JP2017111409A - Conductive substrate, electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and manufacturing method of conductive substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conductive substrate that has a high strength and a high shape accuracy.SOLUTION: There is provided a conductive substrate containing 0.8 mass% or less of Si, 0.7 mass% or less of Fe, 3.0 mass% or more and 5.0 mass% or less of Cu, 0.3 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less of Mn, 0.4 mass% or more and 1.8 mass% or less of Mg, 0.1 mass% or less of Cr, 0.25 mass% or less of Zn, 0.15 mass% or less of Ti, and the remainder being an aluminum alloy formed of Al and impurity, where the average area of crystal grains of the aluminum alloy is 3.0 μmor more and 100 μmor less.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

  The present invention relates to a conductive support, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a conductive support.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an apparatus that sequentially performs processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and cleaning using an electrophotographic photosensitive member is widely known.

  As the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a functionally separated type electrophotographic photosensitive member in which a charge generation layer that generates charges upon exposure and a charge transport layer that transports charges is laminated on a support having conductivity such as aluminum, There is known a single-layer type electrophotographic photosensitive member in which the same layer performs the function of generating charge and the function of transporting charge.

  For example, Patent Document 1 contains Fe 0.3 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less, Si 0.2 mass% or more and 0.8 mass% or less, and Fe / Si <3. An aluminum plate material for a photosensitive drum is disclosed, which has an average crystal grain size of 35 μm or less and a drawing ratio (blank diameter / punch diameter) of 2 and an ear ratio of 3% or less.

  Patent Document 2 contains Zn 4.5 mass% to 7.5 mass%, Mg 0.3 mass% to 0.8 mass%, Cu 0.1 mass% to 0.2 mass%, Furthermore, Mn 0.15 mass% or more and 0.4 mass% or less, Cr 0.05 mass% or more and 0.3 mass% or less, Zr 0.1 mass% or more and 0.3 mass% or less 1 type or 2 types or more are contained. In addition, an impact molded product is disclosed that is cold impact molded using an aluminum alloy characterized in that the total of Mn + Cr + Zr is 0.25% by mass or more and the balance is made of Al and impurities.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-04148 JP 2006-188730 A

A conductive support using an aluminum alloy is required to be thinner for the purpose of reducing the amount of raw materials used. However, when the thickness is reduced, the conductive support is likely to undergo plastic deformation (permanent deformation) when an external force is applied to the conductive support, and thus the conductive support is required to have strength. On the other hand, when a conductive support is produced simply using an aluminum alloy having high hardness, the conductive support itself may be deformed due to residual strain when processed, and the shape accuracy may be lowered.
An object of the present invention is to provide a conductive support using an aluminum alloy having a specific component composition, which has higher strength and shape accuracy than the case where the average area of crystal grains of the aluminum alloy having a specific component composition is larger than 100 μm ^2. Is to provide a highly conductive support.

  The above problem is solved by the following means.

The invention according to claim 1
Si: 0.8 mass% or less, Fe: 0.7 mass% or less, Cu: 3.0 mass% or more and 5.0 mass% or less, Mn: 0.3 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less, Mg: An aluminum alloy comprising 0.4% by mass or more and 1.8% by mass or less, Cr: 0.1% by mass or less, Zn: 0.25% by mass or less, Ti: 0.15% by mass or less, balance: Al and impurities. has an average area of crystal grains of the aluminum alloy, the conductive support is 3.0 [mu] m ² or more 100 [mu] m ² or less.

The invention according to claim 2
The conductive support according to claim 1, wherein the conductive support has a thickness of 0.03 mm to 1.5 mm.

The invention according to claim 3
The conductive support according to claim 1, wherein the conductive support has a cylindricity of 60 μm or less.

The invention according to claim 4
The roundness of the said electroconductive support body is 30 micrometers or less, The electroconductive support body of any one of Claims 1-3.

The invention according to claim 5
The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conductive support has a coaxiality of 20 µm or less.

The invention according to claim 6
The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an uneven thickness of the conductive support is 30 µm or less.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conductive support is a conductive support for an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A photosensitive layer on the conductive support;
An electrophotographic photosensitive member having:

The invention according to claim 9 is:
An electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 8,
A process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 10 is:
The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 8,
Charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
An electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer containing toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to the surface of the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 11 is:
Preparing the aluminum alloy;
A first processing step of obtaining a molded body by subjecting the aluminum alloy to a cold impact press;
Applying solution treatment to the molded body obtained in the first processing step;
A second processing step of performing shape processing on the molded body subjected to the solution treatment;
Applying age-hardening treatment to the shaped body subjected to the shape processing;
The manufacturing method of the electroconductive support body of any one of Claims 1-7 containing these.

According to the invention according to claim 1, 3, 4, 5, or 6, in the conductive support using the aluminum alloy having the above component composition, the average area of crystal grains of the aluminum alloy having the above component composition is more than 100 μm ² . Compared with the case of larger, a conductive support having high strength and high shape accuracy is provided.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the conductive support using a metal containing aluminum having the above component composition, even if the thickness of the conductive support is 0.03 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, As compared with the case where the average area of the crystal grains of the aluminum alloy having the component composition is larger than 100 μm ^{2, a} conductive support having high strength and high shape accuracy is provided.

According to the invention of claim 7, in the conductive support using the aluminum alloy having the above component composition, the strength is higher than when the average area of the crystal grains of the aluminum alloy having the above component composition is larger than 100 μm ^2. A conductive support for an electrophotographic photosensitive member having high shape accuracy is provided.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 8, 9, or 10, In the electroconductive support body using the aluminum alloy of the said component composition, when the average area of the crystal grain of the aluminum alloy of the said component composition is larger than 100 micrometer < ² >. In comparison, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, or an image forming apparatus to which a conductive support having high strength and high shape accuracy is applied is provided.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the conductive support using the aluminum alloy having the above component composition, the strength is higher and the shape accuracy is higher than in the case where the conductive support is manufactured by processing including cutting. There is provided a method for producing a conductive substrate having a high conductivity.

1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the other structural example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the other structural example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic fragmentary sectional view which shows the other structural example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows a part (impact press process) of the process which manufactures the electroconductive support body which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows a part (drawing process and ironing process) of the process which manufactures the electroconductive support body which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, elements having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[Conductive support]
The conductive support according to the present embodiment (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “support”) has a Si content of 0.8 mass% or less, an Fe content of 0.7 mass% or less, and a Cu content of 3.0 mass. % To 5.0% by mass, Mn: 0.3% to 1.0% by mass, Mg: 0.4% to 1.8% by mass, Cr: 0.1% by mass or less, Zn: 0.25% by mass or less, Ti: 0.15% by mass or less, balance: an aluminum alloy composed of Al and impurities (hereinafter, simply referred to as “specific aluminum alloy”). The average area of crystal grains of the aluminum alloy is 3.0 [mu] m ² or more 100 [mu] m ² or less.

  The support body which concerns on this embodiment can obtain a support body with high intensity | strength and high shape precision by the said structure. The reason is not clear, but is presumed to be as follows.

  In general, a support used for an electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “photoreceptor”) or the like is a material having high hardness and excellent workability in order to improve cylindricity. Is selected. Specifically, the support has an improved cylindricity with various physical property values such as Young's modulus. In addition, for reasons such as a reduction in the amount of raw materials used, the support is made thin (hereinafter, the thickness of the support is referred to as “thickness”, and the production of a thin thickness is sometimes referred to as “thinning”). It is required to do.

