JP2008134353A - Fixing member, its manufacturing method, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing member which is capable of forming an image of high image quality and is excellent in releasability as well. <P>SOLUTION: In the fixing member, a fixing surface includes a first region and a second region which are different from each other in physical properties and the ratio between the area of the first region and the area of the second region in the fixing surface is in the range of 99.5:0.5 to 0.5:99.5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fixing member used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, a manufacturing method thereof, and a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the fixing member.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a fixing device is used to fix an unfixed toner image. Conventionally, as this type of fixing device, there is used a device provided with a fixing member having a pair of rolls and / or belts that are opposed to each other so as to form a pressure contact portion. Fixing by such an apparatus is performed by a so-called heat fixing method in which a recording medium onto which a toner image has been transferred is inserted into a pressure contact portion, and the toner image is fixed on the surface of the recording medium by heating and pressing at the pressure contact portion. The

  The material constituting the fixing surface that forms the interface of the pressure contact portion of the fixing member used for heat fixing basically has the flexibility to follow the minute irregularities on the surface in order to form a high-quality image. There is also a need for releasability in order to ensure releasability in order to prevent image quality defects due to toner adhesion and recording media passing through the pressure contact portion during fixing from being caught in the fixing member. The Furthermore, as other important characteristics, it is required that the above two characteristics can be stably maintained over a long period of time.

On the other hand, fluororesin and silicone rubber are known as materials constituting the fixing surface, and it is also proposed to use fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber (see Patent Documents 1 and 2) instead of these materials. In addition, a fixing member is proposed in which a fixing surface is configured by a surface layer in which spherical particles (spherical particles) such as inorganic particles such as alumina or silicone resin particles are dispersed in an elastic body such as silicone rubber or fluororubber. (See Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent No. 2784141 Japanese Patent No. 2903972 JP 2004-163578 A

  However, although fluororesin is excellent in releasability with respect to toner, the image quality of the obtained image is insufficient due to lack of flexibility, and fluorocarbon siloxane rubber is heated and discharged when used for a long time. Due to such stress, the releasability of the fixing surface with respect to the toner deteriorates and image defects such as offset occur. For this reason, even if the fixing surface is made of one kind of material, the above-described characteristics cannot be satisfied in a balanced manner.

On the other hand, the fixing member disclosed in Patent Document 3 is known to have high separation performance and abrasion resistance with respect to recording paper. However, as a result of intensive studies by the present inventors, it has been found that even if the fixing member described in Patent Document 3 is used, it is difficult to satisfy the above characteristics in a balanced manner.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and is capable of forming a high-quality image and having excellent releasability, a method for manufacturing the same, and the fixing member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing device and an image forming apparatus.

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention
<1>
The fixing surface includes a first region and a second region having different physical properties, and a ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region on the fixing surface is 99.5: 0.5 to The fixing member is within a range of 0.5: 99.5.

<2>
The fixing member according to <1>, wherein the material forming the first region and the second region includes an organic material.

<3>
The fixing member according to <2>, wherein the organic material constituting the first region and the organic material constituting the second region are different.

<4>
<1> The fixing member according to <2>, wherein any one of a material forming the first region and a material forming the second region includes an organic material and a filler.

<5>
Any one of the organic material constituting the first region and the organic material constituting the second region has a cross-linking structure.

<6>
<2> The fixing member according to <2>, wherein the organic material is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of fluororesin, fluororubber, fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber, and silicon rubber.

<7>
The fixing member according to <1>, wherein the micro rubber hardness of the surface of the first region is different from the micro rubber hardness of the surface of the second region.

<8>
The fixing member according to <1>, wherein the first region and the second region are regularly arranged on the fixing surface.

<9>
<1> The fixing member according to <1>, wherein a shape of one of the first region and the second region on the fixing surface is circular.

<10>
<5> The fixing member according to <9>, wherein a diameter of the circular region is in a range of 1 μm to 100 μm.

<11>
<1> The fixing member according to <1>, wherein the fixing member includes a surface layer including the first region and the second region, and the thickness of the surface layer is in a range of 1 μm to 100 μm.

<12>
From the nozzle of the liquid ejecting means having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a solution in which the material constituting the first region is dissolved and dispersed, and a solution in which the material constituting the second region is dissolved and dispersed At least through the step of discharging,
The fixing surface includes the first region and the second region having different physical properties, and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5-0. 5: A fixing member manufacturing method characterized in that a fixing member that falls within a range of 99.5 is manufactured.

<13>
At least a pair of fixing members arranged to face each other so as to form a pressure contact portion is provided, and the toner image is fixed to the recording medium by passing the pressure contact portion through a recording medium on which a toner image is formed while being heated and pressurized. It is possible,
At least one of the pair of fixing members is
The fixing surface includes a first region and a second region having different physical properties, and a ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5 to 0.5: The fixing device is a fixing member within a range of 99.5.

<14>
An image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, and a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged surface of the image carrier with light according to image information; Developing means for applying a developer to the surface of the image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and transfer means for transferring the toner image from the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the recording medium; Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium,
As the fixing means,
At least a pair of fixing members arranged to face each other so as to form a press contact portion, and the fixing is performed by passing the recording medium on which the toner image is formed through the press contact portion while heating and pressurizing. At least one of the fixing members of
The fixing surface includes a first region and a second region having different physical properties, and a ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5 to 0.5: The image forming apparatus is a fixing member that is a fixing member within a range of 99.5.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a fixing member that can form a high-quality image and has excellent releasability, a method for manufacturing the fixing member, a fixing device using the fixing member, and an image are also provided. A forming apparatus can be provided.

(Fixing member)
In the fixing member of the present invention, the fixing surface includes first and second regions having different physical properties, and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region on the fixing surface is 99. .5: 0.5 to 0.5: 99.5.
In the fixing member of the present invention, since the fixing surface includes two regions having different physical properties, one of the two regions is a highly flexible region having excellent followability to minute unevenness on the surface, By making the other area an area having excellent releasability with respect to the toner or the recording medium, a high-quality image can be formed and excellent releasability can be obtained.

On the other hand, fluororesin, silicone rubber, fluorocarbon siloxane rubber, etc. used as a material constituting the fixing surface of conventional fixing members are excellent in flexibility but inferior in releasability, or in excellent releasability. There is a problem that even if one of the characteristics can be satisfactorily satisfied, the other characteristic cannot be satisfactorily satisfied.
From this point of view, a patent in which a fixing surface is constituted by a surface layer in which spherical particles having hardness higher than that of an elastic body such as inorganic particles such as alumina or silicone resin particles is dispersed in an elastic body such as silicone rubber or fluororubber. It can be said that the fixing member described in Document 3 is superior.

  In this fixing member, since spherical particles having a hardness higher than that of the elastic body are dispersed in the surface layer, when the elastic body is compressed, nothing is contained in the elastic body or cases other than spherical particles are contained. Compared to the above, the elastic body can exhibit good separation performance. This is because the spherical particles having a hardness higher than that of the material constituting the elastic body are dispersed in the elastic body, so that a local curved stress distribution is generated at the interface of the press contact portion, and thereby the press contact surface. It is estimated that the separability is improved.

However, hard spherical particles dispersed in the elastic material can hardly be exposed on the fixing surface. For this reason, the present inventors have found that it is difficult for the local stress distribution necessary for improving the releasability to occur sufficiently, and it is difficult to achieve both flexibility and releasability at a high level. Thought.
Therefore, the present inventors can achieve a high level of flexibility and releasability by ensuring a certain proportion of the surface area of the member that ensures releasability in the entire fixing surface based on such knowledge. The present invention has been found by considering that both can be achieved.

The ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “area ratio of two regions”) is 99.5: 0.5 to 0.5 as described above. However, it is preferably in the range of 99: 1 to 1:99, more preferably in the range of 95: 5 to 5:95.
When the area ratio of the two regions is out of the above range, either the releasability or the flexibility is lost as the entire fixing surface. Therefore, when the releasability is lost, the toner adheres to the fixing surface, resulting in image quality defects, and a local stress distribution sufficient to obtain the peelability between the recording medium and the fixing surface. Since it cannot be obtained, the recording medium is wound around the fixing member. Further, when flexibility is lost, the fixing surface cannot follow the minute irregularities on the surface at the time of fixing, which causes deterioration in image quality such as a reduction in glossiness.

