JP6903997B2 - Manufacturing method of sliding member for fixing device, fixing device, image forming device and sliding member for fixing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device, a fixing device, an image forming device, and a sliding member for a fixing device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-262903 (Patent Document 1) discloses a fixing device provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile. This fixing device includes a pressure fixing roll, an endless belt that contacts the pressure fixing roll, and a pressing member that is arranged inside the endless belt and presses the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the pressure fixing roll. And have. This type of fixing device is called a belt nip fixing method because a fixing nip is formed by pressure contact between the roll and the belt. The belt nip fixing method is said to be advantageous in that it is excellent in energy saving, lightweight, compact and inexpensive.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-206105 (Patent Document 2), a sheet-shaped sliding member that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt is provided on the pressing member, and the inside of the sheet-shaped sliding member and the pressure belt. A fixing device having a structure in which a lubricant is interposed between the peripheral surface and the peripheral surface is disclosed. In this fixing device, the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the pressure belt and the pressing member is reduced by the lubricant, and the pressure belt can be smoothly orbited together with the fixing roll. As the lubricant, silicone oil, amino-modified silicone oil, methylphenyl silicone oil and the like are used.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-262903 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-206105

However, among the lubricants classified into the above-mentioned reactive silicone oils having a reactive substituent such as amino-modified silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, many of them are volatile. Therefore, the volatile components of the reactive silicone oil are suspended particulate matter (SPM), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) having a particle size of about 2.5 μm or less, and super-particulate matter having a particle size of about 0.1 μm or less. Volatilization into the atmosphere as fine particles (UFP) may pollute the indoor environment. In order to prevent this contamination, it is necessary to equip the fixing device with a filter that captures SPM, PM2.5 and UFP, and it has been pointed out that the amount of this filter used and the frequency of replacement are increasing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a sliding member for a fixing device and a fixing device capable of suppressing the generation of SPM, PM2.5 and UFP even when a reactive silicone oil is used as a lubricant. , An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a sliding member for an image forming apparatus and a fixing apparatus.

The present inventor has focused on a reactive silicone oil having low volatility in a series of diligent studies on a sliding member for a fixing device capable of suppressing the generation of SPM, PM2.5 and UFP. The present inventor has found that the change in viscosity of such a reactive silicone oil has a predetermined ratio before and after gelation, and has completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention is a sliding member for a fixing device used in a fixing device, wherein the fixing device is arranged on a roller and an endless belt that rotate together facing each other and an inner peripheral side of the endless belt. A pressing member that sandwiches the endless belt with the roller by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller, and a sliding member for the fixing device arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt. The sliding member for a fixing device comprises a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven sheet, the non-woven sheet contains heat-resistant fibers, and the gel-like lubricant contains a gelled reactive silicone oil. The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation.

Further, the present invention is a sliding member for a fixing device used in a fixing device, wherein the fixing device is arranged on a roller and an endless belt that rotate together facing each other and an inner peripheral side of the endless belt. A pressing member that sandwiches the endless belt with the roller by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller, and a sliding member for the fixing device arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt. The sliding member for a fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven sheet, the non-woven sheet contains heat-resistant fibers, and the gel-like lubricant is a polymer chain in a reactive silicone oil. The gel-like lubricant is composed of a change in the three-dimensional structure, and the gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing the viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil. ..

The reactive silicone oil is a silicone oil having a reactive substituent, and the substituent is preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of an amino group, an epoxy group and a carbonyl group.

The carbonyl group is preferably contained in the methacryloyl group.
The gel-like lubricant preferably has a viscosity of 10 Pa · s or less.

The heat-resistant fiber preferably has one or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group.

The heat-resistant fiber is preferably an aramid fiber. The heat-resistant fiber is preferably a polyimide fiber. The heat-resistant fiber is preferably a fluorinated polyimide fiber.

The fixing device according to the present invention is a fixing device including the sliding member for the fixing device, and the endless belt contains a base material at least on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and the base material includes a free amino group and a free amino group. A resin having either or both of free carbonyl groups.

The base material is preferably a polyimide resin. The base material is preferably a fluorinated polyimide resin. The substrate preferably contains the reactive silicone oil.

The fixing device preferably includes a heater that heats at least one of the roller and the endless belt. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the fixing apparatus.

The method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device according to the present invention includes a first step of obtaining a precursor member by impregnating a non-woven sheet with a reactive silicone oil, and heating and firing the precursor member to obtain the reactive silicone oil. It includes a second step of obtaining a gel-like lubricant by gelling and holding the gel-like lubricant on the non-woven sheet.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device according to the present invention, a gel-like lubricant is obtained by gelling reactive silicone oil, and the gel-like lubricant is held on a non-woven sheet for a fixing device. A method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device for manufacturing a sliding member, wherein the gel-like lubricant has a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation. The degree of gelation, which is a logarithmic value, is 1 or more.

According to the present invention, a sliding member for a fixing device, a fixing device, an image forming device, and a fixing device capable of suppressing the generation of SPM, PM2.5 and UFP even when reactive silicone oil is used as a lubricant. A method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the fixing device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a graph showing the concentration of SPM generated from the sliding member for a fixing device of this Example in the outgas device which can simulate the environment of 180 degreeC which is the state when the fixing device is driven.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail. In the following embodiments, when the drawings are used, the parts with the same reference numerals indicate the same parts or the corresponding parts.

Here, in the present specification, the notation in the form of "A to B" means the upper and lower limits of the range (that is, A or more and B or less), and there is no description of the unit in A, and the unit is described only in B. In the case, the unit of A and the unit of B are the same. In the present specification, "sliding" in a sliding member for a fixing device means a property related to low friction or slipperiness with respect to an acting member. Further, the "sliding property" that expresses the effect is an index of the ease of rotation of the endless belt that the sliding member comes into contact with, for example, in the fixing device. The "sliding property" can be evaluated by measuring the torque of the external motor, for example, as will be described later. In this evaluation, "high slidability" or "excellent slidability" means that the measured torque is low, and "low slidability" or "poor slidability" means measurement. It means that the torque to be applied is high.

