Abstract: A fixing member which ensures a surface pressure during toner fixation and which can achieve both an enhanced grip force of an elastic layer and cost efficiency; and a method for producing the fixing member are provided. The fixing member, as a press roll, has the elastic layer of a foamed elastic material on the outer peripheral surface of a core body. The elastic layer is an integrally shaped product of the foamed elastic material. When the specific gravity of the foamed elastic material in axially opposite end portions (grip portions) of the elastic layer is designated as d1, the specific gravity of the foamed elastic material in a portion (free portion) of the elastic layer other than the grip portions is designated as d2, and the specific gravity d2 is 0.7 or less, the proportion of the difference between d1 and d2 to the specific gravity d2 is 10-70%.

Abstract: To provide a fixing pressure roller production method which can readily provide a fixing pressure roller in which no abnormal foaming occurs at the interface between the elastic layer and the metallic core. The method of the present invention includes a molding step of molding, under reduced pressure, an unvulcanized silicone rubber containing a chemical foaming agent; after the molding step, a leaving step of allowing the molded product to stand for a predetermined period of time; and after the leaving step, a foam-curing step of vulcanizing the unvulcanized silicone rubber, to thereby yield an elastic layer formed of a foamed silicone rubber.

Abstract: A fixing member which ensures a surface pressure during toner fixation and which can achieve both an enhanced grip force of an elastic layer and cost efficiency; and a method for producing the fixing member are provided. The fixing member, as a press roll, has the elastic layer of a foamed elastic material on the outer peripheral surface of a core body. The elastic layer is an integrally shaped product of the foamed elastic material. When the specific gravity of the foamed elastic material in axially opposite end portions (grip portions) of the elastic layer is designated as d1, the specific gravity of the foamed elastic material in a portion (free portion) of the elastic layer other than the grip portions is designated as d2, and the specific gravity d2 is 0.7 or less, the proportion of the difference between d1 and d2 to the specific gravity d2 is 10-70%.

Abstract: To provide a fixing pressure roller which can be readily produced through molding and which has excellent durability, low hardness and low heat capacity, and a fixing device employing the fixing pressure roller. In the fixing pressure roller for employment in a fixing unit of a fixing device, the fixing pressure roller has a core, and an elastic layer provided around the core, wherein the elastic layer is formed of a foamed silicone rubber which is a foam curing product of an unvulcanized silicone rubber containing a chemical foaming agent, and has a mean cell diameter of 50 ?m to 150 ?m.

Abstract: To provide a fixing pressure roller which can be readily produced through molding and which has excellent durability, low hardness and low heat capacity, and a fixing device employing the fixing pressure roller. In the fixing pressure roller for employment in a fixing unit of a fixing device, the fixing pressure roller has a core, and an elastic layer provided around the core, wherein the elastic layer is formed of a foamed silicone rubber which is a foam curing product of an unvulcanized silicone rubber containing a chemical foaming agent, and has a mean cell diameter of 50 ?m to 150 ?m.

Abstract: To provide a fixing pressure roller production method which can readily provide a fixing pressure roller in which no abnormal foaming occurs at the interface between the elastic layer and the metallic core. The method of the present invention includes a molding step of molding, under reduced pressure, an unvulcanized silicone rubber containing a chemical foaming agent; after the molding step, a leaving step of allowing the molded product to stand for a predetermined period of time; and after the leaving step, a foam-curing step of vulcanizing the unvulcanized silicone rubber, to thereby yield an elastic layer formed of a foamed silicone rubber.