On the other hand, in the fixing member described in Patent Document 3, over a long period of use, the ratio of the exposed area of the spherical particles to the surface made of an elastic body relatively increases due to wear of the fixing surface. However, there is a problem that the balance between the releasability and the flexibility of the fixing surface is changed, and stable performance cannot be maintained for a long time.
From such a viewpoint, the area ratio of the two regions is particularly preferably the same as that of the fixing surface even in a direction perpendicular to the fixing surface (thickness direction). The area ratio of the two regions is preferably the same as that of the fixing surface within a range from the fixing surface to at least 1 μm in the thickness direction.
As a result, even if the fixing surface of the fixing member is worn out due to long-term use, the area ratio of the two regions on the fixing surface is the same as that in the initial stage, so that stable performance can be maintained for a long time.

In addition, the material constituting the first region and the second region is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that both of them contain an organic material, and as a main component (content mass% or more) of the material constituting each region. More preferably, the material constituting each region may include only an organic material. As a result, there is no great difference in the progress of wear between the first region and the second region, and even when the fixing member is used for a long time, the difference in the wear rate between the first region and the second region. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness on the fixing surface due to the above.
In addition, if the material contained in the first region and the second region is not a combination of an organic material and an inorganic material but a combination of organic materials, the chemical affinity between these materials is higher than that of the former. However, since the latter is higher, it is easy to improve the adhesiveness at the interface between the two regions. For this reason, even when used for a long period of time, there is little cracking at the interface between these two regions, and a fixing member having excellent durability can be obtained.

However, in the present invention, it is necessary that the physical properties of the first region and the second region are different from each other. The combination of materials constituting these two regions for making the physical properties of the first region and the second region different from each other is not particularly limited, but the first region and the second region Assuming that the material constituting the material is composed of an organic material, for example, the following first to third aspects may be mentioned.
(1) A mode in which the type of the organic material constituting the first region and the type of the organic material constituting the second region are different (first mode).
(2) An aspect (second aspect) in which one of the material constituting the first region and the material constituting the second region includes an organic material and a filler.
(3) A mode in which any one of the organic material constituting the first region and the organic material constituting the second region has a crosslinked structure (third mode).

Here, “different types” in the first aspect means that the molecular structures and compositions of the organic materials constituting each region are basically different. However, when the organic material constituting each region is a polymer material, the characteristic molecular structure of the main chain portion is the same or the molecular structure of other portions is different (for example, fluororubber And the case where the structures of substituents and the like are different), the case where physical properties such as glass transition temperature are different, and the case where the weight average molecular weight is different even if the molecular structure of the repeating unit is the same.
In the second aspect, the organic material constituting each region has different physical properties between the first region and the second region when the same or similar molecular structure or composition is used. This is particularly effective, and the same applies to the third aspect.
However, in the third aspect, when the organic material is rubber, there may be a case where the vulcanization conditions of the rubber constituting the first region and the rubber constituting the second region are different.

The filler used in the second embodiment includes carbon black, titanium oxide, silica, silicon carbide, talc, mica, kaolin, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, magnesium oxide, graphite, silicon nitride, boron nitride. , Iron oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium carbonate and the like. As the organic filler, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide and the like can be used. In addition, as a special elastic body, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA) can be used as a fluororesin.
In addition, the crosslinking reaction in the third aspect may be either a thermal crosslinking reaction that is crosslinked by heating or a photocrosslinking reaction that is crosslinked by irradiation with light such as ultraviolet rays, but is preferably a thermal crosslinking reaction. In the cross-linking reaction, a polymerization initiator that cross-links the organic material constituting the region to be cross-linked can be used, and the type and amount of the polymerization initiator can be appropriately selected according to the type of the organic material.
As an organic material used as a material constituting the first region or the second region, it is preferable to use fluororesin, fluororubber, fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber, silicone rubber, or the like. Details of these materials will be described later.

  The degree of difference (physical property difference) between the physical properties of the first region and the second region is preferably adjusted according to the area ratio of the two regions, and the area ratio of the two regions is more than 1: 1. In such a case, it is preferable to increase the physical property difference and decrease the physical property difference when the area ratio of the two regions approaches 1: 1. When the physical property difference is large, the physical property of at least one region tends to be extremely biased, so the area ratio of the region having such physical property is 1: 1 with respect to the area ratio of the other region. When approaching, the balance between releasability and flexibility on the fixing surface necessary to ensure good fixing performance may be lost, and image quality degradation due to one region may occur. Because.

  In the present invention, the physical properties of the first region need to be different from the physical properties of the second region. The difference in the physical properties may be different for at least one physical property value. Specifically, physical property values that directly or indirectly affect the flexibility and releasability of the fixing surface; in particular, (1) physical property parameters representing the degree of deformation of the solid material such as linear expansion coefficient and tensile elongation rate, It is preferable that at least one physical property value selected from (2) hardness, (3) surface energy, and (4) surface roughness is different, and it is particularly preferable that the hardness is different.

In the present invention, the hardness (micro rubber hardness) of each region was measured as follows. First, element mapping was performed on the surface of the fixing member by SEM-EDX to discriminate between the first region and the second region, and each region was measured with a dynamic ultra-micro hardness meter.
The micro rubber hardness (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “DH”) is determined by the test load P (mN) and the indentation depth D (μm) when the indenter enters the sample at a constant indentation speed (mN / s). ), The hardness calculated from the following formula (1).
DH = α × P / D ² (1)
In the above formula (1), α represents a constant depending on the shape of the indenter.
The micro rubber hardness was measured with a dynamic ultra micro hardness meter DUH-W201S (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The micro rubber hardness is measured by measuring a soft material when a triangular pyramid indenter (apex angle: 115 °, α: 3.8484) is pushed into a fixing member at a pushing speed of 0.14 mN / s and a test load of 1.0 mN. The indentation depth D was determined by measuring.

  The difference in hardness between the two regions (difference in absolute value of hardness) is 0.01 when the area ratio of the two regions is within the range of 99.5: 0.5 to 0.5: 99.5. It is preferably in the range of 10 or less and more preferably in the range of 0.01 or more and 5 or less. When the difference in hardness between the two regions is less than 0.01, either the flexibility or the releasability may be lost as the entire fixing surface. When the difference in hardness between the two regions exceeds 10, the balance between the releasability and flexibility on the fixing surface necessary for ensuring good fixing performance may be lost.

-Fixing member configuration-
Next, the configuration of the fixing member will be described below by dividing it into a fixing surface direction of the fixing member and a direction (thickness direction) perpendicular to the fixing surface.
First, the arrangement and shape of the first region and the second region on the fixing surface are not particularly limited as long as the local region has a large number of local stress distributions in the fixing surface. A portion that becomes a peak (or valley) of the stress distribution due to such a local stress distribution causes both micro-slip between the recording medium and the toner transferred on the surface and the fixing surface at the time of fixing. This is to act as a starting point for improving the peelability between the two.

  In order to form a large number of such starting points in the fixing surface, for example, the other region is discretely arranged in one of the regions, or the first region with respect to an arbitrary straight line on the fixing surface. And the second region can be alternately arranged. However, the length of the first region and / or the second region in the direction parallel to the rotation direction of the fixing member is preferably in the range of 0.1 μm to 100 μm, and in the range of 0.1 μm to 50 μm. More preferably, it is within. If the length of the first region and / or the second region in the direction parallel to the rotation direction of the fixing member is out of the above range, the region where the local stress distribution is generated becomes extremely narrow or too wide. This is because it may not function sufficiently as a starting point.

Further, the arrangement of the first region and the second region on the fixing surface may be regular or irregular, but is more preferably regular.
By arranging these two regions regularly on the fixing surface, uniform and uniform releasability can be obtained in any part of the fixing surface. The “regular” means that the two regions are arranged in line symmetry with respect to an arbitrary straight line on the fixing surface and / or point-symmetric with respect to an arbitrary point on the fixing surface. It means that it is arranged. The regular arrangement may be satisfied not only on the entire fixing surface but also when attention is paid to at least a partial range of the fixing surface.

