JP2004206105A - Sliding member for electrophotographic apparatus and fixing device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus which can be durable to long term use and has high heat-resistant stability and to provide an image fixing device which realizes stable traveling of a film tubular body (a belt) by using the sane. <P>SOLUTION: As a sheet-shaped sliding member 33 interposed between a pressing member A and a resin film tubular body 2, a nonporous sheet at least a sliding surface of which is constituted by containing a fluororesin, is used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing device used for fixing an unfixed image under heat and pressure in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and more particularly, to a fixing device for forming a nip portion through which a recording medium passes. The present invention relates to a sliding member (sheet-like sliding member) for an electrophotographic apparatus interposed between a pressing member that presses the inside of a tubular body toward a fixing member and the tubular body for fixing, and a fixing device using the same.

  In electrophotographic image formation in printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and the like, it is necessary to go through a process of fixing a toner image by heating and pressing a recording paper or the like on which an unfixed toner image is formed through an image fixing device. As such an image fixing apparatus, a belt nip method using a heat-resistant plastic film tubular body is known. In this belt nip method, a film tubular body is circumscribed to a driving type fixing roll, an elastic pressing member is inscribed in a film tubular body portion of the circumscribed portion, a sliding sheet is installed between these, and oil is supplied. The nip portion is formed between the fixing roll and the film tubular body after the application, and the toner image is fixed while the recording paper passes through the nip portion.

In such a belt nip method, in order to guarantee excellent fixed images and fixability, it is necessary to prevent slip between the fixing roll and the recording paper and slip between the recording paper and the film tubular body. It is essential. Therefore, when the friction coefficient between the fixing roll and the recording paper is μa, the friction coefficient between the recording paper and the film tubular body is μb, and the friction coefficient between the film tubular body and the elastic pressing member is μc, at least, , Μa> μc and μb> μc. Conventionally, in order to reduce the friction coefficient μc, a coating layer (low friction sheet) made of a glass fiber sheet coated and baked with a fluororesin is coated on the elastic pressing member, and the coating layer and the film tubular body are formed. It has been proposed that various types of modified silicone oils be interposed as lubricants (for example, JP-A-10-213984 and JP-A-2001-249558).
JP-A-10-213984 JP 2001-249558 A

  Such a coating layer (low-friction sheet) made of a glass fiber sheet coated and baked with a fluororesin, which is conventionally used, has at least a sliding surface with the inner surface of the film tube in order to hold a lubricant. It is made of a porous material. However, it has been found that the following points are not sufficient because the sliding surface of the low friction sheet is made of a porous material.

  In other words, over a long period of use, the outermost coated fluororesin layer is worn away, and the glass fiber sheet as a reinforcing base material is exposed, and this surface wears the inner surface of the belt. Causes the machine to accumulate abrasion powder, direct contact between the glass fiber surface and the belt inner surface, increase the coefficient of friction between the inner peripheral surface of the film tubular body (endless belt) and the low friction sheet surface, and fix The driving torque of the roll increases. As a result, the stress acting on the gear receiving portion of the thin fixing roll core increases, causing damage to the gear and the core. Naturally, the burden on the motor also increases.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems and achieve the following objects. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus having high heat stability that can withstand long-term use, and an image fixing apparatus that realizes stable running of a film tubular body (belt) using the sliding member. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventors have focused on improving the reliability of the sliding member, and have made material properties (strength, elasticity, plasticity, low friction, heat resistance, heat resistance) of the sliding member. As a result of intensive research on conductivity, reactivity, geometric properties, filler particle size, filler shape, filler addition amount, filler type, etc., the sliding surface should be composed of a non-porous heat-resistant resin layer. Further, it has been found that the reliability in long-term use is improved by adding a filler to this, and the present invention has been completed. The above problem is solved by the following means. That is, the present invention

  (1) A sliding member for an electrophotographic device, wherein at least a sliding surface is formed of a non-porous sheet including a heat-resistant resin.

  (2) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to (1), wherein the surface roughness depth Rt of the sliding surface is in a range of 1.0 μm to 50.0 μm.

  (3) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the heat-resistant resin is a fluororesin.

  (4) The above (3), wherein the fluororesin is at least one selected from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), and modified products thereof. Sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus.

  (5) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to (3), wherein the fluororesin is a modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) obtained by irradiating ionizing radiation.

  (6) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the non-porous sheet contains a filler together with the heat-resistant resin.

  (7) The sliding member for an electrophotographic device according to (6), wherein the filler is a lubricating filler having a layered structure.

  (8) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to (6) or (7), wherein the filler is a conductive filler.

  (9) The filler according to (6) to (6), wherein the filler includes a heat-resistant resin, and the heat-resistant resin is selected from an imide resin, an amide resin, and an aromatic polyester resin. 8) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of 8).

  (10) The slide for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (6) to (9), wherein the filler is a reinforcing filler having a needle-like, fibrous, or tetrapot-like structure. Moving member.

  (11) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (6) to (10), wherein at least one or more fillers are contained as the filler.

  (12) The method according to any one of (6) to (11), wherein the amount of the filler is in the range of 1.0 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the heat-resistant resin. The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to the above.

  (13) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the non-porous sheet is provided on a substrate having irregularities on the surface.

  (14) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to (13), wherein the base material is configured to include a woven fabric.

