JPH11174885A - Fixing roller, fixing belt and fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing roller having good paper release property by specifying the gradient of the graph which shows the relation between the pressure in the thickness direction of the layer surface and the distortion and specifying the restoring rate. SOLUTION: This electrophotographic fixing roller consists of a cylindrical base body and a heat-resistant elastic layer and a fluorocarbon resin layer successively formed around the base body, and has the following features. (1) The gradient K of the graph showing the relation between the distortion and the pressure in the thickness direction of the outer surface satisfies the formula (I) of K>=2.0×10 m/Pa. (2) The restoring rate R against the pressure in the thickness direction of the outer surface satisfies the formula (II) of R>=60%. By controlling the pressure-distortion characteristic and the restoring characteristics of the surface comprising the heat-resistant elastic body and the fluorocarbon resin layer on the fixing roller to proper ranges, the obtd. fixing roller shows good paper release property. As for the fluorocarbon resin layer, not only conventional fluorocarbon resin but a new cyclic fluorocarbon resin can be used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing part for electrophotography, and more particularly to a fixing roll and a fixing belt, which are excellent in non-adhesion to toner and the like, water repellency and oil repellency. Further, the present invention relates to a heat-press type fixing device for fixing a toner image by simultaneously applying heat and pressure to a recording sheet on which an unfixed toner image is formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying machine or the like utilizing an electrophotographic process, it is necessary to fix an unfixed toner image formed on a recording sheet into a permanent image. A pressure fixing method and a heat fixing method are known. However, the solvent fixing method has a drawback that solvent vapor is emitted, and there are many odors and hygiene problems, and the pressure fixing method has a drawback that fixability is poor as compared with other fixing methods. At present, both are not widely used. For this reason, to fix an unfixed toner image, the toner is generally melted by heating,
A heat fixing method for fusing on a recording sheet has been widely adopted.

FIG. 1 shows a general configuration example (an example of a soft roll described later) of a fixing device using the heat fixing method (schematic sectional view). A fixing device shown in FIG. 1 includes a heating roll 10 in which an elastic layer 10b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical core roll (core roll) 10a, and a heat-resistant release layer 10c is further formed thereon. 10, an elastic body layer 11b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical cored bar 11a,
Further, a pressure roll 11 having a heat-resistant release layer 11c formed thereon is provided. Heaters 12 and 13 are built in the rolls 10 and 11, respectively. A predetermined release agent is applied to the heating roll 10 by a release agent application device 16. Heating roll 10
A nip portion to which a pressure of about 1 to 15 kg / cm ² is applied is formed between the pressure roller 11 and the pressure roll 11. The recording sheet 15 on which the unfixed toner image 14 is formed is inserted through the nip and fixed.

[0004] The fixing method using such a heating roll (roll fixing method) has higher thermal efficiency and lower power consumption than other heat fixing methods such as a hot air fixing method and an oven fixing method. It is currently most widely used because of its high speed and no problems such as fire danger due to paper jams.

The roll fixing system is mainly classified into two types depending on the material of the heating roll to be used. After coating an adhesive called a primer on a core roll of aluminum or iron, a fluororesin roll made of thin fluororesin such as PTFE or PFA called Teflon under the product name of DuPont, and again through the primer It is classified into a silicone rubber roll or a fluorine rubber roll formed by thinly forming a silicone rubber or a fluorine rubber. The former is called a hard roll because it is relatively hard, and the latter is called a soft roll because it is soft and elastic. Hard rolls are mainly used for black-and-white copying machines and printers, while soft rolls are mainly used for color copying machines and color printers and high-quality black-and-white machines. In particular, in the case of a color image, a high quality and high releasability are required, and a soft roll which has elasticity and is excellent in fixing a toner image uniformly is employed.

[0006] In recent years, from the viewpoint of cost reduction and improvement of reliability, the supply of a releasing agent to the surface of a heating roll, which has been conventionally performed, is hardly performed, and as a result, the abrasion resistance of the heating roll becomes a problem. It is becoming. Particularly, in the case of soft rolls, the effect of the release agent on the abrasion resistance is remarkable, and when the release agent is hardly supplied, the surface of the heated roll of silicone rubber or fluororubber is fixed to several hundred sheets. In some cases, scratches and abrasion occurred, making it unusable.
For this reason, it has been considered to form a resin layer, particularly a fluororesin layer having abrasion resistance, further above the elastic layer.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 43-1555 proposes a heating roll in which silicone rubber is coated as an elastic body around a core roll, and PTFE is further coated on the upper layer with a fluororesin. Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-4374
No. 0 proposes a configuration of a heating roll in which a silicone rubber is formed as an elastic layer around a core roll, and a PFA resin layer in which an ether group is specified is further formed thereon.

In JP-A-63-36382, a heating roll is manufactured by holding a PFA tube on a core roll in a pulled state, injecting a liquid silicone rubber into a gap between the core roll, and vulcanizing and firing the PFA tube. It has been proposed to form a fluororesin layer. JP-A-55-3
No. 1494 proposes a method of manufacturing a heating roll in which a PFA particle layer is formed around a core roll by an electrostatic coating method, and then melt-fired to form a fluororesin layer.

In JP-A-63-298382 and the like, as a method of manufacturing a heating roll, a fluororesin dispersion (dispersion) such as PTFE, PFA or FEP is applied onto a core roll and melt-fired to form a fluororesin layer. It has been proposed to. Also, in JP-A-63-260932, etc., the following cyclic structure is added to the main chain on a heating roll.

[0010]

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Or

[0012]

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A method for forming a release layer using a solution of a perfluoropolymer having a perfluoro compound in a solvent of a perfluoro compound has been proposed. The above-mentioned specific perfluoropolymer is a cyclic polymer having no melting point, which is called a cycle polymer, and has no melting point. In contrast to a conventional fluoropolymer which is generally insoluble in a solvent, the above-mentioned specific perfluoropolymer is used. The polymer can be dissolved in a solvent of a perfluoro compound and can be coated using the solution, so that it is characterized in that a fluororesin thin film, which has not been obtained conventionally, can be formed at a low temperature.

However, the fixing roll having such a fluororesin layer has a common problem that the releasability of the sheet from the fixing roll surface is reduced. this is,
This is because the elasticity of the fluororesin layer on the surface is low, so that effective roll surface distortion for releasing the toner from the toner cannot be ensured.