Next, specific examples of the arrangement and shape of the first area and the second area on the fixing surface will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement and shape of the first region and the second region on the fixing surface of the fixing member of the present invention, and other circular regions are discrete in one region. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the fixing surface arranged in FIG. Here, FIG. 1A shows an example in which circular regions are arranged in a staggered manner, and FIG. 1B shows an example in which circular regions are arranged in a square. 1 (C) shows an example in which circular regions are randomly arranged. In the figure, 10 is a first region (or second region), and 20 is a second region (or first region). The single arrow indicated by the symbol R represents the rotation direction of the fixing member.
Note that when other circular regions are discretely arranged in one region as illustrated in FIG. 1, the diameter of the circular region is preferably 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 50 μm or less. When the diameter of the circular region is out of the above range, the region where the local stress distribution is generated may become extremely narrow or wide, and may not function sufficiently as a starting point.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the arrangement and shape of the first region and the second region on the fixing surface of the fixing member of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (A) is a band shape in one region. 2B is an enlarged view of a part of the fixing surface in which other regions are discretely arranged, and FIG. 2B shows a first region and a second region continuously provided in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction. A part of the fixing surface in which the regions are alternately arranged in the rotation direction is enlarged, and the reference numerals and symbols shown in the figure are the same as those shown in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the band-like second regions 20 are arranged in a staggered arrangement so that the short direction is parallel to the rotation direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2B, the width is continuously provided in the direction orthogonal to the rotation direction (the width direction of the fixing surface) and the width in the rotation direction is periodically with respect to the width direction of the fixing surface. The second regions 20 and the first regions 10 having a shape in which a wide portion and a narrow portion are alternately repeated are alternately arranged in the rotation direction.

Next, the layer structure in the thickness direction of the fixing member will be described first when the fixing member is a roll-shaped member (fixing roll).
The fixing roll is usually composed of a cylindrical substrate and one or more layers (surface layer, elastic layer, etc.) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate. As a typical configuration of the fixing roll, a configuration including a base and a surface layer provided directly on the outer peripheral surface, or a configuration in which the base, an elastic body layer, and a surface layer are stacked in this order on the outer peripheral surface. Etc. The fixing roll can be used as either a heating roll or a pressure roll.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a layer configuration when the fixing member of the present invention is a fixing roll. FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a layer configuration of a fixing roll having a base and a surface layer. FIG. 3B shows a layer configuration example of a fixing roll having a base, an elastic layer, and a surface layer.
In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a substrate, 110 denotes a surface layer, 110A and 110B denote parts of the surface layer 110, 120 denotes an elastic body layer, 130 denotes a fixing surface, 200 and 210 denote fixing rolls, Other reference numerals are the same as those shown in FIG.

  A fixing roll 200 shown in FIG. 3A is provided with a surface layer 110 on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 100. Further, the first region 10 and the second region 20 are alternately arranged on the fixing surface 130 of the surface layer 110 along the rotation direction. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the layers 110A and 110B constituting the surface layer 110 are laminated in this order from the outer peripheral surface side of the substrate 100, and have the same thickness as the layer 110B so as to replace a part of the layer 110B. The second region 20 having the same thickness as the surface layer 110 may be disposed so as to replace a part of the surface layer 110 when the surface layer 110 is thin. Good.

  A method for producing the fixing roll 200 is not particularly limited, but basically, a conventionally known fixing roll manufacturing method and a so-called inkjet method described later can be used in combination. For example, a part of the surface layer 110 is formed on the substrate 100. The first region 10 and the second region 20 are formed as a layer 110B that forms a part of the surface layer 110 by using an ink-jet method. The surface layer 110 is not sequentially formed on the substrate 100, but the first region 10 is formed on the fixing surface 130 side by using a coating method or an ink jet method. And a method of inserting and fixing the base body 100 on the inner peripheral side of the surface layer 110 formed in a seamless tube shape in which the first region 20 and the second region 20 are formed.

3B has a configuration in which the elastic layer 120 and the surface layer 110 are laminated in this order on the outer peripheral surface of the base 100, and the fixing roll 210 shown in FIG. The roll 200 has the same configuration except that the elastic body layer 120 is provided between the surface layer 110 and the substrate 100.
The method for manufacturing the fixing roll 210 is not particularly limited, and basically, the method for manufacturing the fixing roll 200 described above is added except that a step of forming the elastic layer 120 by a coating method or the like is added when the fixing roll 200 is manufactured. Can be used. The elastic layer 120 can also be formed by inserting and fixing the base body 100 on the inner peripheral side of the material constituting the elastic layer 120 formed in advance in a seamless tube shape.

  On the other hand, the layer structure in the case where the fixing member of the present invention is an endless belt-like member (fixing belt) is the same as that of the fixing roll described above, if the substrate in the fixing roll is replaced with a base material. As for the manufacturing method, almost the same basic process can be adopted.

The thickness of the surface layer 110 is preferably in the range of 1 μm to 500 μm. When the fixing member is a fixing roll, the thickness is more preferably in the range of 1 μm to 250 μm, and when the fixing member is a fixing belt. A range of 1 μm to 250 μm is more preferable. If the thickness of the surface layer is less than 1 μm, elasticity may be insufficient and durability may be insufficient. On the other hand, when the thickness of the surface layer exceeds 500 μm, the specific heat of the fixing member increases, the heat transfer amount decreases, and the fixing speed may be reduced.
The thickness of the second region 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or less than that of the surface layer 100. However, when considering the wear allowance when the fixing member is used for a long time, the thickness is 1 μm or more and 250 μm. It is preferable to be within the following range.

  The hardness of the material constituting the surface layer (the hardness measured by the “added rubber physical property test method” defined in JIS K6301) is preferably in the range of 10 to 80 in both the first region and the second region. Preferably it is the range of 20-70, More preferably, it is the range of 30-60. If the hardness is less than 10, the strength may decrease and a problem with durability may occur. On the other hand, if the hardness exceeds 80, the rigidity increases regardless of the film thickness of the surface layer, the adhesion between the fixing member and the recording medium decreases, and the fixing becomes incomplete or the image quality deteriorates. Problems may arise.

-Constituent material of fixing member-
Next, the materials constituting each member of the fixing member will be described in more detail by dividing them into a base, a base, an elastic layer, a surface layer, and a heat conductive layer.

-Substrate-
When the fixing member of the present invention is a fixing roll, a known fixing roll substrate can be used as a substrate constituting the fixing member. For example, a metal such as aluminum, copper, or nickel having good thermal conductivity, stainless steel or nickel A cylindrical tube made of a metal such as an alloy, ceramics, or the like can be used.
In preparing the fixing roll, various surface treatments can be applied to the outer peripheral surface of the substrate in order to improve the adhesion to the layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate. Such a surface treatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a degreasing treatment using an organic solvent, a roughening treatment by sandblasting, a primer treatment, and the like.

-Base material-
When the fixing member of the present invention is a fixing belt, a known fixing belt base material can be used as a base material constituting the fixing belt, and generally a seamless belt made of a heat resistant resin can be used. Ni electroformed sheets can also be used.
In addition, examples of the heat-resistant resin that can be used for the substrate include polyamide, polyamideimide, polyimide, polyarylene sulfide, polyether, and the like. In this heat-resistant resin, carbon, metal, metal oxide, Inorganic particles such as silicon carbide and boron nitride may be added.

-Elastic layer-
As an elastic material constituting the elastic layer of the fixing roll or fixing belt, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like can be used, and it is preferable to select a material having good thermal conductivity.
As the silicone rubber, vinyl methyl silicone rubber, methyl silicone rubber, phenyl methyl silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber and the like can be used. As the fluororubber, vinylidene fluoride rubber, tetrafluoroethylene / propylene rubber, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoromethyl vinyl ether rubber, phosphazene rubber, fluoropolyether, and other fluororubbers can be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In addition to the elastic material described above, various inorganic or organic fillers can be used for the elastic layer.
Inorganic fillers include carbon black, titanium oxide, silica, silicon carbide, talc, mica, kaolin, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, magnesium oxide, graphite, silicon nitride, boron nitride, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, Examples thereof include magnesium carbonate. As the organic filler, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide and the like can be used. In addition, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFA can be used as a fluororesin as a special elastic body.

