JP2016051123A - Resin composition, tubular body, tubular body unit, intermediate transfer body, recording medium conveying body, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resin composition with which a tubular body can be obtained, which prevents fastening of a toner component, has high breaking durability, and has high electric resistance maintainability.SOLUTION: There is provided a resin composition that contains a polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ether ketone resin, and a conductive agent, and is used for a member in contact with toner, of members used in an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

  The present invention relates to a resin composition, a tubular body, a tubular body unit, an intermediate transfer body, a recording medium transport body, and an image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a polyphenylene sulfide semiconductive sheet formed of a resin composition containing a predetermined amount of polyphenylene sulfide resin, conductive carbon black, and molybdenum disulfide.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an electrophotographic method in which a tubular film made of a resin composition containing a crystalline thermoplastic resin as a main component is sandwiched between a cylindrical outer mold and a cylindrical inner mold having an expandable mechanism, and heated and cooled. An electrophotographic belt manufacturing method is disclosed, wherein the tubular film is in an amorphous state, and the heating and cooling treatment is performed under a predetermined temperature condition.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a process for producing a semiconductive resin composition containing a conductive substance, a polymer A having a relatively high dispersibility of the conductive substance, and a polymer B having a relatively low dispersibility. , A first kneading step of melting and kneading the conductive substance, polymer A and polymer B using a batch kneading apparatus, and a second kneading step of adding polymer B to the kneaded material and further melting and kneading And a process for producing a semiconductive resin composition characterized by comprising:

JP 2007-176086 A JP 2010-167588 A JP 2010-195957 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a resin composition that can obtain a tubular body that is less likely to cause toner component fixation, has high durability against breakage, and high electrical resistance maintenance.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
A resin composition containing a polyphenylene sulfide resin, a polyether ether ketone resin, and a conductive agent, and used for a member that comes into contact with toner among members used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 2
The content of the polyether ether ketone resin with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyphenylene sulfide resin is the resin composition according to claim 1, which is 1 part by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less.

The invention according to claim 3
The resin composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive agent is carbon black having an average primary particle size of 30 nm or less.

The invention according to claim 4
It is a tubular body containing the resin composition of any one of Claims 1-3.

The invention according to claim 5
A tubular body unit comprising: the tubular body according to claim 4; and a plurality of rolls that span the tubular body in a tensioned state.

The invention according to claim 6
An intermediate transfer member comprising the tubular member according to claim 4.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
A recording medium transport body comprising the tubular body according to claim 4.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
The intermediate transfer member according to claim 6, wherein the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding member is transferred,
Primary transfer means for primarily transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the intermediate transfer member;
Secondary transfer means for secondary transfer of the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 9 is:
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
The recording medium transport body according to claim 7 that transports the recording medium;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the recording medium on the recording medium carrier;
An image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner component is less likely to be fixed, the fracture durability is high, and the resin composition comprising either the polyphenylene sulfide resin or the polyether ether ketone resin and the conductive agent. In addition, it is possible to provide a resin composition from which a tubular body having a high electrical resistance maintaining property can be obtained.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, compared with the case where content of the said polyether ether ketone resin is larger than the said range, the resin composition from which a tubular body with high electrical resistance maintenance property is obtained can be provided.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, compared with the case where carbon black whose average primary particle diameter is larger than the said range is used as a electrically conductive agent, the resin composition from which a tubular body with high electrical resistance maintenance property is obtained can be provided. .

  According to the invention of claim 4, the toner component is less likely to be fixed, and the durability against breakage is less than that of a tubular body including a resin composition comprising either one of a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a polyether ether ketone resin and a conductive agent. It is possible to provide a tubular body having a high electrical resistance and high electrical resistance maintenance.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, compared with the case where it has a tubular body containing the resin composition which consists of either one of polyphenylene sulfide resin and polyether ether ketone resin, and a electrically conductive agent. A tubular body unit, an intermediate transfer body, a recording medium transport body, an image forming apparatus, or an image forming method using a tubular body to which toner components are hardly fixed, have high durability against breakage, and high electrical resistance maintenance. Can be provided.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows an example of the tubular body unit which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Resin composition]
The resin composition according to the present embodiment includes a polyphenylene sulfide resin (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “PPS resin”), a polyether ether ketone resin (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “PEEK resin”), a conductive agent, Containing. The resin composition according to the present embodiment is used for a member that comes into contact with toner among members used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
Since the resin composition according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, the toner component (for example, an external additive externally added to the toner particles) is compared with a case where either the PPS resin or the PEEK resin is not included. A tubular body that is less likely to stick, has high fracture durability, and high electrical resistance maintenance is obtained. The reason is not clear, but is presumed as follows.