As measures for improving the elasticity of the fluororesin layer, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
No. 89845, JP-A-61-124974, JP-A-61-124974
No. 1-128274 proposes a fixing roll in which an elastic layer, a water-soluble mixture of fluororesin and fluororubber, and a fluororesin dispersion are applied after drying. However, there was a problem that these papers could not obtain satisfactory paper releasability.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing roll and a fixing belt in which a heat-resistant elastic layer and a fluororesin layer are sequentially laminated, which is a problem of paper releasability. In order to improve, a fixing roll and a fixing belt for electrophotography having a fluororesin layer having excellent elastic properties (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as “fixing parts”), and further, a fixing using these. It is to provide a device.

[0017]

The present inventors have conducted various studies in view of the above problems. 1) The gradient of the graph showing the relationship between the pressure in the thickness direction of the layer surface and the amount of strain is represented by K and K. K ≧ 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa Formula 1) 2) Assuming that the restoration rate with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction of the layer surface is R, R ≧ 60% Formula 2) Was found to be improved.

That is, the present invention provides: (i) a fixing roll for electrophotography, wherein a heat-resistant elastic layer and a fluororesin layer are sequentially laminated on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical substrate; When the inclination of the graph showing the relationship between the strain amount and the pressure in the thickness direction is K, K ≧ 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa Equation 1) 2) Let R be the restoration rate of the outer peripheral surface with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction. R ≧ 60% Formula 2)

(Ii) The fixing roll according to (i), wherein the fluororesin layer comprises a cyclic fluororesin having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1). · General formula (1) -C ₆ F ₁₀ O-

(Iii) the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) is a cyclic structural unit represented by the following general formula (2) or (3), It is a fixing roll of the above.・ General formula (2)

[0021]

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General formula (3)

[0023]

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(Iv) The fluororesin layer is made of SiC, Si
O ₂ , BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , TiN, CF, PFA particles,
The fixing roll according to any one of (i) to (iii), comprising one or more members selected from the group consisting of PTFE particles.

(V) A fixing belt for electrophotography in which a heat-resistant elastic layer and a fluororesin layer are sequentially laminated on the surface of a sheet-like substrate, and 1) the amount of strain with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction of the surface Where K is the slope of the graph showing the relationship of: K ≧ 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa Equation 1) 2) When the restoration rate to the pressure in the thickness direction of the surface is R, R ≧ 60% 2) A fixing belt characterized by the following.

(Vi) The fixing belt according to (v), wherein the fluororesin layer comprises a cyclic fluororesin having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1). · General formula (1) -C ₆ F ₁₀ O-

(Vii) The structural unit represented by the general formula (1) is a cyclic structural unit represented by the following general formula (2) or (3): It is a fixing belt of the above description.・ General formula (2)

[0028]

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General formula (3)

[0030]

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(Viii) The fluorine resin layer is made of SiC, S
iO _2, BN, for fixing according to _{Al 2 O 3, TiN, CF} , PFA particles, to (v) not characterized by containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of PTFE particles (vii) It is a belt.

(Ix) A heating roll having at least a surface having heat resistance and release properties, and a pressure roll which presses against the heating roll to form a nip portion, and the nip portion has an unfixed toner image. A heating roll type fixing device for passing a recording sheet and applying heat and pressure to fix a toner image on the recording sheet, wherein the heating roll and / or the pressure roll are (i) to (iv). A fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing device is a fixing device.

(X) a heating roll having at least a surface having heat resistance and mold release properties, a pressing belt which is in pressure contact with the heating roll to form a nip portion, and a heating roll which faces the heating roll via the pressing belt. A pressure roller for pressing the recording sheet, the recording sheet having an unfixed toner image being inserted through the nip portion, and applying heat and pressure to fix the toner image on the recording sheet. Wherein the heating roll is a fixing roll according to any one of (i) to (iv),
And / or (v) to (vii)
A fixing device, which is the fixing belt described in i).

(Xi) a heating belt having at least a surface having heat resistance and mold release properties, a pressing member pressed from the inside of the heating belt, and a pressing member which faces and presses the pressing member via the heating belt. A pressure roller, and a nip portion is formed between the heating belt and the pressure roller. A recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted through the nip portion, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording sheet to form a nip on the recording sheet. Wherein the heating belt is a fixing belt according to any one of (v) to (viii), and / or
Alternatively, the fixing device is characterized in that the pressure roll is a fixing roll described in any one of (i) to (iv).

(Xii) a heating belt having at least a surface having heat resistance and releasability, a pressing member pressed against the inside of the heating belt, and a pressing belt pressed against the heating belt to form a nip portion; A pressure roll that presses against the pressure member via a nip portion of the heating belt and the pressure belt, and a recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted through the nip portion to reduce heat and pressure. A heating / pressing type fixing device for fixing a toner image on the recording sheet by acting thereon, wherein the heating belt and / or the pressing belt are the fixing belts described in (v) to (viii). Is a fixing device.

By making the elastic properties of the surface layer of the fixing member satisfy the relational expressions (1) and (2), the toner is smoothly separated from the surface of the fixing roll or the fixing belt. Therefore, the paper peeling property is improved. That is, the elastic movement in the nip area on the surface of the fixing component
The toner cannot follow, and the toner and the surface of the fixing component easily peel off.

[0037]

[About Equation 1) and Equation 2)

1. Content of Formula 1) In the present invention, Formula 1) is defined as follows, where K is the inclination of a graph showing the relationship between the pressure in the thickness direction of the layer surface and the amount of strain on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roll and the surface of the fixing belt. K ≧ 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa. K is preferably 2.5 × 10 ^-11
m / Pa or more, more preferably 3.0 × 10 ^−11.
m / Pa or more. K represents a slope in a graph showing a pressure-strain amount relationship that is generally widely used. In the graph, the Y-axis is pressure, the unit is Pa, the X-axis is a concave strain amount, and the unit is m. It is a representation. In the present invention, as a measuring device for measuring the relationship between the pressure and the amount of strain, a micro compression tester MCTM-500 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation is used.
(The tip of the pressure indenter: flat, diameter 50 μm) is used.

When the pressure-strain amount of a soft elastic body such as rubber is actually measured by the above-mentioned measuring instrument, the measurement result is shown in FIG.
become that way. In this graph, the vertical axis represents the pressure (LO
AD: Pa), and the horizontal axis represents the displacement (STRO)
KE: μm). After the start of measurement (point A), when pressure is applied to the pressurizing indenter, only slight elastic resistance or air resistance at the elastic fulcrum is received until the pressurizing indenter contacts the elastic body which is the object to be measured (point B). , And becomes a graph having a gentle slope. At the moment when the pressure indenter contacts the elastic body (point B), resistance to the deformation of the elastic body is generated, and the slope of the graph thereafter sharply increases. The graph after the point B is a graph showing the relationship between the pressure and the amount of strain.

