JP4251035B2 - Fixing belt, fixing method, fixing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention uses a fixing belt that applies heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image by bringing the surface into contact with the unfixed toner image of the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image, and the fixing belt. The present invention relates to a fixing method for fixing an undetermined toner image on a recording medium, and a fixing device including the fixing belt.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers using electrophotographic technology are known.

  In this electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an image is formed using a toner containing a binder resin, a colorant and the like. That is, in forming an image, first, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier based on an input signal. Next, the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier is developed by transferring the toner accommodated in the developing device to the image carrier to form a toner image on the image carrier. Further, the toner image formed on the image carrier is finally transferred and fixed on a predetermined recording medium to form an image composed of the fixing toner image on a recording medium such as paper. As a fixing method for fixing an unfixed toner image on a predetermined recording medium, a contact-type heating and pressurizing method in which the toner image on the recording medium is brought into contact with the recording medium to which the toner image has been transferred and heat is applied. Various methods are known, such as a non-contact type heating method in which an oven is provided at a position away from the recording medium on which the toner image is transferred, and heat from the oven is used, but from the viewpoint of reliability and safety The contact type heating and pressurizing method is mainly used. As one of the fixing devices adopting the contact type heating and pressing method, a belt-like fixing member (hereinafter referred to as a fixing belt) is provided, and the surface of the fixing belt is brought into contact with an unfixed toner image on a recording medium. Thus, there is a fixing device that heats an unfixed toner image to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the toner to bring it into a molten state and pressurizes it, and finally peels the recording medium from the surface of the fixing belt.

  In the fixing device including the fixing belt, when the recording medium is peeled off from the surface of the fixing belt, if the releasability between the surface and the toner image is poor, the image on the recording medium becomes incomplete, The toner remaining on the fixing belt may cause a bad influence on the subsequent image formation.

For this reason, in order to improve the releasability from the toner image on the surface of the fixing belt, there are known ones in which the surface of the fixing belt is made of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber (see Patent Document 1) and those made of silicone rubber. ing.
Japanese Patent No. 2903972

  When the toner contains wax, when the toner is heated by the fixing belt, the wax often melts and adheres to the surface of the fixing belt before the toner binder resin. If it adheres to the surface of the fixing belt with good properties, the wax is difficult to peel off from the surface of the fixing belt and tends to remain. In addition, with use for many years, paper dust or the like adheres to the surface of the fixing belt, and further, modification due to thermal history occurs. In the fixing device including the fixing belt, the surface property of the toner image fixed on the recording medium depends on the temperature at the separation point from the fixing belt and the surface shape of the fixing belt. In other words, the surface property of the fixed toner image peeled off at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the toner depends on the viscoelasticity of the toner, and the surface property of the fixed toner image peeled off at a temperature lower than the melting point of the toner If the surface shape is roughly copied and the surface of the fixing belt is smooth, the fixing toner image has a very high gloss, that is, a high gloss, but residual wax or paper dust adheres to the surface of the fixing belt. When the surface is modified by the thermal history, the gloss of the fixed toner image becomes low.

  In the case of peeling from the fixing belt below the melting point of the toner, even if the fixing belt described in Patent Document 1 or a belt using silicone rubber is used, adhesion of residual toner can be suppressed over a long period of use. However, the adhesion of residual wax, paper dust, etc., or the modification due to the heat history cannot be suppressed, and the image quality of the fixed toner image decreases with repeated use.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention prevents the toner from remaining on the surface and the wax from remaining on the surface over a long period of use, suppresses paper dust and the like from adhering to the surface, and further provides a heat history. fixing belt, a fixing method of fixing on the recording medium undetermined toner image using the fixing belt, a fixing device having a fixing belt of that, and, an image having the fixing belt can be suppressed modification of the surface by An object is to provide a forming apparatus .

The fixing belt of the present invention that achieves the above object is a fixing belt that applies heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image by contacting the surface of the unfixed toner image of the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image. In the belt,
The base layer,
A surface layer provided on the base layer,
The surface layer has a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed, which constitutes the surface of the fixing belt.

  According to the fixing belt of the present invention, since the specific gravity of the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber and the specific gravity of the fluorine particles are not so different, the fluorine particles are uniformly dispersed in the precursor solution of the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber. When it is cured after application, it is in a state of being uniformly dispersed in the film, and over a long period of use, toner residue is suppressed by the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber, and wax particles, paper dust, and the like are adhered by the fluorine particles, and Modification due to thermal history is suppressed.

  Here, the surface layer may be composed of a plurality of layers, and another layer may be interposed between the base layer and the surface layer.

  Further, in the fixing belt of the present invention, the first rubber layer is obtained by applying a coating liquid containing a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition in which fluorine particles are dispersed as a main component to the base layer surface and curing it. It is preferable from the viewpoint of productivity.

  In the fixing belt of the present invention, it is one of preferred embodiments that the surface layer has a thickness of 300 μm or less.

  When the thickness of the surface layer exceeds 300 μm, the specific heat of the fixing belt increases and the amount of heat transfer decreases, leading to a decrease in transfer speed and cycle time.

  Furthermore, in the fixing belt of the present invention, it is also a preferable aspect that the first rubber layer has a JIS A hardness of 5 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.

  If the hardness is less than 5 degrees, the strength decreases and there is a problem in durability. If the hardness exceeds 80 degrees, the rigidity becomes too high regardless of the thickness of the surface layer, and the adhesion between the fixing belt and the recording medium is poor. And the image quality of the fixed toner image is affected.

  In the fixing belt of the present invention, the surface layer is a laminate comprising the first rubber layer and a second rubber layer made of silicone rubber, the surface of which is in contact with the back surface of the first rubber layer. It is also one of the preferable aspects that it has.