  Since PEEK resin has a spatially bulky molecular structure compared to PPS resin, it is considered that the intermolecular force on the toner component is weak due to steric hindrance in the molecular structure. In addition, since the compatibility between the PPS resin and the PEEK resin is high, the tubular body using the resin composition obtained by mixing the PPS resin and the PEEK resin has a weak intermolecular force on the toner component on the entire surface. Is present in a highly uniform state, and it is presumed that sticking of the toner component is suppressed.

  Furthermore, the resin composition obtained by mixing the PPS resin and the PEEK resin has both the strength of the PPS resin and the flexibility of the PEEK resin. Moreover, since the resin composition obtained by mixing the PPS resin and the PEEK resin has high compatibility as described above, the strength of the interface between the PPS resin and the PEEK resin is increased by entanglement of the resins. Thus, since the tubular body obtained using the resin composition in which the PPS resin and the PEEK resin are mixed has the properties of both resins and has high strength at the interface, high fracture durability is obtained. it is conceivable that.

  The tubular body obtained by using the resin composition is conductive in the resin composition because the PPS resin and the PEEK resin are entangled with each other as described above, and both resins are mixed in a highly uniform state. The agent is easily dispersed. Therefore, even if the tubular body receives an electrical load, the dispersed conductive agent becomes a large number of discharge points, and the received electrical load is distributed to a large number of discharge points. Is reduced. Thereby, it is presumed that the deterioration of the resin composition due to the electrical load is suppressed, and the electrical resistance maintaining property of the tubular body can be obtained over a long period of time.

  As described above, according to the resin composition according to the present embodiment, the toner component is less likely to be fixed, the breaking durability is high, and the electric composition is lower than when either the PPS resin or the PEEK resin is not included. It is presumed that a tubular body having high resistance maintenance is obtained.

  Hereinafter, constituent components and characteristics of the resin composition according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The resin composition according to the present embodiment contains at least a PPS resin, a PEEK resin, and a conductive agent, and may include other components (for example, other resins, other additives, and the like).

-Polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS)-
Examples of the polyphenylene sulfide resin include the following formula (1) obtained by a method of polymerizing dichlorobenzene and sodium sulfide as monomers, that is, a Philips Petroleum method which is a general synthesis method of a polyphenylene sulfide resin. And a polymer containing a repeating structural unit.

Uncrosslinked polyphenylene sulfide resin is a resin having a one-dimensional molecular chain that is not crosslinked, and is excellent in toughness and stretchability.
Further, a resin having a cross-linked structure may be used as the polyphenylene sulfide resin. Specifically, for example, a single bond is present in the same molecular chain or between different molecular chains, and in the same molecular chain and between different molecular chains. And a crosslinked structure of a polyphenylene sulfide resin crosslinked through an ether bond. For example, those having a cross-linked structure of polyphenylene sulfide resin cross-linked with an ether bond (structure of the following formula (2)) and a cross-linked structure of polyphenylene sulfide resin cross-linked with a single bond (structure of the following formula (3)) are included. .

The weight average molecular weight of the polyphenylene sulfide resin is, for example, 10,000 or more and preferably 20,000 or more from the viewpoint of film strength (tensile strength, tear strength, etc.).
In addition, the measurement of a weight average molecular weight is performed by a gel permeation chromatograph (GPC). Specifically, HPLC 1100 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation is used as a measuring apparatus, and measurement is carried out using a Tosoh column, TSKgel GMHHR-M + TSKgel GMHHR-M (7.8 mm ID 30 cm), using a chloroform solvent. The weight average molecular weight is calculated from the measurement result using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared with a monodisperse polystyrene standard sample. The weight average molecular weight of other resins such as polyether ether ketone resin (PEEK) described later is also measured by the same method.

  As a commercial item of polyphenylene sulfide resin, what is marketed as a polyphenylene sulfide resin of the grade for extrusion molding is mentioned, for example. Specific examples of commercially available polyphenylene sulfide resins include T1881-3 from Toray Industries, FZ2100 from DIC, Fortron 0220A from Polyplastics, and the like.

-Polyetheretherketone resin (PEEK)-
The polyether ether ketone resin is a resin in which benzene rings are connected by an ether bond and a ketone bond. For example, it can be obtained by bonding hydroquinone and benzophenone bonded to both ends using fluorine as a substituent in a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Alternatively, benzophenone can be obtained by bonding a benzene ring having a ketone group to which an electrophile (chlorine or the like) is bonded at both ends by a Friedel-Crafts reaction using aluminum chloride or the like as a catalyst.

  As a weight average molecular weight of polyetheretherketone resin, 10,000 or more are mentioned from a viewpoint of film strength, for example, 20000 or more are preferable.

  As a commercial item of polyether ether ketone resin, what is marketed as polyether ether ketone resin of the grade for extrusion molding is mentioned, for example. Specific examples of commercially available polyether ether ketone resins include ketaspire KT-820 from Solvay Specialty Polymers Japan, VETAEEP from Daicel Evonik, and the like.