However, the pressurizing indenter continues to be displaced even after the point B, and in the elastic body, energy required for the displacement of the pressurizing indenter corresponding to the dotted line portion in the graph of FIG. 6 is consumed, and this is the pressure of the vertical axis. Comes out as a value. Accordingly, when a soft elastic body such as rubber is to be measured, it is necessary to add a correction for removing the force used to apply a displacement to the pressing indenter.

When the graph of FIG. 6 is corrected (correction mode), a graph having a substantially linear relationship as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. Since the graph obtained at this time is not completely a straight line, in the present invention, the slope K (change of X) / (change of Y) of the tangent when the pressure is 0.53 MPa is defined as the slope K. The pressure of 0.53 MPa is a standard pressure of a normally used color fixing device.

2. Content of Formula 2) In the present invention, Formula 2) is a relationship that satisfies R ≧ 60%, where R is the restoration rate of the outer peripheral surface of the fixing roll and the surface of the fixing belt with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction of the layer surface. It is. R is preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%. The restoration rate R is obtained by measuring the pressure-strain amount in the above equation 1), then unloading the pressurizing indenter, and expressing the ratio of the forward and backward displacements at a predetermined load in%. In the present invention, the tip of the pressing indenter is made flat (50 μm in diameter), and first, as shown in FIG.
gf load (reversal load)
f (origin load). An origin 0.5gf time load through which a load is applied to 1.0 gf, from which the displacement when a load is applied to the L ₁ to 1.0 gf, when the unloading until further 0.5gf load Assuming that the displacement from the origin is L ₂ , the restoration rate R can be expressed as R = (L ₁ −L ₂ ) / L ₁ × 100.

3. Measurement Method and Significance of Both Relational Expressions When measuring K in the above formula 1) and when measuring R in the above formula 2), both can be measured continuously with the same apparatus. . At this time, in the fixing roll, a pressure indenter is applied from the thickness direction of the fluororesin layer on the surface to the cylindrical substrate via the heat-resistant elastic layer to measure. In the case of the fixing belt, the measurement is performed by applying a pressing indenter from the thickness direction of the fluororesin layer on the surface to the sheet-like substrate via the heat-resistant elastic layer.

By satisfying the above formulas (1) and (2), the paper releasability is improved. The meaning of the inclination K indicates that the surface is softened and depressed, that is, the surface is soft to some extent. However, simply depressing does not improve the sheet releasability. The restoration rate R indicates that the dent is easily recovered to some extent. That is, a fixing roll or a fixing belt having a surface state that yields and dents under pressure but recovers when the pressure is unloaded has improved paper releasability.

[Layer Structure Satisfying Equations (1) and (2)] Heat-Resistant Elastic Layer In order to satisfy Formulas 1) and 2), the resilience of the heat-resistant elastic layer is preferably higher, specifically, preferably 40% or more, more preferably 50% or more, and still more preferably. Is 60% or more. Examples of the heat-resistant elastic layer include silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, and fluorine resin.
Among them, silicone rubber is most preferable from the viewpoint of rebound resilience.

As the silicone rubber and the fluorine rubber formed as the heat-resistant elastic layer, general-purpose ones can be used. For example, as the silicone rubber, vinyl methyl silicone rubber, methyl silicone rubber, phenyl methyl silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber and the like can be used. As the fluorine rubber, vinylidene fluoride rubber, ethylene tetrafluoride / propylene rubber, ethylene tetrafluoride / perfluoromethyl vinyl ether rubber, phosphazene rubber, fluoropolyether, and other fluorine rubbers can be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Various inorganic or organic fillers can be used for the silicone rubber and the fluoro rubber formed as the heat-resistant elastic layer. As inorganic fillers, carbon black, titanium oxide, silica, silicon carbide, talc, mica, kaolin, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, magnesium oxide, graphite, silicon nitride,
Examples include boron nitride, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, and magnesium carbonate. As the organic filler, polyimide, polyamide imide, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, or the like can be used. In addition, special heat-resistant elastic materials such as PTFE and P
FA is also available. The thickness of the heat-resistant elastic layer needs to be 100 μm or more, preferably 200 to 5,000 μm, more preferably 200 to 3,000 μm in order to satisfy the above formulas 1) and 2).

2. Fluororesin layer The thickness of the fluororesin layer also affects both the relational expressions 1) and 2), and is preferably 20 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm or less.
μm or less. PT resins that can be used include PT
Examples include FE and PFA, and examples of the form include a melt coating film by an electrostatic coating method, a particle coating by a dispersion method, and a film film such as a tube coating. The molten coating film is obtained by dissolving or dispersing the fluororesin in an appropriate solvent to obtain a fluororesin solution, and applying this to a target object. Examples of other fluororesins that can be used include cyclic fluororesins having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1) (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “cyclic fluororesins”). New benefits are added. Formula (1) -C ₆ F ₁₀ O-

The cyclic fluororesin comprises a structural unit represented by the above general formula (1), and the structural unit contains a cyclic structure. Specific examples of the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) include the following two types of structures. General formula (2)

[0049]

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General formula (3)

[0051]

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The cyclic fluororesin comprises a structural unit represented by the general formula (2) and / or (3), and a structural unit represented by the general formula (2) The structural unit represented by 3) may be mixed in the same resin, or may be composed of only a single structural unit. When the structural unit represented by the general formula (2) and the structural unit represented by the general formula (3) are mixed in the same resin,
The arrangement, ratio and the like are not particularly limited as long as the cyclic fluororesin is constituted by the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) as a whole.

The cyclic fluororesin is disclosed in JP-A-1-13121.
Although it can be produced by the method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4 (1994), it is distributed on the market under the trade name of Cytop (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) and can be easily obtained. Such a cyclic fluororesin has a higher tensile breaking strength and a higher yield strength than PTFE and PFA, and thus can provide a highly durable and reliable surface to the fluororesin layer of the fixing component of the present invention. The specific tensile breaking strength and yield strength are as follows.

[0054]

[Table 1]

Since the cyclic fluororesin is soluble in a specific perfluoro-based solvent, it can be coated with a thin film, and can be dried and fired at a low temperature depending on the type of the solvent. In addition, the base is not deteriorated by heat. As the cyclic fluororesin used in the present invention, the weight average molecular weight of GPC is 30,000 to
It is preferably in the range of 600,000, and particularly preferably in the range of 100,000 to 400,000 in consideration of applicability.