  According to this aspect, by having the second rubber layer, sufficient elasticity is given to the fixing belt, and the fixing property and durability of the fixing belt are improved.

Here, the second rubber layer is thicker than the first rubber layer,
It is more preferable that the laminate has a thickness of 300 μm or less from the viewpoint of the strength and heat resistance of the fixing belt.

In the fixing belt of the present invention, the first rubber layer is coated on the surface of the second rubber layer with a coating liquid containing a fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber precursor composition in which fluorine particles are dispersed as a main component, and is cured. It is preferable from the viewpoint of productivity.

In the fixing belt of the present invention, the first rubber layer is made of a material mainly composed of a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber having a perfluoroalkyl ether group and / or a perfluoroalkyl group in the main chain, in which fluorine particles are dispersed. To be,
The first rubber layer is preferably made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluororesin particles and / or fluorocarbon particles are dispersed,
The first rubber layer is
(A) a fluorocarbon polymer having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1) as a main component and having an aliphatic unsaturated group,

In the formula, R ¹⁰ is an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, x is an integer of 1 or more, a and e are each 0 or 1, b and d are each an integer of 1 to 4, and c is 0 to 8 Is an integer.
(B) The molecule contains 2 or more ≡SiH groups, and the content of the ≡SiH groups is 1 to 4 times the molar amount of the aliphatic unsaturated groups in the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition. Certain organopolysiloxanes and / or fluorocarbon siloxanes,
More preferably, it is made of a material in which fluorine particles are dispersed in (C) a filler and (D) an effective amount of a catalyst.

In the fixing method of the present invention that achieves the above object, heat and pressure are applied to the unfixed toner image of the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image to fix the unfixed toner image to the recording medium. In the fixing method,
The surface of the fixing belt having a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed is brought into contact with the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image, and the unfixed toner A pressure heating process that applies pressure to the image as well as heat,
And a peeling step of peeling the recording medium in contact with the surface of the fixing belt from the surface by performing the pressure heating step.

  According to the fixing method of the present invention, by using the fixing belt, it is possible to obtain a fixed toner image having a good image quality on the recording medium.

  In the fixing method of the present invention, a cooling step for cooling the unfixed toner image heated by performing the pressure heating step after the pressure heating step and before the peeling step. It is preferable to have.

The fixing device of the present invention that achieves the above object passes the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image through a predetermined nip region so as to apply heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image. In a fixing device for fixing a toner image to the recording medium,
A fixing belt having a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed on the surface and circulating through the nip region;
A heating body for heating the surface of the fixing belt;
And a pressure member that contacts the surface of the fixing belt and forms the nip region with the surface.

  According to the fixing device of the present invention, since the fixing belt is provided, it is possible to obtain a fixing toner image having a good image quality on the recording medium.

  In the fixing device of the present invention, the fixing belt conveys the recording medium that has passed through the nip area for a predetermined period in contact with the surface, and passes through the nip area in the predetermined area. It is preferable that a cooling member for cooling the heated unfixed toner image is provided.

As described above, according to the present invention, the toner is prevented from remaining on the surface and the wax is prevented from remaining on the surface over a long period of use, and the paper dust is prevented from adhering to the surface. fixing belt can be suppressed modification of the surface, the fixing method of fixing on the recording medium undetermined toner image using the fixing belt, a fixing device having a fixing belt of that, and the image forming with the fixing belt An apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a full-color image forming apparatus in which a fixing unit corresponding to one embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention is incorporated.

  An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a fixing unit 2 of the present embodiment, and also includes a photosensitive drum 10 and an intermediate transfer belt 20. The photosensitive drum 10 rotates clockwise. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is arranged so as to be stretched between a plurality of support rolls and brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 10. In the image forming apparatus 1, a primary transfer roll 30 is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 10 with the intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween. The portion where the photosensitive drum 10 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 are in contact is the primary transfer position.

  A developing rotary 40 is disposed around the photosensitive drum 1 on the upstream side of the primary transfer position. The developing rotary 40 is provided with a developing unit (not shown) that stores colored toners of black (BK), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Further, on the upstream side of the developing roll 40, although not shown, a charger is disposed. Although not shown, a charger, an optical writing unit, a cleaning device, and a charge eliminating device are disposed around the photosensitive drum 1.

  A bias roll 50 as a secondary transfer member is provided around the intermediate transfer belt 20 on the downstream side of the primary transfer position. Further, at a position facing the bias roll 50 with the intermediate transfer belt 20 interposed therebetween, A backup roll 60 is provided. In this image forming apparatus 1, the position sandwiched between the bias roll 50 and the backup roll 60 is the secondary transfer position, and the secondary transfer position includes a paper feed tray group 70 that accommodates each size of paper. The supplied paper, the paper on which the manual feed stand 80 is placed, the OHP sheet, or the like is sent.

  The image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 receives four color image signals of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. When these image signals are input, in the image forming apparatus 1, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 is uniformly charged by a charger, and then, according to the cyan image signal in the input image information. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 10 with laser light from the optical writing unit. Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 10 is developed by a developing device that contains cyan toner provided in the developing rotary 40 to form a cyan toner image on the surface of the photoconductive drum 10. . Next, the cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt at the primary transfer position. From the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 after the cyan toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning device, and the residual charge is removed by the static eliminator.

  Subsequently, this time, a magenta toner image is similarly formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10, and this magenta toner image is first primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 at the primary transfer position. Primary transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to overlap.

  Thereafter, a cyan toner image and a black toner image are sequentially formed, and primary transfer is sequentially performed at the primary transfer position so as to overlap the toner image previously transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20. By doing so, toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to overlap one another in the order of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black from the belt surface side.