-Surface layer-
The material used for the surface layer is preferably a fluorine-based or silicone-based resin or rubber as a main component, and specific examples include fluorine rubber, fluorine resin, silicone rubber, and fluorocarbon siloxane rubber.
In addition to these resins and / or rubber materials, various additives such as reinforcing fillers, heat resistance improvers, flame retardants and the like may be added as needed. Examples of such materials include reinforcing fillers such as fumed silica, precipitated silica, diatomaceous earth, aluminum oxide, mica, clay, zinc carbonate, glass beads, polydimethylsiloxane, alkenyl group-containing polysiloxane, and the like. It is done.

As the fluoro rubber, any conventionally known fluoro rubber can be used. For example, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene-tetrafluoroethylene terpolymer, ethylene tetrafluoride-fluoride Vinylidene-propylene terpolymers, vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether terpolymers, and the like can be used, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
Regarding the vulcanization of fluororubber, each type of copolymer vulcanization, such as amine vulcanization, polyol vulcanization, and peroxide vulcanization, can be used, but polyol vulcanization is most stable. it can.

  Examples of fluororesins include tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoromethyl vinyl ether copolymer (MFA), and tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroethyl vinyl ether copolymer (EFA). Tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA) or the like can be used, and one or more of these can be used in combination.

  Examples of the silicone rubber include vinyl methyl silicone rubber, methyl silicone rubber, phenyl methyl silicone rubber, and fluoro silicone rubber. Silicone rubber vulcanization methods include thermal vulcanization type (HTV) that crosslinks with organic oxides, room temperature vulcanization type (RTV) that performs condensation crosslinking, and low temperature vulcanization type (LTV) that crosslinks by addition polymerization using a platinum catalyst. Any vulcanization method can be used. Moreover, silicone rubber powder etc. can also be used morphologically as a raw material used for formation of a surface layer.

The fluorocarbon siloxane rubber preferably has a perfluoroalkyl ether group and / or a perfluoroalkyl group in the main chain, and in the present invention, a composition containing such a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber is used as a material for the surface layer. Is preferred.
As this fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition, (A) a fluorocarbon polymer having a fluorocarbon siloxane as a main component represented by the following structural formulas (1), (3) and (4) and having an aliphatic unsaturated group, (B) 1 An organopolysiloxane and / or a fluorocarbon siloxane containing two or more silyl groups in the molecule, wherein the content of the silyl group is 1 to 4 times the molar amount of the aliphatic unsaturated group in the fluorocarbon polymer; (C) What contains a filler and (D) a catalyst is mentioned, A surface layer can be formed by hardening this.

  First, the component (A) will be described. Examples of the component (A) include a material represented by the following structural formula (1) (a material showing the structure of a portion other than the aliphatic unsaturated group).

Here, in the structural formula (1), R ¹⁰ represents an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group. a and e each independently represent 0 or 1, b and d each independently represents an integer of 1 to 4, and c represents an integer of 0 to 8. X represents an integer of 1 or more.
The unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group represented by R ¹⁰ is preferably a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl group or carbon having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. An alkenyl group having a number of 2 to 3, particularly preferably a methyl group. Moreover, it is preferable that x is 10-30. Although not shown in the structural formula (1), an aliphatic unsaturated group is provided at the terminal portion. Moreover, as a suitable specific example of the material shown by Structural formula (1), the material shown by the following Structural formula (2) is mentioned, for example.

The aliphatic unsaturated group contained as component (A) includes at least a monovalent aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon group. The monovalent aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon group preferably has 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof include alkenyl groups having 2 to 3 carbon atoms such as vinyl group, allyl group, and ethynyl group. A vinyl group is particularly preferable.
The aliphatic unsaturated group is preferably at the end of the molecular chain, and preferably has, for example, a vinyl dialkylsilyl group, a divinylalkylsilyl group, or a trivinylsilyl group in the main chain. In this case, the alkyl group contained in the main chain of the aliphatic unsaturated group is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a methyl group.

  Moreover, as the component (A), materials represented by the following structural formula (3) and the following structural formula (4) can also be suitably used.

_{CH 2 = CH- (X) p} -Rf '- (X') p-CH = CH 2 ··· (3)
_{CH 2 = CH- (X) p} -Q-Rf'-Q- (X ') p-CH = CH 2 ··· (4)

In the structural formula (3) (4), X is _{-CH 2 -, - CH 2 O} -, - CH 2 OCH 2 - or -Y-NR-CO- (where, Y is -CH ₂ - or the following structural formula And R ′ is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a phenyl group, or an allyl group.) And X ′ is —CH ₂ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ OCH ₂ —, or —CO—NR′—Y′— (Y ′ is —CH ₂ — or a group represented by the following structural formula (5B), and R is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a phenyl group, or an allyl group.

Rf ′ is a divalent perfluoropolyether structure and is represented by (—C _d F _2d O—) _q (where d is an integer of 1 to 6 and q is an integer of 1 to 500). Is preferred.
p is independently 0 or 1, Q is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and may contain an ether bond, specifically an alkylene group or an alkylene group that may contain an ether bond. It is a group.

  As the linear fluoropolyether compound represented by the structural formulas (3) and (4), those represented by the following structural formula (6) are particularly preferable.

In the structural formula (6), X is _{-CH 2 -, - CH 2 O} -, - CH 2 OCH 2 - or -Y-NR-CO- (where, Y is -CH ₂ - or in the structural formula (5A) X is a —CH ₂ —, —OCH ₂ —, —CH ₂ OCH ₂ —, or —CO—NR, wherein R is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a phenyl group, or an allyl group. '-Y'- (wherein Y is —CH ₂ — or a group represented by the following structural formula (5B), and R is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a phenyl group, or an allyl group.
P is independently 0 or 1, r is an integer of 2 to 6, and m and n are integers of 0 to 200, respectively.

The linear fluoropolyether compound represented by the structural formulas (3) and (4) preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000, particularly 3,000 to 50,000.
Moreover, the following compounds (6A)-(6G) etc. can be illustrated as a specific example of the linear fluoropolyether compound represented by Structural formula (6). In the following compounds (6A) to (6G), m and n are the same as those shown in the structural formula (6).

The component (B) contains 2 or more silyl groups in one molecule, and the content of the silyl group is 1 to 4 times the molar amount of the aliphatic unsaturated group in the fluorocarbon polymer. Siloxane and / or fluorocarbon siloxane.
The silyl group may further have a substituent, and the substituent that the silyl group has is preferably an alkyl group, and more preferably a methyl group. Here, examples of the organopolysiloxane having a silyl group include organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms in the molecule.

In the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition used in the present invention, the fluorocarbon polymer of the component (A) has an aliphatic unsaturated group, and the above-described organohydrogenpolysiloxane can be used as a curing agent.
That is, in this case, a cured product is formed by an addition reaction that occurs between an aliphatic unsaturated group in the fluorocarbon polymer and a hydrogen atom bonded to a silicon atom in the organohydrogenpolysiloxane. As such an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, various organohydrogenpolysiloxanes used in addition-curable silicone rubber compositions can be used. In the present invention, the following structural formula (7) The organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by (9) is preferably used.

In structural formulas (7) and (8), s and t represent an integer of 0 or more, and u represents an integer of 2 or more. R ² represents an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having no aliphatic unsaturated bond. Further, in the equation (7) ~ (9), Rf represents a fluorine-containing organic group, R ⁴ represents a divalent group which is interposed between the silicon atom and the fluorine-containing organic group Rf.

The R ^2, preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 and more preferably the number of carbon atoms. Specific examples of R ² include an alkyl group such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, an isopropyl group, and a butyl group; a cycloalkyl group such as a cyclohexyl group and a cyclopentyl group; an aryl group such as a phenyl group, a tolyl group, and a xylyl group; a benzyl group, An aralkyl group such as a phenylethyl group; a halogenated hydrocarbon group such as a chloromethyl group, a chloropropyl group, a chlorocyclohexyl group, or a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group; a cyano hydrocarbon group such as a 2-cyanoethyl group; Among these, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a phenyl group, and a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group are preferable.