As a solvent capable of dissolving the cyclic fluororesin, perfluoro (2-butyltetrahydrofuran) FC
Solvents of perfluoro compounds such as -75 (trade name: manufactured by 3M Company) and perfluorobenzene (Aflud: brand name: manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) are suitable. The cyclic fluororesin used in the present invention is dissolved in a solvent of the above-mentioned perfluoro compound to form a fluororesin solution, and mixed with an elastomer solution described later to constitute a release layer coating liquid (coating liquid). The dilution concentration of the cyclic fluororesin used in the present invention is 0.1.
1 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 20% by weight
It is.

In the present invention, the fluororesin layer may be formed of the above-mentioned fluororesin alone, but an elastomer may be added to the fluororesin to further improve the elasticity. Specifically, the elastomer that can be used in the present invention is a vulcanizable fluorinated elastic polymer as a fluororubber, and any conventionally known fluororubber can be used. That is, VD
F-HFP (vinylidene fluoride-propylene hexafluoride)
And a ternary fluororubber of VDF-HFP-TFE (vinylidene fluoride-propylene hexafluoride-ethylene tetrafluoride) can be used. Polyol vulcanization, peroxide vulcanization, and other types can be used together, but polyol vulcanization can perform vulcanization most stably. VDF-HFP-T
Some FE ternary systems are easily soluble in solvents, such as resins, depending on the blending ratio, and such FEs can be suitably used in the present invention.

The above elastomer is dissolved in an appropriate solvent to form an elastomer solution, and mixed with the above-mentioned fluororesin solution to form an elastomer-mixed fluororesin layer coating solution (coating solution). As a solvent for dissolving fluororubber,
Ketones are often MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) and MIB
K (methyl isobutyl ketone) is suitably used, and may be used alone or as a mixture. The dilution concentration of the fluororubber is 0.1 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 20% by weight. A fluororesin solution in which a fluororesin such as the cyclic fluororesin is dissolved, and an elastomer solution in which an elastomer is dissolved are mixed to prepare a fluororesin layer coating solution, and the fluororesin is applied to the outer surface of the base by applying the fluororesin. Get the layers. Since the fluororesin solution and the elastomer solution are generally incompatible with each other, it is preferable to mix the two solutions and apply them immediately after stirring sufficiently or while stirring.
The mixing ratio of the fluororesin solution and the elastomer solution is preferably 95: 5 to 40:60, more preferably 90: 5.
10 to 70:30.

In order to improve the abrasion and the releasability, a filler such as SiC or Si
O ₂ , BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , TiN, CF, PFA particles,
One or more selected from the group consisting of PTFE particles may be used. The particle size of these fillers can be appropriately selected and used according to the required film thickness, and is specifically selected from the range of about 10 μm or less to about 1 μm or less. The filling amount of the filler is preferably 1 to 50% by weight, more preferably 1 to 1% by weight in the fluororesin layer coating solution.
0% by weight.

As a method for applying the fluororesin layer coating solution, any of conventionally known methods such as a dipping method, a spin method, a spray method, and a roll coating method can be used.
Preferably, it is a spray method. After applying the fluororesin layer coating solution, the coating film is dried to form a fluororesin layer. Drying may be carried out at room temperature, followed by pre-baking at a temperature lower than the boiling point of various solvents to slowly raise the temperature. The final drying temperature and the drying time may be appropriately set depending on the solvent used, the heating rate, the convection state of the air, and the like.
About 30 to 60 minutes is preferable. The thickness of the fluororesin layer after drying is sufficient if it has a sufficient thickness as a fixing part for electrophotography, and is preferably in the range of 1 to 50 μm, more preferably 5 to 30 μm.

[Substrate] The substrate used in the present invention has a cylindrical shape in the case of a fixing roll and a sheet shape in the case of a fixing belt. As the cylindrical substrate, a cylindrical roll of aluminum, iron, copper, or the like as a metal, or a cylindrical roll made of glass is used. As the sheet-like substrate, metal (aluminum, iron, copper, etc.) or heat-resistant resin (polyamide resin, polyimide resin, PEE
A sheet (belt) made of K (polyether ether ketone) resin, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin, or the like is used. In addition, the size (outer diameter, width, belt length, etc.), thickness (thickness, sheet thickness), and the like of these substrates may be appropriately selected as required for the fixing component.

[Uses of Fixing Parts of the Present Invention] The fixing parts of the present invention can be applied to rolls and belts requiring a releasing function in any apparatus for image formation including an electrophotographic copying machine. Can be.

[Fixing Device] A specific fixing device to which the above-described fixing component of the present invention can be applied will be described below. The fixing device to which the fixing component of the present invention can be applied includes:
It is not limited to the following. 1.2 Roller Fixing Apparatus A heating roll having at least a surface having heat resistance and release properties, and a pressure roll that presses against the heating roll to form a nip portion, and an unfixed toner image is formed on the nip portion. The fixing roll of the present invention is used as a heating roll and a pressure roll in a heating roll-type fixing device that passes a recording sheet having a toner image and fixes a toner image on the recording sheet by applying heat and pressure. Can be.

The fixing device of the present system is of the system shown in FIG. 1 as described above. That is, the heating roll 1 in FIG.
The fixing roll of the present invention can be applied to 0 and the pressure roll 11. The heating roll 10 is formed by forming a heat-resistant elastic layer 10b made of silicone rubber or the like on a base 10a and further forming a fluororesin layer 10c on the heat-resistant elastic layer 10b. The heat-resistant elastic layer 11b is formed by the above method, and the fluororesin layer 11c is further formed thereon.

The mechanism, structure, and the like of the fixing device shown in FIG. 1 are as described above, and will not be described. In this example, the case where both the heating roll 10 and the pressing roll 11 are the fixing rolls of the present invention has been described, but only one of the heating roll 10 and the pressing roll 11 is the present invention. Even in the case of a fixing roll, the effect of the present invention is exhibited. Of course, it is preferable that both are the fixing rolls of the present invention.

2. A fixing device of a belt nip roll fixing system, a heating roll having at least a surface having heat resistance and mold release properties, a pressure belt that presses against the heating roll to form a nip portion, and faces a heating roll via the pressure belt. A pressurizing roll for applying pressure, a recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted through the nip portion, and heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner image on the recording sheet. The fixing roll of the present invention can be used as a heating roll and / or the fixing belt of the present invention can be used as a pressure belt.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an example of the fixing device of the present system. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a heating roll as a fixing roll of the present invention in which a heat-resistant elastic layer 20b made of silicone rubber or the like is formed on a base 20a, and a fluororesin layer 20c is further formed thereon. Heating roll 2
The heater lamp 22 is built in the inside of the heater lamp 22.