  Subsequently, the overlapping toner image is secondarily transferred to a sheet at a secondary transfer position sandwiched between the bias roll 50 and the backup roll 60. Thus, the unfixed toner image is carried on the sheet, and the sheet carrying the unfixed toner image is sent to the fixing unit 2 of the present embodiment. In the fixing unit 2, a sheet carrying an unfixed toner image is passed through a predetermined nip region, whereby heat is applied to the unfixed toner image and pressure is applied to fix the unfixed toner image on the sheet. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray 90 provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the fixing unit of the present embodiment.

The fixing unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 implements an embodiment of the fixing method of the present invention. Here, first, the configuration of the fixing unit 2 will be described.
The fixing unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 is heated via a fixing belt 24 that is rotatably supported by three rolls including a heating roll 21, a peeling roll 22, and a walk control roll 23, and the fixing belt 24. And a pressure roll 25 that is in pressure contact with the roll 21. The fixing belt 24 includes a cooling heat sink 26 that forcibly cools the fixing belt 24 while the heating roll 21 and the peeling roll 22 are provided on the back side. The surface of the fixing belt 24 is cooled to a range of 50 ° C. to 80 ° C. near the peeling roll 22 by the cooling heat sink 26. The fixing unit 2 is also provided with a small-diameter tension roll 27 that applies a certain tension to the fixing belt 24 between the cooling heat sink 26 and the heating roll 21. Further, the fixing unit 2 is also provided with a cleaning roll 28 for removing residual toner and the like on the fixing belt 24.

  As the heating roll 21, for example, an elastic body made of silicone rubber or the like having a rubber hardness measured in accordance with JIS K6253, preferably in the range of 20 to 60 degrees, on the surface of a metal core made of aluminum, stainless steel or the like. The layer is preferably coated with a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and further, a release layer made of a PFA tube or the like is further coated on the surface of the elastic body layer so as to have a predetermined outer diameter. Inside the heating roll 21, a halogen lamp (not shown) having a calorific value in the range of 300 to 350 W is disposed as a heating source. By this halogen lamp, the surface of the heating roll 21 is heated from the inside so as to have a predetermined temperature (preferably in a range of 130 to 195 ° C.).

  Further, as the pressure roll 25, for example, one configured similarly to the heating roll 21 is used, and the rubber hardness measured based on JIS K6253 on the surface of a metal core made of aluminum, stainless steel or the like is preferable. An elastic layer made of silicone rubber or the like in the range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees is coated with a thickness of preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, and a release layer made of a PFA tube or the like is further formed on the surface of the elastic layer. What was coat | covered and formed in the predetermined | prescribed outer diameter is used. Also inside the pressure roll 25, a halogen lamp having a calorific value, preferably in the range of 300W to 350W, is disposed as a heating source. By this halogen lamp, the surface of the pressure roll 25 is heated from the inside so as to have a predetermined temperature (preferably in a range of 85 ° C. to 155 ° C.). In this pressure roll 25, a heating source may be omitted.

  As described above, the fixing belt 24 is stretched around the three rolls including the heating roll 21, the peeling roll 22, and the walk control roll 23, and is rotationally driven by a driving source (not shown). The heating roll 21 is circulated counterclockwise in FIG. 2 at a predetermined moving speed.

  The heating roll 21 and the pressure roll 25 are configured so as to come into pressure contact with each other, preferably in a range of 100 kPa to 200 kPa, by a pressure unit (not shown) via the fixing belt 24, thereby forming a nip region N. ing.

  Here, the fixing method implemented in the fixing unit shown in FIG. 2 will be described using FIG. 3 together with FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing each step of the fixing method performed in the fixing unit shown in FIG.

  The fixing method performed in the fixing unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a pressure heating step S11, a cooling step S12, and a peeling step S13.

  The sheet P on which the toner image T is transferred passes through the nip region N shown in FIG. 2 from the left to the right in FIG. At this time, the paper P is introduced into the nip region N so that the toner image T is positioned on the heating roll 21 side, that is, in contact with the surface of the fixing belt 24.

  In the heating and pressing step S11 shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the fixing belt 24 is brought into contact with the paper P carrying the unfixed toner image T shown in FIG. 2, and heat and pressure are applied to the unfixed toner image. That is, the paper P introduced into the nip region N is sandwiched between the surface of the fixing belt 24 and the surface of the pressure roll 25, and the toner image on the paper P is pressed by the surface of the fixing belt 24. The Further, the surface of the fixing belt 24 is heated by the heating roll 21, and the toner image on the paper P introduced into the nip region N is heated by the surface of the fixing belt 24. Furthermore, since the surface of the pressure roll 25 shown in FIG. 2 is also heated, the toner image on the paper P is also heated from the back side. The toner constituting the toner image T heated in such a pressurized state is in a molten state while the paper P passes through the nip region N.

  A fixed tension is applied to the fixing belt 24 by a tension roll 27, and the paper P that has passed through the nip region N is conveyed by the circulating fixing belt 24 in close contact with the surface of the fixing belt 24. .

  In the cooling step S12 performed subsequent to the heating and pressing step S11, the heated unfixed toner image is cooled by performing the pressing and heating step S11. That is, the portion of the circulating fixing belt 24 that passes through the region where the cooling heat sink 26 is provided is forcibly cooled by the heat sink 26, so that the melted toner is cooled by the surface of the fixing belt 24. Solidify. Further, the stiffness of the paper P is recovered by this cooling. Since the paper P that is in close contact with the fixing belt 24 has recovered its stiffness, the sheet P is easily peeled off from the surface of the fixing belt 24 by the peeling roll 22.

  In a peeling step S13 performed subsequent to the cooling step S12, the paper P that has been in contact with the surface of the fixing belt 24 is peeled off from the surface. That is, the paper P that has reached the peeling roll 22 is peeled off from the surface of the fixing belt 24. A toner image is fixed on the paper P peeled off from the surface of the fixing belt 24. On the other hand, residual toner and the like are removed from the surface of the fixing belt 24 from which the paper P has been peeled off by the cleaner roll 28, and prepares for the next fixing process.