R ⁴ is a divalent group interposed between the silicon atom and the fluorine-containing organic group Rf, or a divalent hydrocarbon group having no aliphatic unsaturated bond, or a general formula —R 5 —O—R 6 — (Wherein R5 and R6 are divalent hydrocarbon groups having no aliphatic unsaturated bond), and divalent hydrocarbon groups having an ether group. R ⁴ preferably has 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof include those shown below.

Among R ⁴ , particularly preferable groups are —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —, and —CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —O—CH ₂ —.

Rf includes a perfluoroalkyl group or a perfluoroalkyl ether group. Examples of the perfluoroalkyl group include those represented by the formula C _p F _{2p + 1} (where p is an integer of 4 to 10), and among them, C ₆ F _13- , C ₈ F _17- , C ₁₀ F _21- is preferred. As the perfluoroalkyl ether group, those having 5 to 15 carbon atoms are particularly preferred, and specific examples thereof include the following.

Further, as the organohydrogenpolysiloxane used in the present invention, a copolymer composed of (CH ₃ ) ₂ HSiO _0.5 unit and SiO ₂ unit is also preferably used. As the copolymer, the following compounds are more preferable.

  The viscosity of these organohydrogenpolysiloxanes at 25 ° C. is usually preferably 1,000 cSt or less. The above-mentioned organohydrogenpolysiloxane generally has at least one silyl group, particularly 1-5, per one aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon group in the fluorocarbon polymer of component (A). It is suitable to mix | blend in such a ratio.

  The filler used as component (C) is an organosilicon compound having at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms in one molecule and functions as a crosslinking agent or chain extender for component (A). In view of compatibility with the component (A), dispersibility, and uniformity after curing, those having one or more fluorine-containing groups in one molecule are preferable.

Examples of the fluorine-containing group include those represented by the following general formula.
C _g F2 _{g + 1} −
However, in said general formula, g is 1-20, Preferably it is an integer of 2-10.

−C _g F _2g −
However, in said general formula, g is 1-20, Preferably it is an integer of 2-10.

  However, in said general formula, f is 2-200, Preferably it is 2-100, h is an integer of 1-3.

  However, in said general formula, i and j are integers greater than or equal to 1, and the average of i + j is 2-200, Preferably it is 2-100.

_{- (CF 2 O) k -} (CF 2 CF 2 O) s -CF 2 -
However, in said general formula, k and s are integers of 1-50, respectively.

  In addition, as the divalent linking group that connects the perfluoroalkyl group, perfluorooxyalkyl group, perfluoroalkylene group or perfluorooxyalkylene group and the silicon atom, an alkylene group, an arylene group, and a combination thereof, or these In this group, an ether bond oxygen atom, an amide bond, a carbonyl bond or the like may be interposed, and examples thereof include divalent linking groups having 2 to 12 carbon atoms listed below.

—CH ₂ CH ₂ —
-CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ -
_{-CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 OCH 2} -
—CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —NH—CO—
—CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —N (Ph) —CO— (where Ph is a phenyl group)
_{-CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 -N (} CH 3) -CO-
—CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —O—CO—

  Examples of the component (C) having such a fluorine-containing group include compounds listed below. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the following chemical formula, Me represents a methyl group, and Ph represents a phenyl group.

  The blending amount of the component (C) is not particularly limited as long as it is an amount sufficient to cure the component (A). Usually, the vinyl group, allyl group, cycloalkenyl group, etc. contained in the component (A) The amount by which the hydrosilyl group (C) component, that is, the ≡Si—H group is preferably 0.5 mol or more and 3.0 mol or less, more preferably 0.8 mol or more and 2.0 mol or less with respect to 1 mol of the alkenyl group. It is. If the amount of hydrosilyl groups (≡Si—H) is too small, the degree of cross-linking may be insufficient. As a result, a cured product may not be obtained, and if too large, foaming may occur during curing.

  As the filler used as the component (C), various fillers used in general silicone rubber compositions can be used. For example, fumed silica, precipitated silica, carbon powder, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, quartz powder, reinforcing fillers such as talc, sericite and bentonite, fibrous fillers such as asbestos, glass fiber, organic fiber, etc. It can be illustrated.

  These fillers are preferably blended at a ratio of 0.1 part or more and 300 parts or less, particularly 1 part or more and 200 parts or less, relative to 100 parts of component (A) (parts by mass). When the blending amount of the filler is less than 0.1 part, a sufficient reinforcing effect may not be obtained. When blended in a proportion exceeding 300 parts, the mechanical strength of the cured product is not obtained. Inconvenience that it decreases.

As the catalyst used as component (D), chloroplatinic acid, alcohol-modified chloroplatinic acid, a complex of chloroplatinic acid and an olefin, platinum or palladium, which are known as addition reaction catalysts, alumina, silica , Supported on a carrier such as carbon, complex of rhodium and olefin, group VIII element of periodic table such as chlorotris (triphenylphosphine) rhodium (Wilkinson catalyst), rhodium (III) acetylacetonate or the like Compounds are exemplified, but these complexes are preferably used by dissolving in a solvent such as alcohol, ether, or hydrocarbon.
The compounding amount of these platinum group metal catalysts may be an effective amount of the catalyst. Usually, it is 1 ppm or more and 500 ppm or less, particularly 5 ppm or more and 20 ppm or less in terms of platinum group metal with respect to 100 parts of component (A). It is preferable to use in proportions.

In the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition used in the present invention, various compounding agents can be added as long as the solvent resistance is not impaired. For example, diphenylsilane diol, low-polymerization degree molecular chain terminal hydroxyl-blocked dimethylpolysiloxane, dispersant such as hexamethyldisilazane, heat resistance improver such as ferrous oxide, ferric oxide, cerium oxide, iron octylate Further, colorants such as pigments can be blended as necessary.
The adjustment of the hardness of the material forming the surface layer can be achieved by adjusting a known filler or a crosslinked and vulcanized state.

In addition, after forming the surface layer, if necessary, the surface (fixing surface) is activated to further improve the releasability and to maintain it stably over a long period of time.
The degree of this activation treatment is not particularly limited, but when the modified silicone oil applied after the activation treatment is fixed to the fixing surface, an amount of active groups that can cover the fixing surface is introduced. It is preferable that the treatment is performed so that the mechanical properties of the material constituting the surface layer before the activation treatment is not lost.

Examples of the activation treatment method include a method selected from ultraviolet irradiation treatment, corona discharge treatment, and chemical etching treatment. From the viewpoint of simplicity, ultraviolet irradiation treatment is preferable.
In the ultraviolet irradiation treatment, it is preferable to use a low-pressure ultraviolet lamp that emits short wavelength ultraviolet rays of 184.9 nm and 253.7 nm as typical wavelengths. The degree of irradiation is preferably integrated light quantity of 253.7nm is 40 mJ / cm ² or more 4000 mJ / cm ² or less, and more preferably 400 mJ / cm ² or more 1500 mJ / cm ² or less.

The modified silicone oil is not particularly limited as long as it is a silicone oil having a functional group, but is not limited to amine-modified silicone oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, epoxy-modified silicone oil, carboxyl-modified silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified. A modified silicone oil selected from silicone oils is preferred, and among these, amine-modified silicone oils are more preferred.
On the other hand, when a silicone oil having no functional group is applied to an activated fixing surface, the silicone oil component is not sufficiently fixed to the fixing surface. For this reason, the silicone oil is easily removed from the fixing surface due to the fixing surface coming into contact with the recording medium during fixing. Further, the amount of the functional group possessed by the modified silicone oil molecule is not particularly limited, but it is sufficient that one functional group is present per molecule. Moreover, you may mix and use the silicone oil which does not have functional groups, such as a dimethyl silicone oil, in the said various modified silicone oil.