A heat-resistant pressure belt 29 made of a polyimide resin sheet or the like stretched by a tension roll 27a, a steering roll 27b, and a pressure roll 27c is wound around the heating roll 20 at a predetermined angle. Is provided with a pressure pad 28 for pressing a pressure belt 29 against the heating roll 20, and forms a nip portion together with the pressure roll 27c. The pressure pad 28 is, for example,
Place the silicone sponge on the silicone rubber base,
Further, a material in which a sheet made of a fluororesin is covered thereover is used.

The heating roll 20 rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the pressing belt 29 also rotates in the direction of arrow C accordingly. The recording sheet 25 on which the unfixed toner image 24 is formed is inserted into the nip portion of the fixing device in the direction of arrow A, and is heated and melted and pressed to fix the toner image.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the fixing device of the present system. In FIG. 5, the configuration of the heating roll 50, the heater lamp 52, and the like as the fixing roll of the present invention is as follows.
This is the same as the heating roll 20 and the heater lamp 22 in FIG. The configuration of the pressure belt 59 itself is the same as that of the pressure belt 2 shown in FIG.
9 is different from FIG. 9 in the method of holding and running the pressure belt 59. That is, the pressure belt 59 is pressed against the heating roll 50 by the pressure pad 28 disposed inside the pressure belt 59 to form a nip portion.
It is not tensioned by a tension roll or the like, and is in a tension-free state.

The heating roll 50 rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the pressing belt 59 also rotates in the direction of arrow C accordingly.
The guide 56 keeps the rotation trajectory of the pressure belt 59 constant. The recording sheet 25 on which the unfixed toner image 24 is formed is inserted into the nip portion of the fixing device in the direction of arrow A, and is heated and melted and pressed to fix the toner image.

Since the driving system of the pressure belt 59 is omitted in the fixing device shown in FIG. 5, it can be manufactured at low cost and the size of the device can be reduced.

In this example, the heating roll 10
Although the case where only 50 is the fixing roll of the present invention has been described, the effect of the present invention is exerted even when only the pressing belts 29 and 59 are the fixing belt of the present invention. Of course, the heating rolls 10 and 50 and the pressure belt 2
Both 9 and 59 are preferably the fixing parts of the present invention. When the pressure belts 29 and 59 are the fixing belts of the present invention, the configuration of the pressure belts 29 and 59 is the same as that of the heating belt 30 in FIG.

3. A fixing device of a belt fixing system, a heating belt having at least a surface having heat resistance and release properties, and a pressing member pressed from the inside of the heating belt,
A recording roll having a pressure roll opposed to the pressure member via the heating belt, and a nip portion formed between the heating belt and the pressure roll, wherein the nip portion has an unfixed toner image. In a heat and pressure type fixing device for fixing a toner image on the recording sheet by applying heat and pressure by inserting a sheet, the fixing belt of the present invention is used as a heating belt and / or the fixing belt of the present invention is used. Each of the rolls can be used as a pressure roll.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the fixing device of the present system. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a heating belt as a fixing belt of the present invention, in which a fluororesin layer is formed on a base of a heat-resistant base film (for example, a polyimide film or the like). A pressure roll 31 is disposed in contact with the heating belt 30, and the heating belt 30 and the pressure roll 31
And a nip portion is formed between them. The pressure roll 31
A heat-resistant elastic layer 31b made of silicone rubber or the like is formed on a base 31a, and a fluororesin layer 31c is further formed thereon.
Is a fixing roll according to the invention.

Inside the heating belt 30, a pressure roll 31 is provided.
A pressure roll 33a made of, for example, iron
A pressing member 33 composed of a reverse T-shaped pressure applying member 33b and a metal pad 33c impregnated with a lubricant is provided, and the pressure applying member 33b presses the heating belt 30 through a pressure roll 33a. 31 so that a nip pressure is applied to the nip portion. At this time, the pressure applying member 33b is
The nip pressure is applied while sliding on the inner surface of a. In addition,
The inner surface of the pressure roll 33a is preferably coated with lubricating heat-resistant oil. Further, a heater lamp 32 for heating the nip portion of the heating belt 30 is arranged inside the heating belt 30.

The heating belt 3 is driven by the pressure roll 33a.
0 rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the pressure roll 31
Also rotates in the direction of arrow C. The recording sheet 35 on which the unfixed toner image 34 is formed is inserted into the nip portion of the fixing device in the direction of arrow A, and is heated and melted and pressed to fix the toner image.

In this embodiment, the case where both the heating belt 30 and the pressure roll 31 are the fixing parts of the present invention has been described.
Even if only one of them is the fixing part of the present invention,
The effects of the present invention are exhibited. Of course, both are preferably the fixing parts of the present invention.

4. Belt-type fixing device At least the surface has a heat belt having heat resistance and releasability, and a pressing member pressed from the inside of the heating belt,
A pressure belt that presses the heating belt to form a nip portion, and a pressure roll that presses against the pressure member via a nip portion of the heating belt and the pressure belt,
In a heating and pressing type fixing device in which a recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted through the nip portion and heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner image on the recording sheet, the fixing belt of the present invention includes a heating belt. It can be used as a belt and / or a pressure belt.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the fixing device of the present system. 4, the configuration of the heating belt 40, the heater lamp 42 and the pressing member 43 is the same as the configuration of the heating belt 30, the heater lamp 32 and the pressing member 33 of the fixing device in FIG. Therefore, the heating belt 40 is the fixing belt of the present invention.

A pressure belt 49 is arranged so as to be in contact with the heating belt 40 on the surface, and a nip portion is formed between the heating belt 40 and the pressure belt 49. The pressure belt 49 has the same configuration as the heating belt 40, that is, the fixing belt of the present invention. A pressure roll 4 made of silicone rubber or the like is provided inside the pressure belt 49 at a position facing the pressure member 43.
8 are provided so that a nip pressure is applied to the nip portion.

The heating belt 4 is driven by the pressure roll 43a.
0 rotates in the direction of arrow B, and the pressing belt 49
Also rotates in the direction of arrow C. The recording sheet 45 on which the unfixed toner image 44 is formed is inserted in the nip portion of the fixing device in the direction of arrow A, and is heated and melted and pressed to fix the toner image.

In this embodiment, the case where both the heating belt 40 and the pressing belt 49 are the fixing belt of the present invention has been described, but only one of the heating belt 40 and the pressing belt 49 is used. Even in the case of the fixing belt of the present invention, the effects of the present invention are exhibited. Of course, it is preferable that both are the fixing belt of the present invention.

[0084]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Example 1 (1) Production of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter 50 m)
mφ, length 400 mm) was prepared, and a 3 mm-thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, a PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Industries) having a thickness of 10 μm is formed on the heat-resistant elastic layer via a primer layer (thickness: 5 μm) made of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a heating roll is produced. did.