  Next, another application example of the fixing unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a toner image forming apparatus and a fixing device are combined.

  The configuration of the toner image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 4 is slightly different from the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, only this different part will be described, and redundant description will be omitted.

  The toner image forming apparatus 3 shown on the left side of FIG. 4 has a fixing unit incorporated therein as in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, but the fixing unit 31 incorporated in the toner image forming apparatus shown in FIG. This is a roll type, and assumes primary fixing when viewed from the fixing process of the entire image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The fixing unit 31 responsible for primary fixing includes a pair of rolls 311 in contact with each other, and a nip region 312 is formed between the pair of rolls 311. The paper carrying the unfixed toner image is first fed into the nip region 312 and then conveyed to the fixing device 4 shown on the right side of FIG.

  The fixing device 4 shown on the right side of FIG. 4 incorporates the fixing unit 2 shown in FIG. 2, and this fixing device 4 is secondary fixing when viewed from the fixing process of the entire image forming apparatus shown in FIG. Is responsible for. The fixing device 4 includes an introduction port 41 through which a sheet discharged from the toner image forming device 3 is introduced. A switching gate 42 that switches a sheet conveyance path is provided in the introduction port 41. . When the sheet discharged from the toner image forming apparatus 3 is not subjected to the secondary fixing process and is directly discharged onto the external first discharge tray 45, the switching gate 42 causes the first conveying path to be moved upward. It is switched to the transport path 43 and is discharged onto the first discharge tray 45 by the discharge roll 44.

  On the other hand, when the secondary fixing process is performed on the paper P discharged from the toner image forming apparatus 3, the conveyance path is switched to the second conveyance path 46 below by the switching gate 42, and the conveyance belt 47 is used. It is conveyed to the fixing unit 2 whose details are shown in FIG. The sheet transported to the fixing unit 2 is subjected to the fixing process shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to the secondary fixing process here, and is discharged to the second discharge tray 49 by the discharge roll 48.

  Next, the fixing belt 24 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail. The fixing belt 24 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the first embodiment of the fixing belt of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a layer structure of the fixing belt shown in FIG.

  The fixing belt 24 shown in FIG. 5 has a two-layer structure including a base layer 241 and a first rubber layer 242. The form of the fixing belt 24 may be any belt shape suitable for the fixing unit, and an endless belt is particularly preferable.

  The base layer 241 is required to have heat resistance and mechanical strength, and a metal sheet such as nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel, or a resin film such as PET, PBT, polyimide, or polyimide amide can be used. The resin may be added and dispersed with conductive powder or the like to control the volume resistivity, or an endless belt-shaped polyimide belt with the volume resistivity controlled by adding and dispersing carbon black may also be used. it can. Furthermore, the both ends of a long polyimide sheet can be combined on a puzzle, thermocompression bonded using a thermocompression bonding member, and a tailored endless belt can be used.

  The thickness of the base layer is preferably in the range of 20 to 200 μm, more preferably in the range of 30 to 150 μm, and still more preferably in the range of 40 to 130 μm. When the thickness of the base layer is less than 20 μm, the dimensional stability during heating and cooling and the strength are insufficient. If it exceeds 200 μm, the specific heat of the belt-shaped fixing member increases, the amount of heat transfer decreases, and the transfer speed and cycle time decrease.

  The first rubber layer 242 is formed on the surface of the base layer 241 and is a layer constituting the surface of the fixing belt 24. In the fixing belt 24 shown in FIG. 5, the first rubber layer 242 corresponds to an example of a surface layer according to the present invention. The first rubber layer 242 is a layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed. The fluorocarbon siloxane rubber mentioned here preferably has a perfluoroalkyl ether group and / or a perfluoroalkyl group in the main chain. In addition, the first rubber layer 242 is (A) a fluorocarbon siloxane having the following general formula (1) as a main component and having an aliphatic unsaturated group, (B) two or more ≡SiH groups in one molecule. Organopolysiloxane and / or fluorocarbon siloxane, wherein the content of the ≡SiH group is 1 to 4 times the molar amount of the aliphatic unsaturated group in the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition, (C) filling More preferably, it is comprised of a cured product of an agent, (D) an effective amount of a catalyst, and (E) a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition containing fluorine-containing fine particles. In this case, the fluorocarbon polymer of component (A) is mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1) and has an aliphatic unsaturated group. This aliphatic unsaturated group is a monovalent aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon group, preferably having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and specifically having 2 to 3 carbon atoms such as vinyl, allyl, and ethynyl groups. Examples of these alkenyl groups are vinyl groups. In this case, 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 preferably has 1 to 8 carbon atoms, particularly a methyl group.

Here, in the above formula (1), R ¹⁰ is preferably an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or 2 to 3 carbon atoms. And particularly preferably a methyl group. a and e are each 0 or 1, b and d are each an integer of 1 to 4, and c is an integer of 0 to 8. Moreover, x is an integer greater than or equal to 1, Preferably it is 10-30. Examples of the component (A) include those represented by the following formula (2).

  Component (B) contains two or more ≡SiH groups in one molecule, and this ≡SiH group is 1 to 4 times the amount of aliphatic unsaturated groups in the fluorocarbon siloxane composition. And / or a fluorocarbon.

  Here, examples of the organopolysiloxane having an ≡SiH group include organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom in the molecule.