  (15) The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to (1), wherein the base material is configured to include a woven fabric made of glass fiber.

  (16) The non-porous sheet and the base material are obtained by impregnating the base material with a thermoplastic resin, and laminating the thermoplastic resin as an adhesive by applying heat and pressure. The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (13) to (15).

(17) a driving member;
A fixing tubular member that is rotatably pressed against the driving member and that is held by a recording medium holding an unfixed toner image in a nip formed between the fixing member and the fixing member;
A pressing member that is arranged inside the fixing tubular body and presses the fixing tubular body toward the fixing member side.
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the fixing tubular body and the pressing member,
A lubricant interposed between the fixing tubular body and the sheet-shaped sliding member,
A heating source for heating the nip,
In the fixing device provided with
The fixing device, wherein the sheet-shaped sliding member is the sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (16).

(18) a fixing member rotatably arranged;
A fixing tubular body that is rotatably pressed against and driven by the driving member and that holds a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image in a nip formed between the fixing member and the fixing member;
A pressing member that is arranged inside the fixing tubular body and presses the fixing tubular body toward the fixing member side.
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the fixing tubular body and the pressing member,
A lubricant interposed between the fixing tubular body and the sheet-shaped sliding member,
A heating source for heating the nip,
In the fixing device provided with
The fixing device, wherein the sheet-shaped sliding member is the sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (16).

  (19) The fixing device according to (17) or (18), wherein the pressing member and the sheet-shaped sliding member are integrated.

  (20) The lubricant is a synthetic lubricating oil grease, dimethyl silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil with an organic metal salt, dimethyl silicone oil with a hindered amine, dimethyl silicone oil with an organic metal salt and hindered amine, methyl phenyl silicone oil, or an organic metal salt. The fixing device according to the above (17) or (18), wherein the fixing device is selected from an amino-modified silicone oil, a hindered amine-added amino-modified silicone oil, a perfluoropolyether oil, and a modified perfluoropolyether oil.

  The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention has a sliding surface (a surface in contact with the inner surface of the fixing tube) formed of a non-porous sheet containing a heat-resistant resin. A lubricant is not impregnated in the inside (inside of the sheet), and the friction with the inner surface of the fixing tubular body is reduced, for example, while retaining the lubricant with the geometrical shape and chemical affinity of the sliding surface. For this reason, the sliding member has high heat stability that can withstand long-term use. Further, chemical deterioration due to surface swelling due to the lubricant is not caused, and image quality defects such as disturbance of a fixed image due to variation in nip shape can be prevented.

As described above, according to the present invention, as a sliding member, a non-porous sheet including a fluororesin having excellent heat resistance and low frictional properties that can withstand long-term use is provided. An image fixing device that realizes stable running of the belt using the image forming apparatus can be provided.
In addition, when a suitable amount of a filler is added to the non-porous sheet, desired surface roughness depth Rt and conductivity, strength, lubricating properties and the like can be given at the same time. Provision of a more reliable fixing device can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Elements having substantially the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and description thereof may be omitted in some cases.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fixing device including a fixing tubular body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, a resin film tubular body 2 is circumscribed to a driving type fixing roll 1 (drive member), and a resin film tubular body 2 (fixing tubular body) at the circumscribed portion is supported by a support 31. An elastic member 32 is mounted thereon, and a pressing member A integrated by covering a sheet-shaped sliding member 33 is inscribed therein to form a nip portion n between the fixing roll 1 and the resin film tubular body 2. The toner image 41 is fixed while the recording medium 4 passes through the nip n. The traveling guide 35 is fixed to the support 31. Further, a lubricant is interposed on the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 with respect to the resin film tubular body 2. Both ends of the belt travel guide 35 are provided with flange-shaped members (not shown) for restricting the deviation of the resin film tubular body 2.

  The fixing roll 1 and the resin film tubular body 2 are heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating sources 11 and 21, and rotate in the directions of the arrows, respectively. A lubricant is interposed on the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 with respect to the resin film tubular body 2, and the lubricant is supplied to the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2. The lubricant supplied to the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2 is rotated and supplied to the sliding contact surface side of the nip portion. The resin film tubular body 2 may be supported in a non-stretched state, or may be supported in a stretched state by, for example, being stretched over a plurality of rolls.

The sheet-like sliding member 33 is formed of a non-porous sheet made of a heat-resistant resin. Here, the term "non-porous" refers to a material having no pores in which a lubricant is impregnated, and 0.01 to 0.2 mg / mm ³ (preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mg / mm ³ ) as an index of oil impregnation. 01 mg / mm ^{3 to} 0.15 mg / mm ³ ). The amount of oil impregnation is determined by the difference between the weight after applying oil on a sheet and rotating the paper for 1 minute while pressing a roll of paper wound on the surface with a force of 5 kg / cm ² and the dry weight. Is the value calculated by

  The heat-resistant resin is not particularly limited as long as it has sufficient heat resistance to the fixing temperature, and specifically, thermosetting polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyamide, polyamide imide, silicone resin, fluororesin, etc. Is mentioned. Among these, a fluororesin is preferred from the viewpoints of workability, friction characteristics, and high chemical affinity with a lubricant.