  For example, when a support is produced using pure aluminum having excellent workability, a shape having a high shape accuracy (for example, cylindricity) can be obtained. However, since pure aluminum is soft, the strength may be low. Therefore, for example, if the support is made thin (for example, 0.4 mm or less), when an external force is applied to the support, it may be easily plastically deformed (permanently deformed), and the function as the support is exhibited. May be difficult.

  On the other hand, when a support is made using a work hardened aluminum alloy so as to obtain high strength even if the support is thinned, the support itself is deformed due to residual strain when processed, Shape accuracy may be reduced.

  On the other hand, the support according to the present embodiment can improve workability in the step of manufacturing the support by using a specific aluminum alloy, so that the shape accuracy is increased. And the intensity | strength with respect to external force improves because the average area of the crystal grain of a specific aluminum alloy when producing a support body is the said range. Therefore, it is estimated that a support body having high strength and high shape accuracy can be obtained.

In particular, the composition of the specific aluminum alloy in the support according to the present embodiment is such that the amount of Cu is 3.0% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less, and the amount of Mn is 0.3% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass. It is below mass%. When the amount of Cu is as large as 3.0% by mass or more, formation of an intermetallic compound of Cu and Al (CuAl ₂ or the like) is promoted, and a hard and strong support is obtained. Further, it is considered that when the amount of Mn is as large as 0.3% by mass or more, the refinement of the crystal grains of the aluminum alloy is further promoted, and a hard and high strength support can be obtained.
In addition, since the specific aluminum alloy in the support according to the present embodiment has the above composition, precipitation of the alloy component at the grain boundaries of the crystal grains is promoted, and the refinement of the crystal grains is also promoted, so It is believed that a high support can be obtained.

  On the other hand, a support body with high shape accuracy is obtained because the specific aluminum alloy in the support body according to the present embodiment has the above composition. In particular, the support according to the present embodiment was subjected to a first processing step for obtaining a compact by subjecting an aluminum alloy to cold impact press processing, a step for subjecting the compact to a solution treatment, and a solution treatment. In the case of a support manufactured through a second processing step in which the molded body is subjected to shape processing, the support has higher shape accuracy because it is excellent in workability in the second processing step after solution treatment. Is obtained.

Therefore, according to the support according to the present embodiment, a support having high strength and high shape accuracy is provided. As a result, by applying this support to an electrophotographic photosensitive member for an image forming apparatus, an image can be obtained. Reproducibility is high, and image quality defects such as density reduction and white spots are suppressed.
In addition, since the support according to the present embodiment has high strength and high shape accuracy even if it is thinned, the amount of aluminum alloy used can be reduced by thinning.

  Next, the structure and manufacturing method of the support according to this embodiment will be described.

  The support of the present embodiment has a specific aluminum alloy having the above component composition.

(Specific aluminum alloy)
-Si, Mg-
Si is 0.8 mass% or less, and Mg is 0.4 mass% or more and 1.8 mass% or less. When the content of Si and Mg is within this range, the strength of the support can be improved. Si coexists with Mg, produces Mg ₂ Si precipitates, and has an effect of improving the strength of the support. Although it does not specifically limit as a lower limit of content of Si, For example, it is good that it is 0.3 mass% or more.

-Cu-
Cu contains in the range of 3.0 mass% or more and 5.0 mass% or less. The intensity | strength of a support body can be improved as content of Cu exists in this range. Cu has the effect of increasing the Mg ₂ Si precipitates and promoting the formation of an intermetallic compound of Cu and Al (CuAl ₂ or the like) and improving the strength of the support.

-Fe-
Fe is in the range of 0.7% by mass or less. When the content of Fe is within this range, the strength of the support can be improved. Fe combines with Al and Si in the alloy and crystallizes, and has the effect of suppressing coarsening of crystal grains. Although it does not specifically limit as a lower limit of content of Fe, For example, it is good that it is 0.05 mass% or more.

-Mn-
Mn is contained in the range of 0.3% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less. If the Mn content is within this range, the crystal grains can be refined. Moreover, coarsening of crystal grains can be suppressed.

-Cr, Zn, Ti-
Cr is 0.1% by mass or less, Zn is 0.25% by mass or less, and Ti is 0.15% by mass or less. When the content of Cr, Zn, and Ti is within this range, the crystal grains can be refined. Moreover, coarsening of crystal grains can be suppressed. Although it does not specifically limit as a lower limit of content of Cr, Zn, and Ti, For example, Cr: 0.3 mass% or more, Zn: 0.03 mass% or more, respectively, Ti: 0.03% mass or more It is good that it is.

-Impurities-
The specific aluminum alloy may contain impurities in addition to the above components and aluminum. Impurities can be contained, for example, in the raw material of aluminum or the manufacturing process of a specific aluminum alloy ingot. Examples of the impurity include components such as Ga, V, Ni, B, Zr, and Ca.

(Average area of crystal grains)
In the support of the present embodiment, the average area of crystal grains of the specific aluminum alloy is 3.0 μm ² or more and 100 μm ² or less. In terms of obtaining a support having higher strength and higher shape accuracy, it is preferably in the range of 5.0 μm ^{2 to} 80 μm ² . More preferably, it is in the range of 7.0 μm ² or more and 70 μm ² or less.
Here, in the support of the present embodiment, “crystal grains” of the specific aluminum alloy indicate individual crystals of a polycrystalline structure constituting the specific aluminum alloy. The “average area of crystal grains” is the average area of crystal grains.

In addition, the average area of a crystal grain is a value observed and measured with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Specifically, the measurement is performed as follows.
First, measurement samples were measured at four locations (total 4 × 3 = 12 locations) every 90 degrees in the axial direction of the support at 5 mm from one end and the other end in the axial direction of the support, respectively. prepare. Next, this measurement sample is subjected to polishing after embedding with an epoxy resin. The polishing process is performed using water-resistant polishing paper # 500, and then mirror finishing is performed by buffing. The polished measurement sample is observed and measured with a VE SEM manufactured by KEYENCE.
Among the cross sections of each sample, the VE SEM manufactured by Keyence Co., Ltd. is standard equipment for the area of one crystal grain existing at a position corresponding to the range of 30 μm in the axial direction and 20 μm in the thickness direction from the outer peripheral surface of the support. The number of crystal grain areas of 12 samples is number averaged and obtained as the average area of crystal grains of the support.

When the support is applied to an electrophotographic photoreceptor for an image forming apparatus, the method for measuring the average area of the crystal grains from the photoreceptor to be measured is as follows.
First, a photoconductor to be measured is prepared. Next, for example, the photosensitive layer such as the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer, and the undercoat layer are removed using means such as a solvent or a tool, and the undercoat layer is exposed. Further, the exposed undercoat layer is removed to obtain a measurement sample. And about this measuring sample, the average area of the crystal grain of a support body is measured with said procedure.

(Method for producing conductive support)
The method for producing the support of the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as the average area of the crystal grains of the support satisfies the above range.

As a method of manufacturing the support, for example, a process of preparing a specific aluminum alloy, a first processing process of obtaining a compact by subjecting the specific aluminum alloy to a cold impact press process, and a first processing process are obtained. Including a step of subjecting the molded body to solution treatment, a second processing step of performing shape processing on the molded body subjected to solution treatment, and a step of performing age hardening treatment on the molded body subjected to shape processing. The method obtained by a process is mentioned.
Hereinafter, each process in said manufacturing method is demonstrated.

  FIG. 5 shows a work material of a specific aluminum alloy (hereinafter, the work material may be referred to as “slag”) by cold impact press work (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “impact press work”). An example of the process of shape | molding in a cylindrical shape is shown. FIG. 6 shows an example of a process for producing a support according to the present embodiment by ironing the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical molded body formed by impact press processing.