  The content of the polyether ether ketone resin with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyphenylene sulfide resin is preferably 1 part by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less from the viewpoint of electrical resistance maintenance, and from the viewpoint of achieving both fracture durability and electrical resistance maintenance. 5 mass parts or more and 40 mass parts or less are more preferable, and 10 mass parts or more and 30 mass parts or less are more preferable.

-Other resins-
The resin composition may contain other resins other than the PPS resin and the PEEK resin as other components. However, the content of other resins with respect to the entire resin composition is desirably 20% by mass or less.
Examples of other resins include general thermoplastic resins used for tubular bodies. For example, polyamide resin (PA), polyetherimide resin (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylsulfone ( PPSU), polysulfone (PSF), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyacetal resin (POM), polycarbonate (PC) and the like.

  The total resin content in the resin composition (that is, the total content of the PPS resin, PEEK resin, and other resins) is preferably 70% by mass or more and 92% by mass or less, and 75% by mass from the viewpoint of film strength. More preferred is 90% by mass or less.

-Conductive agent-
A conductive agent refers to the substance which can provide electroconductivity to a resin composition by adding.
Specific examples of the conductive agent include, for example, carbon black; metals such as aluminum and nickel; metal oxides such as yttrium oxide and tin oxide; ionic conductive substances such as potassium titanate and potassium chloride; polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyacetylene and the like And the like, and the like. Only 1 type may be used for a electrically conductive agent and it may use 2 or more types together.

Among the above specific examples, carbon black is preferably used as the conductive agent.
The carbon black is not particularly limited. For example, ketjen black, oil furnace black, channel black, acetylene black, surface oxidized carbon black (surface oxidized carbon black), graphitized carbon with surface graphitized Black etc. are mentioned. As carbon black, only one of these may be used, or two or more may be used in combination.

  The surface-oxidized carbon black is obtained by imparting, for example, a carboxyl group, a quinone group, a lactone group, a hydroxyl group or the like to the surface. Examples of the surface oxidation treatment include an air oxidation method in which a reaction is caused by contact with air in a high temperature atmosphere, a method of reacting with nitrogen oxide or ozone at a normal temperature (for example, 22 ° C.), and air in a high temperature atmosphere. Examples include a method of oxidizing with ozone at a low temperature after oxidation.

The average primary particle size of carbon black is preferably 30 nm or less, more preferably 13 nm or more and 25 nm or less, and further preferably 13 nm or more and 20 nm or less.
When the average primary particle size of the carbon black is in the above range, the discharge is repeated even when used in an aspect where the discharge is repeated, for example, as in the intermediate transfer belt of the image forming apparatus, compared with the case where the average primary particle size is larger than the upper limit. Reduced surface resistivity is unlikely to occur.

  In general, the smaller the average primary particle size of carbon black, the easier it is to aggregate and the more difficult it is to disperse in the resin. However, since the resin composition of the present embodiment is a mixture of a highly compatible PPS resin and PEEK resin, good dispersibility can be obtained even when carbon black having an average primary particle size in the above range is used. . Therefore, the tubular body using the resin composition of this embodiment containing carbon black having an average primary particle size in the above range is less likely to cause image defects due to surface irregularities due to aggregation of carbon black, and has good electrical properties. Resistance maintenance is obtained.

  The average primary particle size of carbon black is measured by the following method. First, the tubular body is cut with a microtome to obtain a measurement sample having a thickness of 100 nm, and the measurement sample is observed with a TEM (transmission electron microscope). The diameter of a circle equal to the projected area of each of the 50 carbon black particles is defined as the particle diameter, and the average value is defined as the average primary particle diameter.

What is necessary is just to set the compounding quantity of a electrically conductive agent to the quantity by which the electroconductivity of the target resin composition is acquired. For example, when carbon black is used as a conductive agent, 8 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total resin (PPS resin and PEEK resin, and other resins when the resin composition includes other resins) The following are mentioned, and 10 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less are more preferable.
Compared with the case where the blending amount of the carbon black is less than the lower limit, the resistivity within the resin composition is less likely to decrease with time when the amount is within the above range. On the other hand, compared to the case where the upper limit value is exceeded, it is less likely that breakage and end tearing due to the obtained tubular body becoming brittle occur when the amount is within the above range.

-Other additives-
Other additives include, for example, an antioxidant for preventing thermal deterioration of the obtained tubular body, a surfactant for improving fluidity, a heat-resistant anti-aging agent, and the like, particularly an endless belt of an image forming apparatus. The well-known additive mix | blended with is mentioned.