In the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition used for the first rubber layer 242, when the fluorocarbon polymer of the component (A) has an aliphatic unsaturated group, the above-described organohydrogenpolysiloxane is used as a curing agent. be able to. That is, in this case, a cured product is formed by an addition reaction that occurs between an aliphatic unsaturated group in the fluorocarbon siloxane and a hydrogen atom bonded to a silicon atom in the organohydrogenpolysiloxane. As such organohydrogenpolysiloxanes, various organohydrogenpolysiloxanes used in addition-curable silicone rubber compositions can be used, and the following (α) and (β) are particularly preferable. Preferably used.
(Α) Organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following formulas (3) to (5).

In the above formula, s and t are integers of 0 or more, and u is an integer of 2 or more. R ² is an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having no aliphatic unsaturated bond, preferably having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, specifically methyl Group, ethyl group, isopropyl group, alkyl group such as butyl group, cycloalkyl group such as cyclohexyl group, cyclopentyl group, aryl group such as phenyl group, tolyl group, xylyl group, aralkyl group such as benzyl group, phenylethyl group, Examples thereof include halogenated hydrocarbon groups such as chloromethyl group, chloropropyl group, chlorocyclohexyl group and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group, and cyano hydrocarbon groups such as 2-cyanoethyl group. Of these, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a phenyl group, and a 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl group are particularly preferable. R ⁴ is a divalent group interposed between the silicon atom and the fluorine-containing organic group Rf, and is a divalent hydrocarbon group having no aliphatic unsaturated bond or a general formula —R ⁵ —O—R ⁶ —. (Wherein R ⁵ and R ⁶ are divalent hydrocarbon groups having no aliphatic unsaturated bond), and these are divalent hydrocarbon groups having an ether group, which have 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Are preferred. Specific examples include the following.

Among R ⁴ , particularly preferred groups are —CH ₂ CH ₂ —, —CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —, and —CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ —O—CH ₂ —. R _f is 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 particularly preferred groups are C ₆ F ₁₃ —, C ₈ F _17. -, C ₁₀ F _21- . As the perfluoroalkyl ether group, those having 5 to 15 carbon atoms are particularly preferred, and specific examples thereof include the following.

(Β) A copolymer comprising (CH ₃ ) ₂ HSiO _0.5 units and SiO ₂ units represented by the following formula (6).

  The viscosity at 25 ° C. of these organohydrogenpolysiloxanes is usually preferably 20,000 cP or less. The above-mentioned organohydrogenpolysiloxane generally has at least one ≡SiH group, particularly 1 to 5 with respect to one aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon group in the fluorocarbon siloxane of component (A). It is suitable to mix | blend in such a ratio.

Further, the fluorocarbon having an ≡SiH group includes a unit of the above formula (1) or a SiH group such as R ¹⁰ in the formula (1) having a dialkylhydrogensiloxy group and a terminal having a dialkylhydrogensiloxy group or a silyl group. Are preferred, and examples thereof include those represented by the following formula (7).

  As the filler of 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 in an amount of 0.1 to 300 parts, particularly 1 to 200 parts, relative to 100 parts (parts by weight) of component (A). When the blending amount of the filler is less than 0.1 part, a sufficient reinforcing effect cannot be obtained, and when it is blended at a ratio exceeding 300 parts, the mechanical strength of the cured product is lowered. There is a risk of inconvenience.

As the catalyst of component (D), chloroplatinic acid, alcohol-modified chloroplatinic acid, complexes of chloroplatinic acid and olefin, platinum black or palladium, which are known as addition reaction catalysts, platinum, alumina, silica, carbon, etc. Examples include those supported on a carrier, complex of rhodium and olefin, group VIII element of periodic table such as chlorotris (triphenylphosphine) rhodium (Wilkinson catalyst), rhodium (III) acetylacetonate and the like. However, 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, but is usually 1 to 500 ppm, particularly 5 to 20 ppm in terms of platinum group metal with respect to 100 parts of component (A). It is preferable to use it.

  (E) As fluorine-containing fine particles, as fluororesin fine particles, tetrafluoroethylene resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer can be cited as the material. Further, it is preferable to use fluorocarbon. It is preferable to use these fluorine-containing fine particles in an amount of 1 to 50 ppm, particularly 5 to 35 parts per 100 parts of component (A).

  In the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition, various compounding agents can be added as long as the solvent resistance is not impaired. For example, dispersants such as diphenylsilane diol, low-molecular-degree molecular chain terminal hydroxyl-blocked dimethylpolysiloxane, hexamethyldisilazane, etc., heat resistance improvers such as ferrous oxide, ferric oxide, cerium oxide, and iron octylate Further, colorants such as pigments can be blended as necessary.

  Examples of the method for forming the first rubber layer 242 include a method in which the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition is applied to the surface of the base layer 241 and cured. The application methods here are usually blade coating method, wire-bar coating method, ring coating method, spray coating method, dip coating method, flow coating method, bead coating method, air knife coating method, curtain coating method, etc. This method can be used. Among these, the dip coating method is advantageous and particularly preferable in terms of seamless coating, mass productivity, cost, uniformity of layer thickness, and the like.

  For the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition, if necessary, dilute with a solvent such as m-xylene hexafluoride, perfluoroalkane, perfluoro (2-butyltetrahydrofuran), or benzotrifluoride. It can be applied as a coating solution.

  In addition, as the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition, the supply form can be arbitrarily selected from one-pack type, two-pack type, the polymerization form, addition type, and condensation type.

  The thickness of the first rubber layer 242 shown in FIG. 5 is preferably 300 μm or less, more preferably in the range of 1 to 300 μm, still more preferably in the range of 5 to 200 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 10 to 100 μm. If the thickness is less than 1 μm, the elasticity is insufficient and the effect of adding a rubber layer is lost, which causes a problem in fixability or insufficient durability. If it exceeds 300 μm, the specific heat of the belt-shaped fixing member increases, the amount of heat transfer decreases, leading to a decrease in transfer speed and cycle time.

  Further, the hardness of the first rubber layer 242 shown in FIG. 5 is 5 to 80 degrees when expressed in JIS A hardness (hardness measured according to JIS K6253 “hardness test method for added rubber and thermoplastic rubber”). A range is preferable, a range of 10 ° to 70 ° is more preferable, and a range of 20 ° to 60 ° is more preferable. When the hardness is less than 5 degrees, the strength is lowered and there is a problem in durability. If the hardness exceeds 80 degrees, the rigidity becomes too high regardless of the thickness of the surface layer, the adhesion between the belt-shaped fixing member and the recording medium is lowered, and the cooling by the cooling heat sink 26 shown in FIG. Incomplete and delamination occurs, resulting in a problem that appears as a defect in image quality.

  Next, the fixing belt according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described. The fixing belts from the second embodiment to the fourth embodiment can be used in the fixing unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 instead of the fixing belt 24 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of the fixing belt according to the second embodiment.

  The fixing belt 50 shown in FIG. 6 has a second rubber layer 243 between the base layer 241 and the first rubber layer 242 described above. The second rubber layer 243 is a layer formed on the surface of the base layer 241, and a material excellent in adhesiveness with the base layer 241 is used as the material of the second rubber layer 243. A first rubber layer 242 is formed on the surface of the second rubber layer 243. In the fixing belt 50 shown in FIG. 6, the combination of the first rubber layer 242 and the second rubber layer 243 corresponds to an example of the surface layer according to the present invention and also corresponds to an example of a laminate.

  The second rubber layer 243 is a layer made of silicone rubber. The silicone rubber used for the second rubber layer 243 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include dimethyl silicone rubber, methyl vinyl silicone rubber, methyl phenyl silicone rubber, and fluoro silicone rubber. These silicone rubbers may be heat vulcanized (HTV) or room temperature cured (RTV). The polymerization form may be either an addition type or a condensation type.

  As a method for forming the second rubber layer 243, the same application method as that for the first rubber layer 242 is used. That is, it can be obtained by applying and curing the silicone rubber precursor composition on the surface of the base layer 241, and the application method is the same as the application method of the first rubber layer 242, and a normal method such as a dip coating method. Can be used. If necessary, the silicone rubber precursor composition can be diluted with a solvent such as hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, xylene to obtain a coating solution having an appropriate viscosity.

  In addition, as the silicone rubber precursor composition, the supply form may be arbitrarily selected from the one-part type, the two-part type, the polymerization form, the addition type, the condensation type, and the like.

  The thickness of the second rubber layer 243 shown in FIG. 6 is preferably thicker than the thickness of the first rubber layer 242. That is, when the surface layer is composed of a plurality of layers, the lower layer (the layer on the base layer side with respect to the outermost surface layer) is thicker than the upper layer (the layer on the outermost surface layer side). From the viewpoint of heat resistance and the like. The combined thickness of the first rubber layer 242 and the second rubber layer 243 is preferably 300 μm or less, more preferably 1 to 300 μm, still more preferably 5 to 200 μm, and particularly preferably 10 to 100 μm. The range is suitable.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of the fixing belt according to the third embodiment.

  The fixing belt 51 shown in FIG. 7 has an adhesive layer 244 between the base layer 241 and the first rubber layer 242 described above. The adhesive layer 244 is a layer formed on the surface of the base layer 241, and a first rubber layer 242 is formed on the surface of the adhesive layer 244. In the third embodiment, since the adhesive layer 244 is provided, a material inferior in self-adhesiveness may be used as the material of the first rubber layer 242. In the fixing belt 51 shown in FIG. 7, the first rubber layer 242 corresponds to an example of a surface layer according to the present invention.

  As the adhesive layer 244, primers or the like usually used for adhesion of silicone rubber can be applied. Examples of the primers include, but are not limited to, aminosilane coupling agents, chlorosilane coupling agents, chloromethylsilane coupling agents, cyanosilane coupling agents, titanate coupling agents, and the like. It is not something. Of these, aminosilane coupling agents and titanate coupling agents are preferably used. Furthermore, a primer designed for fluorocarbon siloxane rubber is also preferably used.

  The first rubber layer 242 is formed using the same coating method as the first rubber layer 242 in the first embodiment. Here, the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition is applied to the surface of the adhesive layer 244.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of the fixing belt of the fourth embodiment.

  The fixing belt 52 shown in FIG. 8 includes a base layer 241, an adhesive layer 244, a second rubber layer 243, and a first rubber layer 242 described in detail in the description of the fixing belt from the first embodiment to the third embodiment. Are stacked in the order of description. In the fixing belt 52 shown in FIG. 8, a combination of the first rubber layer 242 and the second rubber layer 243 corresponds to an example of the surface layer according to the present invention, as in the fixing belt 50 shown in FIG. It corresponds to an example.

  The fixing belts from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment described above all have the first rubber layer 242 on the surface. Fluorine particles can suppress wax residue, paper dust adhesion, and modification due to thermal history. The specific gravity of the fluorine particles and the specific gravity of the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber are not so different. In the first rubber layer 242, fluorine particles are uniformly dispersed in the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber. For this reason, the toner residue is suppressed by the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber over a long period of use, and the dispersed fluorine particles suppress the wax residue, paper dust adhesion, and modification due to the heat history.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, these examples do not limit the present invention.
Example 1
Fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor on the surface of a polyimide base layer having a circumference of 527.8 mm × width of 420 mm × thickness of 75 μm, and having a volume resistivity adjusted to Rv = 10 ¹² Ω · cm by adding carbon black Body composition SIFEL 610 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.): 100 parts by weight and fluorinated fine particle Zonyl TLP10F-1 (PTFE: Mitsui Dupont Fluoro Chemical Co., Ltd.): 30 parts and fluorine-based solvent (m-xylene hexafluoro Ride, perfluoroalkane, perfluoro (2-butyltetrahydrofuran) mixed solvent): A coating film is formed by applying the coating solution adjusted by 30 parts by weight by dip coating, and then 120 ° C: primary addition for 10 minutes Sulfur, 180 ° C .: Perform secondary vulcanization for 4 hours, and have a first rubber layer with a thickness of 40 μm as a surface layer To give a wearing belt.

This fixing belt is a DocuCenterColor 500 (DCC500) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. having a configuration similar to that of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 (however, this fixing unit is modified to the fixing unit shown in FIG. 2) (hereinafter this image) The forming apparatus is called “DCC500 Kai”), and a full-color image is formed using four color developers for DCC500, and the surface of the fixing belt is repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv (print volume) in terms of A4. As a result, it was possible to obtain an image that was the same as the initial image.
(Example 2)
A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fluorine-containing fine particles used in Example 1 were changed to Lubron L-2 (PTFE: manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), and the obtained fixing belt was changed to “DCC500 modified”. When a full color image was formed using four color developers and the surface of the fixing belt was repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in terms of A4, an image that was the same as the initial image could be obtained.
(Example 3)
A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fluorine-containing fine particles used in Example 1 were changed to Zonyl MP1300 (PTFE: manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemical Co., Ltd.) and the addition amount was 20 parts. When the belt is mounted on 'DCC500 Kai', a full-color image is formed using four color developers for Fuji Xerox DocuPrint C620, and the surface of the fixing belt is repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in A4 conversion. I was able to obtain the same image as the initial one.

(Example 4)
A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fluorine-containing fine particles used in Example 1 were changed to carbon fluoride ((CF) n: manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.). A full-color image was formed using four color developer for DocuPrint C1616 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and the surface of the belt-like fixing member was repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in terms of A4. I was able to obtain the same image.

(Example 5)
As the first rubber layer forming material in the fixing belt of Example 1, a fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that SIFEL611 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), which is a fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber precursor composition, was used. The obtained fixing belt is attached to “DCC500 Kai”, and a full-color image is formed using four color developers for DocuPrint C1616 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and the surface of the belt-like fixing member is repeatedly 100 kpv in terms of A4. As a result of the evaluation, an image that was the same as the initial image could be obtained.

(Example 6)
A fixing belt was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that SIFEL650 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), which is a fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber precursor composition, was used as the first rubber layer forming material in the fixing belt of Example 2. The obtained fixing belt is attached to “DCC500 Kai”, and a full-color image is formed using four color developers for DocuPrint C1616 manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and the surface of the belt-like fixing member is repeatedly 100 kpv in terms of A4. As a result of the evaluation, an image that was the same as the initial image could be obtained.

(Example 7)
Primer for silicone rubber on the surface of a polyimide base layer that has a circumference of 527.8 mm × width of 420 mm × thickness of 75 μm, with carbon black added to adjust the volume resistivity to Rv = 10 ¹² Ω · cm DY39-115 (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.) was impregnated on a waste cloth, applied, then air-dried for 30 minutes, and then a silicone rubber precursor composition DY35-796AB (manufactured by Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.) : A coating film is formed by applying a coating solution adjusted by 100 parts by weight and n-hexane: 30 parts by weight by dip coating, and then primary vulcanization is performed at 120 ° C. for 10 minutes. Two rubber layers were formed. On the surface of the second rubber layer, this time, SIFEL 610 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), which is a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition, and Zonyl TLP10F-1 (PTFE: Mitsui DuPont Fluorochemical) which is a fluorine-containing fine particle. 30 parts by weight and fluorine-based solvent (mixed solvent of m-xylene hexafluoride, perfluoroalkane, perfluoro (2-butyltetrahydrofuran)): By applying the coating solution adjusted by 20 parts by weight by dip coating. A coating film is formed, followed by primary vulcanization at 120 ° C. for 10 minutes and secondary vulcanization at 180 ° C. for 4 hours to form a first rubber layer having a thickness of 20 μm, and a first rubber layer as a surface layer A fixing belt having a laminate composed of the second rubber layer was obtained.

When this fixing belt was mounted on 'DCC500 Kai', a full color image was formed using four color developers for DCC500, and the surface of the fixing belt was repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in terms of A4. I was able to obtain the same image.
(Comparative Example 1)
A fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor on a polyimide base layer having a circumference of 527.8 mm × width of 420 mm × thickness of 75 μm and having a volume resistivity adjusted to Rv = 10 ¹² Ω · cm by adding carbon black Body composition SIFEL610 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.): 100 parts by weight and silica powder as filler: 18.5 parts and fluorine-based solvent (m-xylene hexafluoride, perfluoroalkane, perfluoro (2-butyltetrahydrofuran) ) Mixed solvent): A coating film is formed by applying a coating solution prepared by 30 parts by weight by dip coating, and then 120 ° C .: primary vulcanization at 10 minutes, 180 ° C .: secondary vulcanization at 4 hours. Thus, a fixing belt having a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber layer having a thickness of 40 μm as a surface layer was obtained.