Examples of the fluororesin include polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE), perfluoropolyvinyl ether resin (PFA), and modified products thereof (for example, those obtained by copolymerizing polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropolyvinyl ether). The fluororesin is excellent in workability and friction characteristics, and is particularly suitable.

  Further, as the fluororesin, a modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) obtained by irradiating ionizing radiation (eg, electron beam, γ-ray, neutron beam, X-ray, high energy ion, etc.) may be used. preferable. This modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin can improve abrasion resistance and durability, and can further improve long-term stability.

The modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin may be obtained, for example, by subjecting a commercially available PTFE powder to an ionizing radiation of 10 ³ to 10 ⁷ m ² 2s ^-2 (1 kGy to 10 MGy) under an inert atmosphere at 300 ° C. or more. Irradiation and pulverization by a jet mill or the like so as to have the above-mentioned volume average particle size can be produced. Here, the inert atmosphere refers to, for example, an atmosphere mainly containing a rare gas or N ² gas. Heating to 300 ° C. or higher activates the molecular motion of the main chain constituting the fluororesin, and as a result, it is possible to efficiently promote a cross-linking reaction between molecules. However, excessive heating, on the contrary, causes the breaking and decomposition of the main chain of the molecule. Therefore, in order to suppress the occurrence of such a depolymerization phenomenon, the heating temperature is preferably set to 310 to 340 ° C. .

  These fluororesins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The non-porous sheet can be produced, for example, as follows. First, PTFE molding powder (trade name: Teflon (R) 7-J (manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemicals Co., Ltd.)) is filled in a predetermined mold, compression molded, and then heated and fired at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded body. obtain. Thereafter, skiving is performed to a predetermined thickness with a metal blade to obtain a sheet. In the case of filling with a filler, a sheet is obtained by performing the same steps after mixing and dispersing with a powder. When laminating a sheet on a substrate with irregularities, a method in which the inner surface of the sheet is chemically or physically treated, an adhesive is applied, and pressure is applied while heating, and a state in which the sheet is heated to a melting point or higher. It is also possible to fuse with

  The sliding surface of the non-porous sheet, that is, the surface roughness depth Rt of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 is preferably in the range of 1.0 μm to 50.0 μm from the viewpoint of retaining the lubricant on the sliding surface. , More preferably 1.0 to 30.0 μm, and still more preferably 1.0 to 20. It is. If the surface roughness depth Rt is less than 1.0 μm, the lubricant holding effect on the sliding surface may be weakened and the frictional resistance may be increased. May occur.

  Here, the surface roughness depth Rt is measured based on the old JIS82 standard B0601, and specifically, using a palpable surface roughness measuring device (Surfcom; manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.) on the sheet surface. Measured. The measurement conditions at that time are a measurement length of 2.5 mm, a cutoff wavelength of 0.25 mm, a measurement speed of 0.06 mm / s, a slope correction by calculating a least-square straight line, and 25 ° C./50%.

  It is also preferable to include a filler in the nonporous sheet for the purpose of imparting a desired surface roughness depth Rt, conductivity, strength, lubricity, and the like. As the filler, a lubricating filler having a layered structure (eg, molybdenum disulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, mica, graphite, tungsten disulfide, talc), a conductive filler (eg, carbon black, graphite), Fillers containing a heat-resistant resin (for example, a filler whose heat-resistant resin is selected from an imide-based resin, an amide-based resin, and an aromatic polyester-based resin: polyimide, a liquid crystal polymer, and aramid) are exemplified.

  These fillers are preferably reinforcing fillers having a needle-like, fibrous, or tetrapot-like structure, from the viewpoint of improving the strength of the sheet-like sliding member. In addition, the filler may be used alone, but from the viewpoint of imparting a plurality of functions, two or more fillers are preferably used in combination.

  The addition amount of the filler is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 30.0 parts by mass, more preferably 2.0 to 25.0 parts by mass, and still more preferably 5.0 to 20 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the fluororesin. 0.0 parts by mass. If the amount is less than 1.0 part by weight, for example, the effect of imparting conductivity, reinforcement and lubrication may be weakened. An increase may occur.

  The sheet-like sliding member 33 is not limited to a single-layer structure of a non-porous sheet made of a heat-resistant resin as described above. For example, the sheet-like sliding member 33 may be formed on a substrate having irregularities on its surface (hereinafter, simply referred to as “substrate”). Alternatively, a multi-layer structure provided with the non-porous sheet may be used. By providing a non-porous sheet on this substrate, the surface shape along the irregularities of the substrate surface also appears on the non-porous sheet surface (sliding surface), and the surface shape such as the above-mentioned surface roughness depth Rt Can be provided. By making the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 have the above-mentioned laminated structure, it is possible to maintain the surface shape such as the surface roughness depth Rt of the non-porous sheet surface (sliding surface) for a long period of time. The size of the irregularities on the surface of the base material is appropriately selected depending on the desired surface shape such as the surface roughness depth Rt of the non-porous sheet.

  Here, when the non-porous sheet is provided on the base material, the thickness of the non-porous sheet is such that the surface shape along the unevenness of the surface of the base material to be laminated easily appears on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet. As described above, the thickness is preferably 10 to 50 μm, and more preferably 10 to 30 μm. If the thickness is too large, the unevenness of the base material cannot be sufficiently reproduced, and if the thickness is too small, when the wear or the like occurs, the base material is exposed, which may lead to an increase in sliding resistance.

