Patent ID: 6625418
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:an image carrier; a developing device to form a developing agent image on said image carrier by using a developing agent containing a binder resin having a softening point falling within a range of between 105Â° C. and 130Â° C.; a transfer device to transfer said developing agent image onto a recording surface of a recording material; and a fixing device to fix the transferred developing agent image onto said recording surface, said fixing device including: a rotatable heating member, a rotatable support member having a metal core and a silicone sponge layer having a hardness not higher than 40Â° and formed on the surface of said metal core, a fixing belt movably supported by said rotatable heating member and said rotatable support member, having a thickness of 150 to 400 &mgr;m and having a thin metal plate, a silicone rubber layer formed on the surface of said thin metal plate, and a perfluoroalkoxy resin layer formed on said silicone rubber layer, and a pressurizing mechanism arranged to face said rotatable support member with said fixing belt interposed therebetween and equipped with a pressurizing member movable in synchronism with said fixing belt, said pressurizing member having a metal core, a silicone rubber layer formed on the surface of said metal core, and a perfluoroalkoxy resin layer formed on said silicone rubber layer.