[Sliding member for fixing device]
The fixing device sliding member according to the present embodiment is a fixing device sliding member used in the fixing device. The fixing device is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt and the roller and the endless belt that rotate together with each other, and the endless belt is pressed by the roller by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller. It includes a pressing member to be sandwiched, and a fixing device sliding member arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt. The sliding member for the fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet. The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat resistant fibers. Gel lubricants include gelled reactive silicone oils. The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation.

The sliding member for the fixing device according to the present embodiment can also be defined as follows. That is, the sliding member for the fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet. The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat resistant fibers. The gel-like lubricant is composed of a change in the three-dimensional structure of the polymer chain in the reactive silicone oil. The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value obtained by dividing the viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil.

By having the above-mentioned structure, the sliding member for the fixing device can suppress the generation of volatile components such as SPM, PM2.5 and UFP even when reactive silicone oil is used as the lubricant. By suppressing the generation of volatile components, it can also contribute to odor control. The shape of the sliding member for the fixing device depends on the shape of the non-woven fabric sheet, but is not limited to the sheet shape, and may be a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a columnar shape.

<Fixing device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 100 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt 150 and the roller 110 and the endless belt 150 that rotate together facing each other, and the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 is directed toward the roller 110. It includes a pressing member 130 that sandwiches the endless belt 150 with the roller 110 by pressing the endless belt 150, and a sliding member 120 for a fixing device that is arranged between the endless belt 150 and the pressing member 130. As the roller 110, a known one used in a conventional fixing device can be adopted. In the fixing device, a sliding member may be arranged as a part of the pressing member. A detailed description of the fixing device will be described later.

<Gel-like lubricant>
As described above, the sliding member 120 for the fixing device includes a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet. Gel lubricants include gelled reactive silicone oils. The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation. The gel lubricant can also be specified as follows. That is, the gel-like lubricant is composed of a change in the three-dimensional structure of the polymer chain in the reactive silicone oil, and is a logarithmic value obtained by dividing the viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil. The degree of gelation is 1 or more.

(Reactive silicone oil)
The reactive silicone oil is preferably a silicone oil having a reactive substituent. The substituent is preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of an amino group, an epoxy group and a carbonyl group. Among them, reactive silicone oil having an amino group as a reactive substituent is suitable because various grades are commercially available and easily available. The amino group as the reactive substituent includes any monovalent functional group obtained by removing hydrogen from ammonia, a primary amine, and a secondary amine, respectively. In the present specification, the carbonyl group refers to a group represented by "= C = O" contained in methacrylic acid (methacrylic acid group), a carboxyl group and the like. The carbonyl group is preferably contained in the methacryloyl group.

The intramolecular position of the reactive silicone oil in which the reactive substituent (any of amino group, epoxy group and carbonyl group) is located is divided into three forms from the chemical structural formulas shown in (1) to (3) below. Can be shown. A in the chemical structural formulas shown in the following (1) to (3) indicates a reactive substituent. That is, a form in which reactive substituents are located at both ends of the siloxane skeleton in the reactive silicone oil as shown in the chemical structural formula (1) below, and a reactive substitution as shown in the chemical structural formula (2) below. The form in which the group is located at one end of the siloxane skeleton in the reactive silicone oil, and the reactive substituent is located in one side chain of the siloxane skeleton in the reactive silicone oil as shown in the chemical structural formula (3) below. There is a form.

In the chemical structural formulas shown in (1) to (3) below, R represents an alkyl group which may have a substituent. The alkyl group is preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group. When a plurality of A's are present in one molecule, one of the amino group, the epoxy group and the carbonyl group may be selected and the same substituent may be positioned at each position of A, or different substituents may be positioned. ..

In the chemical structural formulas (1) to (3) above, l, m, and n each indicate the degree of polymerization. The degree of polymerization is, for example, l = 1 to 500, m = 0 to 300, m + l = 10 to 500, n = 10 to 500. When the degree of polymerization is lower than the range of the values indicated by l, m, and n, the reactive silicone oil volatilizes in the process of heating and firing the precursor member obtained by impregnating the reactive silicone oil with the non-woven fabric sheet described later. , The volatile components may pollute the environment such as indoors. If the degree of polymerization is higher than the range of values indicated by l, m, and n, the siloxane skeleton is likely to be decomposed due to thermal oxidative deterioration, so that leakage or scattering may occur due to the reduction in molecular weight. Further, the reaction between the decomposition products of the siloxane skeleton may excessively promote gelation and increase the torque.

The intramolecular position of the reactive silicone oil in which the reactive substituent is located can show another form other than the above-mentioned forms (1) to (3). The other form is a form in which two reactive substituents are located in the siloxane skeleton, although the description by the chemical structural formula is omitted.

In the present embodiment, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of slidability and durability that the reactive substituents are located at both ends of the siloxane skeleton. It is said that the slidability of the reactive silicone oil is higher when the number of methyl groups in one molecule is larger. Therefore, when the reactive substituent is located at the terminal rather than the reactive substituent in the side chain, the number of methyl groups in one molecule is increased and high slidability can be obtained. .. Since the more substituents in one molecule, the higher the strength after immobilization on the precursor member, the more reactive substituents are located at both ends than one end, the better the durability. Become.

The chemical structure of a reactive silicone oil with a reactive substituent can be identified, for example, by using either gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or an NMR instrument.

(Degree of gelation)
As described above, the gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation. The gel-like lubricant refers to a lubricant whose viscosity has increased due to a change in the three-dimensional structure of the polymer chain in the reactive silicone oil. Therefore, the degree of gelation can be determined based on the logarithmic value of the ratio of the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant to the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before the gel-like lubricant is formed. The degree of gelation is a scale for evaluating the degree of progress of the gelation reaction, and it can be evaluated that the larger the value is, the more the gelation reaction is progressing.