-Preparation of specific aluminum alloy-
First, a specific aluminum alloy as a material to be processed is prepared, and a specific aluminum alloy slag 30 coated with a lubricant is prepared.
When a metal containing aluminum other than the specific aluminum alloy (for example, pure aluminum) is used, a support with high hardness and high strength may not be obtained even if manufactured by the following steps.

-Impact pressing (first processing)-
A slag 30 of a specific aluminum alloy coated with a lubricant is set in a circular hole 24 provided in a die (female mold) 20 as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the slag 30 set on the die 20 is pressed by a cylindrical punch (male) 21. Thereby, the slag 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the periphery of the punch 21 from the circular hole 24 of the die 20. After molding, as shown in FIG. 5C, the punch 21 is pulled up and passed through the central hole 23 of the stripper 22, whereby the punch 21 is pulled out to obtain a cylindrical molded body 4A.

According to such an impact press process, the cylindrical molded body 4A made of an aluminum alloy having a high hardness due to work hardening, a small thickness, and a high hardness is manufactured.
The thickness of the molded body 4A is not particularly limited. For example, when producing a support having a thickness (wall thickness) of 0.03 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, the thickness of the molded body 4A formed by impact press processing is 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. It is more preferable that it is 0.05 mm or more and 1.7 mm or less.

-Solution treatment-
The cylindrical shaped body 4A formed by impact pressing is heated and then cooled. By this treatment, the specific aluminum alloy constituting the cylindrical molded body 4A is in a soft state where the alloy components are in solid solution without unevenness (that is, the alloy components are dissolved in the aluminum alloy).

The heating temperature of the solution treatment is preferably performed in a temperature range of 300 ° C. or more and 600 ° C. or less. From the viewpoint of further improving the shape accuracy, it is preferable to carry out at 350 ° C. or more and 600 ° C. or less. Furthermore, it is preferable to carry out at 380 ° C. or more and 600 ° C. or less.
The heating time is preferably in the range of 0.2 hours to 4.0 hours. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable to carry out in 0.4 hours or more and 3.0 hours or less. Furthermore, it is preferable to carry out in 0.5 hours or more and 2 hours or less.

  The cooling rate of the cylindrical shaped body 4A heated by the solution treatment is, for example, 1 ° C./second or more in that the alloy component in the specific aluminum alloy is in a solid solution state and a soft state. It is preferable to cool at a cooling rate. Moreover, as temperature of the cooled specific aluminum alloy, it is good to cool to room temperature (for example, 25 degreeC) or more and 100 degrees C or less, for example.

-Shape processing (second processing)-
Next, shape processing is performed on the cylindrical molded body 4A subjected to the above-described solution treatment to correct the shape of the molded body 4A. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), the shape processing is performed by pressing a cylindrical shaped body 4A subjected to solution treatment into a die 32 by a cylindrical punch 31 from the inside to perform a squeezing process to reduce the diameter. Make it smaller. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the ironing process is performed by pressing between the dies 33 having a further reduced diameter. The shape processing may be performed without squeezing, or may be performed in a plurality of stages. That is, it is possible to perform either or both of the squeezing process and the ironing process. Note that the thickness and cylindricity of the molded body 4B can be adjusted by the number of times of ironing.

  The thickness of the molded body 4B after shape molding is not particularly limited. For example, when producing a support having a thickness (wall thickness) of 0.03 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, the thickness is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, and 0.05 mm or more and 1.7 mm or less. It is more preferable.

-Age hardening treatment-
Next, the cylindrical molded body 4B whose shape has been corrected by the above-described shape processing is heated and held. By this treatment, the alloy component is precipitated in the specific aluminum alloy constituting the cylindrical molded body 4B (that is, precipitation strengthening), and the obtained support is in a state of high hardness and high strength.

  The heating temperature for the age hardening treatment is preferably in the range of 100 ° C. or higher and 300 ° C. or lower in terms of improving the strength of the support. The holding time is preferably 1 hour or longer. The upper limit of the holding time is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferably performed in a range of 3 hours or less.

  By manufacturing according to the above steps, a support having high strength and high shape accuracy can be obtained even if it is thinned. That is, a molded body processed by cold impact press processing is softened by a solution treatment, the molded body in a softened state is shaped by shape processing, and further alloy components are precipitated by age hardening processing. Depending on the process, the above characteristics are obtained. And the support body reduced in weight is obtained by thinning.

  The support of the present embodiment can be produced with a thickness (wall thickness) of 0.03 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less, for example. From the viewpoint of producing a support having higher strength and higher shape accuracy, 0.03 mm to 1.0 mm is preferable, 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm is more preferable, and 0.1 mm to 0.9 mm is preferable. More preferably, it is more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less.

The support of the present embodiment is a support in which the average area of crystal grains is 3.0 μm ² or more and 100 μm ² or less by making the composition of the aluminum alloy into the above-mentioned specific component composition and by each of the above steps. The body is obtained. In the case of producing a support by the above steps, for example, the average area of crystal grains can be adjusted according to the solution treatment conditions (heating conditions, cooling conditions), age hardening treatment conditions, and the like. For example, the higher the temperature during the age hardening treatment and the longer the time, the more the precipitation of the alloy components is promoted and the crystal grains become finer, and the average area of the crystal grains tends to be smaller.

(Physical properties)
The support of this embodiment can be obtained with a high shape accuracy (cylindricity or the like). The cylindricity is a numerical value representing the degree of deviation from the geometric cylinder of a portion that should originally be a cylinder. As the support of the present embodiment, for example, one having a cylindricity of 60 μm or less is obtained. It is more preferable that the cylindricity is 40 μm or less from the viewpoint of higher shape accuracy.
In addition to the cylindricity, the index representing the shape accuracy includes roundness and coaxiality. The roundness is preferably 30 μm or less and the coaxiality is preferably 20 μm or less from the viewpoint of higher shape accuracy.

  In addition, the measurement of cylindricity, roundness, and coaxiality was carried out using a Roncom 60A manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd., magnification: 200 times, measurement speed: (rotation) 6 ° / min, (vertical movement) 3 mm / sec, Filter: Measured under the condition of digital filter 2RC.

Further, it is preferable that the thickness (thickness) of the support is uneven (sometimes referred to as “uneven thickness” in this specification). For example, the uneven thickness is preferably 30 μm or less.
The uneven thickness is a value obtained by measuring the thickness of the cross section of the end portion of the support at four points on a diagonal line using a point micrometer and measuring the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value.

  The support of this embodiment can satisfy the characteristics as a support for a photoconductor, in particular, because cylindricity, roundness, coaxiality, and uneven thickness in the above ranges are obtained.

(Use)
The conductive support according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited and can be used for various applications. Examples thereof include a support (conductive substrate) in an electrophotographic photoreceptor used in an image forming apparatus, a support in an electrophotographic fixing roll, and a support in an electrophotographic developing roll.

  Next, an electrophotographic photoreceptor using the support according to this embodiment as a conductive substrate will be described.

[Electrophotographic photoreceptor]
The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the exemplary embodiment includes the support according to the exemplary embodiment and a photosensitive layer disposed on the support.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the layer structure of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 7A according to this embodiment. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 7A shown in FIG. 1 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 1, a charge generation layer 2, and a charge transport layer 3 are laminated in this order on a support 4, and the charge generation layer 2 and the charge transport layer are transported. Layer 3 constitutes photosensitive layer 5.