(2) Preparation of Pressure Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, a cylindrical aluminum substrate (49 m in outer diameter) was used.
mφ, length 390 mm), and a 1 mm thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, similarly to the heating roll, a PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Industries) having a thickness of 50 μm is formed via a primer layer (5 μm in thickness) made of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a pressure roll is manufactured. did.

(3) Measurement of Relationship Between Pressure and Strain A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out to obtain a measurement sample having a thickness of about 3 mm and a size of 5 mm × 5 mm. For this measurement sample, the slope K and the restoration rate R were determined by the above-described method.

As a measuring device, a micro compression tester MCTM-500 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation was used, the tip of the pressurizing indenter was made flat (diameter: 50 μm), and a correction mode was adopted. Reading the amount of strain at 0.53 MPa, which is the standard pressure, and calculating the slope from (change in X) / (change in Y) at that point,
The distortion amount is 14.5 μm, and the slope K is 2.73 × 10
^-11 m / Pa. Next, under the same conditions, the reversal load was 1.0 gf, the origin load was 0.5 gf, and the restoration rate R was 65%. Similarly, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R of the pressure roll were determined.
14.5 μm, K = 2.73 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R =
65%.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll (1) and the pressure roll (2) obtained above were incorporated in the fixing device shown in FIG. The heater lamps 12 and 13 are 800 W and 700 W, respectively.
A halogen lamp of W was used, and the set temperature of the surface of the heating roll 10 was 150 ° C. The rotation speed of the heating roll 10 is set to 100 mm / sec, and the nip width formed between the heating roll 10 and the pressure roll 11 is set to 6 mm. Reference numerals 18 and 19 denote plate-like chutes for the inlet and outlet, respectively, for smoothly moving the recording sheet 15 in and out. A color fuser oil manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. as a release agent oil is applied to both surfaces of the heating roll 10 and the pressure roll 11 at 1 μl / (A
(4 paper sizes).

(5) Paper Peeling Property Evaluation Test Fuji Xerox J paper was used as the recording sheet 15, and an unfixed toner image was formed on the recording sheet 15 using powdered toner so that the toner density became 2.5 mg / cm ^2. Formed.
The unfixed toner image 14 is obtained by using Fuji Xerox A
A color toner (color cyan) for Color 635 containing 5% of wax (polypropylene wax) was used, and was formed by a transfer machine of an electrophotographic apparatus (not shown).
The evaluation of the paper releasability is as follows.
It was sensually evaluated whether or not the film was peeled off cleanly. The evaluation criteria are as follows. ：: When peeling cleanly without any problem. ×: When peeling barely, but is stuck on the heating roll 10. XX: When winding around the heating roll 10. The results are shown in Table 2. As shown in Table 2, the paper releasability was good.

Example 2 (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (50 m in outer diameter) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm) was prepared and coated with a 3 mm-thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 40 degrees and a rebound resilience of 50% as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, on this heat-resistant elastic layer, a PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Industries) having a thickness of 20 μm is formed via a primer layer (thickness: 5 μm) made of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a heating roll is produced. did.

(2) Preparation of Pressure Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter of 49 m) was used.
mφ, length 390 mm), and a 1 mm thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 40 degrees and a rebound resilience of 50% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, similarly to the heating roll, a PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Industries) having a thickness of 50 μm is formed via a primer layer (5 μm in thickness) made of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a pressure roll is manufactured. did.

(3) Measurement of Pressure-Strain Amount A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
0.6 μm, K = 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R
= 60%. With respect to the pressure roll, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R were similarly obtained.
0.6 μm, K = 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 60
%Met.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll (1) and the pressure roll (2) obtained above were incorporated in the fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(5) Evaluation Test for Paper Peelability A paper evaluation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper releasability was
It was good without any problem.

Example 3 (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, a cylindrical aluminum substrate (50 m in outer diameter) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm) was prepared, and a 3 mm-thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, a primer (GLP103SR: manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) is cured on the heat-resistant elastic layer at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes to provide a primer layer (5 μm in thickness).
213 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) with solution A and solution B:
The solution mixed in 5 was applied by a spray method,
It was cured by heating for 30 minutes to form a fluororubber dispersion layer containing a fluororesin having a thickness of 30 μm, and a heating roll was produced.

(2) Preparation of Pressure Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter 49 m) was used.
mφ, length 390 mm), and a 1 mm thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, similarly to the above-mentioned heating roll, a 30 μm
To form a fluorine-containing rubber-containing dispersion layer having a thickness of, and a pressure roll was produced.

(3) Measurement of Pressure-Strain Amount A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
0.0 μm, K = 3.77 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 73%. The distortion amount, the inclination K and the restoration rate R of the pressure roll were calculated in the same manner.
0.0 μm, K = 3.77 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 7
3%.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll (1) and the pressure roll (2) obtained above were incorporated in the fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(5) Evaluation Test for Paper Peelability A test for evaluating paper peelability was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper releasability was
It was good without any problem.

Example 4 (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (i) Preparation of Fluororesin Solution A1 As a cyclic fluororesin (C ₆ F ₁₀ O), Using a top (XL809M manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) and a perfluoro-based solvent FC-75 manufactured by 3M as a solvent, a fluororesin solution A1 having a concentration of 15% composed of a cyclic fluororesin was prepared. In addition, the said Cytop is said General formula (2) and General formula (3)
And has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 300,000.

(Ii) Preparation of Heating Roll As a substrate, a cylindrical substrate made of aluminum (50 m in outer diameter) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm) was prepared, and a 3 mm-thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, the fluororesin solution A1 is spray-coated on the heat-resistant elastic layer via a primer layer (thickness: 5 μm) composed of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a fluororesin layer composed of a cyclic fluororesin is formed as an outermost layer. (10 μm). Thereafter, the temperature was slowly increased, and the solvent in the coating solution was volatilized at 120 ° C. for 30 minutes.
Heat-curing was performed for 1 hour to produce a heating roll.

(2) Preparation of Pressure Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (50 m in outer diameter) was used.
mφ, length 390 mm), and a 1 mm thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Furthermore, the primer layer (thickness 5
μm) to form a fluororesin layer (10 μm), thereby producing a pressure roll.

(3) Measurement of Pressure-Strain Amount A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
5.0 μm, K = 2.83 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 66%. With respect to the pressure roll, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R were similarly obtained.
5.0 μm, K = 2.83 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 6
6%.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll (1) and the pressure roll (2) obtained above were incorporated in a fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(5) Paper Peeling Property Evaluation Test A paper peeling property evaluation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper releasability was
It was good without any problem.