The fixing surface that has been activated and coated with the modified silicone oil is preferably further heat-treated at a temperature at which the modified silicone oil is not denatured. By heating at such a temperature that the modified silicone oil is not denatured, the modified silicone oil can be quickly fixed to the fixing surface, and more firmly fixed.
The heating temperature, which is preferably a temperature at which the modified silicone oil is not denatured, varies depending on the modified silicone oil used and the heating time, but is more preferably 50 ° C. or higher, and even more preferably 100 ° C. or higher. On the other hand, the heating time is preferably 10 minutes to 120 minutes, more preferably 30 minutes to 60 minutes.

-Manufacturing method of fixing member-
The fixing member of the present invention can be produced by combining the inkjet method in order to form the first region and the second region on the fixing surface in addition to the known fixing member manufacturing method. .
Here, the most different point of the fixing member manufacturing process of the present invention from the conventional fixing member manufacturing process is to introduce a step of forming the first region and the second region using the ink jet method. Therefore, this process will be described in detail below.

In this case, the fixing member of the present invention forms a second region and a solution in which a material constituting the first region is dissolved and dispersed from the nozzle of the liquid discharge means including a nozzle for discharging the liquid. It can be produced at least through a step of discharging a solution in which a material is dissolved and dispersed (a coating step by a so-called ink jet method; hereinafter may be referred to as a “patterning step”).
In this patterning step, the surface of an object from which two types of solutions are discharged (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “object to be coated”) is composed of a base member (or base material) and a surface layer as a fixing member. In such a case, the surface of the substrate (or base material) or the surface of the surface layer formed on the substrate (or base material) halfway (for example, a layer structure as shown in FIG. 3A) The surface corresponding to the surface of the layer 110A), the fixing member is composed of a base (or base material), an elastic layer, and a surface layer, the elastic layer surface or the elastic layer The surface of the surface layer coated and formed on the middle (for example, the surface corresponding to the surface of the layer 110A in the case of having a layer structure as shown in FIG. 3B) can be given.

  When a fixing member is produced by inserting a base (or a member having an elastic layer formed on the base) into the inner peripheral side of the surface layer formed in a seamless tube shape, the surface layer is made of aluminum or the like. After being formed on the surface of the cylindrical substrate, it is produced by peeling it off. In this case, two types of solutions for forming the first region and the second region on the surface of the cylindrical substrate or the surface of the surface layer coated and formed on the cylindrical substrate halfway as the object to be coated are discharged. To do.

  After the patterning step, drying and / or heat treatment are performed as necessary to dry and / or dry the coating film composed of the first region and the second region formed in a predetermined shape and pattern. Or harden. In addition, in the case where any one of the organic material constituting the first region and the organic material constituting the second region has a crosslinked structure (third embodiment), a crosslinking treatment is performed.

  If the patterning process as described above is used, the discharge amount and discharge timing of the two types of solutions discharged from the liquid discharge means can be controlled while relatively moving the liquid discharge means and the object to be coated. Thus, the first region and the second region having a desired shape and arrangement pattern can be formed.

As the liquid ejection means, at least one or more dedicated liquid ejection means corresponding to two types of solutions can be used, respectively, but the liquid ejection has a configuration capable of independently controlling and ejecting the two types of liquid. When using the means, only one liquid discharge means may be used.
The liquid discharge means used in the present invention is typically a drop-on-demand (hereinafter also referred to as “DOD”) system that discharges liquid in the form of droplets as used in commercially available inkjet printers. As the DOD liquid ejecting means (droplet ejecting means), either a piezo ink jet system using a so-called piezoelectric element or a thermal ink jet system using a thermal boiling phenomenon may be used.
Further, there is a continuous pressurization method in which liquid is continuously pressurized and supplied to a coating liquid chamber provided in the liquid discharge means to supply the liquid to the nozzle, thereby discharging the liquid from the nozzle in a liquid column shape. It is done. However, in this continuous pressurization method, a piezoelectric element is used for the liquid supplied to the coating liquid chamber so that the liquid ejected in the form of a liquid column forms droplets before reaching the surface of the object to be coated. Vibration is applied.

In addition, since the liquid ejecting means of the DOD method intermittently ejects the liquid, when the viscosity of the liquid ejected from the nozzle is approximately 10 mPa · s or more, clogging is likely to occur due to drying of the nozzle or temporary suspension of ejection. There is a case. On the other hand, the continuous pressurization type liquid discharge means is capable of stably discharging regardless of the viscosity of the solution because the pressurized liquid is forcibly discharged from the nozzle in addition to continuous continuous ejection.
Therefore, when the viscosity of the solution used for coating is high, particularly when the viscosity is 10 mPa · s or more, it is preferable to use a liquid discharge means of a continuous pressure system.

  Note that the solvent of the solution used in the patterning step is not particularly limited as long as it is a solvent that dissolves the material (solid content) constituting the first region and the second region, and is appropriately selected according to the composition of the solid content. For example, m-xylene hexafluoride, benzotrifluoride, etc. can be used. Also, the viscosity is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the coating method, but it is usually preferable to adjust the viscosity within the range of 0.1 mPa · s to 500 mPa · s.

-Fixing device and image forming apparatus-
Next, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus using the fixing member of the present invention will be described.
The fixing device of the present invention includes at least a pair of fixing members arranged to face each other so as to form a pressure contact portion, and passes the recording medium on which the toner image is formed through the pressure contact portion while heating and pressing the toner image. Can be fixed to the recording medium, wherein at least one of the pair of fixing members is constituted by the fixing member of the present invention, and both of the pair of fixing members are the fixing of the present invention. You may be comprised with the member.
When only one of the fixing members is constituted by the fixing member of the present invention, the fixing member on the side where the fixing surface comes into contact with the surface on which the toner image of the recording medium is formed during fixing is the fixing member of the present invention. It is preferable that

  In addition, as an aspect of the fixing device of the present invention, for example, <1> a configuration including at least a heating roll and a pressure roll that presses the heating roll to form a press-contact portion (two-roll system), <2> A configuration comprising at least a heating roll, a pressure belt that presses against the heating roll to form a pressure contact portion, and a pressure roll that presses and opposes the heating roll via the pressure belt (belt nip roll fixing method) <3> at least a heating belt, a pressure member pressed from the inside of the heating belt, and a pressure roll that presses and opposes the pressure member via the heating belt, and the pressure contact portion is a heating belt Configuration formed between pressure rolls (belt fixing method), <4> heating belt, pressure member pressed from the inside of the heating belt, and pressure for pressing the heating belt to form a pressure contact portion bell And a configuration (belt-to-fixing method) including at least a pressure roll that opposes and pressurizes the pressure member via a pressure contact portion of the heating belt and the pressure belt, but is limited to these. However, it may be any mode adopted by a known fixing device.

Next, a specific example of the fixing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the fixing device of the present invention. In this fixing device, an endless belt-like heating belt 1 rotating in the direction of arrow A and a heating belt so as to stretch the heating belt 1 are stretched. A heating roller 2 and a tension applying roller 3 also serving as a driving roller disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of 1 and a heating contact portion disposed between the heating belt 1 and the heating roller 2 via the heating belt 1. A position opposite to the fixing position F of the heating roller 2 in order to supply a release agent to the pressure roller 4 forming the fixing position F (in the drawing) and the outer peripheral surface (fixing surface) of the heating belt 1. A mold release agent supply device 6 disposed so as to come into contact with the heating belt 1 is provided at a position indicated by a symbol C in the drawing. In this fixing device, for example, the fixing member of the present invention can be used as the heating belt 1. Note that the release agent supply device 6 may not be provided if necessary, for example, when the release agent is contained in the toner to be used.

  Fixing by this fixing device is performed as follows. First, the recording medium 5 on which the toner image T is formed is transported to the fixing position F by a transport unit (not shown) so that the surface on which the toner image T is formed faces the fixing surface side of the heating belt 1. Here, the recording medium 5 is heated and pressurized when passing between the press contact portions of the heating belt 1 and the pressure roller 4, and the toner image T is fixed on the surface of the recording medium 5. Note that the release agent is supplied to the fixing surface of the heating belt 1 by the release agent supply device 6 at the release agent application position C on the fixing surface of the heating belt 1 after the fixing is completed.

