of carbon nanotubes are entangled with one another in the solid content was obtained.

[0155] <Comparative Example 1> A sheet-shaped sliding molded article (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that potassium titanate (manufactured by Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd., product name: TISMO D) was added instead of adding carbon nanotubes.

[0156] <Comparative Example 2> A sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the precursor liquid was not stirred with a planetary mixer while being evacuated.

[0157] <Example 5> A sheet-shaped sliding molded article (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that carbon fibers were used instead of carbon nanotubes. The fibrous carbon used was manufactured by Teijin Limited and is called Tenax Milled Fiber.

[0158] <Examples 6 to 11> The sheet-like sliding molded articles (sliding members) of each example were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the precursor liquid was stirred in a planetary mixer while being evacuated to a vacuum, and the maximum diameter of the specific aggregates was adjusted as shown in Table 1.

[0159] <Examples 12 and 13> A sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that instead of adding 530 parts by mass of the polyamic acid solution to 100 parts by mass of the dispersion after the high-pressure dispersion treatment, the following solution was added in the following parts by mass. Example 12: Polyamideimide solution (manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., product name: HPC-9000F-8H, solid content: 18% by mass, solvent: NMP) Example 13: Polyamide solution (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., product name: Iromax HR-40NN, solid content: 18% by mass, solvent: NMP)

[0160] <Examples 14 to 21> A sheet-shaped sliding molded product (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the content of the specific aggregate relative to the entire sliding molded product was adjusted as shown in Table 1.

[0161] <Examples 22 to 27> A sheet-like sliding molded article (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the "ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the specific aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs)" and the "proportion of specific aggregates in which the angle θ between the extension line of the major axis X of the specific aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees to 60 degrees" were adjusted as shown in Table 1.

[0162] <Example 28 and Example 29> A sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the friction coefficient of the sliding surface was adjusted as shown in Table 1.

[0163] <Physical property evaluation> The sheet-like sliding molded product (sliding member) obtained in each example was measured for the following properties according to the methods described above: "maximum diameter of the specific aggregate," "ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs)," "angle θ between an extension of the major axis Xs and the sliding direction," "ratio (A / (A+B)) of the content A of the specific aggregate to the total content A of the specific aggregate and the content B of the fibrous carbon that is not entangled with each other," "thermal conductivity," and "friction coefficient of the sliding surface." The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

[0164] <Paper wrinkle evaluation> The evaluation machine used was a Color1000 Press manufactured by Fujifilm Business Innovation Co., Ltd., equipped with a belt-roll nip type fixing device. The fixing device of this evaluation machine is configured as fixing device 80 shown in FIG. The sliding members of each example and comparative example were attached to the fixing device of the evaluation machine, and were continuously operated at a process speed of 800 mm / sec in an environment of 22°C / 55% RH, and paper K was continuously passed through the nip area N. The continuous operation was continued until wrinkles appeared on the paper after passing through the nip area N. Then, paper wrinkle evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation criteria based on the cumulative number of sheets of paper that had passed through the nip area N when wrinkles appeared on the paper after passing through the nip area N. (Evaluation criteria) A: The cumulative number of sheets that have passed through the clamping area N is 300,000, and no wrinkles have occurred. B: When wrinkles occur, the cumulative number of sheets that have passed through pinch area N is between 100,000 and 300,000. C: The cumulative number of sheets that passed through pinch area N when wrinkles occurred was less than 100,000 sheets.

[0165] [Table 1-1]

[0166] [Table 1-2]

[0167] The abbreviations in the table are explained below. PI: Polyimide PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene PAI: Polyamide-imide PA: Polyamide CNT: Carbon nanotube

[0168] The "content (mass %)" shown in Table 1 indicates the content of each component relative to the entire sliding molded article. "A / (A+B)" in Table 1 indicates the ratio (A / (A+B)) of the content A of specific aggregates to the total amount of the content A of specific aggregates and the content B of unentangled fibrous carbon.