-Characteristics of resin composition-
Examples of the melting temperature of the resin composition include 100 ° C. or higher, preferably 100 ° C. or higher and 350 ° C. or lower, more preferably 100 ° C. or higher and 300 ° C. or lower. When the melting temperature of the resin composition is within the above range, for example, when producing a tubular body, the resin is difficult to decompose, and the influence of the decomposition product is suppressed.

The melting temperature represents a temperature at which the viscosity of the resin composition becomes 10,000 Pa · s or less, and is measured by the following method.
That is, the melting temperature is measured by the heating temperature when the melt viscosity is measured by detecting the shear rate and the shear stress when the molten resin composition flows out through the capillary with a capillary rheometer.

[Tubular body]
The tubular body according to this embodiment includes the above-described resin composition. The tubular body of the present embodiment is a laminate in which at least a layer formed of the above-described resin composition is included in the surface layer (a layer in contact with the toner), and the layer and other layers are laminated. Also good. Specifically, for example, a single-layer tubular body composed of a layer formed of the above-described resin composition, or a back surface (a surface opposite to the surface in contact with the toner) of the layer formed of the above-described resin composition is separated. Examples include a laminated tubular body having a mold layer.

-Physical properties of tubular bodies-
Next, the physical properties of the tubular body according to this embodiment will be described.
The tubular body according to this embodiment has a surface resistivity (average surface resistivity of the tubular body) of 7 logΩ / measured when measured by applying a voltage of 100 V in a normal temperature and normal humidity (temperature 22 ° C., humidity 55 RH%) environment. □ or more and 13Ω / □ or less, especially when a tubular body is applied as an intermediate transfer belt, it is preferably 8 logΩ / □ or more and 12 logΩ / □ or less, and the tubular body is applied as a recording medium conveying transfer belt. In this case, it is preferably 9.5 logΩ / □ or more and 11.5 logΩ / □ or less.

The surface resistivity is a measured value when measured by applying a voltage of 100 V in a normal temperature and normal humidity (temperature 22 ° C., humidity 55 RH%) environment.
Further, the average surface resistivity of the tubular body is a normal temperature and normal humidity (temperature 22 ° C., humidity 55 RH%) environment at a total of 32 points of 4 points in the axial direction and 8 points in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body. Thus, the above measurement is performed by applying a voltage of 100 V, and the average is obtained.

  Here, the surface resistivity is in accordance with JIS-K-6911 (1995), a circular electrode (UR probe of Hiresta IP manufactured by Mitsubishi Yuka Co., Ltd .: cylindrical electrode outer diameter Φ16 mm, ring-shaped electrode portion Current diameter flowing from the outer diameter to the inner diameter after 5 seconds after applying the target voltage under the target environment. Is obtained by using a microammeter R8340A manufactured by Advantest and obtained from the surface resistance value obtained from the current value.

-Manufacturing method-
The tubular body according to the present embodiment is produced by a production method having a kneading step for kneading the components constituting the resin composition and a molding step for shaping the kneaded product obtained in the kneading step into a tubular shape. .

Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the tubular body concerning this embodiment is explained.
First, a PPS resin, a PEEK resin, a conductive agent, and, if necessary, other components are kneaded and mixed in desired amounts to obtain a kneaded product, and then, for example, a cylindrical shape using an extruder A cylindrical shaped body can be obtained by extruding to cooling and solidifying by cooling. Then, the obtained cylindrical molded body is cut into a target width to obtain a tubular body.

  The tubular body according to the present embodiment can be applied to, for example, a belt for an image forming apparatus (specifically, an intermediate transfer belt or a recording medium conveyance belt).

[Tubular body unit]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a tubular body unit according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tubular body unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes the tubular body 10 according to the present embodiment. For example, the tubular body 10 includes a driving roll 131 and a driven roll that are arranged to face each other. It is stretched by 132 in the state where tension was applied.
Here, in the case where the tubular body 10 is applied as an intermediate transfer body, the tubular body unit 130 according to the present embodiment uses a roll that supports the tubular body 10 to transfer a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor (image holding body) to the tubular body 10. A roll for primary transfer above and a roll for secondary transfer of the toner image transferred onto the tubular body 10 to the recording medium may be disposed.
In addition, the number of rolls that support the tubular body 10 is not limited, and may be arranged according to the usage mode. The tubular body unit 130 having the above configuration is used by being incorporated in the apparatus, and rotates while the tubular body 10 is also supported as the driving roll 131 and the driven roll 132 rotate.

[Image forming apparatus and image forming method]
The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and the latent image is developed with toner. A developing unit that forms a toner image and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, and the transfer unit includes the tubular body according to the present embodiment.

Specifically, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, the transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer unit that primarily transfers a toner image formed on the image holding member to the intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate transfer member. And a secondary transfer unit that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the recording medium, and the intermediate transfer body includes the tubular body according to the present embodiment.
The intermediate transfer member is a member that directly contacts the toner image as described above. By applying the tubular body according to the present embodiment as an intermediate transfer body, image defects on the streaks due to the sticking of the toner component on the surface of the tubular body are suppressed, and the durability and electrical durability of the intermediate transfer body are reduced. Since the resistance maintaining property is high, an image with good image quality can be formed over a long period of time.