As the release agent, a known release agent can be used. For example, when a fixing member having a fixing surface having affinity for silicone oil is used, dimethyl silicone oil can be used. It is more preferable to use oil.
The amount of the release agent applied is preferably 1 μl or less for fixing one A4 size sheet. If the amount of the release agent applied is greater than 1 μl / A4 size paper, image defects such as oil streaks may occur.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a known electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with the fixing device of the present invention as a fixing means.
Specifically, an image carrier, charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, and a latent image for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged surface of the image carrier with light according to image information. An image forming unit; a developing unit that applies a developer to the surface of the image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and the toner image is transferred from the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the recording medium. And a fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium, and as the fixing means, at least a pair of fixing members disposed so as to form a pressure contact portion, Fixing is performed by passing the recording medium on which the toner image is formed through the pressure contact portion while heating and pressing, and at least one of the pair of fixing members has a configuration including the fixing member of the present invention. preferable.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be provided with other known means. For example, the surface of the image carrier after the toner image is transferred is cleaned by a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade. Cleaning means may be provided. In addition, the transfer from the image carrier to the recording medium may be a direct transfer method, but primary transfer that transfers the toner image from the image carrier to the intermediate transfer member using an intermediate transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt. A so-called intermediate transfer method may be used in which secondary transfer is performed in which transfer is performed from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium after the primary transfer. In addition, a so-called tandem system including a developing unit corresponding to four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be employed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically by way of examples. The present invention is not limited to the following contents.
In this embodiment, the belt-shaped fixing member is described. However, the effect of the present invention is also effective for the roll-shaped fixing member. In the following description, “part” means “part by mass”.

<< Preparation of surface layer forming solution >>
-Preparation of solution 1-
Fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber composition (Syfer 610, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 75% by mass
Fluorine solvent (X-70-580, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 25% by mass
A solution 1 was prepared by mixing the above components.

-Preparation of solution 2-
Fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber composition (Syfer 650, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 75% by mass
Fluorine solvent (X-70-580, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 25% by mass
A solution 2 was prepared by mixing the above components.

-Solution 3-
Fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber composition (Syfer 610-13, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 75% by mass
Fluorine solvent (X-70-580, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 25% by mass
A solution 3 was prepared by mixing the above components.

-Solution 4-
・ Fluorine resin (Dinion THV220: manufactured by Sumitomo 3F): 75% by mass
Fluorine solvent (X-70-580, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 25% by mass
A solution 4 was prepared by mixing the above components.

-Solution 5-
・ Fluorine resin (Dinion THV610: manufactured by Sumitomo 3F): 75% by mass
Fluorine solvent (X-70-580, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical): 25% by mass
A solution 5 was prepared by mixing the above components.

-Solution 6
Solution 6 was prepared by adding 20 parts by mass of spherical silicone resin (Toshiba Silicone Corp .: Tospearl 3120) to 100 parts by mass of Solution 1.

<< Preparation of fixing belt >>
<Example 1>
-Preparation of substrate-
Using Euvanis S (manufactured by Ube Industries), N-methyl-pyrrolidone was adjusted to 80% by weight and polyamic acid to 20% by weight, and 15 parts by mass of carbon black was added to 100 parts by mass of polyamic acid. Time dispersion was performed to obtain a polyimide precursor solution.
Next, the polyimide precursor solution was injected into the inside of a cylindrical mold of a centrifugal molding machine having an inner diameter of 170.1 mm while rotating at a low speed, and then heated to 120 ° C. at a rotation speed of 300 rpm and held for 1 hour. A substrate precursor belt was obtained.
The precursor belt is removed from the mold, inserted into an aluminum firing mold, heated in an oven at 2 ° C./min, held at 340 ° C., and held for 30 minutes, followed by 2 ° C. / The temperature was lowered in minutes, and after reaching 40 ° C., it was taken out from the oven. After demolding, it was cut into a width of 370 mm to obtain an endless belt-shaped polyimide belt substrate.
In addition, the cylindrical metal mold | die was inserted inside the obtained polyimide base material, and the both ends of the base material were masked with the tape.

-Formation of surface layer-
A solution tank of two inkjet coating apparatuses (PixelJet128 manufactured by Trident) was filled with the solution 1 as a solution for forming a first region and the solution 2 as a solution for forming a second region.
Subsequently, while rotating the cylindrical mold having the polyimide base material fixed on the outer peripheral surface side so as to be horizontal in the axial direction at 10 rpm in the circumferential direction, the 20 liquid ejecting means of the ink jet apparatus described above Using nozzles, the nozzle discharge surface and the polyimide substrate are arranged so that the distance between them is 10 mm. Two types of solutions are supplied from two liquid discharge means, the driving frequency is 2.6 KHz, and the mold of the liquid discharge means A coating film was formed by discharging so as to obtain a regular pattern as shown in FIG. 1A by adjusting the discharge timing of the discharged solution at an axial moving speed of 300 mm / min.
Subsequently, primary vulcanization is performed at 120 ° C. for 30 minutes while rotating in a hot air oven at 10 rpm in the hot air oven in a state where the mold having the coating film formed on the outer peripheral surface is arranged in a horizontal direction. It was. Next, secondary vulcanization was further performed at 200 ° C. for 120 minutes in a state where the rotation axis of the cylindrical mold was arranged in a vertical direction in a high-temperature oven to form a surface layer having a film thickness of 30 μm to obtain a fixing belt.

  When the surface (fixing surface) of the surface layer was observed with an optical microscope, the diameter of the second region formed in a circular shape was 25 μm, and the distance between the second regions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction (in FIG. 1, The distance between the centers of the two circles indicated by X) is 75 μm and the distance between the second regions adjacent to each other in the width direction (the distance between the centers of the two circles indicated by Y in FIG. 1) Was 75 μm, and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region was 90:10. Further, although the cross section of the surface layer was also observed with an optical microscope, the width of the first region and the second region in the thickness direction is constant, and the same area ratio as the fixing surface is maintained in the thickness direction. I understood. Further, the hardness of the first region was 0.4, and the hardness of the second region was 1.1.

<Example 2>
By adjusting the discharge timing or the like of the solution discharged from the liquid discharge means, the diameter of the second region is 5 μm, the distance X between the second regions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction is 75 μm, and the second region adjacent to each other in the width direction. 1 has a regular pattern as shown in FIG. 1A in which the distance Y between the two regions is 75 μm and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5. A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surface layer was formed.
For reference, the cross section of the surface layer was also observed with an optical microscope. However, the widths of the first region and the second region in the thickness direction were constant, and the same area ratio as the fixing surface was maintained in the thickness direction. I found out.

<Example 3>
By adjusting the discharge timing of the solution discharged from the liquid discharge means, the second region has a diameter of 25 μm, the distance X between the second regions adjacent to each other in the rotation direction is 75 μm, and the second region adjacent to each other in the width direction. A surface layer having a regular pattern as shown in FIG. 1A is formed in which the distance Y between the two regions is 75 μm and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 50:50. A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that.
For reference, the cross section of the surface layer was also observed with an optical microscope. However, the widths of the first region and the second region in the thickness direction were constant, and the same area ratio as the fixing surface was maintained in the thickness direction. I found out.

<Example 4>
FIG. 8 is a diagram in which the diameter of the second region is 25 μm and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 90:10 by adjusting the discharge timing of the solution discharged from the liquid discharge unit. A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a surface layer having an irregular pattern as shown in 1 (C) was formed.
For reference, the cross section of the surface layer was also observed with an optical microscope. However, the widths of the first region and the second region in the thickness direction were constant, and the same area ratio as the fixing surface was maintained in the thickness direction. I found out.

<Example 5>
A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the solution 3 instead of the solution 2 was used as the second region forming solution.

<Example 6>
Prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the solution 4 was used instead of the solution 1 as the first region forming solution, and the solution 5 was used instead of the solution 2 as the second region forming solution. A fixing belt was obtained.