The gelation degree of the gel-like lubricant is preferably 1.5 or more. The upper limit of the gelation degree of the gel-like lubricant is not particularly limited, but can be 5. If the degree of gelation exceeds 5, it means that the lubricant is a gel-like lubricant in which gelation has progressed excessively, so that when applied to a fixing device, the slidability is inferior and the torque may increase.

The degree of gelation of the gel-like lubricant can be obtained by substituting the values of the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant and the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil into the following equations.
Degree of gelation = Ln (viscosity of gel-like lubricant / viscosity of reactive silicone oil)
However, Ln means the natural logarithm.

Further, both the viscosity of the gel lubricant and the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil can be measured by the following methods. That is, the viscosity is measured under the condition of 25 ° C. using a rheometer viscosity measuring device (trade name: "HAAKE MARSII", manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.). Specifically, first, a zero-point calibration of the gap between the sample table (UTC φ35 plate) and the φ35 titanium parallel plate (φ35PP-Ti) of the above apparatus is performed. Next, 200 to 300 mg of the measurement sample (gel lubricant or reactive silicone oil) is applied onto the sample table (UTC φ35 plate), and the φ35 titanium parallel plate is lowered to make the sample table and φ35 titanium. The gap with the parallel plate is 0.05 mm. By setting the shear rate to 100 (unit: "l / s") in this state, the viscosity of the measurement sample can be measured. The viscosity of the measurement sample is measured in Pa · s as a unit.

Here, the gel-like lubricant is held in the non-woven fabric sheet constituting the sliding member for the fixing device. Therefore, in measuring the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant, the gel-like lubricant is first extracted from the sliding member for the fixing device, and the extracted gel-like lubricant is transferred to the sample table (UTCφ35 plate) of the rheometer viscosity measuring device. It shall be applied.

The viscosity of the gel-like lubricant is preferably 10 Pa · s or less, and more preferably 3 Pa · s or less, from the viewpoint of slidability when applied to a fixing device. The lower limit of the viscosity of the gel lubricant can be 0.1 Pa · s. If the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant is less than 0.1 Pa · s, it means that the gel-like lubricant has insufficient progress of gelation, so that the volatilization of the reactive silicone oil can be sufficiently suppressed. However, there is a risk that the environment such as indoors will be polluted. If the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant exceeds 10 Pa · s, it means that gelation has progressed excessively, so that when applied to a fixing device, the slidability is inferior and the torque may increase.

On the other hand, the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil is preferably 0.2 to 5 Pa · s from the viewpoint of resistance to thermal oxidation, ease of impregnation into the nonwoven fabric sheet described later, and slidability.

<Non-woven fabric sheet>
As described above, the sliding member for the fixing device includes a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet. The sliding member for the fixing device is manufactured by immersing the non-woven fabric sheet in the reactive silicone oil or impregnating the non-woven fabric sheet with the reactive silicone oil.

The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat resistant fibers. As long as the non-woven fabric sheet is a material containing heat-resistant fibers and can be impregnated with a reactive silicone oil having a reactive substituent, an appropriate material can be used. The non-woven fabric sheet may contain a known adhesive for constituting the non-woven fabric sheet as long as it is the above-mentioned material.

(Heat resistant fiber)
The thermostable fiber preferably has one or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group. Here, the "free amino group" and "free carbonyl group" in the heat-resistant fiber are chemical bonds forming a main chain which is a fiber (polymer) of the heat-resistant fiber (nonwoven sheet) of the sliding member for a fixing device. Refers to amino groups and carbonyl groups that are not involved in.

Further, the heat-resistant fiber preferably has heat resistance to withstand a high temperature of up to about 250 ° C. From this viewpoint, the heat-resistant fiber is preferably an aramid fiber. The heat-resistant fiber is also preferably a polyimide fiber. Further, the heat-resistant fiber is preferably a fluorinated polyimide fiber. It may be a polyamide-imide fiber. Further, it may be aramid paper.

The non-woven fabric sheet can be obtained by a conventionally known manufacturing method such as a needle punching method. In particular, in the case of a non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers, it is preferable that the non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers is subjected to high-temperature pressing by a hot press method, a calender method, or the like to be thinned to the compression limit at the stage of the raw fabric sheet.

As the non-woven fabric sheet, it is also preferable to use a non-woven fabric sheet prepared by using a method called ESD (Electro Spinning: Electro Spinning Deposition) method for converting a polymer into nanofibers. The non-woven fabric sheet produced by the ESD method has a fiber thickness of several hundred nm to several μm, which is 1/5 to 1/100 of the thickness of the fibers constituting the conventionally known non-woven fabric sheet. Therefore, the porosity of the sheet becomes high, and the impregnation amount of the reactive silicone oil can be increased even if the thickness is 100 μm or less. Further, since the specific surface area is increased by further reducing the thickness of the fiber, the amount of the reactive silicone oil immobilized on the non-woven fabric sheet (modified with siloxane) by heating and firing described later can be increased. As a result, the sliding member for the fixing device can exhibit excellent sliding performance. The heat-resistant fibers constituting the non-woven fabric sheet preferably have a fiber thickness of 1 to 5 μm from the viewpoint of its strength.

When the non-woven fabric sheet is a non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers, the aramid fibers are preferably polymers such as poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide and poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide. As poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide, Cornex (registered trademark), Nomex (registered trademark) and the like are known. As poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide, Kevlar (registered trademark), Twaron (registered trademark) and the like are known.

The method for measuring the thickness of the heat-resistant fibers constituting the non-woven fabric sheet may be as follows. First, the non-woven fabric sheet is observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at a magnification of 5000 times so that five fibers whose diameters can be measured appear in one field of view. Next, the thickness of the five fibers appearing in this one visual field is specified at arbitrary two locations. That is, data on the thickness of 10 fibers is obtained from one field of view, and the same observation is performed a total of 10 times (10 fields of view) to obtain a total of 100 data, and the average value of these is the fiber of the heat-resistant fiber. The thickness of. Further, the thickness of the non-woven fabric sheet is measured by measuring the thickness of 10 points per 10 cm × 10 cm in μm units using a micrometer (for example, trade name: “MDC-25SX”, manufactured by Mitutoyo Co., Ltd.), and averaging these measured values. It can be represented by a value.