Example 5 (1) Production of Heating Roll and Pressure Roll (both fixing rolls of the present invention) In the production of the heating roll and pressure roll of Example 4, the thickness of the fluororesin layer was set to 20 μm. Except for the above, a heating roll and a pressure roll were produced in exactly the same manner as in Example 4.

(2) Measurement of Pressure-Strain Amount A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
1.0 μm, K = 2.08 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 69%. With respect to the pressure roll, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R were similarly obtained.
1.0 μm, K = 2.08 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 6
9%.

(3) Fixing Device The heating roll and the pressure roll obtained as described above were incorporated in a fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(4) Paper Peelability Evaluation Test A paper peelability evaluation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper releasability was
It was good without any problem.

Example 6 (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of the Present Invention) Having Fluororesin Layer Made of Fluororesin-Fluororubber Mixture (i) Preparation of Fluororubber Solution B1 Ternary Polyol Vulcanization A polymer rubber obtained by finely cutting a fluoro rubber G-602 (containing a vulcanizing component and a metal oxide: Daikin Industries, Ltd.) into a cube of 3 mm was used as a solvent for MIBK:
MEK was added little by little into the solution prepared at a ratio of 80:20, and completely dissolved while stirring with a stirrer to prepare a 15% -concentration fluororubber solution B1.

(Ii) Preparation of Coating Solution C1 The fluororesin solution A1 prepared in Example 1, the fluororubber solution B1 prepared in (i) above, and a silane coupling agent (tetraethoxysilane, KB
E04: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was mixed at a ratio of 50: 50: 5, and sufficiently stirred with a stirrer to prepare a coating liquid C1, and the spray coating was prepared while continuing stirring as it was.

(Iii) Preparation of Heating Roll As a substrate, a cylindrical substrate made of aluminum (with an outer diameter of 50 m) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm) was prepared, and a 3 mm-thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, the coating liquid C1 was spray-coated on the heat-resistant elastic layer while stirring continuously to form a fluororesin layer (10 μm in dry film thickness) composed of a mixture as an outermost layer. Thereafter, the temperature was slowly increased, the solvent was volatilized at 180 ° C. for 60 minutes, and vulcanization was further performed at 220 ° C. for 3 hours to produce a heating roll. Observation of the surface with a microscope having a magnification of about 100 times revealed a mosaic pattern in which a transparent resin layer and a white rubber layer were mixed.

(2) Production of a pressure roll (fixing roll of the present invention) having a fluororesin layer composed of a fluororesin-fluororubber mixture As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter of 50 m) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm) was prepared, and a 3 mm-thick HTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 55 degrees and a rebound resilience of 60% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, the coating liquid C1 is spray-coated on this heat-resistant elastic layer in the same manner as in the above-mentioned heating roll while stirring is continued to form a fluororesin layer (dry film thickness: 10 μm) as a mixture as the outermost layer. Formed. Thereafter, the temperature was slowly increased, the solvent was volatilized at 180 ° C. for 60 minutes, and vulcanization was further performed at 220 ° C. for 3 hours to produce a pressure roll. When observing the surface with a microscope of about 100 times magnification,
The mosaic pattern was a mixture of a transparent resin layer and a white rubber layer.

(3) Measurement of Pressure-Strain Amount A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
4.0 μm, K = 2.64 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 71%. With respect to the pressure roll, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R were similarly obtained.
4.0 μm, K = 2.64 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 7
1%.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll and pressure roll obtained as described above were incorporated in a fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(5) Evaluation Test for Paper Peelability A paper evaluation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper releasability was
It was good without any problem.

Comparative Example 1 (1) Production of Heating Roll and Pressure Roll (both fixing rolls of Comparative Example) In the production of the heating roll and pressure roll of Example 1, the thickness of the fluororesin tube was set to 30 μm. Except for the above, a heating roll and a pressure roll were produced in exactly the same manner as in Example 1. (2) Measurement of Relationship between Pressure and Strain A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1. The strain was 9.6 μm. = 1.81 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 61%. Similarly, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R of the pressure roll were determined.
9.6 μm, K = 1.81 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 6
1%.

(3) Fixing Device The heating roll and pressure roll obtained as described above were incorporated in a fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(4) Paper Peelability Evaluation Test A paper peelability evaluation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper peelability was poor, and the paper was wound around the roll during fixing.

Comparative Example 2 (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of Comparative Example) As a substrate, a cylindrical aluminum substrate (50 m in outer diameter) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm), and a 3 mm-thick LTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 30 degrees and a rebound resilience of 40% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, a PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Industries) having a thickness of 10 μm is formed on the heat-resistant elastic layer via a primer layer (5 μm in thickness) made of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a heating roll is produced. did.

(2) Preparation of Pressure Roll (Fixing Roll of Comparative Example) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter 49 m) was used.
mφ, length: 390 mm), and a 1 mm thick LTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 30 degrees and a rebound resilience of 40% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, on the heat-resistant elastic layer, 50 μm
A PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Kogyo Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 5 mm was formed via a primer layer (5 μm in thickness) made of a silicone-based coupling agent to produce a pressure roll.

(3) Measurement of Pressure-Strain Amount A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
3.0 μm, K = 4.33 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 55%. The distortion amount, the inclination K and the restoration rate R of the pressure roll were calculated in the same manner.
3.0 μm, K = 4.33 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 5
5%.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll (1) and the pressure roll (2) obtained above were incorporated in the fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(5) Paper Peeling Property Evaluation Test A paper peeling property evaluation test was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper peelability was poor, and the paper was wound around the roll during fixing.

Comparative Example 3 (1) Preparation of Heating Roll (Fixing Roll of Comparative Example) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter of 50 m) was used.
mφ, length 400 mm), and a 3 mm-thick LTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 50 degrees and a rebound resilience of 70% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, a PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Industries) having a thickness of 50 μm is formed on the heat-resistant elastic layer via a primer layer (thickness: 5 μm) made of a silicone-based coupling agent, and a heating roll is manufactured. did.

(2) Preparation of Pressure Roll (Fixing Roll of Comparative Example) As a substrate, an aluminum cylindrical substrate (outer diameter 49 m) was used.
mφ, length 390 mm), and a 1 mm thick LTV silicone rubber having a rubber hardness of 50 degrees and a rebound resilience of 70% was coated as a heat-resistant elastic layer. Further, on the heat-resistant elastic layer, 50 μm
A PFA heat-shrinkable tube (manufactured by Gunze Kogyo Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 5 mm was formed via a primer layer (5 μm in thickness) made of a silicone-based coupling agent to produce a pressure roll.