2 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional views showing other examples of the layer structure of the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to this embodiment.
Similar to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 7A shown in FIG. 1, the electrophotographic photoreceptors 7B and 7C shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 include a photosensitive layer 5 whose functions are separated into a charge generation layer 2 and a charge transport layer 3. The protective layer 6 is formed as the outermost layer. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 7B shown in FIG. 2 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 1, a charge generation layer 2, a charge transport layer 3 and a protective layer 6 are sequentially laminated on a support 4. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 7C shown in FIG. 3 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 1, a charge transport layer 3, a charge generation layer 2, and a protective layer 6 are sequentially laminated on a support 4.

On the other hand, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 7D shown in FIG. 4 is one in which a charge generation material and a charge transport material are contained in the same layer (single-layer type photosensitive layer 10) and functions are integrated. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 7D shown in FIG. 4 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 1 and a single-layer type photosensitive layer 10 are sequentially laminated on a support 4.
In each of the electrophotographic photoreceptors 7A to 7D, the undercoat layer 1 and the protective layer 6 are not necessarily provided.

  Hereinafter, each element of the electrophotographic photosensitive member will be described. In addition, the code | symbol of each element is abbreviate | omitted and demonstrated.

(Conductive substrate)
The support according to the above-described embodiment is used for the conductive substrate.

  When the electrophotographic photosensitive member is used in a laser printer, the surface of the conductive substrate has a center line average roughness Ra of 0.04 μm or more and 0.5 μm for the purpose of suppressing interference fringes generated when laser light is irradiated. The surface is preferably roughened below. When non-interfering light is used as a light source, roughening for preventing interference fringes is not particularly required, but it is suitable for extending the life because it suppresses generation of defects due to irregularities on the surface of the conductive substrate.

  As a roughening method, for example, wet honing performed by suspending an abrasive in water and spraying it on a support, centerless grinding in which a conductive substrate is pressed against a rotating grindstone, and grinding is continuously performed, Anodizing treatment etc. are mentioned.

  As a roughening method, without roughening the surface of the conductive substrate, conductive or semiconductive powder is dispersed in the resin to form a layer on the surface of the conductive substrate. The method of roughening by the particle | grains disperse | distributed in a layer is also mentioned.

  The roughening treatment by anodic oxidation is to form an oxide film on the surface of the conductive substrate by anodizing in an electrolyte solution using the conductive substrate as an anode. Examples of the electrolyte solution include a sulfuric acid solution and an oxalic acid solution. However, the porous anodic oxide film formed by anodic oxidation is chemically active as it is, easily contaminated, and has a large resistance fluctuation due to the environment. Therefore, the pores of the oxide film are blocked by the volume expansion due to the hydration reaction in pressurized water vapor or boiling water (a metal salt such as nickel may be added) against the porous anodic oxide film, and more stable hydration oxidation It is preferable to perform a sealing treatment for changing to a product.

  The thickness of the anodized film is preferably, for example, 0.3 μm or more and 15 μm or less. When this film thickness is within the above range, the barrier property against implantation tends to be exhibited, and the increase in residual potential due to repeated use tends to be suppressed.

The conductive substrate may be treated with an acidic treatment liquid or boehmite treatment.
The treatment with the acidic treatment liquid is performed as follows, for example. First, an acidic treatment liquid containing phosphoric acid, chromic acid and hydrofluoric acid is prepared. The mixing ratio of phosphoric acid, chromic acid and hydrofluoric acid in the acidic treatment liquid is, for example, in the range of 10% by mass to 11% by mass of phosphoric acid, in the range of 3% by mass to 5% by mass of chromic acid, The concentration of these acids is preferably in the range of 13.5% by mass or more and 18% by mass or less. The treatment temperature is preferably 42 ° C. or higher and 48 ° C. or lower, for example. The film thickness is preferably from 0.3 μm to 15 μm.

  The boehmite treatment is performed, for example, by immersing in pure water of 90 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower for 5 minutes to 60 minutes, or by contacting with heated steam of 90 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower for 5 minutes to 60 minutes. The film thickness is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. This may be further anodized using an electrolyte solution with low film solubility such as adipic acid, boric acid, borate, phosphate, phthalate, maleate, benzoate, tartrate, citrate, etc. Good.

(Undercoat layer)
The undercoat layer is, for example, a layer containing inorganic particles and a binder resin.

Examples of the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a powder resistance (volume resistivity) of 10 ² Ωcm or more and 10 ¹¹ Ωcm or less.
Among these, as the inorganic particles having the resistance value, for example, metal oxide particles such as tin oxide particles, titanium oxide particles, zinc oxide particles, and zirconium oxide particles are preferable, and zinc oxide particles are particularly preferable.

The specific surface area of the inorganic particles by the BET method is preferably 10 m ² / g or more, for example.
The volume average particle diameter of the inorganic particles is, for example, preferably from 50 nm to 2000 nm (preferably from 60 nm to 1000 nm).

  For example, the content of the inorganic particles is preferably 10% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and more preferably 40% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less with respect to the binder resin.

  The inorganic particles may be subjected to a surface treatment. Two or more inorganic particles having different surface treatments or particles having different particle diameters may be mixed and used.

  Examples of the surface treatment agent include a silane coupling agent, a titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent, and a surfactant. In particular, a silane coupling agent is preferable, and an amino group-containing silane coupling agent is more preferable.

  Examples of the silane coupling agent having an amino group include 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-2- (aminoethyl) -3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and N-2- (aminoethyl) -3-amino. Examples include, but are not limited to, propylmethyldimethoxysilane, N, N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) -3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and the like.

  Two or more silane coupling agents may be used in combination. For example, a silane coupling agent having an amino group and another silane coupling agent may be used in combination. Other silane coupling agents include, for example, vinyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyl-tris (2-methoxyethoxy) silane, 2- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycol. Sidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-2- (aminoethyl) -3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-2- ( Aminoethyl) -3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N, N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) -3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, and the like, but are not limited thereto. It is not a thing.

  The surface treatment method using the surface treatment agent may be any method as long as it is a known method, and may be either a dry method or a wet method.

  The treatment amount of the surface treatment agent is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less with respect to the inorganic particles, for example.

  Here, the undercoat layer may contain an electron-accepting compound (acceptor compound) together with the inorganic particles from the viewpoint of enhancing the long-term stability of the electric characteristics and the carrier blocking property.

Examples of the electron accepting compound include quinone compounds such as chloranil and bromoanil; tetracyanoquinodimethane compounds; 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone, and the like. 2- (4-biphenyl) -5- (4-t-butylphenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis (4-naphthyl) -1,3,4- Oxadiazole compounds such as oxadiazole and 2,5-bis (4-diethylaminophenyl) -1,3,4 oxadiazole; xanthone compounds; thiophene compounds; 3,3 ′, 5,5 ′ tetra- electron transporting substances such as diphenoquinone compounds such as t-butyldiphenoquinone;
In particular, the electron-accepting compound is preferably a compound having an anthraquinone structure. As the compound having an anthraquinone structure, for example, a hydroxyanthraquinone compound, an aminoanthraquinone compound, an aminohydroxyanthraquinone compound, and the like are preferable, and specifically, for example, anthraquinone, alizarin, quinizarin, anthralfin, and purpurin are preferable.

  The electron-accepting compound may be dispersed and included in the undercoat layer together with the inorganic particles, or may be included in a state of being attached to the surface of the inorganic particles.

  Examples of the method for attaching the electron accepting compound to the surface of the inorganic particles include a dry method and a wet method.