In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a recording medium conveyance body (paper conveyance belt) for the transfer unit to convey the recording medium, and a toner image formed on the image holding body by the recording medium conveyance body. And a transfer means for transferring to the transported recording medium, and the recording medium transport body may include the tubular body according to the present embodiment.
The recording medium transport member is not a member that directly contacts the toner image formed on the image holding member, such as an intermediate transfer member, but a member that directly contacts the toner due to toner scattering in an area where the recording medium does not exist. Therefore, the toner component may adhere to the surface over time. Therefore, by applying the tubular body according to the present embodiment as a recording medium transport body, the toner component is prevented from being fixed, and the recording medium transport body has high durability to breakage and high electrical resistance. An image with good image quality is formed over a long period of time.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, a normal monocolor image forming apparatus in which only a single color toner is accommodated in a developing device, and a toner image held on an image holding member is sequentially subjected to primary transfer to an intermediate transfer member. Examples thereof include a color image forming apparatus that repeats and a tandem type color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of image carriers each having a developing device for each color are arranged in series on an intermediate transfer member.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is an image forming apparatus in which the tubular body according to the present embodiment is applied to an intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer belt).
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a so-called tandem method, and around the four image carriers 101 a to 101 d made of an electrophotographic photosensitive member along the rotation direction. In order, charging devices 102a to 102d, exposure devices 114a to 114d, developing devices 103a to 103d, primary transfer devices (primary transfer rolls) 105a to 105d, and image carrier cleaning devices 104a to 104d are arranged. Note that a static eliminator may be provided in order to remove residual potential remaining on the surfaces of the image carriers 101a to 101d after transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt 107 is supported while applying tension by the support rolls 106a to 106d, the drive roll 111, and the opposing roll 108, thereby forming a tubular body unit 107b. With the support rolls 106a to 106d, the driving roll 111, and the opposing roll 108, the intermediate transfer belt 107 is in contact with the surfaces of the image carriers 101a to 101d, and the image carriers 101a to 101d and the primary transfer rollers 105a to 105d. Can be moved in the direction of arrow A. A portion where the primary transfer rolls 105a to 105d come into contact with the image carriers 101a to 101d via the intermediate transfer belt 107 is a primary transfer portion, and a primary contact portion between the image carriers 101a to 101d and the primary transfer rollers 105a to 105d is a primary transfer portion. A transfer voltage is applied.

  As a secondary transfer device, a counter roll 108 and a secondary transfer roll 109 are arranged to face each other with an intermediate transfer belt 107 and a secondary transfer belt 116 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer belt 116 is supported by a secondary transfer roll 109 and a support roll 106e. The recording medium 115 such as paper moves in the direction of the arrow B while being in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 107 while being in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 107, and then passes through the fixing device 110. A portion where the secondary transfer roll 109 comes into contact with the opposing roll 108 via the intermediate transfer belt 107 and the secondary transfer belt 116 is a secondary transfer portion, and the secondary transfer roll 109 and the opposing roll 108 are in contact with the secondary transfer portion. A transfer voltage is applied. Further, intermediate transfer belt cleaning devices 112 and 113 are arranged so as to come into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 107 after transfer.

  In the multicolor image forming apparatus 100 having this configuration, the image carrier 101a rotates in the direction of the arrow C, and the surface thereof is charged by the charging device 102a. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed (developed) with a developer containing toner by a developing device 103a containing toner corresponding to the color to form a toner image. The developing devices 103a to 103d contain toners (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) corresponding to the electrostatic latent images of the respective colors.

  The toner image formed on the image carrier 101a is electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 107 by the primary transfer roll 105a when passing through the primary transfer portion. Thereafter, the first, second and third color toner images are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 107 holding the first color toner image by the primary transfer rolls 105b to 105d so that the toner images of the second color, the third color, and the fourth color are sequentially superimposed. Finally, a multi-colored multiple toner image is obtained.

  The multiple toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 107 are electrostatically collectively transferred to the recording medium 115 when passing through the secondary transfer portion. The recording medium 115 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 110, fixed by heating and pressing, or heating or pressing, and then discharged outside the apparatus.

  Residual toner is removed from the image carriers 101a to 101d after the primary transfer by the image carrier cleaning devices 104a to 104d. On the other hand, residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 107 after the secondary transfer by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning devices 112 and 113 to prepare for the next image forming process.