[Manufacturing method of sliding member for fixing device]
The method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device according to the present embodiment includes a first step of obtaining a precursor member by impregnating a non-woven sheet with reactive silicone oil, and heating and firing the precursor member to gel the reactive silicone oil. This includes a second step of obtaining a gel-like lubricant and holding the gel-like lubricant on the non-woven sheet. Here, the reactive silicone oil is preferably a silicone oil having the above-mentioned reactive substituent.

Further, the method for manufacturing the sliding member for the fixing device according to the present embodiment can also be specified as follows. That is, it is a method of obtaining a gel-like lubricant by gelling reactive silicone oil and manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device by holding the gel-like lubricant on a non-woven fabric sheet. In this case, as described above, the gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation.

<First step>
The first step is a step of obtaining a precursor member by impregnating a non-woven fabric sheet with reactive silicone oil. For example, in the example of using aramid fibers as the heat-resistant fibers contained in the nonwoven fabric sheet, first, the nonwoven fabric sheet containing the aramid fibers is immersed in a reactive silicone oil having a reactive substituent, or the nonwoven fabric sheet containing the aramid fibers is used. It is impregnated by applying a reactive silicone oil having a reactive substituent.

In the first step, the non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers is impregnated with the reactive silicone oil at a ratio of 1.0 to 2.5 parts by weight of the reactive silicone oil with respect to 1 part by weight of the non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers. Is preferable. By making the amount of impregnating the reactive silicone oil excessive, it is possible to promote sufficient siloxane modification in the heating and firing described later. Further, the siloxane modification can be caused on the non-woven fabric sheet containing the aramid fiber even during the operation of the fixing device incorporating the sliding member for the fixing device.

<Second step>
The second step is a step of heating and firing the precursor member to gel the reactive silicone oil to obtain a gel-like lubricant and holding the gel-like lubricant on the non-woven sheet. That is, the precursor member obtained by impregnating the non-woven fabric sheet with the reactive silicone oil is heated and fired in a temperature range of 180 to 220 ° C. for about 6 to 24 hours using an oven whose humidity can be controlled by dry air or the like. .. As a result, the amino group or carbonyl group on the surface of the non-woven sheet containing the aramid fiber reacts with the reactive substituent of the reactive silicone oil, and these are chemically bonded. At this time, the reactive silicone oil gels due to the change in the three-dimensional structure of the polymer chain as described above, and hydrogen in the reactive silicone oil molecule is formed in the physical entanglement between the non-woven sheet and the reactive silicone oil. Reversible hydrogen bonds between atoms and oxygen atoms occur. By this hydrogen bond, the physical entanglement between the non-woven fabric sheet and the reactive silicone oil is strengthened, and the gel state is promoted and maintained. As a result, a gel-like lubricant in which the reactive silicone oil is gelled can be obtained, and the surface of the non-woven fabric sheet containing the aramid fiber is modified by the gel-like lubricant (hereinafter, "siloxane modification"). The gel-like lubricant can be held on the non-woven fabric sheet.

In the second step, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the heating temperature and the heating time according to the functional group equivalent amount of the reactive silicone oil impregnated in the precursor member to be heated and fired and the addition amount thereof. If the heating temperature is too low or the heating time is too short, gelation of the reactive silicone oil and siloxane modification of the non-woven fabric sheet containing the aramid fiber may be insufficient, and the durability of the manufactured sliding member may be reduced. There is. On the other hand, if the heating temperature is too high or the heating time is too long, thermal oxidative decomposition of the non-woven fabric sheet containing the aramid fiber and the reactive silicone oil may occur.

In the method for manufacturing a sliding member for a fixing device according to the present embodiment, instead of a non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers, a non-woven fabric containing polyimide fibers, a non-woven fabric containing fluorinated polyimide fibers, and other heat-resistant fibers such as polyamide-imide fibers are used. Non-woven fabric containing the mixture can be used. In these cases as well, a gel-like lubricant can be obtained by the same method, and the surface of the non-woven fabric sheet can be siloxane modified.

Here, it can be confirmed by the following method whether or not the surface of the non-woven fabric sheet has been siloxane modified and the gel-like lubricant can be retained in the non-woven fabric sheet as desired. That is, a chemical bond (for example, an amino group, an epoxy group and a carbonyl group) formed between the amino group and the carbonyl group of the non-woven sheet (heat resistant fiber) and the reactive substituent (amino group, epoxy group and carbonyl group) of the reactive silicone oil. , Amid bonds, sulfur-oxygen bonds (such as sulfoxide formation or sulfonyl group formation) by qualifying and quantifying using analyzers such as FT-IR, HPLC-MS, GC-MS, NMR. You can check.

[Fixing device]
The fixing device includes the above-mentioned sliding member for the fixing device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 100 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the roller 110 and the endless belt 150 that rotate together with each other and the endless belt 150, and forms the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150. It includes a pressing member 130 that sandwiches the endless belt 150 with the roller 110 by pressing toward the roller 110, and a fixing device sliding member 120 arranged between the endless belt 150 and the pressing member 130. .. Further, the fixing device also includes a second roller 140 for rotating the endless belt 150. As the roller 110, a known one used for the fixing device 100 can be adopted.

<Endless belt>
The endless belt 150 preferably contains a base material at least on its inner peripheral surface. This substrate is a resin having either or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group. The base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 is preferably a polyimide resin. Further, a fluorinated polyimide resin is also preferable. In addition, a polyamide-imide resin or an aromatic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin may be used. In particular, a thermosetting polyimide resin is more preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance and strength.

The "free amino group" and "free carbonyl group" in the resin constituting the base material of the endless belt 150 are amino groups and carbonyl groups that are not involved in forming the main chain of the polymer constituting the resin. To say.