[0169] The above results show that the sliding molded article of this example reduces friction on the sliding surface, and that a fixing device equipped with the sliding molded article (sliding member) of this example makes it difficult for wrinkles to form on paper after fixing, even when used for a long period of time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 56 Fixing entrance guide 60 Fixing device 61 Heating Roll 62 Pressure Belt 63 Belt guide 64 Pressure pad 64a Front clamping member 64b Peeling clamping member 65 Retaining member 66 Halogen lamp 67 Lubricant supply device 68 Sliding member 69 Thermosensor 70 Peeling member 71 Peeling Nail 72 Retaining member 611 Cylindrical core 612 Heat-resistant elastic layer 613 Release layer C Rotation direction K paper N pinching area

[0171] 80 Fixing device 82 Sliding member 84 Heating Belt 86 Fuser belt module 87 Pressure pad 87a Front clamping member 87b Peeling clamping member 88 Pressure Roll 88A Cylindrical Roll 88B Elastic layer 89 Retaining member 89A halogen heater 90 Support Roll 90A halogen heater 92 Support Roll 92A halogen heater 94 Posture Correction Roll 98 Support Roll E Rotation direction F Rotation direction

[0172] 100 Image forming device 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image forming units 11 Photoreceptor (image holder) 12 Charger (charging device) 13 Laser exposure device (latent image forming device) 14 Developer (developing device) 15 Intermediate transfer belt 16 Primary transfer roll (transfer device) 17 Photoconductor cleaner 20 Secondary transfer unit 22 Secondary transfer roll (transfer device) 25 Back Roll 26 Power supply roll 30 Control Unit 31 Drive Roll 32 Support Roll 33 Tensioning roll 34 Cleaning back roll 35 Intermediate transfer belt cleaner 43 Reference sensor (home position sensor) 45 Image density sensor 50 Paper storage section 51 Paper feed roll 52 Transport roll 53 Transport guide 55 Conveyor belt Bm Exposure Beam G Rotation direction H Rotation direction

Claims

1. The carbon fiber material includes a resin and an aggregate formed by entanglement of a plurality of fibrous carbon fibers with each other, The maximum diameter of the aggregate is 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, A molded product for sliding, wherein when a cross section of the molded product for sliding is cut perpendicular to the sliding surface and in the same direction as the sliding direction, the aggregates present in a region of the cross section extending from the sliding surface to 10 μm in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface satisfy the following condition (A) and the following condition (B): Condition (A): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is 1 / 10 or more and less than 1 / 1. Condition (B): The percentage of the aggregates in which the angle θ between an extension line of the long axis X of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees is 60% by number to 100% by number.

2. The carbon fiber material includes a resin and an aggregate formed by entanglement of a plurality of fibrous carbon fibers with each other, A molded product for sliding, wherein, when a cross section of the molded product for sliding cut perpendicular to the sliding surface and in the same direction as the sliding direction is observed, the aggregates present in a region of the cross section extending from the sliding surface to 10 μm in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B): Condition (A): The ratio of the minor axis Ys to the major axis Xs of the aggregate (minor axis Ys / major axis Xs) is 1 / 10 or more and less than 1 / 1. Condition (B): The percentage of the aggregates in which the angle θ between an extension line of the long axis X of the aggregate and the sliding direction is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees is 60% by number to 100% by number.

3. A sliding member comprising the sliding molded article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A first rotating body; a second rotating body disposed in contact with an outer surface of the first rotating body; a pressing member disposed inside the second rotating body and pressing the second rotating body against the first rotating body from an inner surface of the second rotating body; a sliding member interposed between an inner surface of the second rotating body and the pressing member, the sliding member being the sliding member according to claim 3; A fixing device comprising:

5. an image carrier; a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier; a latent image forming device for forming a latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier; a developing device that develops the latent image with toner to form a toner image; a transfer device that transfers the toner image onto a recording medium; a fixing device for fixing the toner image onto a recording medium, the fixing device being the fixing device according to claim 4; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images