-Image carrier-
As the image carriers 101a to 101d, known electrophotographic photoreceptors are widely applied. As the electrophotographic photoreceptor, an inorganic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer made of an inorganic material, an organic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer made of an organic material, or the like is used. In organic photoconductors, a function-separated type organic photoconductor that stacks a charge generation layer that generates charge upon exposure and a charge transport layer that transports charge, or a single layer that performs the function of generating charge and the function of transporting charge Type organic photoreceptors are preferably used. In addition, as the inorganic photoconductor, a photoconductive layer composed of amorphous silicon is preferably used.

  The shape of the image carrier is not particularly limited, and a known shape such as a cylindrical drum shape, a sheet shape, or a plate shape is employed.

-Charging device-
The charging devices 102a to 102d are not particularly limited, and are, for example, conductive (here, “conductive” in the charging device means, for example, a volume resistivity of less than 10 ⁷ Ω · cm) or semiconductive. (Here, “semiconductive” in the charging device means, for example, a volume resistivity of 10 ^{7 to} 10 ¹³ Ωcm.) A contact-type charger or corona using a roller, brush, film, rubber blade or the like Known chargers such as scorotron chargers and corotron chargers using discharge are widely applied. Among these, a contact charger is preferable.

  The charging devices 102a to 102d normally apply a direct current to the image carriers 101a to 101d, but an alternating current may be further superimposed and applied.

-Exposure device-
There are no particular limitations on the exposure apparatuses 114a to 114d, and for example, a light source such as a semiconductor laser light, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light, or a liquid crystal shutter light on the surfaces of the image carriers 101a to 101d, or these A well-known exposure apparatus such as an optical system apparatus capable of performing imagewise exposure from a light source via a polygon mirror is widely applied.

-Development device-
The developing devices 103a to 103d are selected according to the purpose. For example, a known developing device that develops a one-component developer or a two-component developer in a contact or non-contact manner using a brush or a roller can be used.

-Primary transfer roll-
The primary transfer rolls 105a to 105d may be either a single layer or a multilayer. For example, in the case of a single layer structure, it is composed of a roll in which an appropriate amount of conductive particles such as carbon black is blended in foamed or non-foamed silicone rubber, urethane rubber, EPDM, or the like.

-Image carrier cleaning device-
The image carrier cleaning devices 104a to 104d are for removing residual toner adhering to the surfaces of the image carriers 101a to 101d after the primary transfer process. In addition to the cleaning blade, brush cleaning or roll cleaning is performed. Used. Among these, it is desirable to use a cleaning blade. Examples of the material for the cleaning blade include urethane rubber, neoprene rubber, and silicone rubber.

-Secondary transfer roll-
The layer structure of the secondary transfer roll 109 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of a three-layer structure, the layer structure includes a core layer, an intermediate layer, and a coating layer that covers the surface. The core layer is a foamed material such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or EPDM in which conductive particles are dispersed, and the intermediate layer is composed of these non-foamed materials. Examples of the material for the coating layer include tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer or perfluoroalkoxy resin. The volume resistivity of the secondary transfer roll 109 is desirably 10 ⁷ Ωcm or less. Moreover, it is good also as a two-layer structure except an intermediate | middle layer.

-Opposed roll-
The counter roll 108 forms a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 109. The layer structure of the facing roll 108 may be either a single layer or a multilayer. For example, in the case of a single layer structure, it is composed of a roll in which an appropriate amount of conductive particles such as carbon black is blended in silicone rubber, urethane rubber, EPDM, or the like. In the case of a two-layer structure, it is composed of a roll in which the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer made of the rubber material is covered with a high resistance layer.

  A voltage of 1 kV or more and 6 kV or less is normally applied to the core of the opposing roll 108 and the secondary transfer roll 109. Instead of applying a voltage to the core of the opposing roll 108, a voltage may be applied to the electrically conductive electrode member brought into contact with the opposing roll 108 and the secondary transfer roll 109. Examples of the electrode member include a metal roll, a conductive rubber roll, a conductive brush, a metal plate, or a conductive resin plate.

-Fixing device-
As the fixing device 110, for example, a known fixing device such as a heat roller fixing device, a pressure roller fixing device, or a flash fixing device is widely applied.

-Intermediate transfer belt cleaning device-
As the intermediate transfer belt cleaning devices 112 and 113, brush cleaning, roll cleaning, or the like is used in addition to the cleaning blade. Among these, it is desirable to use the cleaning blade. Examples of the material for the cleaning blade include urethane rubber, neoprene rubber, and silicone rubber.

Next, an image forming apparatus using the tubular body of the present embodiment as a recording medium transport body will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is an image forming apparatus in which the tubular body according to the present embodiment is applied to a recording medium transport body (paper transport belt).

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the units Y, M, C, and BK are provided with photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, respectively, so as to rotate in the clockwise direction indicated by arrows. Around the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, there are chargers 202Y, 202M, 202C, and 202BK, exposure units 203Y, 203M, 203C, and 203BK, and each color developing device (yellow developing device 204Y, magenta developing device 204M). , Cyan developing device 204C, black developing device 204BK) and photosensitive drum cleaning members 205Y, 205M, 205C, and 205BK, respectively.