(3) Measurement of Relationship between Pressure and Strain A part of the obtained heating roll was cut out, and the inclination K and the restoration rate R were determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
0.0 μm, K = 1.89 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa,
R = 58%. With respect to the pressure roll, the amount of distortion, the inclination K, and the restoration rate R were similarly obtained.
0.0 μm, K = 1.89 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa, R = 5
8%.

(4) Fixing Device The heating roll and pressure roll obtained as described above were incorporated in a fixing device shown in FIG. Other conditions were the same as in Example 1.

(5) Paper Peelability Evaluation Test A paper peelability evaluation test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results. As shown in Table 2, the paper peelability was poor, and the paper was wound around the roll during fixing.

[0130]

[Table 2]

[0131]

As described above, the pressure-strain amount characteristic and the restoring characteristic of the surface formed of the heat-resistant elastic body and the fluororesin layer formed on the fixing roll or the fixing belt are set to appropriate ranges. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fixing roll or a fixing belt having excellent sheet releasability. As the fluororesin layer, not only a conventional fluororesin but also a novel cyclic fluororesin can be used. Cyclic fluororesin is soluble in a special solvent while being a fluororesin, so coating is easy and a thin layer can be formed.
The fixing roll or the fixing belt is particularly excellent in the sheet releasability. Further, as the fluororesin layer, a cyclic fluororesin-elastomer (fluororubber) mixture can improve the elasticity of the fluororesin, which is even more advantageous for paper releasability. In addition, since it can be processed at a low temperature, there is an advantage that the rubber is not damaged even when the rubber is used for the base. Furthermore, since coating can be easily performed, there is an advantage that economy is excellent. Further, by applying the fixing component of the present invention to a roll or a belt constituting a heating roll-type fixing device or a heating belt-type fixing device, it is possible to provide a fixing device having good sheet releasability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a general fixing device and an example of a fixing device to which a fixing roll of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a fixing device to which a fixing roll and a fixing belt of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of a fixing device to which a fixing roll and a fixing belt of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a fixing device to which the fixing belt of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the fixing device to which the fixing roll and the fixing belt of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between pressure and strain before correction.

FIG. 7 is a graph after correction showing the relationship between pressure and strain.

FIG. 8 is a graph after correction showing the relationship between the pressure and the amount of distortion when pressurization and unloading are performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20, 50: Heating rolls 11, 31: Pressure rolls 12, 13, 22, 32, 42, 52: Heater lamps 14, 24, 34, 44, 54: Unfixed toner images 15, 25, 35, 45 , 55: Recording sheet 16, 26, 56: Release agent coating device 27: Roll 28, 58: Pressure pad 29, 49, 59: Pressure belt 30, 40: Heating belt (fixing belt) 33, 43: Pressing member

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A fixing roll for electrophotography in which a heat-resistant elastic layer and a fluororesin layer are sequentially laminated on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical substrate, and 1) distortion of the outer peripheral surface with respect to pressure in the thickness direction. When the inclination of the graph showing the relationship between the quantities is K, K ≧ 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa Formula 1) 2) When the restoration rate of the outer peripheral surface with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction is R, R ≧ 60 % Fixing roll characterized by the following formula: 2). 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin layer has the following general formula (1):
The fixing roll according to claim 1, comprising a cyclic fluororesin having a structural unit represented by: · General formula (1) -C ₆ F ₁₀ O- 3. The structural unit according to claim 2, wherein the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) is a cyclic structural unit represented by the following general formula (2) or (3). Fixing roll. -General formula (2) -General formula (3) 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin layer is made of SiC, Si
O ₂ , BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , TiN, CF, PFA particles,
4. The fixing roll according to claim 1, further comprising one or more members selected from the group consisting of PTFE particles. 5. A fixing belt for electrophotography in which a heat-resistant elastic layer and a fluororesin layer are sequentially laminated on the surface of a sheet-like substrate, and 1) the amount of distortion with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction of the surface. When the slope of the graph showing the relationship is K, K ≧ 2.0 × 10 ⁻¹¹ m / Pa Formula 1) 2) When the restoration rate with respect to the pressure in the thickness direction of the surface is R, R ≧ 60% Formula 2 A fixing belt characterized by the following. 6. The fluorine resin layer according to the following general formula (1)
The fixing belt according to claim 5, comprising a cyclic fluororesin having a structural unit represented by: · General formula (1) -C ₆ F ₁₀ O- 7. The structural unit according to claim 6, wherein the structural unit represented by the general formula (1) is a cyclic structural unit represented by the following general formula (2) or (3). Fixing belt. -General formula (2) -General formula (3) 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fluororesin layer is made of SiC, Si
O ₂ , BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , TiN, CF, PFA particles,
The fixing belt according to any one of claims 5 to 7, comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of PTFE particles. 9. A recording apparatus comprising: a heating roll having at least a surface having heat resistance and mold release properties; and a pressure roll which presses against the heating roll to form a nip portion, and has an unfixed toner image in the nip portion. 5. A heating roll-type fixing device which passes a sheet and applies heat and pressure to fix a toner image on the recording sheet, wherein the heating roll and / or the pressure roll are according to claim 1. A fixing device, which is a fixing roll. 10. A heating roll having at least a surface having heat resistance and releasability, a pressure belt press-contacted with the heating roll to form a nip portion, and pressure applied to the heating roll via the pressure belt. A pressure roller, wherein a recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted through the nip portion, and heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner image on the recording sheet. A fixing device, wherein the heating roll is the fixing roll according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and / or the pressure belt is the fixing belt according to any one of claims 5 to 8. 11. A heating belt having at least a surface having heat resistance and releasability, a pressing member pressed against the inside of the heating belt, and a pressurizing member opposing the pressing member via the heating belt and applying pressure. Roll, a nip portion is formed between the heating belt and the pressure roll, a recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted into the nip portion, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording sheet to cause 9. A fixing device of a heating and pressing type for fixing a toner image, wherein the heating belt is a fixing belt according to claim 5 and / or a pressing roll is a fixing roll according to claim 1 to 4. A fixing device, characterized in that: 12. A heating belt having at least a surface having heat resistance and releasability, a pressing member pressed against the inside of the heating belt, a pressing belt pressed against the heating belt to form a nip portion, and A pressure roller that opposes and presses the pressure member via a nip portion of a heating belt and a pressure belt, and a recording sheet having an unfixed toner image is inserted through the nip portion to apply heat and pressure. A fixing device of a heating and pressing type for fixing a toner image on the recording sheet by causing the heating belt and / or the pressing belt to be the fixing belt according to claim 5. Fixing device.