JP4036779B2 - Electrophotographic carrier, developer, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

上記式中Ｒ_１は水素原子、炭素原子１〜４のアルキル基またはフェニル基、Ｒ_２およびＲ_３は水素基、炭素原子数１〜４のアルコキシ基、フェニル基、フェノキシ基、炭素原子数２〜４のアリケニル基、炭素原子数２〜４のアルケニルオキシ基、ヒドロキシ基、カルボキシル基、エチレンオキシド基、グリシジル基または下記化学式（２）で示される基である。
【００５８】
【化２】

（上記式中Ｒ_４、Ｒ_５はヒドロキシ基、カルボキシル基、炭素原子数１〜４のアルキル基、炭素原子数１〜４のアルコキシ基、炭素原子数２〜４のアルケニル基、炭素原子数２〜４のアルケニルオキシ基、フェニル基、フェノキシ基である）。上記化学式（１）中、ｋ、ｌ、ｍ、ｎ、ｏ、ｐは１以上の整数を示す。
上記各置換基は未置換のもののほか、例えばヒドロキシ基、カルボキシル基、アルキル基、フェニル基、ハロゲン原子のような置換基を有してもよい。
【００５９】
また、該コート層には、上述の絶縁性無機粒子に代表される表面凹凸を形作る粒子の個数平均径より小さな個数平均径を持つ導電性または半導性粒子を含むことが好ましく、このような導電性または半導性粒子をコート層中に含有させることにより、キャリア抵抗値を、精度良く制御することができる。
【００６０】
導電性または半導性粒子としては、従来公知のもので良く、導電性粒子の例としては、鉄、金、銅等の金属；フェライト、マグネタイト等の酸化鉄；酸化ビスマス、酸化モリブデン等の酸化物；ヨウ化銀、βアルミナ等のイオン導電体；カーボンブラック等の顔料が挙げられ、半導性粒子の例としては、チタン酸バリウム、チタン酸ストロンチウム、チタン酸ランタン酸鉛等に代表される複酸化物や、酸化チタン、酸化亜鉛、酸化スズの酸素欠陥形成物（フレンケル型半導体）、不純物型欠陥形成物（ショトキー型半導体）が挙げられる。
この中でも特にカーボンブラックの一つであるファーネスブラックやアセチレンブラックを用いることにより、少量の低抵抗微粉末の添加で効果的に導電性の調整が可能であり、好ましく用いられる。
これらの低抵抗微粉末は、キャリア表面凹凸を形成するための粒子より小さくする必要があるが、およそ個数平均径で０．０１〜１μｍ程度のものが好ましく、コート層樹脂１００重量部に対して２〜３０重量部添加されることが好ましい。
【００６１】
コート層の形成法としては、従来公知の方法が使用でき、コア材粒子の表面にコート層形成液を噴霧法、浸漬法等の手段で塗布すればよい。また、コート層の厚さは０．０１〜２０μｍが好ましく、０．３〜１０μｍ程度であれば更に好ましい。
更に、このようにしてコート層を形成したキャリア粒子を加熱することによりコート層の重合反応を促進させることが好ましい。
これらのキャリア粒子の加熱保持は、コート層形成後これに引き続きコート装置内で行なっても良く、また、コート層形成後、通常の電気炉や焼成キルン等、別の加熱手段によって行なっても良い。
また、加熱保持温度は、使用するコート層材料により異なるため、一概に決められるものではないが、１２０〜３５０℃程度の温度が好ましく用いられる。このとき、加熱保持温度は、コート層樹脂の分解温度以下の温度が好ましく用いられ、２００℃程度までの上限温度であることがより好ましい。
また加熱保持時間としては、５〜１２０分間程度であることが好ましい。
【００６２】
キャリアに用いる磁性コア材は、キャリアとして本発明で規定の範囲となる限り、特に限定されるものではなく、従来公知のものが使用でき、例えば、鉄、コバルト、ニッケル等の金属；マグネタイト、ヘマタイト、フェライトなどの合金や化合物等が挙げられるが、これらに限定されるものではない。これら磁性粒子は、単結晶／アモルファスの粒子、単独／複合の焼結体、単独／複合の粒子を樹脂等の高分子中に分散させた粒子等の、いずれのコア材形態で使用しても良い。また、磁性粒子を高分子中に分散させた粒子で、キャリア粒子の磁気特性と磁性粒子の分散性を両立させるには、これらの磁性粒子は０．５〜１０μｍ程度の大きさの粒子を含むことが好ましい。磁性粉末を分散した樹脂粒子を用いる場合の、キャリア粒子のコア材粒子を形成する樹脂としては、例えばポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、塩素化ポリエチレン、クロロスルホン化ポリエチレン等のポリオレフィン系樹脂；ポリスチレン、アクリル（例えばポリメチルメタクリレート）、ポリアクリロニトリル、ポリビニルアセテート、ポリビニルアルコール、ポリビニルブチラール、ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリビニルカルバゾール、ポリビニルエーテル、ポリビリケトン等のポリビニル及びポリビニリデン系樹脂；塩化ビニル−酢酸ビニル共重合体；ポリテトラフルオロエチレン、ポリ弗化ビニル、ポリ弗化ビニリデン、ポリクロロトリフルオロエチレン等の弗素樹脂；ポリアミド；ポリエステル；ポリウレタン；ポリカーボネート等が挙げられるが、これらに限定されるものではない。
【００６３】
磁性体分散タイプのコア材粒子には、これらの密着性を向上や、抵抗制御材の分散性を向上する目的でシランカップリング剤、チタンカップリング剤等のカップリング剤を助剤として添加しても良い。
中でも、該磁性コア材として、フェライト粒子を用いることにより、個々のキャリア粒子の持つ磁化を制御しやすいため好ましく、また、該磁性コア材として、樹脂中に磁性体を分散させた粒子を用いることにより、本発明で規定の磁化比を保ちながら、粒子形状や他の機能を付与しやすいため好ましい。
【００６４】
また、電子写真用キャリアと、少なくとも結着樹脂及び着色剤を含むトナーを混合してなる電子写真用現像剤において、該キャリアを、上述の電子写真用キャリアとすることにより、キャリア付着が抑制された、高画質化に対応できる電子写真用現像剤を得ることができる。このとき、該現像剤重量中のトナー重量は、２〜１２重量％であることが好ましく、２．５〜１０重量％であることが更に好ましい。
【００６５】
本発明に使用するトナーは、通常、電子写真用トナーとして使用されるものを、特に制限なく、使用することができる。
例えば、該電子写真用トナーに使用される結着剤樹脂の一例としては、ポリスチレン、ポリｐ−クロロスチレン、ポリビニルトルエン等のスチレン及びその置換体の単重合体；スチレン／ｐ−クロロスチレン共重合体、スチレン／プロピレン共重合体、スチレン／ビニルトルエン共重合体、スチレン／ビニルナフタレン共重合体、スチレン／アクリル酸メチル共重合体、スチレン／アクリル酸エチル共重合体、スチレン／アクリル酸ブチル共重合体、スチレン／アクリル酸オクチル共重合体、スチレン／メタクリル酸メチル共重合体、スチレン／メタクリル酸エチル共重合体、スチレン／メタクリル酸ブチル共重合体、スチレン／α−クロルメタクリル酸メチル共重合体、スチレン／アクリロニトリル共重合体、スチレン／ビニルメチルケトン共重合体、スチレン／ブタジエン共重合体、スチレン／イソプレン共重合体、スチレン／マレイン酸共重合体等のスチレン系共重合体；ポリアクリル酸メチル、ポリアクリル酸ブチル、ポリメタクリル酸メチル、ポリメタクリル酸ブチル等のアクリル酸エステル系単重合体やその共重合体；ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリ酢酸ビニル等のポリビニル誘導体；ポリエステル系重合体、ポリウレタン系重合体、ポリアミド系重合体、ポリイミド系重合体、ポリオール系重合体、エポキシ系重合体、テルペン系重合体、脂肪族または脂環族炭化水素樹脂、芳香族系石油樹脂などが挙げられ、単独あるいは混合して使用できるが特にこれらに限定するものではない。中でも、スチレン−アクリル系共重合樹脂、ポリエステル系樹脂、ポリオール系樹脂より選ばれる少なくとも１種以上であることが、電気特性、コスト面等から、より好ましいものである。更には、良好な定着特性を有するものとして、ポリエステル系樹脂および／またはポリオール系樹脂の使用が、一層好ましい。
【００６６】
また、該電子写真用トナーに使用される着色剤としては、従来からトナー用着色剤として使用されてきた顔料及び染料が使用でき、具体的には、カーボンブラック、ランプブラック、鉄黒、群青、ニグロシン染料、アニリンブルー、フタロシアニンブルー、フタロシアニングリーン、ハンザイエローＧ、ローダミン６Ｃレーキ、カルコオイルブルー、クロムイエロー、キナクリドンレッド、ベンジジンイエロー、ローズベンガル等を単独あるいは混合して用いることができる。
更に、必要により、トナー粒子自身に磁気特性を持たせるには、フェライト、マグネタイト、マグヘマイト等の酸化鉄類、鉄、コバルト、ニッケル等の金属あるいは、これらと他の金属との合金等の磁性成分を単独または混合して、トナー粒子へ含有させればよい。また、これらの成分は、着色剤成分として使用／併用することもできる。
【００６７】
また、該電子写真用現像剤に含まれるトナーは離型性物質を含むことが好ましく、これにより定着オイルを使用しないオイルレス定着を行ないつつ、該キャリアの効果により現像剤の長寿命化をも図られる。トナー中に含ませる離型性物質としては、ポリエチレンワックス、プロピレンワックス、カルナウバワックス等のワックス類が好ましく用いられるが、これらに限定されるものではない。これらの使用量としては、用いる材料の種類や定着の方法にもよるが、およそ０．５〜１０．０重量％程度の使用が好ましく、３．０〜８．０重量％程度の使用が更に好ましい。
【００６８】
トナー流動性や環境依存性改良のための添加剤としても、一般に公知のものが使用でき、例えば、酸化亜鉛、酸化錫、酸化アルミニウム、酸化チタン、酸化珪素、チタン酸ストロンチウム、チタン酸バリウム、チタン酸カルシウム、ジルコン酸ストロンチウム、ジルコン酸カルシウム、チタン酸ランタン、炭酸カルシウム、炭酸マグネシウム、マイカ、ドロマイト等の無機粉末や、これらの疎水化物が単独または混合して使用できる。この他の添加剤として、ポリテトラフルオロエチレン、テトラフルオロエチレンヘキサフルオロプロピレン共重合体、ポリフッ化ビニリデン等のフッ素樹脂微粒子をトナー表面改質剤として使用しても良い。これらは、添加する材料の種類にもよるが、トナー母体粒子１００重量部に対して、およそ０．１〜１０重量部程度を外添し、必要であれば適当な混合機により混合してトナー粒子表面に付着、凝着或いは、トナー粒子間隙で遊離した状態になるよう調整し、用いることができる。
【００６９】
この他、帯電の立ち上がりをより良くするための電荷制御剤としては、一般に知られているものが使用でき、例えば、アミノ基含有ビニル系コポリマー、四級アンモニウム塩化合物、ニグロシン染料、ポリアミン樹脂、イミダゾール化合物、アジン系染料、トリフェニルメタン系染料、グアニジン化合物、レーキ顔料等の正帯電性電荷制御剤や、カルボン酸誘導体及びこの金属塩、アルコキシレート、有機金属錯体、キレート化合物等の負帯電性電荷制御剤を、単独または混合して、トナー粒子中への混練物および／または添加物とすることができる。これら電荷制御剤を分散状態で用いる場合、キャリア粒子表面との相互作用が略均等に生じるためには、その分散径は、２．０μｍ以下であることが好ましく、１．０μｍ以下であることが更に好ましいものである。
【００７０】
本発明の現像剤中のトナー粒子製造方法としては、上述のような原材料を、二本ロール、二軸押出し混練機、一軸押出し混練機等の、公知の方法で混練し、これを機械式や気流式等の公知の粉砕、分級を行ないトナー母体粒子を作成することができる。また混練時に、着色剤や磁性体の分散状態を制御するための分散剤等を併用しても良い。更に、このトナー母体粒子は、前述の添加剤を添加し、混合機等により混合・表面改質を行なっても良い。
またこの他に、樹脂単量体や、低分子量樹脂オリゴマー等を出発原料としてトナー粒子を造粒する、いわゆる重合トナーを用いても良い。
また、これらのトナー粒子の帯電電荷量は、実使用プロセスにより異なるため一概に決定できるものではないが、おおよそ、本発明の構成によるキャリア粒子との組み合わせにおいて、絶対値で３〜４０μＣ／ｇ程度の飽和電荷量であることが好ましく、更には５〜３０μＣ／ｇ程度の飽和電荷量であることが、より好ましい。
また、トナー粒子の粒径としては、重量平均径Ｄ４＝４〜１０μｍ程度であることが好ましく、トナー粒子の個数基準１０％径は、２．５μｍ以上であることが、より安定した画質を得るためには好ましい。
【００７１】
また、現像剤を摩擦することによりトナーを帯電させる摩擦帯電手段、帯電したトナーを含む現像剤を保持する内部に磁界発生手段を有する回動可能な現像剤保持体、及び静電潜像を形成する像担持体を備えた現像装置において、現像剤が上述の何れかに記載の電子写真用現像剤とし、かつ、現像剤保持体及び像担時体の近接部である現像領域近傍における、該現像剤保持体表面法線方向の磁束密度Ｂ（ｍＴ）の最大値を、式（６）の関係とすることにより、キャリア中に混在する低い磁化を持つ粒子に対しても充分な磁気的拘束力を保つことができ、かつ現像部でのキャリア磁気ブラシの状態を良好に制御できるため、キャリア付着が抑制された、高品質の画像を長期にわたって得ることができることが判明した。
【００７２】
【数２８】
１５０００／（σ３０・ρｃ）≦Ｂ≦５００００／（σｂ・ρｃ） 式（６）
【００７３】
また、該現像装置は、像担持体と現像剤保持体の現像領域内における最近接部の間隔が０．３０〜０．８０ｍｍとする維持手段を有する現像装置であることが現像の安定性を得るためには、より好ましい。間隔が０．３０ｍｍを下回るとキャリア磁気ブラシにより、いったん現像されたトナー像が掃き取られることがあり、逆に０．８０ｍｍを上回るとベタ画像中央部より端部のトナー現像量が多くなる、いわゆるエッジ効果が発生しやすくなるため好ましくない。
【００７４】
また、これらの現像装置では、主として単位面積中の現像面積率により画像の階調性を持たせるには、現像剤担持体へ直流バイアス電圧を印加する電圧印加機構を有することが好ましく、主として単位面積あたりのトナー付着量により画像の階調性を持たせるには、該現像剤保持体へ直流電圧に交流電圧を重畳したバイアス電圧を印加する電圧印加機構を有することがより好ましい。
【００７５】
また、該現像装置は、少なくとも像担持体をクリーニングするクリーニング機構、クリーニング機構により回収したトナーを現像機構へ搬送する回収トナー搬送機構よりなるトナーリサイクル機構を備えることにより、上記の高品質画像を省資源で得ることができるため、更に好ましいものである。
【００７６】
また、複数の現像装置の像担持体上に形成した各々のトナー像を媒体上へ転写する転写手段、媒体上に転写したトナー像を定着する定着手段を有する画像形成装置において、該現像装置を上述の現像装置とすることにより、キャリア付着が抑制された、高画質な画像を得ることができる。
【００７７】
また、現像剤を摩擦することによりトナーを帯電させる摩擦帯電手段、帯電したトナーを含む現像剤を保持する内部に磁界発生手段を有する回動可能な現像剤保持体、静電潜像を形成する像担持体、現像剤及びトナーを備えたプロセスカートリッジにおいて、現像剤を本発明の電子写真用現像剤とし、かつ、現像剤保持体及び像担時体の近接部である現像領域近傍における、該現像剤保持体表面法線方向の磁束密度Ｂ（ｍＴ）の最大値を、式（６）の関係とすることにより、キャリア付着により、現像剤中のキャリアが減少することなく、安定した現像が長期間行なえるプロセスカートリッジを得ることができる。
【００７８】
以下に図を用いて、本発明の現像装置について説明を加える。
まず、図１は、現像装置主要部の概略構成図である。潜像担持体である感光体ドラム（１）に対向して配設された現像装置は、現像剤担持体としての現像スリーブ（４１）、現像剤収容部材（４２）、規制部材としてのドクターブレード（４３）、支持ケース（４４）等から主に構成されている。
感光体ドラム（１）側に開口を有する支持ケース（４４）には、内部にトナー（１０）を収容するトナー収容部としてのトナーホッパー（４５）が接合されている。トナーホッパー（４５）に隣接した、トナー（１０）とキャリア粒子とからなる現像剤（１１）を収容する現像剤収容部（４６）には、トナー粒子（１０）とキャリア粒子（１１）を撹拌し、トナー粒子に摩擦／剥離電荷を付与するための、現像剤撹拌機構（４７）が設けられている。
【００７９】
トナーホッパー（４５）の内部には、図示しない駆動手段によって回動されるトナー供給手段としてのトナーアジテータ（４８）及びトナー補給機構（４９）が配設されている。トナーアジテータ（４８）及びトナー補給機構（４９）は、トナーホッパー（４５）内のトナー（１０）を現像剤収容部（４６）に向けて撹拌しながら送り出す。
感光体ドラム（１）とトナーホッパー（４５）との間の空間には、現像スリーブ（４１）が配設されている。図示しない駆動手段で図の矢印方向に回転駆動される現像スリーブ（４１）は、キャリア粒子による磁気ブラシを形成するために、その内部に現像機構（４）に対して相対位置不変に配設された、磁界発生手段としての図示しない磁石を有する。
現像剤収容部材（４２）の、支持ケース（４４）に取り付けられた側と対向する側には、規制部材（ドクターブレード）（４３）が一体的に取り付けられている。規制部材（ドクターブレード）（４３）は、その先端と現像スリーブ（４１）の外周面との間に一定の隙間を保った状態で配設されている。