  In the dry method, for example, while stirring inorganic particles with a mixer having a large shearing force or the like, an electron-accepting compound dissolved directly or in an organic solvent is dropped and sprayed with dry air or nitrogen gas. It is a method of adhering to the surface of inorganic particles. When the electron-accepting compound is dropped or sprayed, it is preferably performed at a temperature not higher than the boiling point of the solvent. After dropping or spraying the electron-accepting compound, baking may be performed at 100 ° C. or higher. The baking is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature and time for obtaining electrophotographic characteristics.

  In the wet method, for example, an electron-accepting compound is added while dispersing inorganic particles in a solvent by stirring, ultrasonic waves, a sand mill, an attritor, a ball mill, etc., and after stirring or dispersing, the solvent is removed to remove electrons. This is a method of attaching a receptive compound to the surface of inorganic particles. The solvent removal method is distilled off by filtration or distillation, for example. After removing the solvent, baking may be performed at 100 ° C. or higher. The baking is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature and time for obtaining electrophotographic characteristics. In the wet method, the water content of the inorganic particles may be removed before adding the electron-accepting compound. Examples thereof include a method of removing while stirring and heating in a solvent, and a method of removing by azeotropic distillation with a solvent. Can be mentioned.

  The attachment of the electron-accepting compound may be performed before or after the surface treatment with the surface treatment agent is performed on the inorganic particles, or may be performed simultaneously with the attachment of the electron-accepting compound and the surface treatment with the surface treatment agent.

  The content of the electron-accepting compound is, for example, from 0.01% by mass to 20% by mass with respect to the inorganic particles, and preferably from 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass.

Examples of the binder resin used for the undercoat layer include acetal resins (eg, polyvinyl butyral), polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl acetal resins, casein resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, gelatin, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, and unsaturated polyesters. Resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride resin, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, urea resin, phenol resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, Known polymer compounds such as urethane resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin; zirconium chelate compound; titanium chelate compound; aluminum chelate compound; titanium alkoxide compound ; Organic titanium compounds; known materials silane coupling agent, and the like.
Examples of the binder resin used for the undercoat layer include a charge transport resin having a charge transport group, a conductive resin (for example, polyaniline) and the like.

Among these, as the binder resin used for the undercoat layer, a resin insoluble in the upper coating solvent is preferable, and in particular, a urea resin, a phenol resin, a phenol-formaldehyde resin, a melamine resin, a urethane resin, and an unsaturated polyester. Thermosetting resins such as resins, alkyd resins, and epoxy resins; at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyamide resins, polyester resins, polyether resins, methacrylic resins, acrylic resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, and polyvinyl acetal resins; Resins obtained by reaction with curing agents are preferred.
When these binder resins are used in combination of two or more, the mixing ratio is set as necessary.

The undercoat layer may contain various additives for improving electrical characteristics, improving environmental stability, and improving image quality.
Additives include known materials such as electron transport pigments such as polycyclic condensation systems and azo systems, zirconium chelate compounds, titanium chelate compounds, aluminum chelate compounds, titanium alkoxide compounds, organic titanium compounds, and silane coupling agents. It is done. The silane coupling agent is used for the surface treatment of the inorganic particles as described above, but may be further added to the undercoat layer as an additive.

  Examples of the silane coupling agent as the additive include vinyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloxypropyl-tris (2-methoxyethoxy) silane, 2- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane, 3- Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-2- (aminoethyl) -3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-2- (Aminoethyl) -3-aminopropylmethylmethoxysilane, N, N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) -3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane and the like can be mentioned.

  Examples of the zirconium chelate compound include zirconium butoxide, zirconium zirconium acetoacetate, zirconium triethanolamine, acetylacetonate zirconium butoxide, ethyl acetoacetate butoxide, zirconium acetate, zirconium oxalate, zirconium lactate, zirconium phosphonate, zirconium octoate, Zirconium naphthenate, zirconium laurate, zirconium stearate, zirconium isostearate, methacrylate zirconium butoxide, stearate zirconium butoxide, isostearate zirconium butoxide and the like.

  Examples of the titanium chelate compound include tetraisopropyl titanate, tetranormal butyl titanate, butyl titanate dimer, tetra (2-ethylhexyl) titanate, titanium acetylacetonate, polytitanium acetylacetonate, titanium octylene glycolate, and titanium lactate ammonium salt. , Titanium lactate, titanium lactate ethyl ester, titanium triethanolamate, polyhydroxy titanium stearate and the like.

  Examples of the aluminum chelate compound include aluminum isopropylate, monobutoxy aluminum diisopropylate, aluminum butyrate, diethyl acetoacetate aluminum diisopropylate, aluminum tris (ethyl acetoacetate) and the like.

  These additives may be used alone or as a mixture or polycondensate of a plurality of compounds.

The undercoat layer preferably has a Vickers hardness of 35 or more.
The surface roughness (ten-point average roughness) of the undercoat layer is from 1 / (4n) (where n is the refractive index of the upper layer) to 1/2 of the exposure laser wavelength λ used to suppress moire images. It is good that it is adjusted to.
Resin particles or the like may be added to the undercoat layer for adjusting the surface roughness. Examples of the resin particles include silicone resin particles and cross-linked polymethyl methacrylate resin particles. Further, the surface of the undercoat layer may be polished for adjusting the surface roughness. Examples of the polishing method include buffing, sandblasting, wet honing, and grinding.

  There is no particular limitation on the formation of the undercoat layer, and a well-known formation method is used. For example, a coating film for forming an undercoat layer in which the above components are added to a solvent is formed, and the coating film is dried. And heating as necessary.

Solvents for preparing the coating solution for forming the undercoat layer include known organic solvents such as alcohol solvents, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, ketone solvents, ketone alcohol solvents, ether solvents. Examples include solvents and ester solvents.
Specific examples of these solvents include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, Examples include ordinary organic solvents such as n-butyl acetate, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform, chlorobenzene, and toluene.

  Examples of the dispersion method of the inorganic particles when preparing the coating liquid for forming the undercoat layer include known methods such as a roll mill, a ball mill, a vibration ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, a colloid mill, and a paint shaker.

  Examples of the method for applying the coating liquid for forming the undercoat layer onto the conductive substrate include, for example, a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, and a curtain coating method. The usual methods such as these are mentioned.

  The thickness of the undercoat layer is, for example, preferably set in the range of 15 μm or more, more preferably 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

(Middle layer)
Although illustration is omitted, an intermediate layer may be further provided between the undercoat layer and the photosensitive layer.
An intermediate | middle layer is a layer containing resin, for example. Examples of the resin used for the intermediate layer include an acetal resin (for example, polyvinyl butyral), polyvinyl alcohol resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, casein resin, polyamide resin, cellulose resin, gelatin, polyurethane resin, polyester resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, Polymer compounds such as polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride resin, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, and the like can be given.
The intermediate layer may be a layer containing an organometallic compound. Examples of the organometallic compound used for the intermediate layer include organometallic compounds containing metal atoms such as zirconium, titanium, aluminum, manganese, and silicon.
The compounds used for these intermediate layers may be used alone or as a mixture or polycondensate of a plurality of compounds.

  Among these, the intermediate layer is preferably a layer containing an organometallic compound containing a zirconium atom or a silicon atom.

The formation of the intermediate layer is not particularly limited, and a well-known formation method is used. For example, a coating film of an intermediate layer forming coating solution in which the above components are added to a solvent is formed, and the coating film is dried and necessary. It is performed by heating according to.
As the coating method for forming the intermediate layer, usual methods such as a dip coating method, a push-up coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a blade coating method, a knife coating method, and a curtain coating method are used.