  Examples of such a substrate having irregularities on its surface include a porous fiber sheet. The porous fiber sheet is made of a resin having a large number of fine pores, for example, a resin obtained by foaming the resin to make it porous, or a resin obtained by stretching the resin in a uniaxial or biaxial direction to make it porous. Alternatively, those manufactured by firing molding or the like can be used. For example, a fiber woven of such a porous resin or a thinned porous resin can be used.

  It is also preferable that the porous fiber sheet is made of a resin woven fabric made porous by weaving the fibers, even if the fibers themselves are not made porous. The woven fabric has the advantage that the unevenness of the surface is equal and the thickness of the warp and weft yarns is arbitrarily set, so that the unevenness of the surface can be easily controlled. is there.

  The material of the porous fiber sheet may be appropriately selected from polyethylene resin, fluororesin and the like. However, considering heat resistance and durability, porous PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (tetrafluoro It is preferable to use ethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer) and FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer). Among these, glass fibers and aramid fibers are preferred because they can add strength, and glass fibers are particularly preferred.

  From these viewpoints, it is most preferable that the substrate is made of glass fiber woven fabric.

  Examples of a method for manufacturing the multi-layered sheet-like sliding member 33 in which the non-porous sheet is provided on a substrate having irregularities on the surface include a method in which the non-porous sheet is directly heated and pressed on the surface of the substrate, A method in which a non-porous sheet is adhered to the surface of a base material with an adhesive. In the method in which the non-porous sheet is directly heated and pressed on the surface of the substrate, a part of the non-porous sheet is impregnated into the substrate having irregularities and usually adheres to the convex portion of the substrate. In some cases, the thickness of the film-shaped non-porous material cannot be ensured, or the surface shape along the irregularities on the surface of the base material hardly appears on the sliding surface of the film-shaped non-porous material. Further, in the method using a reactive adhesive, there are few materials that can secure sufficient heat resistance to heat applied during fixing, and the reactive adhesive has poor storage stability, and there are restrictions in handling. Is the current situation. In addition, in the method using an adhesive of a type that evaporates a solvent and develops adhesiveness, it is necessary to perform pressure bonding in order to make the surface shape of the base material appear on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet. Problems such as insufficient volatilization of the solvent and swelling due to gas may occur.

  For this reason, the most preferable method is to infiltrate a thermoplastic resin into a base material having irregularities on the surface, use the adhesive as an adhesive, press and heat the base material and the non-porous sheet, and laminate them.

  In this method, a thermoplastic resin that can secure sufficient heat resistance against heat applied during fixing is used as an adhesive, and in a manufacturing process, it is used as a fixing member by heating and pressing at a temperature that exhibits thermoplasticity. The heat resistance at the time of performing can be ensured.

  In addition, in this method, since a thermoplastic resin is used as an adhesive, a part of the non-porous sheet is hardly impregnated into a substrate having irregularities, and a problem that a necessary thickness of the non-porous sheet cannot be ensured, There is no problem such that the surface shape along the irregularities of the surface hardly appears on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet.

  In addition, in this method, the thermoplastic resin is impregnated into the base material and is used as an adhesive.Therefore, there are few problems such as poor storage stability of the reactive adhesive and restrictions on handling, and the step of evaporating the solvent and the solvent Problems such as generation of gas swelling due to insufficient volatilization do not occur.

  In addition, in this method, since the thermoplastic resin is impregnated into the base material, the strength of the base material can be improved, and the warp and weft of the base material woven fabric can be prevented from being displaced or unraveled (raised). It is possible to prevent lubricant from penetrating from a cross section that occurs when cutting into a shape necessary for assembling into a fixing device, and prevent loss of lubricant.

  Here, as a method of infiltrating the thermoplastic resin into the base material, a method of impregnating and drying the base material having irregularities in advance, or sandwiching the film-like thermoplastic resin sheet between the base material and the non-porous sheet, When performing pressure bonding under overheating, a method of performing a bonding process while infiltrating a thermoplastic resin or the like may be used. Further, if necessary, the adhesive surface of the non-porous sheet may be provided with fine irregularities (much smaller than the irregularities of the substrate having irregularities) to increase the adhesive area, or may be subjected to chemical treatment. Or an electron beam treatment or an ultraviolet treatment.

  Examples of the thermoplastic resin include low molecular weight fluororesins (PFA, PTFE, EFA, MFA, FEP). Needless to say, the melting point of the thermoplastic resin used is not more than the melting point of the film-shaped non-porous material.

Hereinafter, other members of the present embodiment will be described.
The shape, structure, size and the like of the fixing roll 1 as the fixing member are not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from those known per se according to the purpose. The heat fixing roll generally has a cylindrical core and an elastic layer formed on the surface thereof, and includes a heat source inside the core. Further, a release layer may be formed on the surface of the elastic layer. The formation of the release layer is advantageous in that the offset of the toner image can be suitably prevented, and the image fixing device can be operated in a stable state.

  The material of the core is not particularly limited as long as it has excellent mechanical strength and good heat conductivity, and examples thereof include metals such as aluminum, SUS, iron, and copper, alloys, ceramics, and FRM.