  The four units Y, M, C, and BK are arranged in the order of the units BK, C, M, and Y in parallel with the paper transport belt 206, but the order of the units BK, Y, C, and M, etc. An appropriate order is set according to the image forming method.

  The paper transport belt 206 is supported from the inner surface side by belt support rolls 210, 211, 212, and 213 to form a tubular body unit 220. The sheet conveying belt 206 rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow at the same peripheral speed as that of the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, and a part of the sheet conveying belt 206 located between the belt supporting rolls 212 and 213. Are arranged in contact with the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, respectively. The sheet conveying belt 206 is provided with a belt cleaning member 214.

  The transfer rolls 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207BK are disposed inside the paper transport belt 206 and at positions facing the portions where the paper transport belt 206 is in contact with the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, respectively. The transfer areas for transferring the toner image onto the sheet (transfer body) 216 via the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK and the sheet conveying belt 206 are formed. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer rolls 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207BK may be disposed directly below the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, or may be disposed at positions shifted from directly below.

  The fixing device 209 is disposed so as to be conveyed after passing through respective transfer regions of the paper conveyance belt 206 and the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK.

  The paper 216 is transported to the paper transport belt 206 by the paper transport roll 208.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, in the unit BK, the photosensitive drum 201BK is rotationally driven. In conjunction with this, the charger 202BK is driven to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 201BK to a desired polarity and potential. Next, the photosensitive drum 201BK whose surface is charged is exposed imagewise by the exposure device 203BK, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

  Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the black developing device 204BK. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201BK. The developer at this time may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer.

  This toner image passes through the transfer region between the photosensitive drum 201BK and the paper transport belt 206, and the paper 216 is electrostatically attracted to the paper transport belt 206 and transported to the transfer region, and is applied from the transfer roll 207BK. The image is sequentially transferred onto the surface of the paper 216 by an electric field formed by the transfer bias.

  Thereafter, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 201BK is cleaned and removed by the photosensitive drum cleaning member 205BK. The photosensitive drum 201BK is used for the next image transfer.

  The above image transfer is also performed in the units C, M and Y by the above method.

The paper 216 onto which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer rolls 207BK, 207C, 207M, and 207Y is further conveyed to the fixing device 209 and fixed.
Thus, a desired image is formed on the paper.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following, “part” is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[Example 1]
Melt-kneading 100 parts of PPS resin (T1881-3, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) and 5 parts by mass of PEEK resin powder (UFP-20, manufactured by Daicel Evonik, average particle size: 20 μm) are mixed with a blender, and mixed resin Got.
20 parts of carbon black (Monark_M880, manufactured by Cabot Specialty Chemicals, average primary particle size 15 nm) as a conductive agent was added to the obtained mixed resin, and the resulting mixture was mixed with a twin-screw extrusion melt kneader (L / D60, Parker). (Made by Corporation). The heating temperature of the barrel of the twin-screw extrusion melt kneader is set to 270 ° C. at the most downstream position of the barrel (material supply side), and gradually increased from there, so that the maximum heating temperature becomes 320 ° C. did. And the rotational speed of the screw was set to 520 mm / sec, and the mixture was melt kneaded. The melted strand (rope shape with a diameter of about 2 mm) discharged from the discharge port of the kneader is cooled by passing through a water tank, and the cooled and solidified strand is inserted into a pelletizer and cut to a length of 5 mm. A pellet of the resin composition was obtained.

-Molding of tubular body The obtained pellets were put into a material supply port of a uniaxial melt extruder (φ40 mm, L / D: 30, melt extruder, manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd.). The barrel temperature of the uniaxial melt extruder was set to 280 ° C., the temperature of the tubular die for discharging the resin was set to 310 ° C., and melt extrusion was carried out while being taken up by the take-up machine. The inner peripheral surface of the molten molten cylindrical molten resin was brought into contact with the surface of a cylindrical sizing die having a diameter of 278 mm, and the molten resin was cooled while blowing cooling air onto the outer peripheral surface of the molten resin. The film obtained by cooling the molten resin was taken up in a cylindrical shape and cut by a cutting machine to obtain a tubular body having a diameter of 277.9 mm, a width of 350 mm, and a thickness of 0.14 mm.

[Examples 2-3]
A tubular body was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of PEEK resin powder added was as shown in Table 1.

[Example 4]
A tubular body was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 18 parts of carbon black (VULCAN-XC72R, manufactured by Cabot, average primary particle size 30 nm) was used as the conductive agent.