It is more preferable that the base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 contains a reactive silicone oil. The inclusion of the reactive silicone oil in the base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 can be achieved by the same method as the sliding member for the fixing device described above. That is, the base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 is immersed in a reactive silicone oil having a reactive substituent, or the reactive silicone having a reactive substituent on the base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150. Impregnated by applying oil. Next, the endless belt 150 impregnated with the reactive silicone oil may be heated and fired in a temperature range of 180 to 220 ° C. for about 6 to 24 hours using an oven whose humidity can be controlled by dry air or the like.

Further, in order to impregnate the base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 with the reactive silicone oil, the following method can also be used. For example, when a thermosetting polyimide resin is used as the material of the base material on the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150, the above-mentioned reactive silicone oil is added at a ratio of 0.5 to 5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyimide solid content. It is added to the polyimide varnish. A polyimide varnish containing this reactive silicone oil is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150, and the endless belt 150 is heated and fired to obtain a thermosetting polyimide resin, whereby the base of the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 is obtained. The material can be impregnated with reactive silicone oil.

<Pressing member>
As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing member 130 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt 150, and acts to sandwich the endless belt 150 with the roller 110 by pressing the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 150 toward the roller 110. As long as it has, a known pressing member can be used in the fixing device. Therefore, it is preferable that the pressing member 130 has a nip forming portion, a high-pressure sliding portion, and the like, as well as a support portion that serves as the pressing member main body.

The nip forming portion is arranged adjacent to the roller 110 on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt 150, and by pressing the endless belt 150 via, for example, a sliding member 120 for a fixing device, the nip forming portion can be formed as a paper leaf together with the roller 110. It has the function of pumping the recording sheet F. The nip forming portion is required to be made of a material having high strength and low thermal conductivity as well as heat resistance for fixing the transferred toner on the recording sheet F. For example, a silicon elastomer and a heat resistant non-woven fabric are preferably used. Be done.

The high-pressure sliding portion is arranged on the side where the recording sheet F is pressure-fed from the nip forming portion. For example, pressure is applied to the endless belt 150 via the sliding member 120 for the fixing device, and the recording sheet F is moved from the roller 110. It has the effect of separating. The high-pressure sliding portion is required to be made of a material having high sliding property, heat resistance, high strength, low thermal conductivity and wear resistance. The high-pressure sliding portion preferably further includes a curved surface having a curvature κ of 0.15 or more and 1 or less. Specifically, the curvature κ is given to each of the surface of the high-pressure sliding portion in contact with the roller 110 and the surface in contact with the endless belt 150. By having such a curved surface, a surface pressure higher than that of the nip forming portion in the high-pressure sliding portion can be applied to the recording sheet F, the recording sheet F can be separated from the roller-110, and the occurrence of paper jam is suppressed. be able to. The preferred curved surface curvature κ of the high-pressure sliding portion is 0.165 or more and 0.7 or less.

When the fixing device 100 is of the belt nip fixing method, the pressing member 130 is required to have low thermal conductivity. Therefore, the support portion is required to be made of a material having low thermal conductivity as well as heat resistance, high strength, and high dimensional stability. Specifically, as the support portion, a thermoplastic resin obtained by blending a heat-resistant resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyimide, or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) with glass fiber, carbon fiber, or the like is preferably used. However, since the sliding member 120 for the fixing device is composed of a non-woven fabric sheet such as a non-woven fabric sheet containing aramid fibers and has low thermal conductivity, the pressing member 130 and the support member are sheet metal. It is also possible to use a metal such as.

<Heater>
The fixing device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a heater 140h that heats at least one of the roller 110 and the endless belt 150. In FIG. 1, the heater 140h is located on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt 150 and is arranged inside the second roller 140. The second roller 140 is in contact with the endless belt 150 in order to rotate the endless belt 150. Therefore, the endless belt 150 is efficiently heated by the heater 140h arranged inside the second roller 140. As the heater 140h, for example, a halogen heater can be used from the viewpoint of cost and durability. The location where the heater is installed can be appropriately selected according to various required qualities such as cost, shortening of warm-up time, high-speed response, and power consumption. The heater may be located in the vicinity of either the roller or the endless belt, or in the vicinity of both.

<Image forming device>
Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus includes a fixing device 100 provided with a sliding member for the fixing device according to the present embodiment in the fixing portion 1 described later. The image forming apparatus is an apparatus for forming an image on the recording sheet F by a known electrophotographic method, and together with the fixing unit 1, an image process unit 2, a transfer unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, and a control unit ( (Not shown). The image forming apparatus receives a print job from an external terminal device (not shown) via a network (for example, LAN), and selectively executes color and monochrome printing based on the print job.

The image process unit 2 has an image forming unit 21 corresponding to the developed colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and a toner image composed of each color based on the print job. To image. Here, A in FIG. 2 means that it is one of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The transfer unit 3 has a primary transfer roller 31 and an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer body 32, and a toner image composed of each color imaged by the image forming unit 21 on the intermediate transfer body 32 is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 32 by using the primary transfer roller 31. Is transferred by electrostatic action.

The paper feed unit 4 feeds the recording sheets F one by one from the paper feed cassette to the transport path 41 and conveys them toward the secondary transfer roller 42 at the timing when the toner image is imaged by the image forming unit 21. To do. When the conveyed recording sheet F passes between the secondary transfer roller 42 and the intermediate transfer body 32, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 32 is recorded by the electrostatic action of the secondary transfer roller 42. The secondary transfer is collectively performed on the sheet F.

The recording sheet F after the toner image is secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 1. Further, in the fixing device 100 provided in the fixing portion 1, the toner is fused to the surface of the recording sheet F. After that, it is discharged onto the paper ejection tray by the paper ejection roller. In this way, an image corresponding to the toner image is formed on the recording sheet F.

Here, the above description is an operation when the color mode is executed, but when monochrome, for example, black color printing (monochrome mode) is executed, only the image forming unit for the black color is driven and is predetermined. A black image is formed (printed) on the recording sheet F through each of the steps described above.

The control unit controls each unit based on the print job data received from the external terminal device via the network so that the smooth print operation is executed. The image forming apparatus is on the front side and the upper side of the apparatus main body, and the operation panel is provided at a position where the user can easily operate the image forming apparatus. The operation panel is provided with a button for receiving various instructions from the user, a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit, and the like, and conveys the received instruction content to the control unit.

Examples of such an image forming apparatus include electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a digital printing machine, and a simple printing machine. These image forming apparatus may be either dry type or wet type, but it is particularly effective to use a dry type image forming apparatus. Since the image forming apparatus includes the fixing apparatus having the sliding member according to the present embodiment, the generation of image noise is reduced over a long period of time, and an image with high image quality can be formed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Manufacturing of sliding member for fixing device]
<Example 1>
First, a sprayer (trade name: "esplayer ES-2100", manufactured by Fuence Co., Ltd.) is used to spray a precursor solution of all-fluorinated polyimide (hereinafter, also referred to as "FPI") onto a stainless steel plate by an electric field spinning method. did. As a result, a non-woven fabric sheet precursor having a fiber thickness (average fiber diameter) of 2 μm and a grain size of 16 g / m ^{2 made of fully fluorinated polyimide was obtained on a stainless steel plate material.} Next, this non-woven fabric sheet precursor was heated at 200 ° C. for 3 hours to promote imidization to prepare a non-woven fabric sheet made of fluorinated polyimide fibers. Further, the produced non-woven fabric sheet is compressed by a hot press (trade name: "H300-15", manufactured by AS ONE Corporation) at 200 ° C., 2 MPa, and 5 minutes to increase the thickness to 51 μm. And said.

The precursor solution of FPI contains an aromatic diamine (4FMPD: tetrafluoro-1,3 phenylenediamine) represented by the following chemical formula (4) and an acid anhydride (10FEDA: 1) represented by the following chemical formula (5). , 4-Bis (3,4-dicarboxytrifluorophenoxy) tetrafluorobenzene dianhydride) was used as a solution of total fluorinated polyamic acid in N-methylpyrrolidone.

Subsequently, a commercially available heat-resistant double-sided tape (trade name: "Dytac # 8800CH", manufactured by DIC Corporation) is attached to one side of the above-mentioned compression-treated non-woven fabric sheet, and the fixing device is passed through the heat-resistant double-sided tape. The above-mentioned non-woven fabric sheet was superposed on the nip portion of the pressing member of. Next, 100 parts by mass of the non-woven fabric sheet superposed on the pressing member is impregnated with methacrylic-modified silicone oil (trade name: "X-22-164C", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a reactive silicone oil. To obtain a precursor member (first step). Further, the pressing member including the precursor member is placed in an oven (trade name: "DNG810V", manufactured by Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd.), and the inside of the oven is dehumidified with dry air having a dew point of -20 ° C or lower, and then 200 ° C. for 6 hours. A gel-like lubricant was obtained by heating and firing under the conditions of (2nd step), and the gel-like lubricant was held on a non-woven sheet (second step). As described above, the fixing sliding member of Example 1 was produced.

The fixing sliding member of Example 1 is composed of a non-woven sheet containing gelled methacrylic-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and fluorinated polyimide, and is a reactive silicone before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the oil, is 1.1.

<Example 2>
The sliding member for the fixing device of Example 2 was produced by the same method as in Example 1 except that the heating and firing time was changed to 12 hours.

The fixing sliding member of Example 2 is composed of a non-woven sheet containing gelled methacrylic-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and fluorinated polyimide, and is a reactive silicone before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the oil, is 1.8.

<Example 3>
The sliding member for the fixing device of Example 3 was produced by the same method as in Example 1 except that the heating and firing time was changed to 24 hours.

The fixing sliding member of Example 3 is composed of a non-woven sheet containing gelled methacrylic-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and fluorinated polyimide, and is a reactive silicone before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the oil, is 3.0.

<Example 4>
By using the same method as in Example 2 except that the reactive silicone oil is changed to amino-modified silicone oil (trade name: "KF8008", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), the sliding member for the fixing device of Example 4 is used. Was produced.

The fixing sliding member of Example 4 is composed of a non-woven sheet containing gelled amino-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and fluorinated polyimide, and is a reactive silicone before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the oil, is 1.8.

<Example 5>
By using the same method as in Example 1 except that the reactive silicone oil is changed to epoxy-modified silicone oil (trade name: "KF1005", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), the sliding member for the fixing device of Example 5 is used. Was produced.

The fixing sliding member of Example 5 is composed of a non-woven sheet containing gelled epoxy-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and fluorinated polyimide, and is a reactive silicone before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the oil, is 1.1.

<Example 6>
The fixing device of Example 6 by the same method as in Example 2 except that the reactive silicone oil is changed to epoxy-modified silicone oil (trade name: "X-22-163A", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). A sliding member for silicon was manufactured.

The fixing sliding member of Example 6 is composed of a non-woven sheet containing gelled epoxy-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and fluorinated polyimide, and is a reactive silicone before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the oil, is 1.8.

<Example 7>
A meta-type aramid fiber sheet (trade name: "Conex (registered trademark) felt", manufactured by Teijin Limited) having a ^{grain size of 490 g / m 2} was used as the non-woven fabric sheet. This non-woven fabric sheet is compressed by a hot press (trade name: "H300-15", manufactured by AS ONE Corporation) at 200 ° C., 20 MPa, and 10 minutes to increase the thickness to 1.283 mm. It was set to (1283 μm).

The fixing sliding member of Example 7 was produced by the same method as in Example 1 for the subsequent steps.

The fixing sliding member of Example 7 is composed of gelled methacrylic-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and a meta-type aramid fiber sheet (aramid felt), and is a reaction before gelling the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value of the value obtained by dividing by the viscosity of the sex silicone oil, is 1.1.

<Example 8>
Aramid paper (trade name: "Nomex (registered trademark) paper T411 7 mil", manufactured by DuPont Teijin Advanced Paper Co., Ltd.) having a grain ^{size of 175 g / m 2} and a thickness of 191 μm was used as the non-woven fabric sheet. The fixing sliding member of Example 8 was produced by the same method as in Example 1 except for the above.

The fixing sliding member of Example 8 is composed of gelled methacrylic-modified silicone oil as a gel-like lubricant and aramid paper, and the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant is divided by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation. The degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value of the value obtained by the above, is 1.1.

<Comparative example 1>
Example 1 except that amino-modified silicone oil (trade name: "X-22-161B", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used as the reactive silicone oil, and the conditions for heating and firing were set to 150 ° C. for 12 hours. By using the same method, a sliding member for a fixing device of Comparative Example 1 was produced.

Since the temperature at which the fixing sliding member of Comparative Example 1 was heated and fired was as low as 150 ° C., the progress of gelation was slow. Therefore, the degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value of the value obtained by dividing the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation, was 0.69.

<Comparative example 2>
For the fixing device of Comparative Example 2 by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 except that the reactive silicone oil is changed to epoxy-modified silicone oil (trade name: "X-22-163C", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). A sliding member was manufactured.

Since the temperature at which the fixing sliding member of Comparative Example 2 was heated and fired was as low as 150 ° C., the progress of gelation was slow. Therefore, the degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value of the value obtained by dividing the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation, was 0.59.

<Comparative example 3>
For the fixing device of Comparative Example 3 by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 except that the reactive silicone oil is changed to methacryl-modified silicone oil (trade name: "X-22-164B", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). A sliding member was manufactured.

Since the temperature at which the fixing sliding member of Comparative Example 3 was heated and fired was as low as 150 ° C., the progress of gelation was slow. Therefore, the degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value of the value obtained by dividing the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation, was 0.69.

<Comparative example 4>
For the fixing device of Comparative Example 4 by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 except that the reactive silicone oil is changed to methacryl-modified silicone oil (trade name: "X-22-164E", manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). A sliding member was manufactured.

Since the temperature at which the fixing sliding member of Comparative Example 4 was heated and fired was as low as 150 ° C., the progress of gelation was slow. Therefore, the degree of gelation, which is the logarithmic value of the value obtained by dividing the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation, was 0.47.

Here, in the sliding members for fixing devices of Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 described above, the viscosity of the gel-like lubricant and the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil were measured by the method described above. From these viscosity values, the degree of gelation of the gel-like lubricant was calculated by the method described above.

[Performance evaluation of sliding members for fixing device]
Hereinafter, some performance evaluations have been performed on the sliding members for fixing devices of Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 described above, and the results and the like will be described below.

<Sliding property evaluation: Torque measurement>
First, in order to evaluate the slidability, a color printer (trade name: "magicolor (registered trademark) 5440DN", manufactured by Konica Minolta Magic Co., Ltd.) having the same configuration as the fixing device described above was used.

In the slidability evaluation, the temperature of the roller was set to 200 ° C., and only the fixing device was continuously driven by an external motor at a speed of 300 mm / sec for 400 hours. That is, the fixing device is continuously driven for 400 hours without executing the fixing operation on the recording sheet, and the fixing device sliding of Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 is performed between the endless belt and the pressing member. The members were slid continuously for 400 hours. The torque (Nm) of the external motor is applied immediately after the start of driving (initial), after 50 hours, after 100 hours, after 150 hours, after 200 hours, after 300 hours, and after 400 hours, respectively. The measurement was performed and the change (the degree of increase in torque) was monitored. The set load of the external motor is 180N. The slidability of the sliding member for the fixing device is evaluated to be superior as the measured torque value does not change.

<Evaluation of suppression of volatile components: SPM concentration measurement>
Furthermore, as an evaluation of suppressing the generation of volatile components, an outgas collector capable of measuring the concentration of SPM in the environment by capturing 0.02 to 1.0 μm suspended particulate matter (SPM) was produced. , The concentration of SPM generated from the sliding member for the fixing device was measured using this device. This outgas collection device is equipped with a 10 L chamber, a 70 L dilution container, and a particle counter (CPC) for measuring the concentration of SPM.

Specifically, the method for measuring the concentration of SPM was as follows. First, 2 ± 0.1 g of a measurement sample (sliding member for a fixing device) was placed in a 10 L chamber and heated to 100 to 200 ° C. Further, He gas was poured into this chamber at a flow rate of 2 L / min so that this He gas headed for a 70 L dilution container together with the volatile components volatilized from the measurement sample. Finally, the volatile components from the measurement sample contained in the 70 L dilution container were poured into a particle counter (CPC) at a flow rate of 0.7 L / min, and the concentration thereof was measured. In particular, the concentration of SPM was evaluated for a total of 10 minutes, which was a period of heating to 180 ° C. and maintained at that temperature, and the concentration at the stage immediately before heating to 190 ° C. As for the sliding member for the fixing device, it can be evaluated that the lower the concentration of SPM captured by the outgas collecting device, the more the generation of volatile components is suppressed when the sliding member for the fixing device is actually used. it can.

<Odor evaluation: Odor sensory test>
When the fixing device was driven by using the color printer described above and the torque thereof was measured, the odor emitted from the color printer was subjected to a sensory test based on the following index (rank). This sensory evaluation was performed immediately (initially) after the start of driving the fixing device.

(Rank)
3: Almost no odor (same level as the fixing device of the above color printer).
2: A slight pungent odor was confirmed.
1: A strong pungent odor was confirmed.

The results of the performance evaluations (torque measurement, SPM concentration measurement, odor sensory test) for the sliding members for the fixing device of Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 described above are shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. .. Tables 1 and 2 show the material, texture, ρb (density), T (thickness), trade name, viscosity, and reaction of the "reactive silicone oil" of the "nonwoven sheet" used in each of the examples and comparative examples. In addition to the sex substituents and functional group equivalents, the "gelling conditions" and the degree of gelation and viscosity of the "gel-like lubricant" are also shown.

Further, FIG. 3 shows the state of the concentration change of SPM captured by the outgas collector for 10 minutes (the period in which the horizontal axis is 100 to 110 minutes) heated to 180 ° C. and maintained.

<Evaluation result>
According to Tables 1 and 2, the sliding members for the fixing device of Examples 1 to 8 were all excellent in the torque measurement, the SPM concentration measurement, and the odor evaluation result. That is, it was found that the range of torque fluctuation is small immediately after the start of driving (initial stage) and after driving for 400 hours, and the torque can be stably used for a long time. In particular, the generation of SPM was suppressed, and no pungent odor was confirmed.

The sliding member for the fixing device of Examples 1 to 8 is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven sheet, the non-woven sheet contains heat-resistant fibers, and the gel-like lubricant contains gelled reactive silicone oil, and is gel-like. The degree of gelation of the lubricant is 1 or more. Therefore, by having such a configuration, the sliding members for the fixing device of Examples 1 to 8 can suppress the generation of volatile components such as SPM even when reactive silicone oil is used as the lubricant. It is understood that it can be done. Further, by using the sliding member for the fixing device of Examples 1 to 8, it is possible to provide a fixing device and an image forming device that suppress the generation of volatile components such as SPM.

On the other hand, in the sliding members for the fixing device of Comparative Examples 1 to 4, since the gelation degree of the gel-like lubricant was less than 1, the torque fluctuated between immediately after the start of driving (initial) and after driving for 400 hours. Although the width was small, the concentration of SPM generated was high and a pungent odor was also confirmed.

Here, the image forming apparatus to which the fixing apparatus provided with the sliding member for the fixing apparatus according to the present embodiment and the embodiment is applied is not limited to a tandem type color digital printer, but is a printer that forms a monochrome image. May be good. Further, the present invention is not limited to printers, and can be applied to copiers, MFPs (Multiple Funciton Peripherals), FAXs, and the like (in any case, either for color images or monochrome images).

The embodiments and examples disclosed this time should be considered as exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not described above, but is indicated by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Fixing part, 2 Image process part, 21 Image forming part, 3 Transfer part, 31 Primary transfer roller, 32 Intermediate transfer body, 4 Feeding part, 41 Transport path, 42 Secondary transfer roller, 100 Fixing device, 110 roller, 120 Sliding member for fixing device (invention), 130 Pressing member, 140 Second roller, 140h heater, 150 Endless belt, F recording sheet.

Claims (12)

A sliding member for a fixing device used in a fixing device.
The fixing device is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt and a roller and an endless belt that rotate together facing each other, and presses the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller to press the endless belt. A pressing member sandwiched between the rollers and a sliding member for a fixing device arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt is provided.
The sliding member for the fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet.
The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat-resistant fibers and contains heat-resistant fibers.
The gel-like lubricant contains a gelled reactive silicone oil and contains.
The gel-like lubricant, gelation degree is a logarithm of the value obtained by dividing the viscosity The viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation indicates 1 or more,
The heat-resistant fiber is a fluorinated polyimide fiber, which is a sliding member for a fixing device. A sliding member for a fixing device used in a fixing device.
The fixing device is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt and a roller and an endless belt that rotate together facing each other, and presses the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller to press the endless belt. A pressing member sandwiched between the rollers and a sliding member for a fixing device arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt is provided.
The sliding member for the fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet.
The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat-resistant fibers and contains heat-resistant fibers.
The gel-like lubricant is composed of a change in the three-dimensional structure of the polymer chain in the reactive silicone oil.
The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing the viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil.
The heat-resistant fiber is a fluorinated polyimide fiber, which is a sliding member for a fixing device. The reactive silicone oil is a silicone oil having a reactive substituent and is
The sliding member for a fixing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substituent is at least one selected from the group consisting of an amino group, an epoxy group and a carbonyl group. The sliding member for a fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the carbonyl group is contained in a methacryloyl group. The sliding member for a fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gel lubricant has a viscosity of 10 Pa · s or less. The sliding member for a fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heat-resistant fiber has either one or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group. A fixing device including the sliding member for the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The endless belt contains a base material at least on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
A fixing device, wherein the substrate is a resin having either or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group. The fixing device according to claim 7 , wherein the base material is a polyimide resin. A fixing device provided with a sliding member for the fixing device.
The fixing device is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt and a roller and an endless belt that rotate together facing each other, and presses the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller to press the endless belt. A pressing member sandwiched between the rollers and a sliding member for a fixing device arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt is provided.
The sliding member for the fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet.
The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat-resistant fibers and contains heat-resistant fibers.
The gel-like lubricant contains a gelled reactive silicone oil and contains.
The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation.
The endless belt contains a base material at least on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
The substrate is a resin having either or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group.
It said substrate is a fluorinated polyimide resin, a constant Chakusochi. A fixing device provided with a sliding member for the fixing device.
The fixing device is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the endless belt and a roller and an endless belt that rotate together facing each other, and presses the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt toward the roller to press the endless belt. A pressing member sandwiched between the rollers and a sliding member for a fixing device arranged between the pressing member and the endless belt is provided.
The sliding member for the fixing device is composed of a gel-like lubricant and a non-woven fabric sheet.
The non-woven fabric sheet contains heat-resistant fibers and contains heat-resistant fibers.
The gel-like lubricant contains a gelled reactive silicone oil and contains.
The gel-like lubricant has a gelation degree of 1 or more, which is a logarithmic value of a value obtained by dividing its viscosity by the viscosity of the reactive silicone oil before gelation.
The endless belt contains a base material at least on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
The substrate is a resin having either or both of a free amino group and a free carbonyl group.
The substrate comprises the reactive silicone oil, a constant Chakusochi. The fixing device according to any one of claims 7 to 10 , wherein the fixing device includes a heater that heats at least one of the roller and the endless belt. An image forming apparatus comprising the fixing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

Images