When this fixing belt was mounted on 'DCC500 Kai', a full color image was formed using four color developers for DCC500, and the surface of the fixing belt was repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in terms of A4. As a result, an image in which the gloss on the entire surface was reduced by 5% by the evaluation of 20 ° gloss was obtained.
(Comparative Example 2)
The fixing belt was the same as in Example 1 except that DY35-796AB (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone), which is a silicone rubber precursor composition, was used instead of the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition in Example 1. However, the fluorine-containing fine particles could not be dispersed well, and a fixing belt satisfying the surface property could not be obtained. When the same repeated evaluation as in Example 1 was performed, after 100 kpv, a substance containing wax, developer, and paper dust appeared on the surface of the fixing belt, and gloss was partially different when a uniform image was taken. However, it became possible to confirm visually, and the image became unusable.
(Comparative Example 3)
A fixing belt was prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that DY35-7002AB (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone) was used instead of the fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber precursor composition in Example 1. However, the fluorine-containing fine particles could not be dispersed well, and a fixing belt satisfying the surface property could not be obtained. When the same repeated evaluation as in Example 1 was performed, after 100 kpv, a substance containing wax, developer, and paper dust appeared on the surface of the fixing belt, and gloss was partially different when a uniform image was taken. However, it became possible to confirm visually, and the image became unusable.
(result)
From the results of these examples, in Examples 1 to 7, when the surface of the fixing belt was repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in terms of A4, both the image quality evaluations were good.

  On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, after 100 kpv, the gloss of the entire surface was reduced by 5% in the evaluation of 20 ° gloss as compared with the initial value. In Comparative Examples 2 and 3, after 100 kpv, a substance containing wax, developer and paper dust appears on the surface of the silicone rubber, and if a uniform image is taken, it can be visually confirmed that the gloss is partially different. Became an image that could not be used.

  As described above, by using the fixing belt having the first rubber layer including the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber and the fluorine-containing fine particles on the surface, even after the surface of the fixing belt is repeatedly evaluated at 100 kpv in terms of A4. It can be seen that deterioration of image quality can be prevented. That is, it can be seen that toner contamination is prevented, image gloss deterioration is suppressed and image quality deterioration is suppressed, and a high-quality fixed toner image can be obtained over a long period of time.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a full-color image forming apparatus in which a fixing unit corresponding to an embodiment of a fixing device of the present invention is incorporated. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a fixing unit of the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing steps of a fixing method performed in the fixing unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a toner image forming apparatus and a fixing device are combined. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of the fixing belt illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of a fixing belt according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of a fixing belt according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a layer structure of a fixing belt according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Fixing unit 24, 50, 51, 52 Fixing belt 241 Base layer 242 1st rubber layer 243 2nd rubber layer 244 Adhesive layer

Claims (15)

In a fixing belt that applies heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image by bringing the surface into contact with the unfixed toner image of the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image,
The base layer,
A surface layer provided on the base layer,
The fixing belt, wherein the surface layer has a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed, constituting the surface of the fixing belt.   The first rubber layer is obtained by applying and curing a coating solution containing a fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber precursor composition in which fluorine particles are dispersed as a main component on the surface of the base layer. The fixing belt according to 1.   The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer has a thickness of 300 μm or less.   The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the first rubber layer has a JIS A hardness of 5 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.   The surface layer has a laminate composed of the first rubber layer and a second rubber layer made of silicone rubber, the surface of which is in contact with the back surface of the first rubber layer. The fixing belt according to claim 1. The second rubber layer is thicker than the first rubber layer;
The fixing belt according to claim 5, wherein the laminated body has a thickness of 300 μm or less.   The first rubber layer is obtained by applying and curing a coating liquid containing as a main component a fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber precursor composition in which fluorine particles are dispersed on the surface of the second rubber layer. The fixing belt according to claim 5.   The first rubber layer is made of a material mainly composed of a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber having a perfluoroalkyl ether group and / or a perfluoroalkyl group in the main chain in which fluorine particles are dispersed. The fixing belt according to claim 1.   2. The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the first rubber layer is made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluororesin particles and / or fluorocarbon particles are dispersed. The first rubber layer is
(A) composed mainly of fluorocarbon siloxane having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1), fluorocarbon polymer over having an aliphatic unsaturated group,

In the formula, R ¹⁰ is an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, x is an integer of 1 or more, a and e are each 0 or 1, b and d are each an integer of 1 to 4, and c is 0 to 8 Is an integer.
(B) One molecule contains two or more ≡SiH groups, and the content of the ≡SiH groups is 1 to 4 times the molar amount relative to the amount of aliphatic unsaturated groups in the fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition. Organohydrogenpolysiloxane which is a curing agent,
2. A cured product of a fluorocarbon siloxane rubber precursor composition in which fluorine particles are dispersed in (C) a filler and (D) an effective amount of a catalyst. The fixing belt described. In a fixing method for fixing the unfixed toner image on the recording medium by applying heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image of the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image,
The surface of the fixing belt having a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbonsiloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed is brought into contact with the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image. A pressure heating process that applies pressure to the image as well as heat,
And a peeling step of peeling the recording medium in contact with the surface of the fixing belt from the surface by performing the pressure heating step.   The cooling process for cooling an unfixed toner image heated by performing the pressure heating process after the pressure heating process and before the peeling process is performed. The fixing method according to 11. In a fixing device that applies heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image by passing a recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image through a predetermined nip region, and fixes the unfixed toner image on the recording medium.
A fixing belt having a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed on the surface, and circulating through the nip region;
A heating body for heating the surface of the fixing belt;
A fixing device comprising: a pressure member that is in contact with the surface of the fixing belt and forms the nip region with the surface.   The fixing belt conveys the recording medium that has passed through the nip area in a predetermined section while being in contact with the surface, and the unfixed toner image heated by passing through the nip area in the predetermined section. The fixing device according to claim 13, further comprising a cooling member that cools the toner. In an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image, transferring the toner image onto a recording medium, and fixing the unfixed toner image after transfer to form an image composed of the fixed toner image on the recording medium.
A fixing belt that applies heat and pressure to the unfixed toner image by bringing the surface into contact with the unfixed toner image of the recording medium carrying the unfixed toner image;
The fixing belt is
The base layer,
A surface layer provided on the base layer,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the surface layer has a first rubber layer made of a material mainly composed of fluorocarbon siloxane rubber in which fluorine particles are dispersed, constituting the surface of the fixing belt.

Images