  For example, the thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably set in a range of 0.1 μm to 3 μm. An intermediate layer may be used as the undercoat layer.

(Charge generation layer)
The charge generation layer is, for example, a layer containing a charge generation material and a binder resin. The charge generation layer may be a vapor deposition layer of a charge generation material. The vapor-deposited layer of the charge generation material is suitable when an incoherent light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) image array is used.

  Examples of the charge generating material include azo pigments such as bisazo and trisazo; fused aromatic pigments such as dibromoanthanthrone; perylene pigments; pyrrolopyrrole pigments; phthalocyanine pigments; zinc oxide;

  Among these, in order to cope with near-infrared laser exposure, it is preferable to use a metal phthalocyanine pigment or a metal-free phthalocyanine pigment as the charge generation material. Specifically, for example, hydroxygallium phthalocyanine disclosed in JP-A-5-263007, JP-A-5-279591, etc .; chlorogallium phthalocyanine disclosed in JP-A-5-98181; More preferred are dichlorotin phthalocyanines disclosed in JP-A No. 140472, JP-A No. 5-140473 and the like; and titanyl phthalocyanine disclosed in JP-A No. 4-189873.

  On the other hand, in order to cope with laser exposure in the near-ultraviolet region, as the charge generation material, condensed aromatic pigments such as dibromoanthanthrone; thioindigo pigments; porphyrazine compounds; zinc oxide; trigonal selenium; Bisazo pigments and the like disclosed in 2004-78147 and JP-A-2005-181992 are preferred.

  The above-described charge generation material may also be used in the case of using an incoherent light source such as an LED having a central wavelength of light emission of 450 nm to 780 nm and an organic EL image array. However, from the viewpoint of resolution, the photosensitive layer is 20 μm or less. When the thin film is used, the electric field strength in the photosensitive layer is increased, and a charge decrease due to charge injection from the substrate, that is, an image defect called a black spot is likely to occur. This becomes conspicuous when a charge generating material that easily generates a dark current is used in a p-type semiconductor such as trigonal selenium or a phthalocyanine pigment.

On the other hand, when an n-type semiconductor such as a condensed ring aromatic pigment, perylene pigment, azo pigment or the like is used as the charge generation material, dark current hardly occurs and even a thin film can suppress image defects called black spots. . Examples of the n-type charge generation material include compounds (CG-1) to (CG-27) described in paragraphs [0288] to [0291] of JP2012-155282A. It is not limited.
The n-type determination is performed by using a time-of-flight method that is usually used, and is determined by the polarity of the flowing photocurrent, and an n-type is more likely to flow electrons as carriers than holes.

The binder resin used for the charge generation layer is selected from a wide range of insulating resins, and the binder resin is selected from organic photoconductive polymers such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole, polyvinyl anthracene, polyvinyl pyrene, and polysilane. You may choose.
As the binder resin, for example, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyarylate resin (polycondensate of bisphenol and aromatic divalent carboxylic acid, etc.), polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, phenoxy resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, Examples thereof include polyamide resin, acrylic resin, polyacrylamide resin, polyvinyl pyridine resin, cellulose resin, urethane resin, epoxy resin, casein, polyvinyl alcohol resin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin, and the like. Here, “insulating” means that the volume resistivity is 10 ¹³ Ωcm or more.
These binder resins are used singly or in combination of two or more.

  The mixing ratio of the charge generation material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 10: 1 to 1:10 by mass ratio.

  In addition, the charge generation layer may contain a known additive.

  The formation of the charge generation layer is not particularly limited, and a known formation method is used. For example, a coating film of a charge generation layer forming coating solution in which the above components are added to a solvent is formed, and the coating film is dried. And heating as necessary. The charge generation layer may be formed by vapor deposition of a charge generation material. Formation of the charge generation layer by vapor deposition is particularly suitable when a condensed ring aromatic pigment or perylene pigment is used as the charge generation material.

  Solvents for preparing the charge generation layer forming coating solution include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methyl acetate, n-acetate. -Butyl, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform, chlorobenzene, toluene and the like. These solvents are used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of a method for dispersing particles (for example, a charge generation material) in a coating solution for forming a charge generation layer include, for example, a media disperser such as a ball mill, a vibrating ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, a horizontal sand mill, a stirring, an ultrasonic disperser, etc. Medialess dispersers such as roll mills and high-pressure homogenizers are used. Examples of the high-pressure homogenizer include a collision method in which a dispersion liquid is dispersed by liquid-liquid collision or liquid-wall collision in a high pressure state, and a penetration method in which a fine flow path is dispersed in a high pressure state.
In this dispersion, it is effective that the average particle size of the charge generation material in the coating solution for forming the charge generation layer is 0.5 μm or less, preferably 0.3 μm or less, more preferably 0.15 μm or less. .

  Examples of methods for applying the charge generation layer forming coating solution on the undercoat layer (or on the intermediate layer) include blade coating, wire bar coating, spray coating, dip coating, bead coating, and air knife coating. And usual methods such as a curtain coating method.

  The film thickness of the charge generation layer is, for example, preferably set in the range of 0.1 μm to 5.0 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm.

(Charge transport layer)
The charge transport layer is, for example, a layer containing a charge transport material and a binder resin. The charge transport layer may be a layer containing a polymer charge transport material.

  Examples of charge transport materials include quinone compounds such as p-benzoquinone, chloranil, bromanyl and anthraquinone; tetracyanoquinodimethane compounds; fluorenone compounds such as 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone; xanthone compounds; benzophenone compounds A cyanovinyl compound; an electron transporting compound such as an ethylene compound; Examples of the charge transporting material include hole transporting compounds such as triarylamine compounds, benzidine compounds, arylalkane compounds, aryl-substituted ethylene compounds, stilbene compounds, anthracene compounds, and hydrazone compounds. These charge transport materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more, but are not limited thereto.

  As the charge transport material, from the viewpoint of charge mobility, a triarylamine derivative represented by the following structural formula (a-1) and a benzidine derivative represented by the following structural formula (a-2) are preferable.

In Structural Formula (a-1), Ar ^T1 , Ar ^T2 , and Ar ^T3 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, —C ₆ H ₄ —C (R ^T4 ) ═C (R ^T5 ) (R ^T6), or _{-C 6 H 4 -CH = CH-} CH = C (R T7) shows the ^{(R T8).} R ^T4 , R ^T5 , R ^T6 , R ^T7 , and R ^T8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
Examples of the substituent for each group include a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Examples of the substituent of each group also include a substituted amino group substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

In Structural Formula (a-2), R ^T91 and R ^T92 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. R ^T101 , R ^T102 , R ^T111 and R ^T112 are each independently ^substituted with a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms. A substituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, —C (R ^T12 ) ═C (R ^T13 ) (R ^T14 ), or —CH═CH— ^CH═C (R ^T15 ) (R ^T16 ), R ^T12 , R ^T13 , R ^T14 , R ^T15 and R ^T16 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. Tm1, Tm2, Tn1, and Tn2 each independently represent an integer of 0 or more and 2 or less.
Examples of the substituent for each group include a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Examples of the substituent of each group also include a substituted amino group substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Here, among the triarylamine derivative represented by the structural formula (a-1) and the benzidine derivative represented by the structural formula (a-2), in particular, “—C ₆ H ₄ —CH═CH—CH═ Triarylamine derivatives having “C (R ^T7 ) (R ^T8 )” and benzidine derivatives having “—CH═CH— ^CH═C (R ^T15 ) (R ^T16 )” are preferable from the viewpoint of charge mobility.

