Electrophotographic belt, electrophotographic apparatus, process for producing the electrophotographic belt, and intermediate transfer belt

Abstract

An electrophotographic belt is disclosed including a base layer which contains a thermoplastic resin and has a mass loss percentage of 0.30% or more after a Taber abrasion test (ASTM D-1175; at a load of 4.9 N and 500 revolutions) and a cured resin film which has been formed on the base layer by coating, contains conductive particles and has a thickness of from 0.5 μm or more to 3.0 μm or less. The cured resin film has at its surface a mass loss percentage of 0.050% or less after the Taber abrasion test. The electrophotographic belt has volume resistivity ρv (Ωcm) and surface resistivity ρs (Ω/square) which satisfy the following expressions (1), (2) and (3): 10 6 ≦ρv≦10 10   (1), 10 8 ≦ρs≦10 13   (2), ρs/ρv≧10 2   (3).

1 . An electrophotographic belt which comprises a base layer containing a thermoplastic resin and having a mass loss percentage of 0.30% or more after a Taber abrasion test (ASTM D-1175; at a load of 4.9 N and 500 revolutions) and a cured resin film formed on the base layer by coating, containing conductive particles and having a thickness of from 0.5 μm or more to 3.0 μm or less; 
 said cured resin film having at its surface a mass loss percentage of 0.050% or less after the Taber abrasion test (ASTM D-1175; at a load of 4.9 N and 500 revolutions); and    said electrophotographic belt having volume resistivity μv (Ωcm) and, at the surface of said cured resin film, surface resistivity ρs (Ω/square) which satisfy the following expressions (1), (2) and (3):      10 6 ≦ρv≦10 10   (1), 10 8 ≦ρs≦10 13   (2), ρs/ρv≧10 2   (3).    
   
   
       2 . The electrophotographic belt according to  claim 1 , wherein said cured resin film is a cured film formed by applying on said base layer a coating fluid which contains dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate and said conductive particles, followed by curing.  
   
   
       3 . The electrophotographic belt according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin contained in said base layer is polyvinylidene fluoride or polycarbonate.  
   
   
       4 . The electrophotographic belt according to  claim 1 , wherein said cured resin film has a thickness of from 1.0 μm or more to 3.0 μm or less.  
   
   
       5 . An electrophotographic apparatus which comprises the electrophotographic belt according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       6 . A process for producing the electrophotographic belt according to  claim 1;  the process comprising: 
 a base layer forming step of forming said base layer by using a thermoplastic resin; and    a surface layer forming step of applying on said base layer formed by the base layer forming step a surface layer forming coating fluid which contains a monomer and/or oligomer component as a raw material for said cured resin film, conductive particles and a solvent, followed by drying and curing to form said surface layer.    
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein said surface layer forming coating fluid contains said monomer and/or oligomer component in an amount of from 30 to 60% by mass, said conductive particles in an amount of from 10 to 20% by mass, and said solvent in an amount of from 30 to 60% by mass.  
   
   
       8 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein said surface layer forming step is carried out in an environment of a temperature of from 35 to 45° C. and a humidity of from 5 to 20% RH.  
   
   
       9 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein said solvent contains methyl ethyl ketone.  
   
   
       10 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein said monomer and/or oligomer component is dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate.  
   
   
       11 . An intermediate transfer belt which comprises a base layer containing a thermoplastic resin and having a mass loss percentage of 0.30% or more after a Taber abrasion test (ASTM D-1175; at a load of 4.9 N and 500 revolutions) and a cured resin film formed on the base layer by coating, containing conductive particles and having a thickness of from 0.5 μm or more to 3.0 μm or less; 
 said cured resin film having at its surface a mass loss percentage of 0.050% or less after the Taber abrasion test (ASTM D-1175; at a load of 4.9 N and 500 revolutions); and    said intermediate transfer belt having volume resistivity ρv (Ωcm) and, at the surface of said cured resin film, surface resistivity ρs (Ω/square) which satisfy the following expressions (1), (2) and (3):      10 6 ≦ρv≦10 10   (b  1 ), 10 8 ≦ρs≦10 13   (2), ρs/ρv≧10 2   (3).    
   
   
       12 . The intermediate transfer belt according to  claim 11 , wherein said cured resin film is a cured resin film formed by applying on said base layer a coating fluid which contains dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate and said conductive particles, followed by curing.  
   
   
       13 . The intermediate transfer belt according to  claim 11 , wherein the thermoplastic resin contained in said base layer is polyvinylidene fluoride or polycarbonate.  
   
   
       14 . The intermediate transfer belt according to  claim 11 , wherein said cured resin film has a thickness of from 1.0 μm or more to 3.0 μm or less.