  The material of the elastic layer can be appropriately selected from those known as the elastic layer, and examples thereof include silicone rubber and fluorine rubber. In the present invention, among these materials, silicone rubber is preferred because of its low surface tension and excellent elasticity. Examples of the silicone rubber include RTV silicone rubber, HTV silicone rubber, and the like. Specifically, polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methylphenyl silicone rubber (PMQ), fluorocarbon Examples include silicone rubber (FVMQ).

  The thickness of the elastic layer is usually 3 mm or less, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm. The method for forming the elastic layer on the surface of the core is not particularly limited, and for example, a coating method known per se can be employed. Examples of the coating method include kneader coating, bar coating, curtain coating, spin coating, dip coating, and the like. In the present invention, dip coating can be suitably used among them.

  The material of the release layer is not particularly limited as long as it exhibits an appropriate release property to the toner image, and examples thereof include fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, and fluorine resin. Among these materials, fluororesins are preferred. Examples of the fluororesin include tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroethyl vinyl ether copolymer (EFA) , Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polyethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), fluoride Fluororesins such as vinyl (PVF). Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether are particularly preferred in terms of heat resistance and mechanical properties. Polymer (PFA) tetrafluoroethylene - perfluoro methyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), tetrafluoroethylene - perfluoro ethyl vinyl ether (EFA) copolymer is preferably used.

  The thickness of the release layer is usually from 10 to 100 μm, preferably from 20 to 30 μm. The method for forming the release layer on the surface of the core is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the above-described coating method. Further, a method of coating a tube formed by extrusion molding may be used.

  Note that the fixing member is not limited to the fixing roll 1 and may be appropriately selected from a roll shape and a belt shape as long as the fixing member is rotatably disposed.

  The heating sources 11 and 21 are not limited to the type in which the fixing roll 1 is internally heated, as long as they heat the nip portion, and may include a fixing member such as the type in which the fixing roll 1 is externally heated. Not only those that heat the nip portion, but also those that heat the nip portion by heating the resin film tubular body 2 and the pressing member A, and those that generate heat by the electromagnetic induction heating or the like of the belt-shaped fixing member itself. You can choose it.

  The shape, size, and the like of the resin film tubular body 2 are not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from those known per se according to the purpose. As the resin film tubular body 2, a belt formed in a belt shape and endless is generally used. The structure of the resin film tubular body 2 may be a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure. Examples of the resin film tubular body 2 having a multilayer structure include those having at least a base layer and a release layer.

Examples of the material of the resin film tubular body 2 include thermosetting polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, and the like. Among these, thermosetting polyimides are preferable in that they are excellent in heat resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and the like. As the material of the release layer, for example, perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polyethylene / tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) , Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychloroethylene trifluoride (PCTFE), fluorine resin such as vinyl fluoride (PVF), polydimethyl silicone rubber (MQ), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), methyl phenyl silicone rubber (PMQ) ), Silicone rubber such as fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ), vinylidene fluoride rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, fluorophosphazene rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether rubber Fluorine rubber and the like, and the like.

  The pressing member A has a configuration in which the elastic body 32 is mounted on the support 31 and the above-mentioned sheet-like sliding member 33 is covered, and is fixedly disposed and presses the resin film tubular body 2 toward the fixing roll. Any material may be appropriately selected, but from the viewpoint of preventing deterioration due to heat at the time of fixing, it is preferable to use a material having heat resistance.

  The support 31 is, for example, heat-resistant such as a spring, and has a function of fixing the elastic body 32. The material of the elastic body 32 of the pressing member A can be appropriately selected from known materials according to the purpose. Particularly, from the viewpoint of hardness, silicone rubber having a JIS-A hardness of 10 to 40 ° is preferably used.

The shape, structure, size, and the like of the pressing member A are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the pressing pad may have a structure formed of a single member, or may have a structure formed of a plurality of members having different functions.

  It is important that the lubricant has excellent lubricating properties. However, this index has a kinematic viscosity, and when used in a fixing device, it is necessary to consider heat resistance, volatility, and the like. From this point, silicone oil is preferable, and amino-modified silicone oil having more excellent wettability is more preferable. When superior performance is required due to heat resistance, it is also preferable to use methylphenyl silicone oil. Incidentally, it is also possible to add a small amount of an antioxidant to the silicone oil in order to improve the heat resistance.

  As the lubricant, it is particularly desirable to use an amino-modified silicone oil containing an antioxidant, such as amino-modified silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, and a hindered amine oil which is an amino-modified silicone oil containing an antioxidant. It is particularly desirable to use a hindered amine oil having high heat resistance and less thermal deterioration in long-term use.

  In an embodiment in which silicone oil is used as the lubricant, the viscosity is preferably 50 to 3000 cs at room temperature. Here, the lower limit is determined from the viewpoint of preventing unnecessary evaporation of the silicone oil, while the upper limit is a value that prevents the silicone oil from increasing the sliding resistance. It is determined based on the viewpoint of prevention. Further, when used at high temperatures, it is most desirable to use a perfluoropolyether oil having excellent heat stability.

  Further, since the above-mentioned sheet-shaped sliding member which does not hold a lubricant therein is used as the lubricant, a lubricant having a higher viscosity than before, for example, a grease (for example, a fluorine grease using fluorine oil as a base oil) (For example, Sumitec F950 (manufactured by Sumiko Lubrication Co., Ltd.)) can also be used, and the amount of lubricant used can be reduced.

  Specific examples of lubricants that can be applied include grease, dimethyl silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil with an organic metal salt, dimethyl silicone oil with a hindered amine, dimethyl silicone oil with an organic metal salt and a hindered amine, methylphenyl silicone oil, organic Examples include an amino-modified silicone oil added with a metal salt, an amino-modified silicone oil added with a hindered amine, and a perfluoropolyether oil.

  It should be noted that any of the above embodiments is not to be construed as limiting, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized within a range satisfying the requirements of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention.

(Example 1)
Using an evaluation device (color printer C2220, manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) having the same configuration as the fixing device shown in FIG. 1, a full-color pattern image output on J paper was used for the test. The specific configuration is as follows.
The fixing roll 1 has a silicone HTV rubber (rubber hardness: 35 degrees: JIS-A) having a thickness of 600 μm as an elastic layer on an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical aluminum core having an outer diameter of 30 mm, a thickness of 1.8 mm, and a length of 360 mm. The surface of the elastic layer is coated with a 30 μm-thick tube of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer (PFA) as a release layer, and is finished to a surface close to a mirror surface state. Inside the core, a 600 w halogen lamp is provided as a heating source 11. The surface temperature of the fixing roll 1 was controlled at 175 ° C. by a temperature sensor of a thermosensitive element arranged in contact with the surface of the heat fixing roll 10 and a temperature controller (not shown).

  The resin film tubular body 2 is made of a thermosetting polyimide having a circumference of 94 mm, a thickness of 75 μm, and a length of 320 mm as a base material, and a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer (PFA) is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the base material. A release layer is formed by coating to a thickness of 30 μm.

  The pressing agent B includes a support 31, an elastic body 32 disposed on the support 31, a sheet-like sliding member 33 stretched on a contact surface of the elastic body 32 with the resin film tubular body 2, And a belt running guide 35 provided so that the resin film tubular body 2 rotates smoothly. The elastic body 32 is a silicone rubber having a width of 10 mm, a thickness of 5 mm, and a length of 320 mm. A rib in the belt rotation direction is provided on the surface of the belt travel guide 35. Contact area is reduced. The support 31 presses the fixing roll 1 with a load of 35 kg by a compression coil spring (not shown) via the thin film resin film tubular body 2.

  The winding angle of the resin film tubular body 2 around the fixing roll 1 was about 40 °, and at this time, the width of the nip portion 16 was about 10 mm. The driving force from the motor was transmitted to the fixing roll 1, and the fixing roll 10 and the resin film tubular body 2 rotated at a speed of 194 mm / sec.

On the surface of the pressing member A, a non-porous fluororesin sheet (oil impregnation amount 0.015 mg) made of a PTFE resin (PTFE resin manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemicals Co., Ltd .: Teflon (R) molding powder) as a sheet-like sliding member 33 is used. / Mm ³ ), and the surface roughness Rt at this time was 2.0 μm. At this time, between the surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 and the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2, methylphenyl silicone oil (KF53; manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., viscosity: 400 centistokes) is interposed as a lubricant.

  In this state, the image fixing device was operated, and the driving torque and the image quality of the print at the initial stage and at the lapse of time (after printing 200,000 sheets) were confirmed. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, 5 wt% of boron nitride (boron nitride powder manufactured by Showa Denko KK: Showby N UHP), which is a lubricating filler having a layered structure, was added to the same PTFE resin as in Example 1 as the sheet-shaped sliding member 33. An image fixing device was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that a filler-containing non-porous fluororesin sheet prepared by using the above method was used (oil impregnation amount: 0.03 mg / mm ³ ). The print quality and drive torque when printing over time were confirmed. The surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 at this time was 5.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, as the sheet-like sliding member 33, a filler was prepared by adding 10 wt% of a polyimide resin (polyimide powder UIP-S manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.) as a heat-resistant resin to PTFE resin similar to Example 1 and containing a filler. An image fixing apparatus was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that a non-porous fluororesin sheet was used (oil impregnation amount: 0.04 mg / mm ³ ), and the initial and time-dependent printing was performed. Print quality and drive torque were checked. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was 11.5 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good.

(Example 4)
In Example 1, 15 parts by mass of graphite (graphite powder: ACP manufactured by Nippon Graphite Co., Ltd.) as a conductive filler was used as the sheet-like sliding member 33 in PTFE resin similar to Example 1 (amount based on 100 parts by mass of PTFE resin). An image fixing device was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that a non-porous fluororesin sheet formed by adding the toner (oil impregnation amount: 0.05 mg / mm ³ ) was operated, and the initial and temporal characteristics The image quality and the driving torque of the print at the time of printing were confirmed. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 18.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good.

(Example 5)
In Example 1, 10 parts by mass of a zinc oxide whisker (a zinc oxide powder manufactured by Matsushita Amtech: Panatetra WZ-0501) as a reinforcing filler was used as the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 in the same PTFE resin as in Example 1 (PTFE resin). An image fixing device was constructed under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that a non-porous fluororesin sheet formed by adding (amount relative to 100 parts by mass) was used (oil impregnation amount: 0.06 mg / mm ³ ). The printer was operated, and the image quality and the driving torque of the print at the initial stage and at the time of printing were checked. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 15.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good.

(Example 6): Example of PTFE modified with energy beam In Example 1, PTFE resin containing cross-linked PTFE powder as sheet-like sliding member 33 (trade name: XF-1A (Hitachi Electric Cable Co., Ltd.) The image fixing device was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that (the oil impregnation amount was 0.012 mg / mm ³ ), and the image quality and the driving torque of the print at the time of initial and temporal printing. It was confirmed. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was 2.0 μm. As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good.

(Example 7)
An image fixing apparatus was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 shown below was used, and when the image was printed in the initial period and over time (in this embodiment, after printing 200000 sheets). The print image quality and drive torque were confirmed.

First, a predetermined mold is filled with a modified PTFE (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd .: New Polyflon M111: melting point 310 ° C.), compression-molded, and then heated and fired at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded body. As a result, a 25.0 μm thin film sheet (non-porous sheet) was obtained. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.070 mg / mm ³ .

  Next, a glass cloth substrate (manufactured by Arisawa Seisakusho, trade name: EPC073, fiber diameter: length 22.2 / width 11.2, fiber density: length 60 / inch, width 64 / inch) was prepared. The sheet-like sliding member 33 was obtained by fusing and sanding the non-porous sheet. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was 2.8 μm.

  As a result, there was no change in the driving torque between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good. Further, even after printing 200,000 sheets, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 did not change.

(Example 8)
An image fixing apparatus was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 shown below was used, and when the image was printed in the initial period and over time (in this embodiment, after printing 200000 sheets). The print image quality and drive torque were confirmed.

First, PTFE resin (trade name: Teflon (R) 7-J (PTFE resin manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemicals Co., Ltd .: Teflon (R) molding powder): melting point 330 ° C.) is filled in a predetermined mold, and compression-molded. Next, after heating and baking at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded body, a 20 μm thin film sheet (non-porous sheet) was obtained with a metal knife. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.06 mg / mm ³ .

  Then, a glass cloth (trade name: Glass cloth KS1231 (manufactured by Kanebo Co., Ltd., fiber diameter warp: 22.5 g / 1000 m, weft: 22.5 g / 1000 m, density longitudinal direction: 41 / inch, horizontal direction: 41 / inch) , Plain weave) with a fluororesin dispersion (trade name: NEOFLON FEP Dispersion ND-1 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd .; melting point: 260 ° C)) by dipping and melt impregnation at 290 ° C to obtain a glass cloth base having irregularities. Wood was obtained.

A glass cloth substrate having irregularities on its surface was overlapped so as to be sandwiched between non-porous sheets, and heated and pressed under a condition of 300 ° C.-60 kg / cm ² . At this time, a 2 mm thick fluoro rubber sheet is placed between the press plate and the sheet-like sliding member so that the surface shape along the irregularities of the base material surface easily appears on the surface (sliding surface) of the non-porous sheet. The sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was obtained. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was 13.2 μm.

  As a result, the initial driving torque was low, the driving torque did not fluctuate between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good. Further, even after printing 200,000 sheets, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 did not change.

(Example 9)
The image fixing device was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 shown below was used, and the image fixing device was used when the printing was performed in the initial period and over time (after printing 200000 sheets in this embodiment). Print quality and drive torque were checked. An amino-modified silicone oil (KF8009A; 400 centistokes manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was interposed between the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 and the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2 as a lubricant.

First, the back surface of a 25 μm thin film sheet of a PI resin film resin (trade name: Upilex-S (manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.)) was roughened with sandpaper to obtain a nonporous sheet. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.02 mg / mm ³ .

Next, the same glass cloth base material as in Example 9 was overlaid so as to be sandwiched between non-porous sheets, and heated and pressed under the condition of 300 ° C.-60 kg / cm ² to obtain a sheet-shaped sliding member 33. At this time, the sheets were laminated so that the roughened surface of the nonporous sheet roughened with sandpaper faced the glass cloth substrate side. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 34.8 μm.

  As a result, the initial driving torque was slightly higher than that of Example 8, but the driving torque did not fluctuate between the initial period and the lapse of time, and the image quality was extremely good. In addition, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 did not change even after the lapse of 200,000 sheets.

(Example 10)
An image fixing apparatus was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 shown below was used, and when the image was printed in the initial period and over time (in this embodiment, after printing 200000 sheets). The print image quality and drive torque were confirmed. An amino-modified silicone oil (KF8009A; 400 centistokes manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was interposed between the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 and the inner surface of the resin film tubular body 2 as a lubricant.

First, a modified PTFE resin (trade name: New Polyflon PTFE molding powder M-111, manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) is filled in a predetermined mold, compression molded, and then heated and fired at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point to obtain a molded body. After that, a 30 μm thin film sheet (non-porous sheet) was obtained with a metal knife. The oil impregnation amount of this non-porous sheet was 0.08 mg / mm ³ .

Next, the same glass cloth base material as in Example 8 was overlaid so as to be sandwiched between non-porous sheets, and heated and pressed under the condition of 300 ° C.-60 kg / cm ² to obtain a sheet-shaped sliding member 33. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-like sliding member 33 was 12.5 μm.

  As a result, the initial driving torque was low, the driving torque did not fluctuate between the initial stage and the passage of time, and the image quality was extremely good. Even after printing 200,000 sheets, the surface shape of the sliding surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 did not change.

(Example 11)
The image fixing device was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 shown below was used, and the image fixing device was used when the printing was performed in the initial period and over time (after printing 200000 sheets in this embodiment). Print quality and drive torque were checked.

  PTFE resin (trade name: Teflon (R) 7-J (PTFE resin manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemicals: Teflon (R) molding powder)) is filled in a predetermined mold, compression-molded, and then at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point. After heating and firing to obtain a molded body, a 100 μm thin film sheet was obtained with a metal knife.

Using a press machine, the surface of this thin-film sheet was given an uneven shape using a commercially available 100-mesh metal mesh to obtain a non-porous sheet. This was used as a sheet-like sliding member 33. At this time, the surface roughness Rt of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was 42.3 μm, and the oil impregnation amount was 0.05 mg / mm ³ .

  As a result, the drive torque did not fluctuate between the initial stage and the passage of time until after printing 200,000 sheets, and the image quality was extremely good. On the other hand, after 200,000 prints, slight image disturbance was observed, and paper wrinkles occurred slightly on the recording medium. Also, after 200,000 prints, the driving torque slightly increased over time. After the evaluation, the surface of the sheet-shaped sliding member 33 was observed, and it was found that the unevenness imparted by the metal 100 mesh net had disappeared to some extent.

(Comparative Example 1)
Example 1 was repeated except that a porous sheet (oil impregnation amount: 0.21 mg / mm ³ : surface roughness Rt: 5.9 μm) in which glass fiber was impregnated with a fluororesin was used as the sheet-like sliding member 33 in Example 1. An image fixing device was constructed and operated under the same conditions as in Example 1, and the image quality of the print and the driving torque at the time of printing at the initial stage and over time were checked. As a result, the image quality was good in the early stage, but with the passage of time, large image disturbance was observed, and paper wrinkles of the recording sheet also occurred. Further, although the driving torque was low in the initial stage, the driving torque increased with time. Further, when the sheet surface was observed, the fluororesin on the surface was worn, and the glass fibers were exposed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fixing device including a fixing tubular body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 fixing roll 2 resin film tubular body 4 recording medium 11 heating source 31 support 32 elastic body 33 sheet-shaped sliding member 35 running guide 41 toner image A pressing member n nip

Claims (20)

  A sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus, wherein at least a sliding surface is formed of a non-porous sheet including a heat-resistant resin.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface roughness depth Rt of the sliding surface is in a range of 1.0 m to 50.0 m.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat-resistant resin is a fluororesin.   The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fluororesin is at least one selected from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA), and modified products thereof. For sliding members.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fluororesin is a modified polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) obtained by irradiating ionizing radiation.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the non-porous sheet contains a filler together with the heat-resistant resin.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filler is a lubricating filler having a layered structure.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the filler is a conductive filler.   The filler according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the filler includes a heat-resistant resin, and the heat-resistant resin is selected from an imide-based resin, an amide-based resin, and an aromatic polyester-based resin. The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to the above.   The sliding member according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the filler is a reinforcing filler having a needle-like, fibrous, or tetrapot-like structure.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein at least one or more fillers are contained as the filler.   The electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the amount of the filler is in the range of 1.0 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the heat-resistant resin. Sliding member.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the non-porous sheet is provided on a substrate having irregularities on the surface.   14. The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the base material includes a woven fabric.   The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base material is configured to include a woven fabric made of glass fiber.   The non-porous sheet and the base material, wherein the base material is impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, and the thermoplastic resin is used as an adhesive and laminated by heating and pressing. 15. The sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of 15. A driving member;
A fixing tubular body that is rotatably pressed against and driven by the driving member and that holds a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image in a nip formed between the fixing member and the fixing member;
A pressing member that is arranged inside the fixing tubular body and presses the fixing tubular body toward the fixing member side.
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the fixing tubular body and the pressing member,
A lubricant interposed between the fixing tubular body and the sheet-shaped sliding member,
A heating source for heating the nip,
In the fixing device provided with
17. A fixing device, wherein the sheet-like sliding member is the sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1. A fixing member rotatably arranged;
A fixing tubular body that is rotatably pressed against and driven by the driving member and that holds a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image in a nip formed between the fixing member and the fixing member;
A pressing member that is arranged inside the fixing tubular body and presses the fixing tubular body toward the fixing member side.
A sheet-like sliding member interposed between the fixing tubular body and the pressing member,
A lubricant interposed between the fixing tubular body and the sheet-shaped sliding member,
A heating source for heating the nip,
In the fixing device provided with
17. A fixing device, wherein the sheet-like sliding member is the sliding member for an electrophotographic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16.   19. The fixing device according to claim 17, wherein the pressing member and the sheet-shaped sliding member are integrated.   The lubricant is a synthetic lubricating oil grease, dimethyl silicone oil, dimethyl silicone oil with an organic metal salt, dimethyl silicone oil with a hindered amine, dimethyl silicone oil with an organic metal salt and hindered amine, methyl phenyl silicone oil, amino-modified silicone with an organic metal salt. 19. The fixing device according to claim 17, wherein the fixing device is selected from oil, amino-modified silicone oil containing hindered amine, perfluoropolyether oil, and modified perfluoropolyether oil.

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