  As the polymer charge transporting material, known materials having charge transporting properties such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole and polysilane are used. In particular, polyester-based polymer charge transport materials disclosed in JP-A-8-176293, JP-A-8-208820 and the like are particularly preferable. The polymer charge transport material may be used alone or in combination with a binder resin.

The binder resin used for the charge transport layer is polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyarylate resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer, Vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer, silicone resin, silicone alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, styrene-alkyd resin, poly-N -Vinylcarbazole, polysilane, etc. are mentioned. Among these, as the binder resin, a polycarbonate resin or a polyarylate resin is preferable. These binder resins are used alone or in combination of two or more.
The mixing ratio of the charge transport material and the binder resin is preferably 10: 1 to 1: 5 by mass ratio.

  In addition, the charge transport layer may contain a known additive.

  The formation of the charge transport layer is not particularly limited, and a well-known formation method is used. This is done by heating as necessary.

  Solvents for preparing the coating solution for forming the charge transport layer include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene and chlorobenzene; ketones such as acetone and 2-butanone; methylene chloride, chloroform and ethylene chloride. Halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons: Usual organic solvents such as cyclic or linear ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether. These solvents are used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Coating methods for applying the charge transport layer forming coating solution on the charge generation layer include blade coating method, wire bar coating method, spray coating method, dip coating method, bead coating method, air knife coating method, curtain A usual method such as a coating method may be mentioned.

  The film thickness of the charge transport layer is, for example, preferably set in the range of 5 μm to 50 μm, more preferably 10 μm to 30 μm.

(Protective layer)
The protective layer is provided on the photosensitive layer as necessary. The protective layer is provided, for example, for the purpose of preventing chemical change of the photosensitive layer during charging or further improving the mechanical strength of the photosensitive layer.
Therefore, it is preferable to apply a layer composed of a cured film (crosslinked film) as the protective layer. Examples of these layers include the layers shown in 1) or 2) below.

1) A layer composed of a cured film of a composition containing a reactive group-containing charge transporting material having a reactive group and a charge transporting skeleton in the same molecule (that is, a polymer or cross-linking of the reactive group-containing charge transporting material) Layer containing body)
2) a layer composed of a cured film of a composition comprising a non-reactive charge transport material and a reactive group-containing non-charge transport material having a reactive group and having no charge transport skeleton (that is, A layer comprising a non-reactive charge transport material and a polymer or a cross-linked product of the reactive group-containing non-charge transport material)

The reactive group of the reactive group-containing charge transport material includes a chain polymerizable group, an epoxy group, —OH, —OR [wherein R represents an alkyl group], —NH ₂ , —SH, —COOH, —SiR. ^Q1 _3-Qn (OR ^Q2 ) _Qn [wherein R ^Q1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R ^Q2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a trialkylsilyl group. Qn represents an integer of 1 to 3], and the like, and other well-known reactive groups.

  The chain polymerizable group is not particularly limited as long as it is a functional group capable of radical polymerization. For example, it is a functional group having a group containing at least a carbon double bond. Specific examples include groups containing at least one selected from vinyl groups, vinyl ether groups, vinyl thioether groups, styryl groups (vinyl phenyl groups), acryloyl groups, methacryloyl groups, and derivatives thereof. Among them, since it is excellent in the reactivity, the chain polymerizable group is a group containing at least one selected from a vinyl group, a styryl group (vinylphenyl group), an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, and derivatives thereof. It is preferable that

  The charge transporting skeleton of the reactive group-containing charge transporting material is not particularly limited as long as it is a known structure in an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and examples thereof include triarylamine compounds, benzidine compounds, hydrazone compounds, and the like. And a structure conjugated from a nitrogen-containing hole transporting compound and conjugated with a nitrogen atom. Among these, a triarylamine skeleton is preferable.

  The reactive group-containing charge transport material having a reactive group and a charge transport skeleton, a non-reactive charge transport material, and a reactive group-containing non-charge transport material may be selected from well-known materials.

  In addition, the protective layer may contain known additives.

  The formation of the protective layer is not particularly limited, and a well-known forming method is used. It is performed by performing a curing process such as heating as necessary.

Solvents for preparing the coating solution for forming the protective layer include aromatic solvents such as toluene and xylene; ketone solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone; ester solvents such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate; tetrahydrofuran And ether solvents such as dioxane; cellosolv solvents such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; alcohol solvents such as isopropyl alcohol and butanol. These solvents are used alone or in combination of two or more.
The protective layer forming coating solution may be a solventless coating solution.

  As a method for applying the coating solution for forming the protective layer on the photosensitive layer (for example, charge transport layer), dip coating method, push-up coating method, wire bar coating method, spray coating method, blade coating method, knife coating method, curtain coating method. Ordinary methods such as a method may be mentioned.

  The thickness of the protective layer is, for example, preferably set in the range of 1 μm to 20 μm, more preferably 2 μm to 10 μm.

(Single layer type photosensitive layer)
The single-layer type photosensitive layer (charge generation / charge transport layer) is, for example, a layer containing a charge generation material, a charge transport material, and, if necessary, a binder resin and other known additives. Note that these materials are the same as those described for the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer.
In the single-layer type photosensitive layer, the content of the charge generating material is preferably 10% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less, and preferably 20% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less with respect to the total solid content. In the single-layer type photosensitive layer, the content of the charge transport material is preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less based on the total solid content.
The method for forming the single-layer type photosensitive layer is the same as the method for forming the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer.
The film thickness of the single-layer type photosensitive layer is, for example, from 5 μm to 50 μm, and preferably from 10 μm to 40 μm.

[Image forming apparatus (and process cartridge)]
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit that charges the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrostatic latent image formation that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member. Means, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer containing toner to form a toner image, and transfer means for transferring the toner image to the surface of the recording medium; Is provided. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present embodiment is applied as the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus having fixing means for fixing a toner image transferred to the surface of a recording medium; direct transfer for directly transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the recording medium Type apparatus; intermediate transfer in which the toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred onto the surface of the recording medium. Type of apparatus; apparatus with cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the toner image is transferred and before charging; after the toner image is transferred, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is irradiated with a charge eliminating light before charging. A known image forming apparatus such as an apparatus provided with an electrophotographic photoreceptor heating member for raising the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and reducing the relative temperature is applied.

  In the case of an intermediate transfer type apparatus, the transfer means includes, for example, an intermediate transfer body on which a toner image is transferred to the surface, and a primary transfer that primarily transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the surface of the intermediate transfer body. A configuration including a transfer unit and a secondary transfer unit that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member onto the surface of the recording medium is applied.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be either a dry developing type image forming apparatus or a wet developing type (developing type using a liquid developer).

  Note that in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, the portion including the electrophotographic photosensitive member may have a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. As the process cartridge, for example, a process cartridge including the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to this embodiment is preferably used. In addition to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the process cartridge may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a charging unit, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit.

  Hereinafter, an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the main part shown to a figure is demonstrated and the description is abbreviate | omitted about others.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a process cartridge 300 including an electrophotographic photosensitive member 7, an exposure device 9 (an example of an electrostatic latent image forming unit), and a transfer device 40 (primary. Transfer device) and an intermediate transfer member 50. In the image forming apparatus 100, the exposure device 9 is disposed at a position where the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7 can be exposed from the opening of the process cartridge 300, and the transfer device 40 is interposed between the electrophotographic photosensitive member via the intermediate transfer member 50. 7, and a part of the intermediate transfer member 50 is disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7. Although not shown, it also has a secondary transfer device that transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member 50 to a recording medium (for example, paper). The intermediate transfer member 50, the transfer device 40 (primary transfer device), and the secondary transfer device (not shown) correspond to an example of a transfer unit.