[Example 5]
A tubular body was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the addition amount of the PEEK resin powder and the addition amount of the conductive agent were as shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 1]
A tubular body was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the PEEK resin powder was not used and the addition amount of the conductive agent was as shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 2]
Except that PEEK resin powder was not used, PEEK resin (model number: VestaKeep 1000G, manufactured by Daicel Evonik) was used instead of PPS resin, and the amount of conductive agent added was as shown in Table 1, the same as in Example 1. A tubular body was obtained.

-Evaluation-
(Particle size of carbon black in the tubular body)
The secondary particle size of carbon black in the obtained tubular body was determined by TEM observation of the film. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when the secondary particle diameter of carbon black in the obtained tubular body is larger than the average primary particle diameter of carbon black used, it means that the carbon black particles are aggregated in the tubular body.

(Evaluation of electrical resistance maintenance)
With respect to the obtained tubular body, the “average surface resistivity (logΩ / □) of the tubular body” was determined by the method described above.
Next, the tubular body is incorporated in DocuPrint CP200W manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. as an intermediate transfer body, and a halftone image (magenta density 30%) is continuously printed on A4 size plain paper in an environment of 10 ° C. and 15% RH. Output 100,000 sheets.
Thereafter, the average surface resistivity (log Ω / □) of the tubular body was determined, the difference from the average surface resistivity (log Ω / □) before image formation was determined, and the electrical resistance maintenance property was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Evaluation of breaking durability)
The obtained tubular body was incorporated as an intermediate transfer body into DocuPrint CP200W manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and the intermediate transfer body was stretched with a load of 28 kg, and the process was performed at a process speed of 240 mm / sec, under an environment of 10 ° C. and 15% RH. Tones (magenta density 30%) were continuously output on A4 size plain paper. Whether or not a breakage (scratch) has occurred on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member is visually confirmed for every 1000 image formations, and the durability against breakage is determined by the number of image formations performed until the occurrence of the breakage (scratch). evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Appearance evaluation)
The outer peripheral surface of the obtained tubular body was visually confirmed, and the presence or absence of unevenness was confirmed. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Evaluation of streak-like image defects caused by toner component fixation)
The obtained tubular body was incorporated in DocuPrint CP200W manufactured by Fuji Xerox as an intermediate transfer body, and a halftone image (magenta density 30%) was continuously printed on A4 size plain paper in an environment of 10 ° C. and 15% RH. Output 100,000 sheets. It was confirmed how many streaky image defects due to the toner component adhering to the intermediate transfer member appear in the output image. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From the results of Table 1, in the example, compared to Comparative Example 1 not including PEEK resin and Comparative Example 2 not including PPS resin, streak-like image defects due to adhesion of toner components are suppressed, and fracture durability is improved. It can be seen that the electrical resistance is high and the electrical resistance is high.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tubular body 100 Image forming apparatus 101a-101d Image holding body 102a-102d Charging apparatus (charging means)
103a to 103d, 204Y, 204M, 204C, 204BK Developing device (developing means)
104a to 104d Image carrier cleaning devices 105a to 105d Primary transfer rolls 106a to 106d Support roll 107 Intermediate transfer belts 107b, 130, 220 Tubular unit 108 Opposing roll 109 Secondary transfer rolls 110, 209 Fixing device (fixing means)
111 Driving rolls 112 and 113 Intermediate transfer belt cleaning devices 114a to 114d Exposure device (latent image forming means)
115 Recording medium 116 Secondary transfer belt 131 Drive roll 132 Followed rolls 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK Photosensitive drum (image carrier)
202Y, 202M, 202C, 202BK Charger (charging means)
203Y, 203M, 203C, 203BK Exposure unit (latent image forming means)
205Y, 205M, 205C, 205BK Photosensitive drum cleaning member 206 Paper transport belt 207Y, 207M, 207C, 207BK Transfer roll (transfer means)
214 Belt Cleaning Member 216 Paper (Recording Medium)

Claims (9)

  A resin composition containing a polyphenylene sulfide resin, a polyether ether ketone resin, and a conductive agent, and used for a member that contacts a toner among members used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.   2. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the polyether ether ketone resin is 1 part by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyphenylene sulfide resin.   The resin composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductive agent is carbon black having an average primary particle size of 30 nm or less.   The tubular body containing the resin composition of any one of Claims 1-3.   A tubular body unit comprising: the tubular body according to claim 4; and a plurality of rolls that span the tubular body in a tensioned state.   An intermediate transfer member comprising the tubular member according to claim 4.   A recording medium conveyance body comprising the tubular body according to claim 4. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
The intermediate transfer member according to claim 6, wherein the toner image formed on the surface of the image holding member is transferred,
Primary transfer means for primarily transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the intermediate transfer member;
Secondary transfer means for secondary transfer of the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
The recording medium transport body according to claim 7 that transports the recording medium;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the recording medium on the recording medium carrier;
An image forming apparatus comprising: