JPH10268678A - Belt for fixation and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the strength without adversely affecting fixing ability and to produce a belt for fixation having improved durability, by forming a heat resistant elastomer layer contg. dispersed fine metal oxide particles on a tubular substrate optionally with other layer in-between. SOLUTION: A heat resistant elastomer layer contg. metal oxide particles is formed on a tubular substrate 11 optionally with other layer in-between the obtain the objective belt for fixation. The metal oxide particles are fine particles of <=0.1 μm average particle diameter formed by hydrolyzing and polycondensing metallic alkoxide dispersed in heat resistant elastomer by a sol-gel method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing belt used in a fixing section of an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, a facsimile, etc., and more particularly to a partial color or full color image. The present invention relates to a fixing belt suitably used in a fixing unit of a model capable of outputting a toner image. However, the fixing belt of the present invention does not exclude applications to similar products such as a pressure bonding belt and a conveyance belt that utilize the same characteristics.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., in a final stage of printing / copying, a toner on a transfer material (eg, transfer paper) is generally heated and melted to form a toner image. Fixed on transfer paper. More specifically, in an electrophotographic copying machine, a latent image carrier (eg,
Forming a latent image by performing image exposure on the photosensitive drum), attaching a developer (toner) to the latent image to form a visible image (toner image), Copying is performed through a step of transferring a toner image onto a transfer sheet and a step of fixing an unfixed toner image on the transfer sheet onto the transfer sheet by a method such as heating. As the toner, generally, colored resin particles in which a colorant such as carbon black is dispersed in a binder resin are used.

As a fixing method, a heat fixing method is generally used, and a heat roller fixing method as shown in FIG. 1 has been generally used. In the heat roller fixing method, a heat heater 2 is disposed inside, and a heat roller (fixing roller) 1 whose outer periphery is coated with rubber or resin having good releasability is brought into pressure contact with a rubber roller (pressing roller) 5. The toner is heated by passing through the transfer paper 4 on which the toner image 3 is formed, and is fused on the transfer paper. The heat roller is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting temperature of the binder resin of the toner.
The heat roller fixing method is suitable for high-speed operation because the entire heat roller is maintained at a predetermined temperature during operation, but has a drawback that the waiting time at the start of operation is long. That is, since a time is required to heat the heat roller to a predetermined temperature at the start of the operation of the apparatus, a relatively long waiting time occurs between the time when the power is turned on and the time when the apparatus becomes operable. In addition, since the entire heat roller must be heated, power consumption is large.

Therefore, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 2, a fixing method has been proposed in which the toner on the transfer paper is heated by a heater via a thin tube-shaped endless belt. In this endless belt fixing method, the fixing belt 6 and the rubber roller 10 are pressed against each other, and the toner image 8 is
Is passed through the transfer paper 9 on which the
The toner is heated and fused to fix the toner. In this fixing method, only through a thin film-like belt 6,
Since the toner is heated substantially directly by the heater 7,
The heating unit reaches the predetermined temperature in a short time, and the waiting time at the time of turning on the power becomes almost zero. Further, in this fixing method, since only a portion necessary for fixing is heated, there is an advantage that power consumption is smaller as compared with the heat roller fixing method.

Conventionally, as a fixing belt used in the endless belt fixing method, heat resistance, elasticity, strength, insulation properties of the inner surface of the belt, and releasability of the outer surface of the belt are taken into consideration.
An endless belt made of polyimide (that is, a polyimide tube) provided with a fluororesin coating layer as a release layer on the outer surface is used. Such a fixing belt is mainly used in a monochrome laser beam printer that fixes only a single color toner containing carbon black as a colorant.

On the other hand, in a full-color image forming apparatus such as a full-color laser beam printer, generally,
Four color toners of red, yellow, blue and black are used. To fix a full-color toner image, unlike a single-color toner in which the toner is simply softened and fixed while applying pressure, multiple types of color toners are mixed in a state close to melting, so the toner must be melted. Is required.
However, when a conventional fixing belt is used for the fixing section of a full-color laser beam printer, the elasticity of the belt surface is insufficient, so that the color toner cannot be sufficiently wrapped, and as a result, a plurality of It was difficult to mix colors of the various color toners in a molten state, and satisfactory fixing could not be performed.

In order to impart sufficient elasticity to the surface of the fixing belt, for example, it is conceivable to form an elastic layer made of a heat-resistant elastomer such as silicone rubber on the outer surface of the polyimide tube. The silicone oil resistance is poor, and when about 20,000 copies are made, the elastic layer swells due to the penetration of the silicone oil, which causes a problem that paper jam occurs at the time of fixing. That is, when fixing toner for a full-color image, generally, the softening point of the binder resin of these toners is low, and it is necessary to fix transfer paper on which a large amount of toner is loaded in order to superimpose toner images of a plurality of colors. Therefore, the offset phenomenon easily occurs in the fixing belt. Therefore, in order to improve the releasability of the fixing belt, a large amount of silicone oil is usually applied, but the applied silicone oil gradually penetrates into the elastic layer, and the elastic layer swells. Would. When the elastic layer swells, the fixing belt is deformed, and a pressing force between the fixing belt and the pressing roller increases, thereby causing paper jam. Further, when the elastic layer swells, the adhesive strength between the elastic layer and the polyimide tube decreases, and the mechanical strength of the elastic layer itself decreases. Further, when the elastic layer swells, the strength and wear resistance of the elastic layer decrease, and there is a problem that the surface is easily damaged.

Conventionally, in the field of fixing rollers, an average particle diameter of 1 to 20 μm is used as a filler for reinforcing the outermost layer.
Fixing roller having an outer surface formed of RTV type silicone rubber containing amorphous silicon dioxide (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 77874), a fixing roller formed with a layer made of an addition type liquid silicone rubber in which dry fine silica and wet fine silica are blended (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-220347).
Has been proposed.

[0009] However, even if the prior art relating to these fixing rollers is applied to a fixing belt, it is not possible to obtain one having satisfactory performance. The reason is that metal oxide particles such as silica are generally secondary aggregated, so even if the primary particles have a small particle diameter, the average particle diameter is actually as large as about 10 to 100 μm. In addition, even if metal oxide particles are contained in the silicone rubber layer, the reinforcing effect is small, and the fixing property may be adversely affected. Further, there is a limit to uniformly and finely dispersing an inorganic filler such as metal oxide particles in silicone rubber by mechanical kneading.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to form a heat-resistant elastomer layer in which fine metal oxide particles are dispersed, directly or via another layer, on a tubular substrate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing belt having improved strength and improved durability without adversely affecting the fixing property, and a method for manufacturing the same.

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies to overcome the problems of the prior art, and as a result, using a composition in which a metal alkoxide is uniformly dispersed in a heat-resistant elastomer,
In a step of forming a coating layer using the composition or a step of crosslinking a heat-resistant elastomer, the metal alkoxide is subjected to hydrolysis and polycondensation by a sol-gel method in the heat-resistant elastomer, so that the average particle size is 0.1 μm or less. It has been found that metal oxide fine particles of the formula (1) can be generated, thereby improving the durability of the fixing belt without adversely affecting the fixing property.

The heat-resistant elastomer layer in which metal oxide fine particles are dispersed can be formed directly on a tubular substrate or via a primer layer. In this case, the heat-resistant elastomer layer functions as a release layer and / or an elastic layer. Also, even if another heat-resistant elastic layer or an oil barrier layer is formed on the tubular substrate, and a heat-resistant elastomer layer in which metal oxide fine particles are dispersed is further formed thereon as a release layer. Good. Further, a release layer made of a fluororesin may be provided on the heat-resistant elastomer layer in which the metal oxide fine particles are dispersed, if necessary. The present invention has been completed based on these findings.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed directly or via another layer on a tubular substrate. The metal oxide particles are characterized in that they are fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or less produced by subjecting a metal alkoxide dispersed in a heat-resistant elastomer to hydrolysis and polycondensation by a sol-gel method. A fixing belt is provided. According to the present invention,
A method for producing a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed on a tubular base material, directly or via another layer, comprising the steps of: A method for producing a fixing belt, comprising forming a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing oxide particles is provided.

Method A A metal alkoxide is dispersed in an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer, and the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed and polycondensed by a sol-gel method to form metal oxide particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or less. An uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer containing oxide particles is laminated on the tubular substrate directly or via another layer, and then the heat-resistant elastomer is crosslinked.

Method B : Dispersing a metal alkoxide in an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer, laminating an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer in which a metal alkoxide is dispersed on a tubular substrate directly or via another layer, The metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed and polycondensed by a sol-gel method to form metal oxide particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less, and at the same time, cross-link the heat-resistant elastomer.

Method C : A metal alkoxide is dispersed in an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer, and an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer in which the metal alkoxide is dispersed is laminated directly or via another layer on a tubular substrate. Then, the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed and polycondensed by a sol-gel method to form metal oxide particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or less.

Method D : Laminate an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer directly or via another layer on a tubular substrate, crosslink the heat-resistant elastomer, swell the crosslinked heat-resistant elastomer, and impregnate the metal alkoxide; Next, the metal alkoxide is subjected to hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction by a sol-gel method to produce metal oxide particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less.

Further, according to the present invention, the following preferred embodiments are provided. (1) The above fixing, wherein the metal alkoxide is an alkoxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silicon, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, and tungsten, and has at least two alkoxy groups. Belt. (2) The fixing belt as described above, wherein the heat-resistant elastomer is silicone rubber. (3) The fixing belt as described above, wherein the silicone rubber is an RTV type silicone rubber or an LTV type silicone rubber. (4) The fixing belt as described above, wherein the silicone rubber has a vinyl group, a SiH group, or a hydroxyl group. (5) the silicone rubber is (A) at least one silicone rubber selected from the group consisting of a silicone rubber having a vinyl group, a silicone rubber having a SiH group, and a silicone rubber having a hydroxyl group; and (B) a fluorosilicone rubber. The fixing belt described above, which is a mixture with at least one rubber selected from the group consisting of phenylsilicone rubber, and fluororubber. (6) The fixing belt described above, wherein a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed on the outermost layer. (7) The fixing belt described above, wherein another heat-resistant elastic layer, an oil barrier layer, and a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles are laminated in this order on a tubular substrate. (8) The fixing belt described above, wherein another heat-resistant elastic layer and a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles are laminated in this order on a tubular substrate. (9) The fixing belt described above, wherein a release layer made of a fluororesin is formed on the heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The sol-gel method has been used for a long time, from a sol in which very fine colloid particles are dispersed in a solution, to a gel in which the solvent has evaporated and the dispersed particles have lost fluidity. This is known as a method for synthesizing ceramic powder or glass. By this sol-gel method, the hydrous oxide sol is dehydrated into a gel, and when the gel is heated, the inorganic oxide can be prepared in a certain shape.

The sol-gel method can be applied as a method for dispersing an inorganic filler in a crosslinked elastomer. Specifically, when a metal oxide such as silica is generated in situ in a network of crosslinked rubber, fine metal oxide particles are generated. In general, in a method of mechanically dispersing metal oxide particles such as silica in an unvulcanized elastomer, the metal oxide particles undergo secondary agglomeration, the particle size increases, and the metal oxide particles can be uniformly kneaded. Although difficult, the sol-gel method can create a state in which fine metal oxide particles are uniformly dispersed. When an elastomer is reinforced with an inorganic filler, the smaller the particle size and the better the dispersion, the higher the reinforcing effect can be obtained.

In the present invention, first, a metal alkoxide is dispersed in a heat-resistant elastomer, and then the metal alkoxide is subjected to hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction by a sol-gel method to obtain metal oxide fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or less. Generate. Metal alkoxides form swollen gels when dispersed in heat resistant elastomers with small amounts of water and catalyst. Next, when heat treatment is performed, a hydrolysis reaction and a polycondensation reaction proceed, and metal oxide particles are generated. For example,
When an alkoxysilane such as tetraethyl orthosilicate is dispersed in a silicone rubber together with water and a catalyst (eg, butylamine) and heat-treated at 20 to 100 ° C. for about 3 to 100 hours, silica as a metal oxide in the silicone rubber is obtained. Is generated. Since the silicone rubber is crosslinked in any of the steps during the production of the fixing belt, the produced silica is uniformly and finely dispersed in the network of the crosslinked silicone rubber. According to this method, the average particle size is 0.1
Metal oxide fine particles having a size of not more than μm can be formed in silicone rubber. When the metal oxide fine particles are generated in the silicone rubber by the sol-gel method, a superior reinforcing effect can be obtained as compared with a case where separately prepared silica particles are kneaded. Examples of the heat-resistant elastomer include, besides silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, phosphazene rubber, and the like, but are not limited thereto, and may be any as long as they have heat resistance to withstand the fixing temperature.

As the metal alkoxide used in the present invention, those having at least 2, usually 4 to 6 alkoxy groups can be used. Typical metal alkoxides include silicon (Si), titanium (Ti),
Alkoxides such as aluminum (Al), zirconium (Zr), and tungsten (W) are given. However, the present invention is not limited to these metal alkoxides.

The metal alkoxide is usually added in a proportion of 0.5 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably 5 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the heat-resistant elastomer. If the mixing ratio of the metal alkoxide is too small, the reinforcing effect is small, and if it is too large, the fixability may be affected. Along with the metal alkoxide, water is added in a quantity ratio required for hydrolysis and a small amount of a catalyst for promoting polycondensation. The hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction are usually performed by heat-treating a heat-resistant elastomer containing a metal alkoxide. The heat treatment conditions are usually 20 to 150 ° C. for 3 to 100 hours, preferably 30 to 100 ° C. for about 5 to 80 hours.

As the method for forming the heat-resistant elastomer layer containing the metal oxide particles, the above-mentioned four methods A to D can be mentioned. For example, a metal alkoxide, water and a catalyst are placed in the same container as the RTV type silicone rubber, and R
There is a method in which heat treatment is performed under such a condition that the TV-type silicone rubber is not crosslinked to generate metal oxide particles, which are then molded and crosslinked. In this method, the crosslinking step or the polycondensation step can be changed in various ways. In addition, a molded cross-linked product of silicone rubber is used, for example, tetrahydrofuran (TH).
F) immersed in a polar organic solvent such as swelling, then immersed in a mixed solution of metal alkoxide, water and catalyst to impregnate,
Then, there is a method of performing hydrolysis and polycondensation reaction. Among these methods, it is preferable to adopt the methods A to C in consideration of the fixing property.

In the present invention, the heat-resistant elastomer layer in which the metal oxide fine particles are dispersed is formed directly on the tubular substrate or via another layer. More specifically, (1) the heat-resistant elastomer layer can be formed directly on the tubular substrate or via a primer. in this case,
The heat-resistant elastomer layer in which the metal oxide fine particles are dispersed functions as an elastic layer and / or a release layer. Also,
(2) forming another heat-resistant elastic layer on the tubular substrate,
A heat-resistant elastomer layer can be formed thereon. In this case, the heat-resistant elastomer layer in which the metal oxide fine particles are dispersed plays a role of imparting strength, abrasion resistance, releasability and the like as the outermost layer. (3) Another heat-resistant elastic layer and an oil barrier layer are sequentially formed on a tubular substrate, and a heat-resistant elastomer layer can be formed thereon. In this case, the heat-resistant elastomer layer in which the metal oxide fine particles are dispersed plays a role of imparting strength, abrasion resistance, releasability and the like as the outermost layer. (4) In each of the above cases, a fluororesin layer may be formed as a release layer on the heat-resistant elastomer layer in which metal oxide fine particles are dispersed. In addition, an additional layer may be present as long as the object of the present invention is not hindered. In each layer configuration, the content of the metal oxide fine particles in the heat-resistant elastomer layer can be appropriately adjusted in order to perform a desired function.

In the present invention, as the heat-resistant elastomer,
Various rubbers such as silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, and phosphazene rubber can be used.However, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, or these rubbers having high heat resistance that can withstand long-term continuous use at a fixing temperature can be used. Mixtures are preferred. The type of the silicone rubber may be either a millable type or a liquid type.
Any of V (high temperature curing type), LTV (low temperature curing type) and RTV (room temperature curing type) may be used. The chemical structure of the silicone rubber may be any of a basic dimethyl silicone rubber; a silicone rubber having a vinyl group, a hydrogen group, a hydroxyl group, etc .; a phenyl silicone rubber; a fluorosilicone rubber, and a mixture of two or more of these. Good.

When the silicone rubber layer is used as a release layer, the silicone rubber is preferably an RTV type or LTV type silicone rubber. When a silicone rubber having a vinyl group, a SiH group, a hydroxyl group, or the like is used, after the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed, it reacts with these functional groups as it undergoes polycondensation, and the fine particles chemically react with the silicone rubber. Because of the bonding, an excellent reinforcing effect can be expected. Examples of the silicone rubber include (A) at least one silicone rubber selected from the group consisting of a silicone rubber having a vinyl group, a silicone rubber having a SiH group, and a silicone rubber having a hydroxyl group; A mixture with at least one rubber selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber and fluorine rubber can be used. When used in combination with the rubber of the group (B), oil resistance and heat resistance can be improved. (A)
The usage ratio (weight ratio of A: B) of the silicone rubber of the group and the rubber of the group (B) can be appropriately determined in consideration of the balance between the releasability, oil resistance, heat resistance, and the like. ,
5: 95-90: 10, preferably 30: 70-70:
30.

The thickness of the heat-resistant elastomer layer is appropriately set in consideration of the purpose, the structure of the image forming apparatus to be installed, the target elasticity, the hardness of the material to be used, and the like.
It is often set in the range of 100 μm to 3 mm.
Of course, after forming into a thicker film, it may be processed to a required film thickness by polishing or the like. If the elasticity of the heat-resistant elastomer layer containing the metal oxide fine particles is insufficient, the fixing belt sufficiently wraps and melts the toner at the time of fixing so that the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper. In addition to the layer, another heat resistant elastic layer can be formed. The other heat-resistant elastic layer does not contain an inorganic filler such as a metal oxide, or a silicone rubber or a fluorine rubber having a small content can be used.For example, fluorosilicone or dimethyl silicone is used alone, Alternatively, they can be used together. In this case, the thickness of the other heat-resistant elastic layer is set in the range of 100 μm to 3 mm, and the thickness of the heat-resistant elastomer layer laminated on the other heat-resistant elastic layer is about 5 to 500 μm. Is preferred.

The heat-resistant elastomer layer or other heat-resistant elastic layer is laminated on the tubular base material via a primer, or the tubular base material is sand-plasted.
The surface may be roughened by any one of electrochemical etching and chemical etching, or a combination thereof, and may be laminated via a primer if necessary. Another heat-resistant elastic layer may be provided on the tubular substrate, an oil barrier layer may be provided thereon, and a heat-resistant elastomer layer may be provided thereon. The oil barrier layer is a layer having a role of preventing the silicone oil used by being applied to the fixing belt to improve the release property from penetrating to the elastic layer, and usually has excellent oil resistance. It is formed using a fluorine rubber or a fluorine resin. The thickness of this layer is usually about 5 to 500 μm, but is not limited to this range.

The heat-resistant elastomer layer in which the metal oxide fine particles are dispersed is preferably disposed on the outermost layer as a release layer. In this case, since the other heat-resistant elastic layer plays a role of imparting elasticity, the thickness of the heat-resistant elastomer layer is about 5 to 500 μm as described above, but is not limited to this range. On the other hand, when a fluororesin is used for the release layer,
Since the fluororesin itself has high non-adhesiveness, good toner releasability can be obtained when used in combination with silicone oil. As the fluororesin, from the viewpoint of heat resistance, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PF)
It is preferable to use each of A) alone or to mix them, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In particular, when heat-fusible PFA is used, a release layer having a smooth surface is obtained, and a more favorable fixed image is obtained. The thickness of the fluororesin release layer is appropriately set in consideration of the purpose and the structure of the image forming apparatus to be installed, the target elasticity, the hardness of the material to be used, the wear durability, and the like. It is set within the range of 300 μm.

A tube (that is, an endless belt) is used as a base material of the fixing belt of the present invention. As a material of the tube, a heat-resistant plastic or metal is usually used. As the heat resistant plastic, for example, polyimide, polyamide imide, polyether ether ketone, polyphenylene sulfide, polybenzimidazole and the like are used, and among them, polyimide is particularly preferable. As the metal tube, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, nickel, and alloys thereof are used.When considering heating the metal tube by an electromagnetic induction heating method, iron, nickel, and alloys thereof, or Ferritic stainless steel is preferred.
When the electromagnetic induction heating method is adopted, an electromagnetic induction heating coil such as a high-frequency coil is provided instead of the heater. The thickness of the tubular substrate is usually 10 to 100 μm,
Preferably it is 30 to 60 μm.

The outer diameter of the tubular base material or the fixing belt can be appropriately determined depending on the size of the fixing device and the like, but is usually 15 to 150 mm, preferably 20 to 150 mm.
It is about 00 mm. The length of the fixing belt can be appropriately determined according to the width of a transfer material such as transfer paper. FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the fixing belt of the present invention. An elastic layer 12 is formed on a tubular substrate 11, and a release layer 13 is further formed thereon. Since the elastic layer has excellent silicone oil resistance, the release layer may be omitted if it is not necessary depending on the application.

[0033]

The present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to examples and comparative examples.

Example 1 A polyimide tube having a thickness of 50 μm and an outer diameter of 27.6 mm was produced using a polyimide varnish (U Varnish S manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.) and a cylindrical mold according to a conventional method. HTV dimethyl silicone rubber (KE931U manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and fluorosilicone rubber (FE241U manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) were blended at a weight ratio of 1: 1. 0.5 parts by weight of C-8A (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was kneaded, a sheet having a thickness of about 3 mm was wound, and press-vulcanized with a mold to form an inner elastic layer.
On the other hand, 100 parts by weight of uncrosslinked RTV dimethyl silicone rubber (KE1935, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) were mixed with 50 parts by weight of tetraethyl orthosilicate, 1 part by weight of water, and 0.5 part by weight of butylamine as a catalyst. 24
The heat treatment was performed for a long time, and the metal alkoxide was reacted to produce silica fine particles as a metal oxide in the rubber. Thereafter, a dimethyl silicone rubber containing silica fine particles is applied on the previously formed elastic layer, and heat-treated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to be cross-linked to form a release layer having a thickness of 200 μm. Figure 3) was completed. According to the observation result by the electron microscope, the average particle size of the formed silica is
It was 0.1 μm or less.

[Comparative Example 1] As a comparative example, a structure having the same structure as that of the example and containing no formed silica in the release layer was manufactured.

Endurance Test The manufactured fixing belt was mounted on a rotation endurance test apparatus simulating actual fixing and rotated as shown in FIG. Silicone oil (dimethyl silicone oil KF96H manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was applied to the fixing belt 15 via the web 14. During the rotation durability test, the output of the halogen heater 17 inserted inside the hollow fixing belt was controlled so that the surface temperature of the fixing belt 15 was kept constant at 180 ° C. The fixing belt 15 was rotated in contact with the pressing roller 16. The fixing belt was taken out of the rotation durability test apparatus every 100 hours, and the outer surface was observed. The comparative sample (Comparative Example 1) had streak-like scratches on the surface in 500 hours. In contrast, the product of the present invention (Example 1)
No scratches or the like occurred after 0 hours. Further, as a result of performing a picture-drawing test by incorporating these fixing belts into an actual machine, the product of the present invention was in a state in which there were no streaks or the like and there was no problem. In the comparative sample, the color unevenness was clearly apparent, and the streaks were also conspicuous.

[0037]

According to the present invention, on a tubular substrate,
Directly or via another layer, in a fixing belt having a heat-resistant elastomer layer formed thereon, metal oxide fine particles having an extremely small average particle size are dispersed in the heat-resistant elastomer, thereby adversely affecting the fixing property. The present invention provides a fixing belt with improved strength and improved durability, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a heat roller fixing method.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a fixing method using a fixing belt.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a stacked configuration of an example of a fixing belt of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a rotation durability tester.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Fixing roller 2: Heater 3: Toner 4: Transfer paper 5: Pressing roller 6: Fixing belt 7: Heater 8: Toner 9: Transfer paper 10: Pressing roller 11: Tubular substrate 12: Elastic layer 13: Release layer 14: Web 15: Fixing belt 16: Pressure roller 17: Halogen heater

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiko Takiguchi 1-3-1 Shimaya, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside the Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Osaka Works (72) Inventor Akira Nishimura Shimaya, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 1-3-3, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Osaka Works

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A fixing belt having a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles formed directly or via another layer on a tubular substrate, wherein the metal oxide particles are heat-resistant. A fixing belt comprising fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or less, which are produced by subjecting a metal alkoxide dispersed in a conductive elastomer to hydrolysis and polycondensation by a sol-gel method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal alkoxide is silicon, titanium,
The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the fixing belt is an alkoxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, and tungsten, and has at least two alkoxy groups. 3. The fixing belt according to claim 1, wherein the heat-resistant elastomer is silicone rubber. 4. A silicone rubber comprising: (A) at least one silicone rubber selected from the group consisting of a silicone rubber having a vinyl group, a silicone rubber having a SiH group, and a silicone rubber having a hydroxyl group; The fixing belt according to claim 3, wherein the fixing belt is a mixture with at least one kind of rubber selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, phenyl silicone rubber, and fluorine rubber. 5. A method for producing a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed directly or via another layer on a tubular base material, the method comprising the steps of: Metal alkoxide is dispersed therein, and the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed and polycondensed by a sol-gel method to produce metal oxide particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less. A method for producing a fixing belt, comprising laminating an elastomer on a tubular substrate directly or via another layer, and then crosslinking the heat-resistant elastomer. 6. A method for producing a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed directly or via another layer on a tubular base material, comprising: A metal alkoxide is dispersed therein, and an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer in which the metal alkoxide is dispersed is laminated directly or via another layer on a tubular substrate, and then the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed and polymerized by a sol-gel method. A method for producing a fixing roller, wherein a condensation reaction is performed to generate metal oxide particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less, and at the same time, a heat-resistant elastomer is crosslinked. 7. A method for producing a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed directly or via another layer on a tubular base material, wherein the non-crosslinked heat-resistant elastomer is provided. A metal alkoxide is dispersed therein, and an uncrosslinked heat-resistant elastomer in which the metal alkoxide is dispersed is laminated directly or via another layer on the tubular substrate, the heat-resistant elastomer is crosslinked, and then the sol-gel method is used. A method for producing a fixing belt, wherein a metal alkoxide is subjected to hydrolysis and polycondensation to produce metal oxide particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less. 8. A method for producing a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastomer layer containing metal oxide particles is formed directly or via another layer on a tubular base material, wherein the non-crosslinked heat-resistant elastomer is provided. Is laminated directly or via another layer on the tubular substrate, the heat-resistant elastomer is crosslinked, the crosslinked heat-resistant elastomer is swelled and impregnated with the metal alkoxide, and then the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed and dissolved by a sol-gel method. A method for producing a fixing belt, comprising producing metal oxide particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less by a polycondensation reaction.