<Comparative Example 1>
A polyimide base material similar to that used in Example 1 was fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold in the same manner as in Example 1.
Subsequently, Example 1 is the same as Example 1 except that only the solution 1 was placed in the solution tank of the inkjet apparatus (PixelJet128 manufactured by Trident) used in Example 1, and a coating film using the solution 1 was formed on the entire surface of the polyimide substrate. In the same way. A fixing belt was obtained.
The thickness of the surface layer of the obtained fixing belt was 30 μm, and the hardness of the surface layer was 0.4.

<Comparative example 2>
In Comparative Example 1, a fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that Solution 2 was used instead of Solution 1 used for forming the surface layer.
The thickness of the surface layer of the obtained fixing belt was 30 μm, and the hardness of the surface layer was 1.1.

<Comparative Example 3>
A polyimide base material similar to that used in Example 1 was fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical mold in the same manner as in Example 1.
Subsequently, in Comparative Example 1, a solution 6 was prepared instead of the solution 1 used for forming the surface layer, and the coating tank was filled.
After immersing the cylindrical mold in which the polyimide base material is set on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical mold in the coating tank filled with the solution 6, the coating is applied on the outer peripheral surface of the polyimide base material by pulling it up at a speed of 100 mm / min. A film was formed.
Then, while rotating the cylindrical mold in the circumferential direction at a rotational speed of 10 rpm in a 120 ° C. oven so that the axial direction of the cylindrical mold is horizontal and the coating film formed on the polyimide substrate surface does not flow and deform The fixing belt made of a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition was obtained by first heating and curing for 30 minutes, and then placing the cylindrical type vertically in a 200 ° C. high temperature oven and performing secondary heating for 4 hours.
The thickness of the surface layer of the obtained fixing belt is 25 μm, the hardness of the surface of the surface layer where the spherical particles are not present is 0.4, and the hardness of the surface of the surface layer where the spherical particles are present is 1.2. Met. Further, when the surface (fixing surface) of the surface layer was observed with an optical microscope, the spherical particles were hardly exposed on the fixing surface and were randomly arranged.
For reference, the cross section of the surface layer was also observed with an optical microscope, but spherical particles were randomly arranged in the thickness direction.

<Comparative Example 4>
In Comparative Example 1, a fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as Comparative Example 1 except that Solution 4 was used instead of Solution 1 used for forming the surface layer.
The thickness of the surface layer of the obtained fixing belt was 30 μm, and the hardness of the surface layer was 0.8.

<Comparative Example 5>
In Comparative Example 1, a fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as Comparative Example 1 except that Solution 5 was used instead of Solution 1 used for forming the surface layer.
The thickness of the surface layer of the obtained fixing belt was 30 μm, and the hardness of the surface layer was 1.5.

<< Evaluation >>
For various evaluations, an image forming apparatus (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., DocuCenter Color f450) provided with a fixing device shown in FIG. 4 was used, and the toner used was Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., DocuCentre Color f450 toner). In the image forming test, the belts obtained in the examples and comparative examples were used as heating belts for the fixing device, and the release agent supply device for the fixing device was not used.
Next, 500,000 consecutive images of the Japanese Society of Imaging Society test chart No. 5-1 were formed on A4 size paper (J paper, manufactured by Fuji Xerox Office Supply Co., Ltd.). Evaluation of releasability after printing and image quality after 500,000 printing were performed. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

  The evaluation methods and evaluation criteria for releasability and image quality shown in Tables 1 and 2 are as follows.

-Evaluation of toner releasability-
Toner releasability at the initial stage and after fixing after printing 500,000 sheets was evaluated according to the following criteria by observing the paper discharge angle when the paper after fixing was peeled off from the fixing belt.
○: 5 ° or less on the fixing belt side with respect to the paper conveyance direction Δ: Level exceeding 5 ° on the fixing belt side with respect to the paper conveyance direction, but no wrapping ×: Level at which the fixing belt is wound (separation failure) ).
Note that the paper discharge angle is the conveyance direction of the recording medium (when the recording medium passes through the press contact portion in a state where no adsorption force acts between the recording medium and the surfaces of the pair of fixing members). This is the angle formed by the reference line and the recording medium that has passed through the press contact portion on the paper discharge side of the press contact portion, starting from the press contact portion formed by a pair of fixing members.
For example, in the fixing device shown in FIG. 4, it means an angle indicated by an angle θ formed by a one-dot chain line (reference line) and a dotted line starting from a pressure contact portion indicated by a symbol F in the drawing. In addition, in the fixing device shown in FIG. 4, the above “x” evaluation (state where the paper is wound around the fixing belt) is the outer peripheral surface of the heating belt 1 where the recording medium is supported from the inner surface by the heating roll 2. Means a state in which the recording medium is discharged from the press contact portion while adsorbed on the pressure.

-Image quality-
Using a micro gloss of the fixed image of the 500,000th sheet (100 solid black image in the above test chart) using a micro TRI gloss 60 ° manufactured by BYK, a gloss meter is brought into close contact with the sample surface, and an incident / reflection angle: 60 Measurement was performed under the conditions of ° / 60 °, and the evaluation was made according to the following criteria.
○: 50 or more Δ: 20 or more and less than 50 ×: less than 20

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of arrangement and shape of a first region and a second region on a fixing surface of a fixing member of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the arrangement and shape of the first region and the second region on the fixing surface of the fixing member of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a layer configuration when the fixing member of the present invention is a fixing roll. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a fixing device of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating belt 2 Heating roller 3 Tension applying roller 4 Pressure roller 5 Recording medium 6 Release agent supply apparatus 10 1st area | region (or 2nd area | region)
20 second region (or first region)
100 substrate 110 surface layer
110A, 110B Part of the surface layer 110
120 Elastic layer 130 Fixing surface 200, 210 Fixing roll

Claims (14)

  The fixing surface includes a first region and a second region having different physical properties, and a ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region on the fixing surface is 99.5: 0.5 to A fixing member characterized by being in a range of 0.5: 99.5.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein a material constituting the first region and the second region includes an organic material.   The fixing member according to claim 2, wherein the organic material constituting the first region is different from the organic material constituting the second region.   The fixing member according to claim 2, wherein any one of a material forming the first region and a material forming the second region includes an organic material and a filler.   3. The fixing member according to claim 2, wherein one of the organic material constituting the first region and the organic material constituting the second region has a crosslinked structure.   The fixing member according to claim 2, wherein the organic material is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of fluororesin, fluororubber, fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber, and silicon rubber.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the micro rubber hardness of the surface of the first region is different from the micro rubber hardness of the surface of the second region.   The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the first region and the second region are regularly arranged on the fixing surface.   2. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the one surface selected from the first region and the second region on the fixing surface is a circular shape.   The fixing member according to claim 9, wherein a diameter of the circular region is in a range of 1 μm to 100 μm.   The fixing member according to claim 1, further comprising a surface layer including the first region and the second region, wherein the thickness of the surface layer is in a range of 1 μm to 100 μm. From the nozzle of the liquid ejecting means having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a solution in which the material constituting the first region is dissolved and dispersed, and a solution in which the material constituting the second region is dissolved and dispersed At least through the step of discharging,
The fixing surface includes the first region and the second region having different physical properties, and the ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5-0. 5: A fixing member manufacturing method comprising manufacturing a fixing member in a range of 99.5. At least a pair of fixing members arranged to face each other so as to form a pressure contact portion is provided, and the toner image is fixed to the recording medium by passing the pressure contact portion through a recording medium on which a toner image is formed while being heated and pressurized. It is possible,
At least one of the pair of fixing members is
The fixing surface includes a first region and a second region having different physical properties, and a ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5 to 0.5: A fixing device, wherein the fixing device is within a range of 99.5. An image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, and a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged surface of the image carrier with light according to image information; Developing means for applying a developer to the surface of the image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and transfer means for transferring the toner image from the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the recording medium; Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium,
As the fixing means,
At least a pair of fixing members arranged to face each other so as to form a press contact portion, and the fixing is performed by passing the recording medium on which the toner image is formed through the press contact portion while heating and pressurizing. At least one of the fixing members of
The fixing surface includes a first region and a second region having different physical properties, and a ratio of the area of the first region to the area of the second region is 99.5: 0.5 to 0.5: An image forming apparatus, wherein the fixing member is a fixing member within a range of 99.5.

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