【００８０】
上記構成により、トナーホッパー（４５）の内部からトナーアジテータ（４８）、トナー補給機構（４９）によって送り出されたトナー（１０）は、現像剤収容部（４６）へ運ばれ、現像剤撹拌機構（４７）で撹拌されることによって、所望の摩擦／剥離電荷が付与され、キャリア粒子と共に現像剤（１１）として（またはトナー粒子単独で）、現像スリーブ（４１）に担持されて感光体ドラム（１）の外周面と対向する位置まで搬送され、トナー（１０）のみが感光体ドラム（１）上に形成された静電潜像と静電的に結合することにより、感光体ドラム（１）上にトナー像が形成される。
【００８１】
図２は現像装置を有する画像形成装置の一例を示す断面図である。ドラム状の像担持体（１）の周囲に、像担持体帯電部材（２）、像露光系（３）、現像機構（４）、転写機構（５）、クリーニング機構（６）、除電ランプ（７）が配置されていて、以下の動作で画像形成を行なう。
【００８２】
画像形成の一連のプロセスは、ネガ−ポジプロセスで説明を行なう。有機光導電層を有する感光体（ＯＰＣ）に代表される像担持体（１）は除電ランプ（７）で除電され、帯電チャージャーや帯電ローラーといった帯電部材（２）で均一にマイナスに帯電され、レーザー光学系（３）より照射されるレーザー光で潜像形成（露光部電位の絶対値は、非露光部電位の絶対値より低電位となる）が行なわれる。
【００８３】
レーザー光は半導体レーザーから発せられて、高速で回転する多角柱の多面鏡（ポリゴン）等により像担持体（１）の表面を像担持体（１）の回転軸方向に走査する。このようにして形成された潜像が、現像手段又は現像機構（４）にある現像剤担持体である現像スリーブ（４１）上に供給されたトナー粒子、またはトナー粒子及びキャリア粒子の混合物からなる現像剤により現像され、トナー可視像が形成される。潜像の現像時には、電圧印加機構（図示せず）から現像スリーブ（４１）に、像担持体（１）の露光部と非露光部の間にある、適当な大きさの電圧またはこれに交流電圧を重畳した現像バイアスが印加される。
【００８４】
一方、転写媒体（例えば紙）（８）が、給紙機構（図示せず）から給送され、上下一対のレジストローラー（図示せず）で画像先端と同期をとって像担持体（１）と転写部材（５）との間に給送され、トナー像が転写される。このとき、転写部材（５）には、転写バイアスとして、トナー帯電の極性と逆極性の電位が印加されることが好ましい。その後、転写媒体または中間転写媒体（８）は像担持体（１）より分離され、転写像が得られる。
また、像担持体上に残存するトナー粒子は、クリーニング部材（６１）にて、クリーニング機構（６）内のトナー回収室（６２）へ回収される。
回収されたトナー粒子は、トナーリサイクル手段（図示せず）により現像部および／またはトナー補給部に搬送され、再使用されても良い。
画像形成装置は、上述の現像装置を複数配置し、転写媒体上へトナー像を順次転写した後、定着機構へ送り、熱等によってトナーを定着する装置であっても良く、一端中間転写媒体上へ複数のトナー像を転写し、これを一括して転写媒体に転写後同様の定着を行なう装置であっても良い。
【００８５】
《アモルファスシリコン感光体について》
本発明に用いられる電子写真用感光体としては、導電性支持体を５０℃〜４００℃に加熱し、該支持体上に真空蒸着法、スパッタリング法、イオンプレーティング法、熱ＣＶＤ法、光ＣＶＤ法、プラズマＣＶＤ法等の成膜法によりａ−Ｓｉからなる光導電層を有するアモルファスシリコン感光体（以下、「ａ−Ｓｉ系感光体」と称する。）を用いることが出来る。なかでもプラズマＣＶＤ法、すなわち、原料ガスを直流または高周波あるいはマイクロ波グロー放電 によって分解し、支持体上にａ−Ｓｉ堆積膜を形成する方法が好適なものとして用いられている。
【００８６】
《層構成について》
アモルファスシリコン感光体の層構成は例えば以下のようなものである。図３は、層構成を説明するための模式的構成図である。図３（ａ）に示す電子写真用感光体（５００）は、支持体（５０１）の上にａ−Ｓｉ：Ｈ，Ｘからなり光導電性を有する光導電層（５０２）が設けられている。図３（ｂ）に示す電子写真用感光体（５００）は、支持体（５０１）の上に、ａ−Ｓｉ：Ｈ，Ｘからなり光導電性を有する光導電層（５０２）と、アモルファスシリコン系表面層（５０３）とから構成されている。図３（ｃ）に示す電子写真用感光体（５００）は、支持体（５０１）の上に、ａ−Ｓｉ：Ｈ，Ｘからなり光導電性を有する光導電層（５０２）と、アモルファスシリコン系表面層（５０３）と、アモルファスシリコン系電荷注入阻止層（５０４）とから構成されている。図３（ｄ）に示す電子写真用感光体（５００）は、支持体（５０１）の上に、光導電層（５０２）が設けられている。該光導電層（５０２）はａ−Ｓｉ：Ｈ，Ｘからなる電荷発生層（５０５）ならびに電荷輸送層（５０６）とからなり、その上にアモルファスシリコン系表面層（５０３）が設けられている。
【００８７】
《支持体について》
感光体の支持体としては、導電性でも電気絶縁性であってもよい。導電性支持体としては、Ａｌ、Ｃｒ、Ｍｏ、Ａｕ、Ｉｎ、Ｎｂ、Ｔｅ、Ｖ、Ｔｉ、Ｐｔ、Ｐｄ、Ｆｅ等の金属、およびこれらの合金、例えばステンレス等が挙げられる。また、ポリエステル、ポリエチレン、ポリカーボネート、セルロースアセテート、ポリプロピレン、ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリスチレン、ポリアミド等の合成樹脂のフィルムまたはシート、ガラス、セラミック等の電気絶縁性支持体の少なくとも感光層を形成する側の表面を導電処理した支持体も用いることができる。
支持体の形状は平滑表面あるいは凹凸表面の円筒状または板状、無端ベルト状であることができ、その厚さは、所望通りの画像形成装置用感光体を形成し得るように適宜決定するが、画像形成装置用感光体としての可撓性が要求される場合には、支持体としての機能が充分発揮できる範囲内で可能な限り薄くすることができる。しかしながら、支持体は製造上および取り扱い上、機械的強度等の点から通常は１０μｍ以上とされる。
【００８８】
《注入防止層について》
本発明に用いることが出来るアモルファスシリコン感光体には必要に応じて導電性支持体と光導電層との間に、導電性支持体側からの電荷の注入を阻止する働きのある電荷注入阻止層を設けるのがいっそう効果的である（図３（ｃ））。すなわち、電荷注入阻止層は感光層が一定極性の帯電処理をその自由表面に受けた際、支持体側より光導電層側に電荷が注入されるのを阻止する機能を有し、逆の極性の帯電処理を受けた際にはそのような機能が発揮されない、いわゆる極性依存性を有している。そのような機能を付与するために、電荷注入阻止層には伝導性を制御する原子を光導電層に比べ比較的多く含有させる。
電荷注入阻止層の層厚は所望の電子写真特性が得られること、及び経済的効果等の点から好ましくは０．１〜５μｍ、より好ましくは０．３〜４μｍ、最適には０．５〜３μｍとされるのが望ましい。
【００８９】
《光導電層について》
光導電層は必要に応じて下引き層上に形成され、光導電層（５０２）の層厚は所望の電子写真特性が得られること及び経済的効果等の点から適宜所望にしたがって決定され、好ましくは１〜１００μｍ、より好ましくは２０〜５０μｍ、最適には２３〜４５μｍとされるのが望ましい。
【００９０】
《電荷輸送層について》
電荷輸送層は、光導電層を機能分離した場合の電荷を輸送する機能を主として奏する層である。この電荷輸送層は、その構成要素として少なくともシリコン原子と炭素原子と弗素原子とを含み、必要であれば水素原子、酸素原子を含むａ−ＳｉＣ（Ｈ、Ｆ、Ｏ）からなり、所望の光導電特性、特に電荷保持特性，電荷発生特性および電荷輸送特性を有する。本発明においては酸素原子を含有することが特に好ましい。
電荷輸送層の層厚は所望の電子写真特性が得られることおよび経済的効果などの点から適宜所望にしたがって決定され、電荷輸送層については、好ましくは５〜５０μｍ、より好ましくは１０〜４０μｍ、最適には２０〜３０μｍとされるのが望ましい。
【００９１】
《電荷発生層について》
電荷発生層は、光導電層を機能分離した場合の電荷を発生する機能を主として奏する層である。この電荷発生層は、構成要素として少なくともシリコン原子を含み、実質的に炭素原子を含まず、必要であれば水素原子を含むａ−Ｓｉ：Ｈから成り、所望の光導電特性、特に電荷発生特性，電荷輸送特性を有する。
電荷発生層の層厚は所望の電子写真特性が得られることおよび経済的効果等の点から適宜所望にしたがって決定され、好ましくは０．５〜１５μｍ、より好ましくは１〜１０μｍ、最適には１〜５μｍとされる。
【００９２】
《表面層について》
本発明に用いることが出来るアモルファスシリコン感光体には必要に応じて、上述のようにして支持体上に形成された光導電層の上に、更に表面層を設けることが出来、アモルファスシリコン系の表面層を形成することが好ましい。この表面層は自由表面を有し、主に耐湿性、連続繰り返し使用特性、電気的耐圧性、使用環境特性、耐久性において本発明の目的を達成するために設けられる。
本発明における表面層の層厚としては、通常０．０１〜３μｍ、好適には０．０５〜２μｍ、最適には０．１〜１μｍとされるのが望ましいものである。層厚が０．０１μｍよりも薄いと感光体を使用中に摩耗等の理由により表面層が失われてしまい、３μｍを超えると残留電位の増加等の電子写真特性低下がみられる。
【００９３】
また、ここで定着装置は、図４に示すように、定着フィルムを回転させて定着する、いわゆるサーフ定着装置である。以下、詳説すると、定着フィルムはエンドレスベルト状耐熱フィルムであり、該フィルムの支持回転体である駆動ローラと、従動ローラと、この両ローラ間の下方に設けたヒータ支持体に保持させて固定支持させて配設した加熱体と、に懸回張設してある。
従動ローラは定着フィルムのテンションローラを兼ね、定着フィルムは駆動ローラの図中時計回転方向の回転駆動によって、時計回転方向に向かって回転駆動される。この回転駆動速度は、加圧ローラと定着フィルムが接する定着ニップ領域Ｌにおいて転写材と定着フィルムの速度が等しくなる速度に調節される。
ここで、加圧ローラはシリコンゴム等の離型性のよいゴム弾性層を有するローラであり、反時計周りに回転しつつ、前記定着ニップ領域Ｌに対して総圧４〜１０ｋｇの当接圧をもって圧接させてある。
また定着フィルムは、耐熱性、離型性、耐久性に優れたものが好ましく、総厚１００μｍ以下、好ましくは４０μｍ以下の薄肉のものを使用する。例えばポリイミド、ポリエーテルイミド、ＰＥＳ（ポリエーテルサルファイド）、ＰＦＡ（４フッ化エチレンバーフルオロアルキルビニルエーテル共重合体樹脂）等の耐熱樹脂の単層フィルム、或いは複合層フィルム、例えば２０μｍ厚フィルムの少なくとも画像当接面側にＰＴＦＥ（４フッ化エチレン樹脂）、ＰＦＡ等のフッ素樹脂に導電材を添加した離型性コート層を１０μｍ厚に施したものや、フッ素ゴム、シリコンゴム等の弾性層を施したものである。
【００９４】
図４において本実施形態の加熱体は平面基板および定着ヒータから構成されており、平面基板は、アルミナ等の高熱伝導度且つ高電気抵抗率を有する材料からなっており、定着フィルムと接触する表面には抵抗発熱体で構成した定着ヒータを長手方向に設置してある。かかる定着ヒータは、例えばＡｇ／Ｐｄ、Ｔａ_２Ｎ等の電気抵抗材料をスクリーン印刷等により線状もしくは帯状に塗工したものである。また、前記定着ヒータの両端部には、図示しない電極が形成され、この電極間に通電することで抵抗発熱体が発熱する。さらに、前記基板の定着ヒータが具備させてある面と逆の面にはサーミスタによって構成した定着温度センサが設けられている。
定着温度センサによって検出された基板の温度情報は図示しない制御手段に送られ、かかる制御手段により定着ヒータに供給される電力量が制御され、加熱体は所定の温度に制御される。
【００９５】
【実施例】
これより、実施例において本発明を更に詳細に説明するが、本発明は以下の実施例に限定されるものではない。また、ここで「部」は全て重量部を示す。
参考例１
（コア材製造例１）
マンガン及び鉄の酸化物を、Ｍｎ／Ｆｅモル比が３０／７０となるよう混合し、ボールミルを用い、水中で４８時間湿式粉砕・分散した後乾燥して、電熱式の雰囲気焼成炉により、弱還元雰囲気下で８５０℃、１時間の仮焼を行なった。
湿式粉砕は、粉砕メディアとしては１０ｍｍφのジルコニアボールをボールミルポット容積の３０ｖｏｌ％充填し、固形分を２５％となるように調整した酸化物スラリーをボールミルポット容積の２０ｖｏｌ％充填して行なった。
続いて、得られた仮焼物を、再度同様の条件で、ボールミルを用い水中で２４時間湿式粉砕・分散し、マンガン鉄複合酸化物のスラリーを得た。
このスラリーに、バインダーとしてポリビニルアルコール及び分散剤を加え、スプレードライヤーを用いて造粒・乾燥し、超音波振動篩を用いて分級し、造粒粒子を作成した。
得られた造粒粒子を、電熱式の雰囲気焼成炉により、弱還元雰囲気下で１２００℃、４時間の本焼成して、マンガンフェライト粒子を得た。
更に、得られたマンガンフェライト粒子を、超音波振動篩を用いて分級し、コア材（１）を得た。
【００９６】
（コート処方１）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
アルミナ粒子（個数平均粒径＝０．３μｍ） １００部
カーボンブラック ６部
トルエン １５００部
上記処方をホモミキサーで３０分間分散してコート層形成用の塗工液を調整した。
【００９７】
これをコア材（１）５０００部の表面へ流動床型スプレーコート装置によりコート後、１５０℃の雰囲気温度下で、１時間加熱してキャリア（Ｃ１）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１）の粒度分布を、マイクロトラック粒度分布計（Ｍｉｃｒｏｔｒａｃ社製 Ｍｏｄｅｌ Ｘ１００）にて測定したところ、重量平均粒径（Ｄ４）３７．５μｍ、数平均径（Ｄ１）３４．３μｍであり、１２μｍ以下のキャリア粒子が０．１４重量％であった。
また、キャリア（Ｃ１）の真比重ρｃをベックマン式空気比重計にて測定したところ、５．１（ｇ／ｃｍ＾３）であった。
また、キャリア（Ｃ１）の表面を、走査型電子顕微鏡で２０００倍に拡大し観察したところ、表面にアルミナ由来の凹凸が形成され、レーザー顕微鏡を用いて非接触で測定したキャリア表面凹凸の平均高低差は、０．３μｍであった。
次に、このキャリア（Ｃ１）の１０００エルステッドにおける磁化（σｂ）を、多試料回転式磁化測定装置（東英工業株式会社製 ＲＥＭ−１−１０型）を用いて測定したところ、６６．０ｅｍｕ／ｇであった。
続いて、キャリア（Ｃ１）の脱離試験を、以下の手順で行なった。
まず、試験用現像スリーブとして、リコー製カラープリンタＩＰＳｉＯ ｃｏｌｏｒ ８０００用現像スリーブを改造し、現像極のピーク磁束密度が１００ｍＴとなるようにした。
次に、この試験用現像スリーブを現像ユニットに取り付け、別途用意したモーターを用いて、スリーブ回転数を調整して、重力の３倍の遠心力（脱離力）となるように設定した（試験用現像ユニットでは、現像スリーブ径＝１８ｍｍφであったため、スリーブ回転数は、｛３（倍）×９．８（ｍ／ｓ²）×０．００９（ｍ）｝^1/2×１０００（ｍｍ）／｛１８（ｍｍ）×π｝×６０（ｓｅｃ）＝５４６ｒｐｍとした）。
現像ユニットに、試験用キャリア（Ｃ１）２５０ｇを入れ、５分間現像スリーブを連続回転させて、現像ユニットの現像領域開口部からの脱離キャリアを回収し除去した。
さらに引き続き、２５分間現像スリーブを連続回転させて、現像ユニットの現像領域開口部からの磁化裾引き評価用の脱離キャリアを回収した。
回収した脱離キャリアの１０００エルステッドにおける磁化（σ３０）を測定したところ、６５．６ｅｍｕ／ｇであった。
【００９８】
（トナー製造例１）
部分架橋ポリエステル樹脂 ７９．５部
（ビスフェノールＡのエチレンオキサイド付加アルコール、
ビスフェノールＡのプロピレンオキサイド付加アルコール、
テレフタル酸、トリメリット酸の縮合重合物）
Ｍｗ＝１５０００、ガラス転移点＝６１℃）
カーボンブラック １５部
ジ−ｔｅｒｔ―ブチルサリチル酸のジルコニウム塩 １部
カルナウバワックス；野田ワックス社製 ５部
【００９９】
上記組成の混合物を、二本ロール混練機にて３０分間混練後、機械式粉砕機・気流式分級機により粉砕・分級条件を調整し、トナー母体を得た。
更に、トナー母体１００部に対して、疎水性シリカ微粒子１部および疎水性酸化チタン微粒子１部を加えて、ヘンシェルミキサーでトータル２分間混合しトナー（Ｔ１）を得た。
トナー（Ｔ１）の粒度分布をコールターカウンターＴＡ２にて測定したところ、重量平均径Ｄ４＝６．２μｍ、累積個数分布から算出した個数基準１０％径＝２．５μｍであった。
次に、キャリア（Ｃ１）９２０部とトナー（Ｔ１）８０部を、ターブラ−ミキサーにて１分間混合し、二成分現像剤を得た。
【０１００】
この現像剤を使用して、リコー製カラープリンタＩＰＳｉＯ ｃｏｌｏｒ ８０００の改造機を用い、Ａ４版、画像面積率６％原稿３０万枚の連続画像出図試験を行ない、初期及び連続出図後の文字画像、ハーフトーン画像及びベタ画像を出力し画質評価を行なった。
このとき、現像極の磁束密度は１１０ｍＴとし、現像部における現像スリーブと感光体の最近接距離は０．６ｍｍに調整した。
画像出力時の像担持体上静電荷像は、地肌部＝−７００Ｖ、画像部＝−２００Ｖとした。また、現像スリーブには、直流電圧（−５００Ｖ）にピーク間電圧１５００Ｖ、周波数２０００Ｈｚの交流電圧を重畳した、現像バイアス電位を印加した。
画質評価としては、白紙画像及びベタ画像でのキャリア付着、文字部分の文字太り、ハーフトーン画像のボソツキおよび階調性、ベタ画像での画像濃度の安定性及び各画像でのその他不具合の有無を評価した。
初期、３０万枚後共に良好な画像品質が得られ、本発明のキャリアが、画像品質、寿命の両面で有用であることが判った。
なお、画像濃度については、マクベス濃度計（ＲＤ−９１４）を用いて計測し、その他の項目については、目視により評価した。
初期及び３０万枚後の、各評価結果について、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０１】
参考例２
（コア材製造例２）
マンガン及び鉄の酸化物を、Ｍｎ／Ｆｅモル比が１０／９０となるよう混合し、本焼成温度を１２５０℃として、還元雰囲気下で焼成した以外は、コア材製造例１と同様にして、コア材（２）を作成した。
コア材（２）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ２）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ２）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０２】
参考例３
（コア材製造例３）
マンガン及び鉄の酸化物を、Ｍｎ／Ｆｅモル比が５０／５０となるよう混合した以外は、コア材製造例１と同様にして、コア材（３）を作成した。
コア材（３）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ３）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ３）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０３】
実施例１
（コア材製造例４）
ジメチレンフェニルのビスアリルナジイミド付加物 １００部
マンガンフェライト粉体（平均粒径＝４μｍ） ８００部
カーボンブラック ２０部
トルエン １０００部
上記重量比の混和分散物を、スプレードライヤーを用いて造粒乾燥し、２００℃で３０分間樹脂の硬化し、冷却後、分級を行ない、イミド樹脂中へマンガンフェライト磁性粉体が分散されたコア材（４）を得た。
コア材（４）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ４）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ４）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０４】
実施例２
（コア材製造例５）
ジメチレンフェニルのビスアリルナジイミド付加物 １００部
マンガンマグネシウムストロンチウムフェライト粉体 ８００部
（平均粒径＝４．２μｍ）
カーボンブラック ２０部
トルエン １０００部
上記重量比の混和分散物を、スプレードライヤーを用いて造粒乾燥し、２００℃で３０分間樹脂の硬化し、冷却後、分級を行ない、イミド樹脂中へマンガンマグネシウムストロンチウムフェライト磁性粉体が分散されたコア材（５）を得た。
コア材（５）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ５）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ５）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０５】
参考例４
（コア材製造例６）
コア材製造例１の造粒・乾燥工程、並びに、本焼成工程後の分級工程で、マンガンフェライト粒子の超音波振動篩による分級条件を調節し、粒度分布がややブロードなコア材（６）を得た。
コア材（６）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ６）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ６）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０６】
参考例５
（コート処方２）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
アルミナ粒子（個数平均粒径＝０．３μｍ） １００部
カーボンブラック ７．５部
トルエン １５００部
コート層形成用の塗工液として上記処方を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ７）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ７）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０７】
参考例６
（コート処方３）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
アルミナ粒子（個数平均粒径＝０．３μｍ） １００部
カーボンブラック ３部
トルエン １５００部
コート層形成用の塗工液として上記処方を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ８）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ８）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０８】
参考例７
（コート処方４）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
アルミナ粒子（個数平均粒径＝０．３μｍ） ５０部
カーボンブラック ４部
トルエン １５００部
コート層形成用の塗工液として上記処方を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ９）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ９）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１０９】
参考例８
（コート処方５）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
カーボンブラック １部
トルエン １５００部
コート層形成用の塗工液として上記処方を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１０）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１０）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１０】
（参考例９、１０）
トナー製造例１の混錬物を、粉砕・分級条件を調節して、重量平均粒子径の異なるトナー母体を得た。これらをトナー製造例１と同様の方法によって外添剤を混合し、重量平均粒子径が１１μｍ、３．８μｍのトナー（Ｔ２）、（Ｔ３）を得た。
トナー（Ｔ２）、（Ｔ３）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１１】
比較例１
（コア材製造例７）
マンガン及び鉄の酸化物を、Ｍｎ／Ｆｅモル比が３０／７０となるよう混合し、ボールミルを用い、水中で１２時間湿式粉砕・分散した後乾燥して、弱還元雰囲気下で８５０℃、１時間の仮焼を行なった。
湿式粉砕は、粉砕メディアとしては１０ｍｍφのジルコニアボールをボールミルポット容積の３０ｖｏｌ％充填し、固形分を２５％となるように調整した酸化物スラリーをボールミルポット容積の２０ｖｏｌ％充填して行なった。
続いて、得られた仮焼物を、再度同様の条件で、ボールミルを用い水中で２４時間湿式粉砕・分散し、マンガン鉄複合酸化物のスラリーを得た。
このスラリーに、バインダーとしてポリビニルアルコール及び分散剤を加え、スプレードライヤーを用いて造粒・乾燥し、超音波振動篩を用いて分級し、造粒粒子を作成した。
得られた造粒粒子を、弱還元雰囲気下で１２００℃、４時間の本焼成して、マンガンフェライト粒子を得た。
更に、得られたマンガンフェライト粒子を、超音波振動篩を用いて分級し、コア材（７）を得た。
コア材（７）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１１）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１１）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１２】
比較例２
（コア材製造例８）
マンガン及び鉄の酸化物を、Ｍｎ／Ｆｅモル比が３／９７となるよう混合し、本焼成温度を１２５０℃として、還元雰囲気下で５時間焼成した以外は、コア材製造例１と同様にして、コア材（８）を作成した。
コア材（８）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１２）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１２）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１３】
比較例３
（コア材製造例９）
マンガン及び鉄の酸化物を、Ｍｎ／Ｆｅモル比が６５／３５となるよう混合した以外は、コア材製造例１と同様にして、コア材（９）を作成した。
コア材（９）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１３）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１３）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１４】
比較例４
（コア材製造例１０）
ジメチレンフェニルのビスアリルナジイミド付加物 １００部
マグネタイト粉体（平均粒径＝４．１μｍ） ８００部
カーボンブラック ２０部
トルエン １０００部
上記重量比の混和分散物を、スプレードライヤーを用いて造粒乾燥し、２００℃で３０分間樹脂の硬化し、冷却後、分級を行ない、イミド樹脂中へマグネタイト磁性粉体が分散されたコア材（１０）を得た。
コア材（１０）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１４）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１４）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１５】
比較例５
（コア材製造例１１）
ジメチレンフェニルのビスアリルナジイミド付加物 １００部
銅亜鉛フェライト粉体（平均粒径＝４．５μｍ） ８００部
カーボンブラック ２０部
トルエン １０００部
上記重量比の混和分散物を、スプレードライヤーを用いて造粒乾燥し、２００℃で３０分間樹脂の硬化し、冷却後、分級を行ない、イミド樹脂中へ銅亜鉛フェライト磁性粉体が分散されたコア材（１１）を得た。
コア材（１１）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１５）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１５）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１６】
比較例６
（コア材製造例１２）
コア材製造例１の造粒工程、並びに、本焼成工程後の分級工程で、マンガンフェライト粒子の超音波振動篩による分級条件を調節し、より小さな平均粒子径を持つコア材（１２）を得た。
コア材（１２）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１６）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１６）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１７】
比較例７
（コア材製造例１３）
コア材製造例１の造粒工程、並びに、本焼成工程後の分級工程で、マンガンフェライト粒子の超音波振動篩による分級条件を調節し、より大きな平均粒子径を持つコア材（１３）を得た。
コア材（１３）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１７）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１７）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１８】
比較例８
（コア材製造例１４）
コア材製造例１の造粒工程、並びに、本焼成工程後の分級工程で、マンガンフェライト粒子の超音波振動篩による分級条件を調節し、やや微粉量が多いコア材（１４）を得た。
コア材（１４）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１８）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１８）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１１９】
比較例９
（コア材製造例１５）
コア材製造例１の造粒工程、並びに、本焼成工程後の分級工程で、マンガンフェライト粒子の超音波振動篩による分級条件を調節し、粒度分布がブロードなコア材（１５）を得た。
コア材（１５）を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ１９）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ１９）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２０】
比較例１０
（コート処方６）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
アルミナ粒子（個数平均粒径＝０．３μｍ） １００部
カーボンブラック １０部
トルエン １５００部
コート層形成用の塗工液として上記処方を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ２０）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ２０）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２１】
比較例１１
（コート処方７）
アクリル樹脂溶液（固形分＝５０重量％） ６０部
グアナミン溶液（固形分＝７０重量％） １５部
ストレートシリコーン樹脂（固形分＝２０％） １５０部
ジブチルチンジアセテート １．５部
アルミナ粒子（個数平均粒径＝０．３μｍ） １００部
カーボンブラック １．５部
トルエン １５００部
コート層形成用の塗工液として上記処方を用いた以外は参考例１と同様にしてキャリア（Ｃ２１）を得た。
キャリア（Ｃ２１）を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２２】
参考例１１
二成分現像剤調整として、キャリア（Ｃ１）８５０部とトナー（Ｔ１）１５０部を、ターブラ−ミキサーにて３分間混合した以外は、参考例１と同様にして二成分現像剤を得た。
この現像剤を用いた以外は、参考例１と同様にして、各評価結果を得た。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２３】
参考例１２、１３
現像スリーブの現像極のピーク磁束密度が１４０ｍＴとなるように、内部の磁石を交換し、参考例１、２と同様の画像試験を行なった。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２４】
参考例１４、実施例３
現像スリーブの現像極のピーク磁束密度が７０ｍＴとなるように、内部の磁石を交換し、参考例１、実施例２と同様の画像試験を行なった。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２５】
参考例１５、１６
現像部における現像スリーブと感光体の最近接距離を０．２５ｍｍ、０．９ｍｍとした以外は、参考例１と同様の画像試験を行なった。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
【０１２６】
参考例１７
参考例１において、現像バイアスとして直流電圧（−５００Ｖ）のみを印加し、参考例１と同様の画像評価を行なった。評価結果を、表１−１、表１−２、表１−３に示す。
評価結果（初期）
【０１２７】
【表１−１】

【０１２８】
【表１−２】

評価結果（３０万枚後）
【０１２９】
【表１−３】

【０１３０】
最後に、参考例１、参考例１２、参考例１４について、引き続き、１００万枚連続画像出図試験を行なったところ、初期画像と比較して全く遜色のない高精細・高解像度の画像が得られた。
【０１３１】
【発明の効果】
以上、詳細かつ具体的な説明から明らかなように、本発明により、実施例、参考例および比較例の対比から明らかなように、幅広い現像条件のもと、キャリア付着の発生が極めて少なく、画像品質の変動や、画像劣化の少ない、高精細・高解像度の高品質画像を得るのに、有効な電子写真用キャリア、電子写真用二成分現像剤並びに現像装置、また、効率が良く立ち上がり時間を短縮可能な定着装置を用いた画像形成装置を得られ、キャリア付着が抑制されているため、各接触部材を傷つけることなく、極めて寿命を延ばすことができる。
更に、アモルファスシリコン系感光体は、表面硬度が高く、半導体レーザ（７７０〜８００ｎｍ）などの長波長光に高い感度を示し、しかも繰返し使用による劣化もほとんど認められないことから、高速複写機やレーザービームプリンタ（ＬＢＰ）などの電子写真用感光体として用いることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明における現像装置主要部の概略構成図である。
【図２】本発明における現像装置を有する画像形成装置の一例を示す断面図である。
【図３】本発明における層構成を説明するための模式的構成図である。
【図４】本発明において、定着フィルムを回転させて定着する、いわゆるサーフ定着装置を示した図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 像担持体（感光体ドラム）
２ 像担持体帯電部材
３ 像露光系
４ 現像機構
５ 転写機構
６ クリーニング機構
７ 除電ランプ
８ 転写媒体
１０ トナー粒子
１１ 現像剤
４１ 現像スリーブ
４２ 現像剤収容部材
４３ ドクターブレード
４４ 支持ケース
４５ トナーホッパー
４６ 現像剤収容部
４７ 現像剤撹拌機構
４８ アジテータ
４９ トナー補給機構
５１ 転写部材
５２ 除電ブラシ
６１ クリーニング部材
６２ トナー回収室
５００ 電子写真用感光体
５０１ 支持体
５０２ 光導電層
５０３ アモルファスシリコン系表面層
５０４ アモルファスシリコン系電荷注入阻止層
５０５ 電荷発生層
５０６ 電荷輸送層[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a so-called carrier, a two-component developer containing at least the toner and the carrier, and a developing device, a copier, and a laser, which are charge-providing members that impart charge to the toner by rubbing the toner. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a process cartridge.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in electrophotographic image formation, a latent image is formed by an electrostatic charge on an image carrier such as a photoconductive substance, and a charged toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a visible image. is doing. The visible image formed by the toner is finally transferred to a transfer medium such as paper, and then fixed to the transfer medium by heat, pressure, solvent gas, or the like, and becomes an output image.
These image forming methods include a so-called two-component development method that uses friction charging by stirring and mixing of toner and carrier by a method of charging toner for visualization, and charge to toner without using a carrier. It is roughly divided into a so-called one-component development system in which the application is performed. The one-component development method is classified into a magnetic one-component development method and a non-magnetic one-component development method depending on whether or not magnetic force is used to hold toner particles on the developing roller.
[0003]
Until now, printers, copiers, and multifunction devices that require high speed and image reproducibility have many two-component development methods due to demands for toner charging stability and startup, and long-term image quality stability. Many single-component development systems have been adopted for small printers, facsimiles, and the like that have been adopted and require large space saving and low cost.
Particularly in recent years, colorization of output images has progressed, and the demand for higher image quality and stabilization of image quality has become stronger than ever.
[0004]
In the two-component development method using a magnetic carrier, in order to improve the image quality, the toner particles are reduced, and more precise heading of the developer brush on the magnetic sleeve (development sleeve) of the two-component developer is realized. , Proposals have been made to reduce the particle size of the carrier to be used, and to make the developer magnetic brush formed on the developing sleeve thin, so that a more detailed latent image can be developed. Patent documents 1, 2, etc. are mentioned.
However, when the particle size of the magnetic carrier is reduced, since the magnetization per carrier particle is reduced, the magnetic binding force on the magnetic sleeve is weakened, so that the carrier is transferred onto the image carrier, so-called carrier. Adhesion sometimes occurred.
[0005]
In order to suppress the carrier adhesion accompanying the reduction in the particle size of the carrier, a lower limit is set for the carrier saturation magnetization in the developing method in which the developer contained in the developing sleeve is rotated to convey the developer (patent) Document 3) has proposed that a lower limit is set for the product of the particle size and residual magnetization of magnetic particles (Patent Document 4).
In other words, they also prevent the carrier having a small magnetic binding force from being transported, but since the electrostatic component is added to the carrier detachment force in the developing unit, the detachment force is restrained. Since it may exceed the force, the carrier adhesion has not been sufficiently suppressed.
Further, for example, in Patent Document 3, a value in a 10,000 oersted magnetic field is used as the saturation magnetization, but a general electrophotographic developing device does not use such a high magnetic field. Even if it takes the range, carrier adhesion is not necessarily suppressed sufficiently.
[0006]
In addition to this, a proposal has been made to suppress carrier adhesion by removing carrier particles having a specific low saturation magnetization, a small particle size, and a small specific gravity regardless of the carrier particle size (Patent Document 5). However, the properties of the finally obtained carrier itself are not clarified at all in the proposal. Therefore, the carrier particles are more uniformly suppressed as the image quality is improved, and further carrier adhesion is suppressed. Cannot be expected.
[0007]
Further, for example, in Patent Document 6, the carrier core material is prevented from adhering to the carrier by defining the volume average particle size and particle size distribution, the average void diameter, the magnetization at a magnetic field of 1 KOe, and the difference in magnetization between this and the scattered matter. Are trying. According to this publication, since the presence of particles having a small magnetic binding force is suppressed, it is assumed that a certain suppression effect on carrier adhesion can be obtained. However, since carrier adhesion depends not only on the magnetic binding force of the carrier particles but also on the balance between this and the sum of the mechanical and electrostatic detachment forces, even if only the magnetic binding force is controlled. Depending on the development conditions, carrier adhesion occurs, or conversely, when a carrier having a relatively large particle size is used so that particles having a particle size of 22 μm or less are not substantially contained, it is formed on the developing sleeve (magnetic sleeve). The state in which the ears of the developed developer brush are fixed for a long time occurs.
In addition, according to the publication, carrier adhesion suppression and other effects are sought by controlling each characteristic of the carrier core material. In addition to the core material characteristics, the carrier characteristics include mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of the coat layer. It often depends on the physical, physical, and thermal characteristics, and the carrier characteristics cannot always be controlled sufficiently only by controlling the core characteristics. In particular, since the image quality and its stability often depend on the characteristics of the carrier surface under the conditions actually used in the image forming apparatus, a coating layer is provided for further image quality improvement. It was necessary to pay close attention to carrier particles.
Furthermore, since the publication only examines the magnetization of the very early scattered matter, no consideration has been given to the amount of particles contributing to the scattering, that is, the continuous occurrence of carrier adhesion.
[0008]
In recent years, due to environmental considerations, recycling and reuse of units mainly used in the one-component development system is being realized, and at the same time, the life of the developer is further extended in the two-component development system. The demand for is increasing.
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of reducing energy consumption, the temperature at which the toner image is fixed is becoming lower, and the toner is more likely to be deformed and fixed at a lower temperature so that it can be fixed with lower energy. .
[0009]
Causes of deterioration of the two-component developer include (1) abrasion of the carrier surface, (2) peeling of the carrier surface coat layer, (3) crushing of the carrier, and (4) fixing of the toner component on the carrier ( (Spent), charging performance declines, changes from desired electrical resistance, and generation of foreign matter such as debris and wear powder. Image quality such as a decrease in resolving power and physical / electrical damage of the image carrier.
In order to solve the above-described problems and improve the durability of the carrier, many proposals having some effects have been made so far.
Among these, the proposal focusing on the coat layer of the carrier, especially the so-called coat carrier provided with a coat layer on the surface of the core material, is to form a coating layer in which a polyimide varnish containing a specific bismaleimide is cured, and environmental stability Improvement of the surface, suppression of background fogging and prevention of peeling of the coating layer (Patent Document 7), a resin coating layer containing resin particles and conductive fine powder dispersed in the matrix resin is provided, and the spent by the toner is prolonged. What is to be prevented (Patent Document 8), having a coating layer made of a phenol resin containing a cured amino group on the surface of a spherical composite core particle made of iron oxide particle powder and a cured phenol resin, and containing iron oxide particles By defining the amino group content, a stable triboelectric charge and durability can be obtained (Patent Document 9), and the matrix of the carrier particle coating layer. Resin fine particles and conductive fine particles are dispersed in the resin, and the matrix resin contains 10% or more of the same resin component that constitutes the binder resin of the toner, making it less susceptible to toner spent on charging performance. (Patent Document 10), a polyimide resin having a repeating group containing a diorganosiloxy group and a coat layer comprising a compound containing two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, and a stable charge amount carrier What obtains particles (Patent Document 11) and the like.
However, in the proposals as described above, while the fixing temperature is further lowered, the carrier particles are expected to have a longer life than before, and there are cases where sufficient effects cannot be maintained.
[0010]
For example, in Patent Documents 7, 8, 9, 11 and the like, since the matrix resin occupies most of the surface of the carrier particles alone, the adherability of the toner particle component is mainly due to the surface state of the matrix resin. A sufficient function for preventing spents may not be exhibited. In addition, when toner particles that can lower the fixing temperature are used, in the method as described in Patent Document 10, a portion of the same component as the binder resin component of the toner on the carrier surface is likely to serve as a base point for toner particle component fixation, and stirring is performed. From the initial stage, the toner charge amount may be low and unstable.
In addition, many proposals have been made to form a coat layer with a silicone resin whose surface energy is relatively low, but these also have the durability of adhesion to the carrier core material due to the low surface energy. There are problems such as lack, and sufficient durability has not yet been achieved.
[0011]
In addition, those coated with a specific resin material (Patent Document 12), those in which various additives are added to the coating layer (Patent Documents 13 to 18), and further additives are adhered to the carrier surface. The one using the same (Patent Document 19) is disclosed. Patent Document 20 describes that a benzoguanamine-n-butyl alcohol-formaldehyde copolymer is used as a main component for a carrier coating material, and Patent Document 21 describes a carrier-coated cross-linked product of a melamine resin and an acrylic resin. The use as a material is described. However, these proposals still have insufficient durability.
[0012]
Therefore, in order to improve the spent on the carrier surface of the toner, the resulting unstable charging amount, and the resistance change due to the scraping of the coating resin, as shown in Patent Documents 22 to 24, a thermoplastic resin is coated with the resin. There have also been proposals used for coating films and coating films containing particles larger than the binder resin film thickness.
[0013]
Further, as another method for maintaining carrier coat layer characteristics, particularly charging characteristics, it is disclosed that specific thermosetting resin fine particles are dispersed in the matrix resin of the coat layer (Patent Document 25). In this method, even when the coating film is worn, the coating layer characteristics are the same as those in the initial stage, and it is insufficient to sufficiently reduce the wear itself. Further, the above-mentioned proposal (Patent Document 8) in which conductive fine powder is simultaneously dispersed in this configuration is not sufficient for reducing the wear itself for the same reason as described above.
In this way, in the two-component developer that is expected to improve the image quality, the carrier adhesion is drastically based on the concept that the various binding forces and detachment forces applied to the carrier particles at the developing unit in the actual machine are within an appropriate range. Thus, it has not been attempted so far to obtain a stable and high-quality image, and it has been left as a very difficult problem. In addition, excessive measures to prevent carrier adhesion, that is, prevention of carrier detachment from the developing sleeve at the development location are likely to cause stiffening of the formed brush of the developing brush, thus preventing carrier adhesion and development. It is also possible to form a high quality image with high image density and low background stain by optimizing the supply of toner to the electrostatic image carrier by forming the ears of the developing brush sufficiently and softly on the sleeve and updating it appropriately. It was still a very difficult task.
[0014]
The magnetic developer carrier is required to have a seemingly incompatible characteristic that the magnetic polarity rapidly changes in response to the rotation of the magnetic sleeve and the magnetic sleeve in order to keep the magnetic brush always rich, and the soft ear is held. When the image forming process is repeated continuously for a long period of time, it is asserted that carrier adhesion to the surface of an image carrier such as a photoconductor is not caused at all by changes in the magnetic properties of the magnetic material itself used for carrier particles. Rather, as explained above, however, the magnetic properties of the carrier are due to the delamination, degradation of the binder resin used to form the carrier core from the resin material used for the carrier, i.e., carrier resin and / or finely divided magnetic material Photoreceptor surface property changes including effects of light fatigue and gas hazards such as residual potential rise and sensitivity decline, temperature rise and humidity change in image forming apparatus, toner composition change in developer (image forming process) When the toner is continuously repeated for a long period of time, the consumption rate of the large particle size toner in the developer is relatively higher than the consumption rate of the small particle size toner. The diameter may be reduced) and the ratio of the toner amount to the carrier amount may be influenced by many factors, but here, how much each of these factors contributes to the carrier adhesion depends on the developing conditions, and therefore As a result, the degree of carrier adhesion as a comprehensive effect of these factors and the resulting image were obtained under actual conditions or slightly severer conditions than the actual machine, as well as studying how much each individual factor is involved. It can be said that it is practical to evaluate the quality of
[0015]
Looking at changes in the properties of the surface of the photoconductor, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-119500 of Patent Document 26 discloses an amorphous silicon photoconductor used in an image forming apparatus having an LED array static elimination light source capable of controlling the exposure wavelength and the amount of light. The charge transport layer has a content in which the carbon atom content is minimized and the fluorine atom content is maximized in the vicinity of the charge generation layer, and the surface layer has a content of 40 to 90 atomic%. Patent Document 27 discloses Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-269685, which contains carbon atoms, and removes the optical memory of the photoconductor and suppresses charging capability reduction, potential shift and image density unevenness. In the cleaning process, a liquid lubricant is supplied to the surface of the amorphous silicon photoconductor so that the toner firmly adhered to the surface of each toner particle is lifted to the state of individual toner particles. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-183355, Patent Document 28 discloses a method for preventing amorphous silicon photoconductors from being formed during film formation. It is described that spherical protrusions are prevented from being generated on the surface of the photoreceptor by controlling the difference between the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature within a predetermined range. In the production of a non-doped amorphous silicon photoconductor showing n-type semiconductor characteristics without doping with a group element, SiH is used to prevent charge injection into the photoconductor to maintain negative charge characteristics and satisfy photoconductivity. Bond and (SiH₂) Although it is described that the amount ratio with the n bond is within an appropriate range, these techniques pay attention to problems such as carrier adhesion to an amorphous silicon photoconductor when a two-component developer is used. It is not a thing.
[0016]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 58-184157 A
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-8424
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-137352 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2000-338708 A
[Patent Document 5]
JP-A-4-145451
[Patent Document 6]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-296846
[Patent Document 7]
JP-A-8-6308
[Patent Document 8]
Japanese Patent No. 2998633
[Patent Document 9]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-311504
[Patent Document 10]
JP-A-10-198078
[Patent Document 11]
JP-A-10-239913
[Patent Document 12]
JP 58-108548 A
[Patent Document 13]
JP 54-1555048 A
[Patent Document 14]
JP 57-40267 A
[Patent Document 15]
JP 58-108549 A
[Patent Document 16]
JP 59-166968 A
[Patent Document 17]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-19584
[Patent Document 18]
JP-A-6-202381
[Patent Document 19]
Japanese Patent No. 3120460
[Patent Document 20]
JP-A-8-6307
[Patent Document 21]
Japanese Patent No. 2683624
[Patent Document 22]
JP 2001-117287 A
[Patent Document 23]
JP 2001-117288 A
[Patent Document 24]
JP 2001-188388 A
[Patent Document 25]
JP-A-9-319161
[Patent Document 26]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-119500
[Patent Document 27]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-269685
[Patent Document 28]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-183355
[Patent Document 29]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-212286
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, in view of the above-described problems of the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a carrier suitable for obtaining a high-quality image without causing carrier adhesion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-component developer capable of obtaining a high-quality image without causing carrier adhesion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier that has small carrier aging fluctuations and that maintains its characteristics for an extremely long period of time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-component developer that has little variation over time and that maintains its characteristics over an extremely long period of time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a developing device, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge that are suitable for using these carriers or two-component developers and can obtain a good image over a long period of time.
In the present invention, since the carrier adhesion is suppressed, the service life can be greatly extended without damaging each contact member. Therefore, for example, the present invention also provides a particularly excellent advantage even in the case of an amorphous silicon photoconductor that cannot repair a scratched portion by slightly polishing the surface by rubbing the developer to expose a new surface, Further, as a fixing means, a so-called surf of a type in which an unfixed image is pressed against a heating body by a pressure member through a film disposed between the heating body and the pressure member so as to come into contact with the heating body. Also in the case of the fixing method, it is possible to effectively prevent the pressure-fixing film from being damaged.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The above-mentioned problem is (1) “a carrier for electrophotography in which a coating layer is provided on at least the surface of a magnetic core material,
The magnetic core material is a particle in which a magnetic material is dispersed in a resin,
The magnetic substance is manganese ferrite powder or manganese magnesium strontium ferrite powder.
An electrophotographic carrier characterized by satisfying the following conditions 1 to 5:
Condition 1: on a cylindrical sleeve having a magnetic field at 1000 oersted at σb (emu / g), a fixed magnet inside, and a magnetic pole region having a surface magnetic flux density peak of 100 mT in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis250gMagnetically hold
The cylindrical sleeve is carried in a developing unit having a developing region opening in a direction perpendicular to gravity so that at least a part of the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density faces the opening.,
The cylindrical sleeve is rotated for 5 minutes, a desorption force that is three times the gravity is applied in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and desorbed carriers desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density are removed. When the sleeve is rotated for 25 minutes and the magnetization at 1000 oersted of the desorbed carrier desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density is σ30 (emu / g), the magnetization ratio σ30 / σb satisfies the equation (1). ;
[0019]
## EQU11 ##
      0.965≦ σ30 / σb <1.00 Formula (1)
Condition 2: the relationship between the carrier magnetization σb and the true specific gravity ρc (g / cm ^ 3) of the carrier satisfies the expressions (2) and (3);
[0020]
[Expression 12]
200 ≦ σb · ρc ≦ 400 Formula (2)
[0021]
[Formula 13]
10 ≦ σb / ρc ≦ 20 Formula (3)
Condition 3: the weight average diameter (D4) of the carrier is 25 to 65 μm, and particles of 12 μm or less are 0.3% by weight or less;
Condition 4: the ratio D4 / D1 of the weight average diameter (D4) to the number average diameter (D1) of the carrier is 1 to 1.3;
Condition 5: When a magnetic brush of the carrier having a space occupancy of 40% is formed between parallel plate electrodes with a gap d (mm), and the AC voltage E of Formula (5) is applied at a frequency of 1000 Hz in substantially the same direction as the brush. The volume specific resistance R of the material is 1.0 × 10 9 to 1.0 × 10 11 Ω · cm;
[0022]
[Expression 14]
      Voltage E (V) = 250 (V / mm) × d Equation (5)
  However, d = 0.40 ± 0.05 (mm), E is the peak voltage ”;
(2) "Derived from alumina particlesThe electrophotographic carrier according to item (1), wherein the average height difference of the carrier surface irregularities is 0.1 to 2.0 μm;
(3) The carrier for electrophotography according to (1) or (2), wherein the carrier coat layer contains at least a resin and insulating inorganic particles.ToMore achieved.
[0023]
  In addition, the above-mentioned problem is (4) “an electrophotographic developer obtained by mixing an electrophotographic carrier having a coating layer on at least the surface of a magnetic core material and a toner containing at least a binder resin and a colorant. The electrophotographic carrier is an electrophotographic carrier in which a coating layer is provided on at least the surface of the magnetic core material,
The magnetic core material is a particle in which a magnetic material is dispersed in a resin,
The magnetic material is manganese ferrite powder or manganese magnesium strontium ferrite powder.
The electrophotographic developer, wherein the electrophotographic carrier satisfies the following conditions 1 to 5.
Condition 1: on a cylindrical sleeve having a magnetic field at 1000 oersted at σb (emu / g), a fixed magnet inside, and a magnetic pole region having a surface magnetic flux density peak of 100 mT in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis250gMagnetically hold
In the developing unit having a developing region opening in a direction orthogonal to gravity, the cylindrical sleeve is supported so that at least a part of the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density faces the opening,
The cylindrical sleeve is rotated for 5 minutes, a desorption force that is three times the gravity is applied in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and desorbed carriers desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density are removed. When the sleeve is rotated for 25 minutes and the magnetization at 1000 oersted of the desorbed carrier desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density is σ30 (emu / g), the magnetization ratio σ30 / σb satisfies the equation (1). ;
[0024]
[Expression 15]
      0.965≦ σ30 / σb <1.00 Formula (1)
Condition 2: the relationship between the carrier magnetization σb and the true specific gravity ρc (g / cm ^ 3) of the carrier satisfies the expressions (2) and (3);
[0025]
[Expression 16]
200 ≦ σb · ρc ≦ 400 Formula (2)
[0026]
[Expression 17]
10 ≦ σb / ρc ≦ 30 Formula (3)
Condition 3: the weight average diameter (D4) of the carrier is 25 to 65 μm, and particles of 12 μm or less are 0.3% by weight or less;
Condition 4: the ratio D4 / D1 of the weight average diameter (D4) to the number average diameter (D1) of the carrier is 1 to 1.3;
Condition 5: When a magnetic brush of the carrier having a space occupancy of 40% is formed between parallel plate electrodes with a gap d (mm), and the AC voltage E of Formula (5) is applied at a frequency of 1000 Hz in substantially the same direction as the brush. The volume specific resistance R of the material is 1.0 × 10 9 to 1.0 × 10 11 Ω · cm;
[0027]
[Formula 18]
      Voltage E (V) = 250 (V / mm) × d Equation (5)
  However, d = 0.40 ± 0.05 (mm), E is a peak voltage ”;
(5) "Derived from alumina particlesThe average height difference of the carrier surface irregularities in the developer is 0.1 to 2.0 μm.4Electrophotographic developer according to item);
(6) “The carrier in the developer is coated with a layer containing at least a resin and insulating inorganic particles.4) Or number (5Electrophotographic developer according to item);
(7) “The weight of the toner in the developer weight is 2 to 12% by weight.4) To (6) Developer for electrophotography according to any one of items];
(8) “The toner is characterized in that the toner contains a releasable substance (4) To (7) Developer for electrophotography according to any one of items];
(9) “The weight average particle diameter of the toner is 4 to 10 μm.4) To (8And the developer for electrophotography according to any one of the items).
[0028]
  In addition, the above problem is10) “A frictional charging means for charging toner by rubbing the developer, a rotatable developer holding body having a magnetic field generating means for holding the developer containing the charged toner, and an electrostatic latent image are formed. In the developing device including the image carrier, the developer is the first (4) To (9The magnetic flux density B in the normal direction of the surface of the developer holding member in the vicinity of the developing region, which is the vicinity of the developer holding member and the image bearing member. A developing device in which the maximum value of (mT) satisfies formula (6);
[0029]
[Equation 19]
  15000 / (σ30 · ρc) ≦ B ≦ 50000 / (σb · ρc) Formula (6) ”;
(11) “The above-mentioned (1) characterized in that it has a maintaining means in which the distance between the closest portions in the development area of the image carrier and developer holder is 0.30 to 0.80 mm.10The developing device according to the item);
(12) “The first (10) Or number (11The developing device according to the item);
(13) “The voltage applying mechanism for applying a bias voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage is applied to the developing holder.10) Or number (11The developing device according to the item);
(14) “The toner recycling mechanism comprises at least a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the image carrier and a recovered toner transport mechanism for transporting the toner recovered by the cleaning mechanism to the developing mechanism.10) To (13) The developing device according to any one of items
(15) “In an image forming apparatus having transfer means for transferring each toner image formed on an image carrier of a plurality of developing devices onto a medium, and fixing means for fixing the toner images transferred onto the medium, the developing device includes: , Said (10) To (14An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is a developing device according to any one of items 1);
(16) “The image bearing member is an amorphous silicon photosensitive member.15The image forming apparatus according to the item);
(17) “The fixing means includes a heating body including a heating element, a film in contact with the heating body, and a pressure member in pressure contact with the heating body through the film. A fixing device that heats and fixes a recording material on which an unfixed image is formed between members;15This is achieved by the image forming apparatus described in the item (1).
[0030]
  Furthermore, the above-described problem is solved by (18) “A friction charging means for charging the toner by rubbing the developer, a rotatable developer holder having a magnetic field generating means inside the developer containing the charged toner, and forming an electrostatic latent image. In a process cartridge including an image carrier, a developer, and toner, the developer is the first (4) To (9The magnetic flux density B in the normal direction of the surface of the developer holding member in the vicinity of the developing region, which is the vicinity of the developer holding member and the image bearing member. A process cartridge in which the maximum value of (mT) satisfies Equation (6);
[0031]
[Expression 20]
15000 / (σ30 · ρc) ≦ B ≦ 50000 / (σb · ρc) Equation (6) ”.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
As a result of continuous studies to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, the present inventors satisfy the following conditions 1 to 5 in an electrophotographic carrier having a coating layer on at least the surface of a magnetic core material As a result, it was found that the improvement effect on the carrier adhesion and the image quality is extremely remarkable over a wide range of development conditions.
[0033]
Condition 1: on a cylindrical sleeve having a magnetic field at 1000 oersted at σb (emu / g), a fixed magnet inside, and a magnetic pole region having a surface magnetic flux density peak of 100 mT in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Detaching from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density by rotating the cylindrical sleeve for 5 minutes and applying a detachment force three times the gravity in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. When the carrier is removed, the cylindrical sleeve is further rotated for 25 minutes, and the magnetization at 1000 oersted of the desorbed carrier desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density is σ30 (emu / g), the magnetization ratio σ30 / σb Satisfies the equation (1).
[0034]
[Expression 21]
      0.965≦ σ30 / σb <1.00 Formula (1)
Condition 2. The relationship between the magnetization σb and the true specific gravity ρc (g / cm ^ 3) of the carrier satisfies the expressions (2) and (3).
[0035]
[Expression 22]
200 ≦ σb · ρc ≦ 400 Formula (2)
[0036]
[Expression 23]
10 ≦ σb / ρc ≦ 20 Formula (3)
Condition 3. The carrier has a weight average diameter (D4) of 25 to 65 μm, and particles of 12 μm or less are 0.3% by weight or less.
Condition 4. A ratio D4 / D1 of the weight average diameter (D4) and the number average diameter (D1) of the carrier is 1 to 1.3.
Condition 5. A magnetic brush of the carrier having a space occupancy of 40% is formed between parallel plate electrodes with a gap d (mm), and volume-specific when an AC voltage E of Formula (4) is applied at a frequency of 1000 Hz in substantially the same direction as the brush. The resistance R is 1.0 × 10 9 to 1.0 × 10 11 Ω · cm.
[0037]
[Expression 24]
Voltage E (V) = 250 (V / mm) × d Equation (4)
However, d = 0.40 ± 0.05 (mm), and E is a peak voltage.
[0038]
About the effect, it is guessed as follows.
First, carrier adhesion mainly occurs when the magnetic brush is cut off at the part where the magnetic binding force of carrier particles on the magnetic sleeve exceeds the detachment force, mainly electrostatic force due to the developing electric field, and the image is carried. It is generated by the transfer of carrier particles on the body.
Therefore, in order to reduce carrier adhesion, first, it is necessary to suppress the formation of the weak binding force portion in the magnetic brush.
[0039]
  On the other hand, it is considered that the generation of the weak binding force portion in the magnetic brush is caused by low-magnetization carrier particles mixed in all the carrier particles.
  That is, the magnetization of the desorbed material that was not held by the magnetic binding force is related to the ratio of the low-magnetization carrier particles contained in the original carrier (weight ratio or content ratio weighted by magnetization). It is reasonable to think.
  In addition, the magnetization of the carrier particles is not all uniform, but is different in each case, and it is considered that a distribution of magnetization is formed. It is presumed that separation will proceed.
  That is, the desorbed magnetization σ30 defined in the present invention is a portion including a large amount of low magnetization components in the carrier particle group excluding extremely low magnetization components that may be mixed in the carrier.
  That is, the magnetization ratio σ30 / σb can be regarded as representing the degree of tailing of the magnetization distribution of the carrier particles toward the low magnetization side.
  When there is variation in the magnetization of individual carrier particles and the magnetization distribution has a long tail on the low-magnetization side, the carrier adhesion continues from the main part of the low-magnetization particles that are more easily detached. It is thought that it occurs.
  Therefore, the magnetization distribution of the carrier particles should be kept as low as possible on the low magnetization side, that is, the ratio of the detachment magnetizations σ30 and σb (σ30 / σb) according to the definition of the present invention should be close to 1. Creating a carrier is necessary to suppress continuous carrier adhesion,0.965It was found that ≦ σ30 / σb <1.00 is necessary as the first condition for suppressing continuous carrier adhesion.
[0040]
  When there is a tail in the magnetization distribution of the carrier particles, since the distribution of the magnetic binding force can be made as described above, not only the initial carrier adhesion occurs, but also the carrier adhesion occurs over time, The magnetization ratio σ30 / σb is0.965If it is less than 1, it is difficult to maintain a sufficient magnetic restraint force with high accuracy while controlling the hardness of the magnetic brush. These are preferably demonstrated at least in accordance with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus actually used or a similar apparatus (modified to a stricter condition) (the same applies to other conditions 2 to 5). Is).
  The carrier particle magnetization distribution can be caused by various factors, including carrier particle size distribution (existence of fine carrier) and carrier composition variation. Is uniquely expressed as a magnetization ratio, and in that sense, the above-mentioned “magnetization ratio” is highly technically rational.
[0041]
Furthermore, in order to obtain the detached carrier, for example, the carrier is put into a developing device having a developing sleeve in which the magnetic flux density in the developing region has a specified value, and the sleeve rotational speed is obtained so as to obtain a desired separating force. It is only necessary to carry out carrier desorption for a predetermined time, and it can be obtained relatively easily and reliably without considering measures for each factor.
[0042]
Second, if the specific gravity and magnetization of the carrier are too unbalanced, all carriers may cause carrier adhesion regardless of the magnetization ratio specified in the present invention, or conversely, the developing sleeve Since the magnetic brush formed on the surface is stiffened and the toner is smoothly supplied to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be damaged. It has been found that the relationship of the true specific gravity ρc (g / cm ^ 3) of the carrier needs to satisfy the expressions (2) and (3).
[0043]
[Expression 25]
200 ≦ σb · ρc ≦ 400 Formula (2)
[0044]
[Equation 26]
10 ≦ σb / ρc ≦ 20 Formula (3)
[0045]
When σb · ρc is less than 200, the magnetization per unit volume is too low, so that the magnetic binding force of the entire carrier is weakened and carrier adhesion is likely to occur, and conversely when it exceeds 400, the magnetic brush Since the toner tends to become hard and causes a flaw in smooth toner supply to the latent electrostatic image bearing member, resulting in a decrease in image density and further damage to the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member, it effectively suppresses carrier adhesion. However, it is difficult to set development conditions for obtaining a high-quality image.
On the other hand, when σb / ρc is less than 10, the magnetization of individual carrier particles becomes small. Conversely, when σb / ρc is more than 20, magnetization variation easily occurs between individual carrier particles. It adversely affects adhesion suppression and high image quality.
[0046]
Thirdly, it has been found that the particle size of the carrier needs to have a weight average diameter (D4) of 25 to 65 μm and particles of 12 μm or less of 0.3% by weight or less.
As described above, it is preferable that the carrier particle size is small for high image quality. However, in the case of carrier particles having a too small particle size, the magnetization of each carrier particle is small and the binding force is small. Therefore, in order to achieve both suppression of carrier adhesion and high image quality, the weight average diameter (D4) needs to be 25 μm to 65 μm. For the same reason, the carrier adhesion can be reliably suppressed by setting the particle size of 12 μm or less to 0.3% by weight or less.
[0047]
Fourthly, the particle size distribution of the carrier is sharpened to make the carrier particle size uniform. Specifically, the ratio D4 / D1 of the weight average diameter (D4) and number average diameter (D1) of the carrier is set to 1 to By setting the value to 1.3, the magnetization of individual carrier particles can be made more uniform, carrier adhesion can be further reduced, and a wide range of development conditions corresponding to high image quality can be adopted. When D4 / D1 exceeds 1.3, the carrier particle size distribution becomes broad, so that the variation in magnetization of individual carrier particles increases. The increase in the large particle size carrier contributes more to the increase in the value of D4 / D1 even if the number is small, and the large particle size carrier hinders the proper brushing of the developing brush and easily forms a rough and hardened ear, On the other hand, the increase in the small particle size carrier does not contribute much to the increase in the value of D4 / D1 even if the number is large. However, when the proportion of the small particle size carrier increases, As a condition, it is necessary to form a magnetic field that can sufficiently restrain even a carrier particle having a small magnetization. For this reason, the restraining force of a carrier particle having a larger magnetization becomes too strong, and a magnetic material having an appropriate hardness. Not only is the brush formation difficult, but excessive stress is applied to the carrier particles and the developer, which promotes the deterioration of the carrier particles.
[0048]
Fifth, a magnetic brush of the carrier having a space occupation ratio of 40% was formed between parallel plate electrodes with a gap d (mm), and the AC voltage E of Formula (4) was applied at a frequency of 1000 Hz in substantially the same direction as the brush. It was found that the volume resistivity R at that time needs to be 1.0 × 10 9 to 1.0 × 10 11 Ω · cm.
[0049]
[Expression 27]
Voltage E (V) = 250 (V / mm) × d Equation (4)
However, d = 0.40 ± 0.05 (mm) and E is a peak voltage.
[0050]
As described above, the carrier adhesion is mainly caused by the balance between the magnetic binding force of the carrier particles and the mechanical and electrostatic detachment forces. In addition to the magnetic regulation and carrier particle size regulation, electrostatic regulation of the carrier is required.
When the volume resistivity R exceeds 1.0 × 10 ^ 11 Ω · cm, the charge generated by the frictional charging of the toner and the carrier due to the stirring of the developer accumulates on the carrier particles, and on the image carrier. It is attracted to the non-image part of the film and tends to cause carrier adhesion.
In addition, when the volume resistivity R is less than 1.0 × 10 9 Ω · cm, an induced charge is generated in the carrier particles, and the carrier adheres regardless of the image portion or the non-image portion.
Further, the carrier having a low electric resistance disturbs the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and hinders high image quality.
Therefore, in the present invention, by setting each carrier characteristic within the above range, the suppression of carrier adhesion and the formation of a high-quality image can be made highly compatible under a wide range of development conditions.
[0051]
In addition, in order to make the wear resistance and spent resistance of the carrier coat layer more reliable and to suppress fluctuations in carrier characteristics (especially carrier charge imparting ability and / or carrier resistance) over time, It was also found that the average height difference is more preferably 0.1 to 2.0 μm, and more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 μm. Thereby, the time-dependent change of the electrostatic force applied to the carrier particles as the desorption force in the development portion is suppressed, and the effect of suppressing the carrier adhesion can be obtained even after the output of a large number of sheets as in the initial stage.
[0052]
Further, insulating inorganic particles can be preferably used as the particles. The insulating inorganic particles are not particularly limited, and aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, calcium carbonate, talc, clay, quartz glass, aluminosilicate glass, mica pieces, zirconium oxide, mullite, sialon, steatite, forte Known insulator powder particles such as stellite, cordierite, beryllium oxide, and silicon nitride can be used, but are not limited thereto. In particular, the inclusion of at least an aluminum element and / or a silicon element component typified by aluminum oxide or silicon oxide in the insulating inorganic particles as a constituent unit can further suppress the detachment of the particles from the coating layer. It is possible to suppress the initial carrier resistance variation with time more reliably.
[0053]
Moreover, in order to form the unevenness | corrugation derived from a particle | grain reliably on the carrier surface, it is preferable that content of a particle | grain is 50 to 95 weight% of a coating film composition component. When the particle content is less than 50% by weight of the composition component of the coat layer, even if an uneven structure can be formed on the surface of the carrier, the structure tends to be gentle. It may not be able to fully demonstrate. On the other hand, when the particle content exceeds 95% by weight of the coating layer composition component, the uneven structure may become brittle, and the initial uneven structure may not be maintained for a long period of time. The particle content is more preferably 55 to 80% by weight.
[0054]
As a resin for forming the coat layer of the carrier, it can be used without any particular limitation, such as polyolefin (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.) and modified products thereof, styrene, acrylic resin, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, chloride. Crosslinkable copolymers containing vinyl, vinyl carbazole, vinyl ether, etc .; silicone resins comprising organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof (for example, modified products with alkyd resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane, etc.); polyamides; polyesters; polyurethanes; Examples include polycarbonate, urea resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, and derivatives thereof.
Above all, in order to reliably fix the insulating inorganic particles as described above in the carrier coat layer and to better prevent the detachment of the inorganic particles due to friction, the resin of the coat layer has at least an acrylic portion as a structural unit. It is preferable to include. Thereby, the detachment | desorption by friction of said inorganic particle can be suppressed very effectively, and the uneven structure of a carrier surface can be maintained over a long period of time. Furthermore, the acrylic resin preferably has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 20 to 100 ° C, more preferably 25 to 80 ° C. By setting the Tg of the resin within this range, it is considered that the coating layer resin has an appropriate elasticity and reduces the impact received by the carrier when the developer is triboelectrically charged, thereby preventing the coating layer from being damaged.
[0055]
In addition, by using a cross-linked product of the acrylic resin and amino resin as the coating layer resin, it is possible to prevent fusion between resins, so-called blocking, which tends to occur when the acrylic resin is used alone while maintaining appropriate elasticity. This is even more preferable.
As the amino resin, conventionally known amino resins can be used, and among them, guanamine and melamine can be used more preferably because the charge imparting ability of the carrier can be improved. If it is necessary to appropriately control the charge imparting ability of the carrier, guanamine and / or melamine may be used in combination with another amino resin.
[0056]
Furthermore, since the above-mentioned coat layer resin contains a silicone portion as a structural unit, the surface energy itself of the carrier surface can be lowered and the occurrence of toner spent itself can be suppressed, so that the carrier characteristics can be further improved. Can be maintained for a long time.
The constituent unit of the silicone part preferably includes at least one of a methyltrisiloxane unit, a dimethyldisiloxane unit, and a trimethylsiloxane unit, and the silicone part may be chemically bonded to another coating layer resin. It may be in a blended state or may be a multilayer. Moreover, when it is multilayered, it is preferable that a silicone part is located in the outermost layer at least.
In the case of a blend or multilayer structure, it is preferable to use a silicone resin and / or a modified product thereof. For example, among any conventionally known silicone resins, heat that can take a three-dimensional network structure is preferable. A curable silicone resin can be used, and examples thereof include a straight silicone consisting only of an organosiloxane bond represented by the following chemical formula (1) and a silicone resin modified with alkyd, polyester, epoxy, urethane and the like.
[0057]
[Chemical 1]

R in the above formula₁Is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, R₂And R₃Is a hydrogen group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a phenoxy group, an alkenyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, a hydroxy group, a carboxyl group, an ethylene oxide group, A glycidyl group or a group represented by the following chemical formula (2).
[0058]
[Chemical formula 2]

(In the above formula, R₄, R₅Is a hydroxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group A phenoxy group). In the above chemical formula (1), k, l, m, n, o, and p are integers of 1 or more.
Each of the above substituents may have a substituent such as a hydroxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkyl group, a phenyl group, or a halogen atom in addition to an unsubstituted one.
[0059]
The coating layer preferably contains conductive or semiconductive particles having a number average diameter smaller than the number average diameter of the particles that form the surface irregularities represented by the above-described insulating inorganic particles. By containing conductive or semiconductive particles in the coat layer, the carrier resistance value can be controlled with high accuracy.
[0060]
As the conductive or semiconductive particles, conventionally known particles may be used. Examples of the conductive particles include metals such as iron, gold, and copper; iron oxides such as ferrite and magnetite; oxidation such as bismuth oxide and molybdenum oxide. Materials: Ion conductors such as silver iodide and β-alumina; pigments such as carbon black are exemplified, and examples of the semiconductive particles are represented by barium titanate, strontium titanate, lead lanthanum titanate, etc. Examples include double oxides, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide oxygen defect formations (Frenkel type semiconductors), and impurity type defect formations (Schottky type semiconductors).
Among these, furnace black or acetylene black, which is one of carbon blacks, can be effectively used because the conductivity can be adjusted effectively by adding a small amount of low-resistance fine powder.
These low-resistance fine powders need to be smaller than the particles for forming the carrier surface irregularities, but those having a number average diameter of about 0.01 to 1 μm are preferable, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the coating layer resin. It is preferable to add 2 to 30 parts by weight.
[0061]
As a method for forming the coat layer, a conventionally known method can be used, and the coat layer forming liquid may be applied to the surface of the core material particles by means such as spraying or dipping. The thickness of the coat layer is preferably 0.01 to 20 μm, and more preferably about 0.3 to 10 μm.
Furthermore, it is preferable to accelerate the polymerization reaction of the coat layer by heating the carrier particles on which the coat layer is formed in this way.
The heating and holding of these carrier particles may be performed in the coating apparatus after the formation of the coat layer, or may be performed by another heating means such as a normal electric furnace or a firing kiln after the formation of the coat layer. .
Further, the heating and holding temperature varies depending on the coating layer material to be used, and is not generally determined, but a temperature of about 120 to 350 ° C. is preferably used. At this time, the heating and holding temperature is preferably a temperature equal to or lower than the decomposition temperature of the coat layer resin, and more preferably an upper limit temperature up to about 200 ° C.
The heating and holding time is preferably about 5 to 120 minutes.
[0062]
The magnetic core material used for the carrier is not particularly limited as long as it falls within the range specified in the present invention as the carrier, and conventionally known materials can be used, for example, metals such as iron, cobalt, nickel; magnetite, hematite And alloys and compounds such as ferrite, but are not limited thereto. These magnetic particles may be used in any form of core material such as single crystal / amorphous particles, single / composite sintered bodies, and particles in which single / composite particles are dispersed in a polymer such as resin. good. In order to achieve both the magnetic properties of the carrier particles and the dispersibility of the magnetic particles with the particles in which the magnetic particles are dispersed in the polymer, these magnetic particles include particles having a size of about 0.5 to 10 μm. It is preferable. In the case of using resin particles in which magnetic powder is dispersed, as the resin forming the core material particles of the carrier particles, for example, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene; polystyrene, acrylic (for example, poly Methyl methacrylate), polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl ether, polyvinylidene and other polyvinylidene resins; vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer; polytetrafluoroethylene, Fluorine resins such as polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, and polychlorotrifluoroethylene; polyamides; polyesters; polyurethanes; polycarbonates, etc. That, without being limited thereto.
[0063]
Coupling agents such as silane coupling agents and titanium coupling agents are added to the magnetic material dispersion type core material particles as an auxiliary agent for the purpose of improving these adhesion properties and improving the dispersibility of the resistance control material. May be.
Among them, it is preferable to use ferrite particles as the magnetic core material because it is easy to control the magnetization of individual carrier particles, and as the magnetic core material, particles in which a magnetic material is dispersed in a resin are used. Therefore, it is preferable because the particle shape and other functions are easily imparted while maintaining the specified magnetization ratio in the present invention.
[0064]
In addition, in an electrophotographic developer obtained by mixing an electrophotographic carrier with a toner containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, the carrier adhesion is suppressed by using the carrier as the above-described electrophotographic carrier. In addition, it is possible to obtain an electrophotographic developer that can cope with high image quality. At this time, the toner weight in the developer weight is preferably 2 to 12% by weight, and more preferably 2.5 to 10% by weight.
[0065]
As the toner used in the present invention, those usually used as an electrophotographic toner can be used without any particular limitation.
For example, as an example of a binder resin used in the electrophotographic toner, styrene such as polystyrene, poly p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyltoluene and the like, and a substituted homopolymer thereof; styrene / p-chlorostyrene copolymer Polymer, styrene / propylene copolymer, styrene / vinyl toluene copolymer, styrene / vinyl naphthalene copolymer, styrene / methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / butyl acrylate copolymer Styrene / octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene / methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene / α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, Styrene / acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene / vinyl methyl keto Styrene copolymers such as copolymers, styrene / butadiene copolymers, styrene / isoprene copolymers, styrene / maleic acid copolymers; polymethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polymethacryl Acrylic acid ester homopolymers such as butyl acid and copolymers thereof; polyvinyl derivatives such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate; polyester polymers, polyurethane polymers, polyamide polymers, polyimide polymers, polyols Polymer, epoxy polymer, terpene polymer, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, etc., which can be used alone or in combination, but are not particularly limited thereto. . Of these, at least one selected from styrene-acrylic copolymer resins, polyester resins, and polyol resins is more preferable in terms of electrical characteristics, cost, and the like. Furthermore, it is more preferable to use a polyester-based resin and / or a polyol-based resin as having good fixing characteristics.
[0066]
As the colorant used in the electrophotographic toner, pigments and dyes conventionally used as toner colorants can be used. Specifically, carbon black, lamp black, iron black, ultramarine blue, Nigrosine dye, aniline blue, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, Hansa Yellow G, rhodamine 6C lake, calco oil blue, chrome yellow, quinacridone red, benzidine yellow, rose bengal and the like can be used alone or in combination.
Further, if necessary, in order to give the toner particles magnetic properties, magnetic components such as iron oxides such as ferrite, magnetite and maghemite, metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel, or alloys of these with other metals. May be contained alone or in combination in the toner particles. Moreover, these components can also be used / used together as a colorant component.
[0067]
In addition, the toner contained in the electrophotographic developer preferably contains a releasable substance, which makes it possible to extend the life of the developer by the effect of the carrier while performing oilless fixing without using fixing oil. Figured. As the releasable substance contained in the toner, waxes such as polyethylene wax, propylene wax and carnauba wax are preferably used, but are not limited thereto. The amount used is preferably about 0.5 to 10.0% by weight, more preferably about 3.0 to 8.0% by weight, although it depends on the type of material used and the fixing method. preferable.
[0068]
As additives for improving toner fluidity and environment dependency, generally known additives can be used. For example, zinc oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, strontium titanate, barium titanate, titanium Inorganic powders such as calcium oxide, strontium zirconate, calcium zirconate, lanthanum titanate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, mica and dolomite, and hydrophobized products thereof can be used alone or in combination. As other additives, fluororesin fine particles such as polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer, and polyvinylidene fluoride may be used as the toner surface modifier. Depending on the type of material to be added, about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight is externally added to 100 parts by weight of the toner base particles, and if necessary, the toner is mixed with an appropriate mixer. It can be adjusted and used so that it adheres to, adheres to the particle surface, or is released in the toner particle gap.
[0069]
In addition, generally known charge control agents for improving the rising of charge can be used, such as amino group-containing vinyl copolymers, quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine dyes, polyamine resins, imidazoles. Positive charge control agents such as compounds, azine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, guanidine compounds, lake pigments, and negative charge charges such as carboxylic acid derivatives and their metal salts, alkoxylates, organometallic complexes, chelate compounds The control agent can be used alone or mixed to form a kneaded product and / or additive into the toner particles. When these charge control agents are used in a dispersed state, the dispersion diameter is preferably 2.0 μm or less, and preferably 1.0 μm or less in order for the interaction with the carrier particle surface to occur substantially evenly. Further preferred.
[0070]
As a method for producing toner particles in the developer of the present invention, the raw materials as described above are kneaded by a known method such as a two-roll, twin-screw extrusion kneader, or single-screw extrusion kneader. The toner base particles can be prepared by performing known pulverization and classification such as an airflow method. Further, at the time of kneading, a colorant or a dispersant for controlling the dispersion state of the magnetic material may be used in combination. Further, the toner base particles may be mixed and surface-modified with a mixer or the like by adding the aforementioned additives.
In addition to this, a so-called polymerized toner in which toner particles are granulated using a resin monomer, a low molecular weight resin oligomer or the like as a starting material may be used.
In addition, the charge amount of these toner particles varies depending on the actual use process and cannot be determined in general. However, in the combination with the carrier particles according to the configuration of the present invention, the absolute value is about 3 to 40 μC / g. The saturated charge amount is more preferably about 5 to 30 μC / g.
The particle diameter of the toner particles is preferably about weight average diameter D4 = 4 to 10 μm, and the toner particle number-based 10% diameter is 2.5 μm or more to obtain more stable image quality. It is preferable for this purpose.
[0071]
Further, friction charging means for charging the toner by rubbing the developer, a rotatable developer holding body having a magnetic field generating means for holding the developer containing the charged toner, and an electrostatic latent image are formed. In the developing device provided with the image carrier, the developer is the electrophotographic developer described in any one of the above, and in the vicinity of the developing region which is a proximity portion of the developer holder and the image carrier. By setting the maximum value of the magnetic flux density B (mT) in the normal direction of the developer holder surface to the relationship of Equation (6), sufficient magnetic restraint can be achieved even for particles with low magnetization mixed in the carrier. It was found that a high-quality image with suppressed carrier adhesion can be obtained over a long period of time because the force can be maintained and the state of the carrier magnetic brush in the developing unit can be controlled well.
[0072]
[Expression 28]
15000 / (σ30 · ρc) ≦ B ≦ 50000 / (σb · ρc) Equation (6)
[0073]
In addition, the developing device is a developing device having a maintaining unit in which the distance between the closest portions in the developing region of the image carrier and the developer holding member is 0.30 to 0.80 mm. More preferred for obtaining. If the interval is less than 0.30 mm, the toner image once developed may be swept away by the carrier magnetic brush. Conversely, if the interval exceeds 0.80 mm, the toner development amount at the end of the solid image is larger than the central portion. This is not preferable because a so-called edge effect is likely to occur.
[0074]
Further, in these developing devices, in order to give the gradation of the image mainly by the development area ratio in the unit area, it is preferable to have a voltage application mechanism for applying a DC bias voltage to the developer carrying member. In order to provide gradation of the image by the toner adhesion amount per area, it is more preferable to have a voltage application mechanism that applies a bias voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage to the developer holder.
[0075]
Further, the developing device includes a toner recycling mechanism including at least a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the image carrier, and a collected toner transport mechanism for transporting the toner collected by the cleaning mechanism to the developing mechanism, so that the high quality image can be saved. Since it can be obtained with resources, it is more preferable.
[0076]
An image forming apparatus having a transfer unit that transfers each toner image formed on an image carrier of a plurality of developing devices onto a medium, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner images transferred onto the medium. By using the developing device described above, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image in which carrier adhesion is suppressed.
[0077]
Further, friction charging means for charging the toner by rubbing the developer, a rotatable developer holding body having a magnetic field generating means inside the developer containing the charged toner, and an electrostatic latent image are formed. In a process cartridge including an image carrier, a developer, and toner, the developer is the electrophotographic developer of the present invention, and the developer holding member and the image carrier are in the vicinity of the development region in the vicinity. By setting the maximum value of the magnetic flux density B (mT) in the normal direction of the developer holder surface to the relationship of the formula (6), stable development can be achieved without reducing the carrier in the developer due to carrier adhesion. A process cartridge that can be used for a long time can be obtained.
[0078]
The developing device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of the developing device. The developing device disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum (1) as a latent image carrier has a developing sleeve (41) as a developer carrier, a developer accommodating member (42), and a doctor blade as a regulating member. (43), mainly a support case (44) and the like.
To a support case (44) having an opening on the side of the photosensitive drum (1), a toner hopper (45) as a toner containing portion for containing the toner (10) is joined. In the developer accommodating portion (46) for accommodating the developer (11) composed of toner (10) and carrier particles adjacent to the toner hopper (45), the toner particles (10) and carrier particles (11) are agitated. In addition, a developer stirring mechanism (47) is provided for imparting friction / release charges to the toner particles.
[0079]
Inside the toner hopper (45), a toner agitator (48) and a toner replenishing mechanism (49) are disposed as toner supplying means rotated by a driving means (not shown). The toner agitator (48) and the toner replenishing mechanism (49) send out the toner (10) in the toner hopper (45) toward the developer container (46) while stirring.
A developing sleeve (41) is disposed in a space between the photosensitive drum (1) and the toner hopper (45). The developing sleeve (41) that is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a driving means (not shown) is disposed in the interior thereof so as not to change relative position with respect to the developing mechanism (4) in order to form a magnetic brush made of carrier particles. In addition, it has a magnet (not shown) as magnetic field generating means.
A regulating member (doctor blade) (43) is integrally attached to the side of the developer accommodating member (42) facing the side attached to the support case (44). The restricting member (doctor blade) (43) is disposed in a state where a certain gap is maintained between the tip thereof and the outer peripheral surface of the developing sleeve (41).
[0080]
With the above configuration, the toner (10) sent out from the inside of the toner hopper (45) by the toner agitator (48) and the toner replenishing mechanism (49) is carried to the developer accommodating portion (46), and the developer agitating mechanism ( 47), the desired friction / peeling charge is imparted, and is carried on the developing sleeve (41) as a developer (11) (or toner particles alone) together with carrier particles, and the photosensitive drum (1). ) To the position facing the outer peripheral surface, and only the toner (10) is electrostatically coupled to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum (1), so that the photosensitive drum (1) A toner image is formed.
[0081]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus having a developing device. Around the drum-shaped image carrier (1), an image carrier charging member (2), an image exposure system (3), a developing mechanism (4), a transfer mechanism (5), a cleaning mechanism (6), a static elimination lamp ( 7) is arranged, and image formation is performed by the following operation.
[0082]
A series of image forming processes will be described as a negative-positive process. The image carrier (1) typified by a photoreceptor (OPC) having an organic photoconductive layer is neutralized by a static elimination lamp (7), and is uniformly negatively charged by a charging member (2) such as a charging charger or a charging roller, A latent image is formed by the laser light emitted from the laser optical system (3) (the absolute value of the exposed portion potential is lower than the absolute value of the non-exposed portion potential).
[0083]
Laser light is emitted from a semiconductor laser, and the surface of the image carrier (1) is scanned in the direction of the rotation axis of the image carrier (1) by a polygonal polygon mirror (polygon) that rotates at high speed. The latent image formed in this way consists of toner particles or a mixture of toner particles and carrier particles supplied on the developing sleeve (41) which is a developer carrying member in the developing means or developing mechanism (4). Development with a developer forms a toner visible image. At the time of developing the latent image, a voltage of an appropriate magnitude between the exposed portion and the non-exposed portion of the image carrier (1) or AC is applied to the developing sleeve (41) from a voltage application mechanism (not shown). A developing bias with a superimposed voltage is applied.
[0084]
On the other hand, a transfer medium (for example, paper) (8) is fed from a paper feed mechanism (not shown) and is synchronized with the leading edge of the image by a pair of upper and lower registration rollers (not shown). And the transfer member (5) to transfer the toner image. At this time, it is preferable that a potential having a polarity opposite to that of toner charging is applied to the transfer member (5) as a transfer bias. Thereafter, the transfer medium or intermediate transfer medium (8) is separated from the image carrier (1) to obtain a transferred image.
The toner particles remaining on the image carrier are collected by the cleaning member (61) into the toner collection chamber (62) in the cleaning mechanism (6).
The collected toner particles may be transported to a developing unit and / or a toner replenishing unit by a toner recycling unit (not shown) and reused.
The image forming apparatus may be a device in which a plurality of the developing devices described above are arranged and the toner images are sequentially transferred onto the transfer medium, then sent to the fixing mechanism, and the toner is fixed by heat or the like. It is also possible to use a device that transfers a plurality of toner images to the transfer medium and transfers them all together onto a transfer medium and performs the same fixing.
[0085]
<Amorphous silicon photoconductor>
As an electrophotographic photoreceptor used in the present invention, a conductive support is heated to 50 ° C. to 400 ° C., and a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion plating method, a thermal CVD method, a photo CVD is applied on the support. An amorphous silicon photoconductor (hereinafter referred to as “a-Si-based photoconductor”) having a photoconductive layer made of a-Si can be used by a film forming method such as a plasma CVD method. Among them, a plasma CVD method, that is, a method in which a source gas is decomposed by direct current, high frequency or microwave glow discharge to form an a-Si deposited film on a support is preferably used.
[0086]
<About layer structure>
The layer structure of the amorphous silicon photoconductor is, for example, as follows. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a layer configuration. In the electrophotographic photoreceptor (500) shown in FIG. 3A, a photoconductive layer (502) made of a-Si: H, X and having photoconductivity is provided on a support (501). . An electrophotographic photoreceptor (500) shown in FIG. 3 (b) includes a photoconductive layer (502) made of a-Si: H, X and having photoconductivity on a support (501), and amorphous silicon. And a system surface layer (503). An electrophotographic photoreceptor (500) shown in FIG. 3 (c) has a photoconductive layer (502) made of a-Si: H, X and having photoconductivity on an support (501), and amorphous silicon. It is composed of a system surface layer (503) and an amorphous silicon system charge injection blocking layer (504). In the electrophotographic photoreceptor (500) shown in FIG. 3D, a photoconductive layer (502) is provided on a support (501). The photoconductive layer (502) comprises a charge generation layer (505) and a charge transport layer (506) made of a-Si: H, X, and an amorphous silicon-based surface layer (503) is provided thereon. .
[0087]
About the support
The support for the photoreceptor may be conductive or electrically insulating. Examples of the conductive support include metals such as Al, Cr, Mo, Au, In, Nb, Te, V, Ti, Pt, Pd, and Fe, and alloys thereof such as stainless steel. Also, at least the surface on the side where the photosensitive layer is to be formed of an electrically insulating support such as polyester, polyethylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide or other synthetic resin film or sheet, glass or ceramic. A conductively treated support can also be used.
The shape of the support can be a cylindrical or plate-like or endless belt with a smooth or uneven surface, and the thickness thereof is appropriately determined so that a desired photoreceptor for an image forming apparatus can be formed. When flexibility as a photoreceptor for an image forming apparatus is required, it can be made as thin as possible within a range where the function as a support can be sufficiently exhibited. However, the support is usually 10 μm or more from the viewpoints of manufacturing and handling, such as mechanical strength.
[0088]
<Injection prevention layer>
In the amorphous silicon photoconductor that can be used in the present invention, a charge injection blocking layer that functions to block charge injection from the conductive support side is provided between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer as necessary. It is more effective to provide this (FIG. 3C). That is, the charge injection blocking layer has a function of blocking charge injection from the support side to the photoconductive layer side when the photosensitive layer is subjected to a charging process with a certain polarity on its free surface. When charged, it has a so-called polarity dependency that does not exhibit such a function. In order to provide such a function, the charge injection blocking layer contains a relatively large number of atoms for controlling conductivity as compared with the photoconductive layer.
The layer thickness of the charge injection blocking layer is preferably from 0.1 to 5 μm, more preferably from 0.3 to 4 μm, and most preferably from 0.5 to 0.5 in view of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economic effects. It is desirable to be 3 μm.
[0089]
<< About photoconductive layer >>
The photoconductive layer is formed on the undercoat layer as necessary, and the layer thickness of the photoconductive layer (502) is appropriately determined as desired from the viewpoint of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economic effects, The thickness is preferably 1 to 100 μm, more preferably 20 to 50 μm, and most preferably 23 to 45 μm.
[0090]
<About the charge transport layer>
The charge transport layer is a layer mainly having a function of transporting charges when the photoconductive layer is functionally separated. The charge transport layer includes at least silicon atoms, carbon atoms, and fluorine atoms as constituent elements, and is formed of a-SiC (H, F, O) including hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms as required. It has conductive properties, particularly charge retention properties, charge generation properties, and charge transport properties. In the present invention, it is particularly preferable to contain an oxygen atom.
The layer thickness of the charge transport layer is appropriately determined as desired from the viewpoint of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economic effects. The charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 50 μm, more preferably 10 to 40 μm, Optimally, the thickness is desirably 20 to 30 μm.
[0091]
《Charge generation layer》
The charge generation layer is a layer mainly having a function of generating charges when the photoconductive layer is functionally separated. This charge generation layer is composed of a-Si: H containing at least silicon atoms as components and substantially no carbon atoms and, if necessary, hydrogen atoms, and has desired photoconductive properties, particularly charge generation properties. , Has charge transport properties.
The layer thickness of the charge generation layer is appropriately determined as desired from the viewpoint of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economic effects, etc., preferably 0.5 to 15 μm, more preferably 1 to 10 μm, optimally 1 ˜5 μm.
[0092]
<About the surface layer>
If necessary, the amorphous silicon photoconductor that can be used in the present invention can be provided with a surface layer on the photoconductive layer formed on the support as described above. It is preferable to form a surface layer. This surface layer has a free surface, and is provided to achieve the object of the present invention mainly in moisture resistance, continuous repeated use characteristics, electrical pressure resistance, use environment characteristics, and durability.
The layer thickness of the surface layer in the present invention is usually 0.01 to 3 μm, preferably 0.05 to 2 μm, and most preferably 0.1 to 1 μm. If the layer thickness is less than 0.01 μm, the surface layer is lost due to wear or the like during use of the photoreceptor, and if it exceeds 3 μm, electrophotographic characteristics such as an increase in residual potential are observed.
[0093]
Here, the fixing device is a so-called surf fixing device in which a fixing film is rotated and fixed as shown in FIG. In detail, the fixing film is an endless belt-like heat-resistant film, and is fixedly supported by a driving roller and a driven roller, which are supporting rotating members of the film, and a heater supporting member provided below the rollers. The heating body is arranged in a suspended manner.
The driven roller also serves as a tension roller for the fixing film, and the fixing film is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction by the rotational driving of the driving roller in the clockwise direction in the drawing. This rotational driving speed is adjusted to a speed at which the transfer material and the fixing film are equal in the fixing nip region L where the pressure roller and the fixing film are in contact with each other.
Here, the pressure roller is a roller having a rubber elastic layer having good releasability, such as silicon rubber, and a contact pressure of 4 to 10 kg of total pressure against the fixing nip region L while rotating counterclockwise. With pressure contact.
The fixing film preferably has excellent heat resistance, releasability and durability, and a thin film having a total thickness of 100 μm or less, preferably 40 μm or less is used. For example, at least an image of a single layer film of a heat-resistant resin such as polyimide, polyetherimide, PES (polyether sulfide), PFA (tetrafluoroethylene bar fluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer resin), or a composite layer film, for example, a 20 μm thick film The contact surface is coated with a release coating layer of PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin), PFA or other fluororesin added with a conductive material to a thickness of 10 μm, or an elastic layer such as fluororubber or silicon rubber. It is a thing.
[0094]
In FIG. 4, the heating body of the present embodiment is composed of a planar substrate and a fixing heater, and the planar substrate is made of a material having high thermal conductivity and high electrical resistivity, such as alumina, and is in contact with the fixing film. Has a fixing heater formed of a resistance heating element in the longitudinal direction. Such a fixing heater is, for example, Ag / Pd, Ta₂An electric resistance material such as N is applied in a linear or belt shape by screen printing or the like. In addition, electrodes (not shown) are formed at both ends of the fixing heater, and the resistance heating element generates heat when energized between the electrodes. Furthermore, a fixing temperature sensor constituted by a thermistor is provided on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface provided with the fixing heater.
The temperature information of the substrate detected by the fixing temperature sensor is sent to a control unit (not shown), and the amount of electric power supplied to the fixing heater is controlled by the control unit, and the heating body is controlled to a predetermined temperature.
[0095]
【Example】
  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention still in detail, this invention is not limited to a following example. Here, “parts” are all parts by weight.
Reference example1
(Core material production example 1)
  Manganese and iron oxides were mixed so that the molar ratio of Mn / Fe was 30/70, and were wet-ground and dispersed in water for 48 hours using a ball mill, then dried and weakened by an electrothermal atmosphere firing furnace. Calcination was performed at 850 ° C. for 1 hour in a reducing atmosphere.
  Wet pulverization was performed by filling 10 vol. Of zirconia balls as a pulverization medium with 30 vol% of the ball mill pot volume, and filling the oxide slurry adjusted to a solid content of 25% with 20 vol% of the ball mill pot volume.
  Subsequently, the obtained calcined product was wet pulverized and dispersed in water again for 24 hours under the same conditions to obtain a manganese iron composite oxide slurry.
  To this slurry, polyvinyl alcohol and a dispersant were added as a binder, granulated and dried using a spray dryer, and classified using an ultrasonic vibration sieve to prepare granulated particles.
  The obtained granulated particles were subjected to main firing at 1200 ° C. for 4 hours under a weak reducing atmosphere in an electrothermal atmosphere firing furnace to obtain manganese ferrite particles.
  Furthermore, the obtained manganese ferrite particles were classified using an ultrasonic vibration sieve to obtain a core material (1).
[0096]
(Coat formula 1)
Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
100 parts of alumina particles (number average particle size = 0.3 μm)
Carbon black 6 parts
1500 parts of toluene
The above formulation was dispersed with a homomixer for 30 minutes to prepare a coating solution for forming a coat layer.
[0097]
  This was coated on the surface of 5000 parts of the core material (1) with a fluidized bed spray coater, and then heated at 150 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain a carrier (C1).
  When the particle size distribution of the carrier (C1) was measured with a Microtrac particle size distribution meter (Model X100 manufactured by Microtrac), the weight average particle diameter (D4) was 37.5 μm, and the number average diameter (D1) was 34.3 μm. Carrier particles of 12 μm or less were 0.14% by weight.
  Further, the true specific gravity ρc of the carrier (C1) was measured with a Beckman air hydrometer, and found to be 5.1 (g / cm ^ 3).
  Further, when the surface of the carrier (C1) was observed with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 2000 times, irregularities derived from alumina were formed on the surface, and the average height of the carrier surface irregularities measured in a non-contact manner using a laser microscope. The difference was 0.3 μm.
  Next, when the magnetization (σb) at 1000 oersted of this carrier (C1) was measured using a multi-sample rotational magnetization measuring device (REM-1-10 type manufactured by Toei Kogyo Co., Ltd.), 66.0 emu / g.
  Subsequently, a carrier (C1) desorption test was performed according to the following procedure.
  First, a development sleeve for a color printer IPSiO color 8000 manufactured by Ricoh was modified as a test development sleeve so that the peak magnetic flux density of the development pole was 100 mT.
  Next, the developing sleeve for this test was attached to the developing unit, and the rotational speed of the sleeve was adjusted using a separately prepared motor so that the centrifugal force (detachment force) was three times the gravity (test). In the developing unit for developing, since the developing sleeve diameter was 18 mmφ, the sleeve rotation speed was {3 (times) × 9.8 (m / s²) × 0.009 (m)}^1/2× 1000 (mm) / {18 (mm) × π} × 60 (sec) = 546 rpm).
  Put 250g of test carrier (C1) in the development unit,5The developing sleeve was continuously rotated for one minute to recover and remove the desorbed carrier from the developing region opening of the developing unit.
  Furthermore,25The developing sleeve was continuously rotated for one minute to recover the desorption carrier for evaluating the magnetization tailing from the developing region opening of the developing unit.
  It was 65.6 emu / g when the magnetization ((sigma) 30) in 1000 oersted of the collect | removed desorption carrier was measured.
[0098]
(Toner Production Example 1)
Partially crosslinked polyester resin 79.5 parts
(Bisphenol A ethylene oxide addition alcohol,
Propylene oxide addition alcohol of bisphenol A,
Condensation polymer of terephthalic acid and trimellitic acid)
(Mw = 15000, glass transition point = 61 ° C.)
Carbon black 15 parts
1 part of zirconium salt of di-tert-butylsalicylic acid
Carnauba wax; Noda Wax 5 parts
[0099]
The mixture having the above composition was kneaded for 30 minutes with a two-roll kneader, and then pulverized and classified using a mechanical pulverizer / airflow classifier to obtain a toner base.
Further, 1 part of hydrophobic silica fine particles and 1 part of hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles were added to 100 parts of the toner base, and mixed for a total of 2 minutes with a Henschel mixer to obtain a toner (T1).
When the particle size distribution of the toner (T1) was measured with a Coulter counter TA2, the weight average diameter D4 = 6.2 μm and the number-based 10% diameter calculated from the cumulative number distribution = 2.5 μm.
Next, 920 parts of carrier (C1) and 80 parts of toner (T1) were mixed for 1 minute with a turbula mixer to obtain a two-component developer.
[0100]
Using this developer, a Ricoh color printer IPSiO color 8000 was used to perform a continuous image drawing test on an A4 size, 300% original image with a 6% image area ratio. Images, halftone images and solid images were output for image quality evaluation.
At this time, the magnetic flux density of the developing pole was 110 mT, and the closest distance between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive member in the developing portion was adjusted to 0.6 mm.
The electrostatic charge image on the image carrier at the time of image output was set to background portion = −700V and image portion = −200V. Further, a developing bias potential in which an AC voltage with a peak-to-peak voltage of 1500 V and a frequency of 2000 Hz was superimposed on a DC voltage (−500 V) was applied to the developing sleeve.
For image quality evaluation, carrier adhesion in blank images and solid images, character thickening of characters, blur and gradation of halftone images, stability of image density in solid images, and other defects in each image evaluated.
Initially, good image quality was obtained both after 300,000 sheets, and it was found that the carrier of the present invention was useful in both image quality and lifetime.
The image density was measured using a Macbeth densitometer (RD-914), and the other items were visually evaluated.
The evaluation results at the initial stage and after 300,000 sheets are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0101]
Reference example2
(Core material production example 2)
  Manganese and iron oxides were mixed so that the Mn / Fe molar ratio was 10/90, the main firing temperature was 1250 ° C., and fired in a reducing atmosphere in the same manner as in Core Material Production Example 1, A core material (2) was prepared.
  Except for using the core material (2)Reference exampleIn the same manner as in Example 1, a carrier (C2) was obtained.
  Except for using carrier (C2),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0102]
Reference example3
(Core material production example 3)
  A core material (3) was prepared in the same manner as in the core material production example 1 except that manganese and iron oxides were mixed so that the Mn / Fe molar ratio was 50/50.
  Except for using the core material (3)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C3).
  Except for using carrier (C3),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0103]
Example1
(Core material production example 4)
  100 parts of bisallylnadiimide adduct of dimethylenephenyl
  Manganese ferrite powder (average particle size = 4μm) 800 parts
  20 parts of carbon black
  1000 parts of toluene
  The mixed dispersion of the above weight ratio is granulated and dried using a spray dryer, the resin is cured at 200 ° C. for 30 minutes, cooled and classified, and the core in which the manganese ferrite magnetic powder is dispersed in the imide resin Material (4) was obtained.
  Except for using the core material (4)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C4).
  Except for using carrier (C4)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0104]
Example2
(Core material production example 5)
  100 parts of bisallylnadiimide adduct of dimethylenephenyl
  800 parts of manganese magnesium strontium ferrite powder
  (Average particle size = 4.2 μm)
  20 parts of carbon black
  1000 parts of toluene
  The mixture dispersion of the above weight ratio is granulated and dried using a spray dryer, the resin is cured at 200 ° C. for 30 minutes, cooled and classified, and the manganese magnesium strontium ferrite magnetic powder is dispersed in the imide resin. A core material (5) was obtained.
  Except for using the core material (5)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C5).
  Except for using carrier (C5),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0105]
Reference example 4
(Core material production example 6)
  In the granulation / drying step of the core material production example 1 and the classification step after the main firing step, the classification conditions of the manganese ferrite particles by the ultrasonic vibration sieve are adjusted, and the core material (6) having a slightly broad particle size distribution is obtained. Obtained.
  Except for using the core material (6)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C6).
  Except for using carrier (C6),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0106]
Reference Example 5
(Coat prescription 2)
  Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
  Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
  150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
  Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
  100 parts of alumina particles (number average particle size = 0.3 μm)
  Carbon black 7.5 parts
  1500 parts of toluene
  Except for using the above formulation as a coating solution for forming a coat layerReference example1 to obtain a carrier (C7).
  Except for using carrier (C7)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0107]
Reference Example 6
(Coat prescription 3)
  Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
  Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
  150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
  Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
  100 parts of alumina particles (number average particle size = 0.3 μm)
  Carbon black 3 parts
  1500 parts of toluene
  Except for using the above formulation as a coating solution for forming a coat layerReference example1 to obtain a carrier (C8).
  Except for using carrier (C8)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0108]
Reference Example 7
(Coat prescription 4)
  Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
50 parts of alumina particles (number average particle size = 0.3 μm)
Carbon black 4 parts
1500 parts of toluene
  Except for using the above formulation as a coating solution for forming a coat layerReference example1 to obtain a carrier (C9).
  Except for using carrier (C9),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0109]
Reference Example 8
(Coat prescription 5)
  Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
  Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
  150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
  Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
  Carbon black 1 part
  1500 parts of toluene
  Except for using the above formulation as a coating solution for forming a coat layerReference example1 to obtain a carrier (C10).
  Except for using carrier (C10),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0110]
(Reference Examples 9 and 10)
  The kneaded product of Toner Production Example 1 was subjected to pulverization / classification conditions to obtain toner bases having different weight average particle diameters. These were mixed with external additives by the same method as in Toner Production Example 1 to obtain toners (T2) and (T3) having a weight average particle diameter of 11 μm and 3.8 μm.
  Except for using toners (T2) and (T3),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0111]
Comparative Example 1
(Core material production example 7)
  Manganese and iron oxides were mixed so that the molar ratio of Mn / Fe was 30/70, and were wet-pulverized and dispersed in water for 12 hours using a ball mill, followed by drying, and 850 ° C., 1 Temporary firing was performed.
  The wet pulverization was performed by filling 10 vol. Of zirconia balls as a pulverizing medium with 30 vol% of the ball mill pot volume, and filling the oxide slurry adjusted to a solid content of 25% with 20 vol% of the ball mill pot volume.
  Subsequently, the obtained calcined product was wet pulverized and dispersed in water again for 24 hours under the same conditions to obtain a manganese iron composite oxide slurry.
  To this slurry, polyvinyl alcohol and a dispersant were added as a binder, granulated and dried using a spray dryer, and classified using an ultrasonic vibration sieve to prepare granulated particles.
  The obtained granulated particles were subjected to main firing at 1200 ° C. for 4 hours in a weak reducing atmosphere to obtain manganese ferrite particles.
  Furthermore, the obtained manganese ferrite particles were classified using an ultrasonic vibration sieve to obtain a core material (7).
  Except for using the core material (7)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C11).
  Except for using carrier (C11),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0112]
Comparative Example 2
(Core material production example 8)
  Manganese and iron oxides were mixed so that the molar ratio of Mn / Fe was 3/97, the main firing temperature was 1250 ° C., and fired in a reducing atmosphere for 5 hours. Thus, a core material (8) was prepared.
  Except for using the core material (8)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C12).
  Except for using carrier (C12)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0113]
Comparative Example 3
(Core material production example 9)
  A core material (9) was prepared in the same manner as in the core material production example 1 except that manganese and iron oxides were mixed so that the Mn / Fe molar ratio was 65/35.
  Except for using the core material (9)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C13).
  Except for using carrier (C13)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0114]
Comparative Example 4
(Core material production example 10)
  100 parts of bisallylnadiimide adduct of dimethylenephenyl
  800 parts of magnetite powder (average particle size = 4.1 μm)
  20 parts of carbon black
  1000 parts of toluene
  A core material in which magnetite magnetic powder is dispersed in an imide resin by granulating and drying an admixture of the above weight ratio using a spray dryer, curing the resin at 200 ° C. for 30 minutes, cooling, and classifying. (10) was obtained.
  Except for using the core material (10)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C14).
  Except for using carrier (C14),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0115]
Comparative Example 5
(Core material production example 11)
  100 parts of bisallylnadiimide adduct of dimethylenephenyl
  Copper zinc ferrite powder (average particle size = 4.5μm) 800 parts
  20 parts of carbon black
  1000 parts of toluene
  The admixture dispersion of the above weight ratio was granulated and dried using a spray dryer, the resin was cured at 200 ° C. for 30 minutes, cooled, and classified, and the copper zinc ferrite magnetic powder was dispersed in the imide resin. A core material (11) was obtained.
  Except for using the core material (11)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C15).
  Except for using carrier (C15),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0116]
Comparative Example 6
(Core material production example 12)
  In the granulation step of the core material production example 1 and the classification step after the main firing step, the classification conditions of the manganese ferrite particles by the ultrasonic vibration sieve are adjusted to obtain the core material (12) having a smaller average particle diameter. It was.
  Except for using the core material (12)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C16).
  Except for using carrier (C16)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0117]
Comparative Example 7
(Core material production example 13)
  In the granulation step of the core material production example 1 and the classification step after the main firing step, the classification conditions of the manganese ferrite particles by the ultrasonic vibration sieve are adjusted to obtain the core material (13) having a larger average particle size. It was.
  Except for using the core material (13)Reference example1 to obtain a carrier (C17).
  Except for using carrier (C17)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0118]
Comparative Example 8
(Core material production example 14)
  In the granulation step of the core material production example 1 and the classification step after the main firing step, the classification conditions of the manganese ferrite particles by the ultrasonic vibration sieve were adjusted to obtain a core material (14) having a slightly larger amount of fine powder.
  Except for using the core material (14)Reference exampleIn the same manner as in Example 1, a carrier (C18) was obtained.
  Except for using carrier (C18)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0119]
Comparative Example 9
(Core material production example 15)
  In the granulation step of the core material production example 1 and the classification step after the main firing step, the classification conditions of the manganese ferrite particles by the ultrasonic vibration sieve were adjusted to obtain a core material (15) having a broad particle size distribution.
  Except for using the core material (15)Reference exampleIn the same manner as in Example 1, a carrier (C19) was obtained.
  Except for using carrier (C19)Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0120]
Comparative Example 10
(Coat formula 6)
  Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
  Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
  150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
  Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
  100 parts of alumina particles (number average particle size = 0.3 μm)
  10 parts of carbon black
  1500 parts of toluene
  Except for using the above formulation as a coating solution for forming a coat layerReference example1 to obtain a carrier (C20).
  Except for using carrier (C20),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0121]
Comparative Example 11
(Coat prescription 7)
  Acrylic resin solution (solid content = 50% by weight) 60 parts
  Guanamin solution (solid content = 70% by weight) 15 parts
  150 parts of straight silicone resin (solid content = 20%)
  Dibutyltin diacetate 1.5 parts
  100 parts of alumina particles (number average particle size = 0.3 μm)
  Carbon black 1.5 parts
  1500 parts of toluene
  Except for using the above formulation as a coating solution for forming a coat layerReference example1 to obtain a carrier (C21).
  Except for using carrier (C21),Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0122]
Reference Example 11
  As a two-component developer adjustment, 850 parts of carrier (C1) and 150 parts of toner (T1) were mixed for 3 minutes with a turbuler mixer.Reference exampleIn the same manner as in Example 1, a two-component developer was obtained.
  Except for using this developer,Reference exampleEach evaluation result was obtained in the same manner as in 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0123]
Reference Examples 12 and 13
  Change the internal magnet so that the peak magnetic flux density of the developing pole of the developing sleeve is 140 mT,Reference exampleThe same image test as in Nos. 1 and 2 was performed. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0124]
Reference Example 14,Example 3
  Change the internal magnet so that the peak magnetic flux density of the developing pole of the developing sleeve is 70 mT,Reference example1,Example 2The same image test was conducted. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0125]
Reference Examples 15 and 16
  Except that the closest distance between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive member in the developing section is 0.25 mm and 0.9 mm,Reference exampleThe same image test as in No. 1 was performed. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
[0126]
Reference Example 17
  Reference example1, only a DC voltage (−500 V) is applied as a developing bias,Reference exampleImage evaluation similar to 1 was performed. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1-1, Table 1-2, and Table 1-3.
  Evaluation result (initial)
[0127]
[Table 1-1]

[0128]
[Table 1-2]

  Evaluation result (after 300,000 sheets)
[0129]
[Table 1-3]

[0130]
  Finally,Reference example1,Reference Example 12,Reference Example 14Subsequently, a continuous image drawing test of 1 million sheets was performed, and a high-definition and high-resolution image that was completely comparable to the initial image was obtained.
[0131]
【The invention's effect】
  As is apparent from the detailed and specific description above, according to the present invention, the embodiment,Reference exampleAs is clear from the comparison of the comparative examples, under a wide range of development conditions, it is possible to obtain a high-definition and high-resolution high-quality image with very little carrier adhesion and less image quality fluctuation and image degradation. , An effective electrophotographic carrier, an electrophotographic two-component developer and a developing device, and an image forming apparatus using a fixing device that can efficiently and shorten the rise time, and carrier adhesion is suppressed. The life can be greatly extended without damaging each contact member.
  Furthermore, amorphous silicon photoconductors have high surface hardness, high sensitivity to long-wavelength light such as semiconductor lasers (770 to 800 nm), and no deterioration due to repeated use. It can be used as an electrophotographic photoreceptor such as a beam printer (LBP).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a developing device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus having a developing device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a layer configuration in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a so-called surf fixing device that rotates and fixes a fixing film in the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image carrier (photosensitive drum)
2 Image carrier charging member
3 Image exposure system
4 Development mechanism
5 Transcription mechanism
6 Cleaning mechanism
7 Static elimination lamp
8 Transfer media
10 Toner particles
11 Developer
41 Development sleeve
42 Developer accommodating member
43 Doctor Blade
44 Support case
45 Toner Hopper
46 Developer container
47 Developer stirring mechanism
48 Agitator
49 Toner supply mechanism
51 Transfer member
52 Static elimination brush
61 Cleaning member
62 Toner recovery chamber
500 Photoconductor for electrophotography
501 Support
502 Photoconductive layer
503 Amorphous silicon surface layer
504 Amorphous silicon charge injection blocking layer
505 Charge generation layer
506 Charge transport layer

Claims (18)

An electrophotographic carrier provided with a coating layer on at least the surface of the magnetic core material,
The magnetic core material is a particle in which a magnetic material is dispersed in a resin,
The magnetic substance is manganese ferrite powder or manganese magnesium strontium ferrite powder.
An electrophotographic carrier characterized by satisfying the following conditions 1 to 5:
Condition 1: on a cylindrical sleeve having a magnetic field at 1000 oersted at σb (emu / g), a fixed magnet inside, and a magnetic pole region having a surface magnetic flux density peak of 100 mT in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 250g magnetically held,
In the developing unit having a developing region opening in a direction perpendicular to gravity, the cylindrical sleeve is supported so that at least a part of the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density faces the opening ,
The cylindrical sleeve is rotated for 5 minutes, a desorption force that is three times the gravity is applied in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and desorbed carriers desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density are removed. When the sleeve is rotated for 25 minutes and the magnetization at 1000 oersted of the desorbed carrier desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density is σ30 (emu / g), the magnetization ratio σ30 / σb satisfies the formula (1). ;

Condition 2: the relationship between the carrier magnetization σb and the true specific gravity ρc (g / cm ^ 3) of the carrier satisfies the expressions (2) and (3);

Condition 3: the weight average diameter (D4) of the carrier is 25 to 65 μm, and particles of 12 μm or less are 0.3% by weight or less;
Condition 4: the ratio D4 / D1 of the weight average diameter (D4) to the number average diameter (D1) of the carrier is 1 to 1.3;
Condition 5: When a magnetic brush of the carrier having a space occupancy of 40% is formed between parallel plate electrodes with a gap d (mm), and the AC voltage E of formula (5) is applied at a frequency of 1000 Hz in substantially the same direction as the brush. The volume specific resistance R of the material is 1.0 × 10 9 to 1.0 × 10 11 Ω · cm;

However, d = 0.40 ± 0.05 (mm), E is a peak voltage. 2. The electrophotographic carrier according to claim 1, wherein the average height difference of the carrier surface irregularities derived from the alumina particles is 0.1 to 2.0 μm.   The carrier for electrophotography according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier coat layer contains at least a resin and insulating inorganic particles. An electrophotographic carrier in which a coating layer is provided at least on the surface of a magnetic core material, and an electrophotographic developer obtained by mixing a toner containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the electrophotographic carrier is at least magnetic An electrophotographic carrier having a coating layer on the core material surface,
The magnetic core material is a particle in which a magnetic material is dispersed in a resin,
The magnetic substance is manganese ferrite powder or manganese magnesium strontium ferrite powder.
The electrophotographic developer, wherein the electrophotographic carrier satisfies the following conditions 1 to 5.
Condition 1: on a cylindrical sleeve having a magnetic field at 1000 oersted at σb (emu / g), a fixed magnet inside, and a magnetic pole region having a surface magnetic flux density peak of 100 mT in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 250g magnetically held,
In the developing unit having a developing region opening in a direction orthogonal to gravity, the cylindrical sleeve is supported so that at least a part of the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density faces the opening,
The cylindrical sleeve is rotated for 5 minutes, a desorption force that is three times the gravity is applied in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and desorbed carriers desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density are removed. When the sleeve is rotated for 25 minutes and the magnetization at 1000 oersted of the desorbed carrier desorbed from the magnetic pole region having the peak magnetic flux density is σ30 (emu / g), the magnetization ratio σ30 / σb satisfies the formula (1). ;

Condition 2: the relationship between the carrier magnetization σb and the true specific gravity ρc (g / cm ^ 3) of the carrier satisfies the expressions (2) and (3);

Condition 3: the weight average diameter (D4) of the carrier is 25 to 65 μm, and particles of 12 μm or less are 0.3% by weight or less;
Condition 4: the ratio D4 / D1 of the weight average diameter (D4) to the number average diameter (D1) of the carrier is 1 to 1.3;
Condition 5: When a magnetic brush of the carrier having a space occupancy of 40% is formed between parallel plate electrodes with a gap d (mm), and the AC voltage E of formula (5) is applied at a frequency of 1000 Hz in substantially the same direction as the brush. The volume specific resistance R of the material is 1.0 × 10 9 to 1.0 × 10 11 Ω · cm;

However, d = 0.40 ± 0.05 (mm), E is a peak voltage. 5. The electrophotographic developer according to claim 4 , wherein the average height difference of the carrier surface irregularities in the developer derived from the alumina particles is 0.1 to 2.0 [mu] m. Electrophotographic developing agent according to claim 4 or 5 carrier coating layer in the developer is characterized in that it comprises at least a resin and insulating inorganic particles. The developer for electrophotography according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , wherein the toner weight in the developer weight is 2 to 12% by weight. The developer for electrophotography according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the toner is characterized in that it comprises a release material. The weight average particle diameter of the toner, an electrophotographic developer according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that it is 4 to 10 [mu] m. Friction charging means for charging the toner by rubbing the developer, a rotatable developer holding body having a magnetic field generating means for holding the developer containing the charged toner, and an image forming an electrostatic latent image A developing device comprising a carrier, wherein the developer is the electrophotographic developer according to any one of claims 4 to 9 , and is in the vicinity of a developing region which is a proximity portion of the developer holder and the image carrier. In the developing device, the maximum value of the magnetic flux density B (mT) in the normal direction of the surface of the developer holder satisfies the formula (6).

The developing device according to claim 10 , further comprising a maintaining unit configured such that a distance between the closest portions in the developing region of the image carrier and the developer holding member is 0.30 to 0.80 mm. The developing device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it has a voltage application mechanism for applying a DC bias voltage to the developer carrier. The developing device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it has a voltage application mechanism for applying a bias voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage on a DC voltage to the developing holder. At least a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the image bearing member, according to any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a toner recycle mechanism consisting recovery toner conveying mechanism for conveying collected toner to the developing mechanism by the cleaning mechanism Development device. An image forming apparatus having transfer means for transferring each toner image formed on an image carrier of a plurality of development apparatuses onto a medium, and fixing means for fixing the toner images transferred onto the medium. Item 15. A developing device according to any one of Items 10 to 14 , wherein the image forming device is a developing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the image carrier is an amorphous silicon photoconductor. The fixing unit includes a heating body including a heating element, a film that contacts the heating body, and a pressure member that press-contacts the heating body via the film. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the image forming apparatus is a fixing device that heats and fixes a recording material on which an unfixed image is formed. Friction charging means for charging toner by rubbing the developer, rotatable developer holder having magnetic field generating means for holding developer containing charged toner, and image carrier for forming an electrostatic latent image body, the process cartridge including a developing agent and toner, the developer is an electrophotographic developer according to any one of claims 4 to 9, and, in the proximity of the developer carrier and the image担時body A process cartridge characterized in that the maximum value of magnetic flux density B (mT) in the normal direction of the surface of the developer holding member in the vicinity of a certain developing region satisfies the formula (6).

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