  In the process cartridge 300 in FIG. 7, an electrophotographic photosensitive member 7, a charging device 8 (an example of a charging unit), a developing device 11 (an example of a developing unit), and a cleaning device 13 (an example of a cleaning unit) are integrated in a housing. I support it. The cleaning device 13 includes a cleaning blade (an example of a cleaning member) 131, and the cleaning blade 131 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7. The cleaning member may be a conductive or insulating fibrous member instead of the cleaning blade 131, and may be used alone or in combination with the cleaning blade 131.

  In FIG. 7, as an image forming apparatus, a fibrous member 132 (roll shape) for supplying the lubricant 14 to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7 and a fibrous member 133 (flat brush shape) for assisting cleaning are shown. Examples are provided, but these are arranged as necessary.

  Hereinafter, each configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

-Charging device-
As the charging device 8, for example, a contact type charger using a conductive or semiconductive charging roller, a charging brush, a charging film, a charging rubber blade, a charging tube or the like is used. Further, a non-contact type roller charger, a known charger such as a scorotron charger using a corona discharge or a corotron charger may be used.

-Exposure device-
Examples of the exposure device 9 include optical system devices that expose the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 7 with light such as semiconductor laser light, LED light, and liquid crystal shutter light in a predetermined image-like manner. The wavelength of the light source is set within the spectral sensitivity region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. As the wavelength of the semiconductor laser, near infrared having an oscillation wavelength near 780 nm is the mainstream. However, the present invention is not limited to this wavelength, and an oscillation wavelength laser in the 600 nm range or a laser having an oscillation wavelength of 400 nm to 450 nm as a blue laser may be used. In addition, a surface-emitting type laser light source that can output a multi-beam is also effective for color image formation.

-Developer-
Examples of the developing device 11 include a general developing device that performs development by bringing a developer into contact or non-contact with the developer. The developing device 11 is not particularly limited as long as it has the functions described above, and is selected according to the purpose. For example, a known developing device having a function of attaching a one-component developer or a two-component developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 7 using a brush, a roller, or the like can be used. Among these, those using a developing roller holding the developer on the surface are preferable.

  The developer used in the developing device 11 may be a one-component developer including a toner alone or a two-component developer including a toner and a carrier. Further, the developer may be magnetic or non-magnetic. A well-known thing is applied for these developers.

-Cleaning device-
As the cleaning device 13, a cleaning blade type device including a cleaning blade 131 is used.
In addition to the cleaning blade method, a fur brush cleaning method and a simultaneous development cleaning method may be employed.

-Transfer device-
As the transfer device 40, for example, a contact transfer charger using a belt, a roller, a film, a rubber blade, etc., or a known transfer charger such as a scorotron transfer charger using a corona discharge or a corotron transfer charger. Can be mentioned.

-Intermediate transfer member-
As the intermediate transfer member 50, a belt-like member (intermediate transfer belt) containing polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyester, rubber or the like having semiconductivity is used. Further, as the form of the intermediate transfer member, a drum-like one may be used in addition to the belt-like.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
An image forming apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 8 is a tandem multicolor image forming apparatus equipped with four process cartridges 300. In the image forming apparatus 120, four process cartridges 300 are arranged in parallel on the intermediate transfer member 50, and one electrophotographic photosensitive member is used for one color. The image forming apparatus 120 has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 100 except that it is a tandem system.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the following description, “part” and “%” are all based on mass unless otherwise specified.

<Example 1>
-Production of support 1-
Aluminum alloy coated with a lubricant ("component composition" Si: 0.5% by mass, Fe: 0.5% by mass, Cu: 3.0% by mass, Mn: 0.3% by mass, Mg: 1.8% by mass %, Cr: 0.1% by mass, Zn: 0.25% by mass, Ti: 0.15% by mass, balance: aluminum and impurities). Using this slag, impact pressing was performed with a die (female) and a punch (male) to produce a cylindrical molded body having a diameter of 32 mm (first processing step).
Next, the cylindrical shaped body formed by impact pressing was heated at 350 ° C. for 0.5 hours, and then cooled at a rate of 100 ° C./second to give a solution treatment (solution) Processing step).

Next, the cylindrical molded body subjected to the solution treatment was subjected to ironing once to perform shape correction (second processing step).
Thereafter, the cylindrical shaped body subjected to shape correction was heated to 300 ° C. and held for 1 hour to perform age hardening treatment (age hardening treatment step). Thus, the support 1 was produced.

<Examples 2-12, Comparative Examples 1-6>
-Production of Supports 2-18-
Supports 2 to 18 were prepared in the same manner as the support 1 except that the aluminum alloy having the component composition shown in Table 1 was used and the production conditions for the support shown in Table 2 were changed.

<Comparative Example 7 and Comparative Example 8>
-Production of support 19 and support 20-
Using an aluminum alloy having the component composition shown in Table 1, a cylindrical shaped body produced by combining conventional extrusion and drawing was subjected to surface cutting to produce a support 19 and a support 20 having a diameter of 30 mm.

<Comparative Example 9>
-Production of support 21-
Using an aluminum alloy having the same component composition as in Example 10, a cylindrical shaped body produced by combining conventional extrusion and drawing was subjected to surface cutting to produce a support 21 having a diameter of 30 mm.

  About the support body produced by said each example, the cylindricity, the roundness, and the coaxiality were measured by the above-mentioned method about each after a 2nd process process and a matter hardening process. Further, the uneven thickness, the average area of crystal grains, and the wall thickness were measured by the methods described above. Table 3 shows the measurement results.

[Production of electrophotographic photoreceptor]
An electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced by the method described below using the support produced in each of the above examples.

(Formation of undercoat layer)
Zinc oxide (average particle diameter 70 nm: manufactured by Teika: specific surface area value 15 m ² / g): 100 parts by mass with stirring and mixing with 500 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran, silane coupling agent (KBM503: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.): 1 3 parts by mass were added and stirred for 2 hours. Thereafter, toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure, baking was performed at 120 ° C. for 3 hours, and zinc oxide surface-treated with a silane coupling agent was obtained.

The surface-treated zinc oxide: 110 parts by mass and tetrahydrofuran: 500 parts by mass were mixed with stirring, and a solution prepared by dissolving alizarin: 0.6 parts by mass in tetrahydrofuran: 50 parts by mass was added. Stir at 5 ° C. for 5 hours. Then, the zinc oxide to which alizarin was imparted by filtration under reduced pressure was filtered off, and further dried at 60 ° C. under reduced pressure to obtain alizarin imparted zinc oxide.
This alizarin-provided zinc oxide: 60 parts by mass, a curing agent (blocked isocyanate, Sumijoule 3175, manufactured by Sumitomo Bayern Urethane Co., Ltd.): 13.5 parts by mass, and a butyral resin (ESLEC BM-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) A solution prepared by dissolving 15 parts by mass in 85 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone was prepared. This solution: 38 parts by mass and methyl ethyl ketone: 25 parts by mass were mixed, and dispersed using a 1 mmφ glass bead in a sand mill for 2 hours to obtain a dispersion.

  Dioctyltin dilaurate: 0.005 parts by mass and silicone resin particles (Tospearl 145, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials): 45 parts by mass are added to the resulting dispersion as a catalyst to form an undercoat layer. A coating solution was prepared. This undercoat layer-forming coating solution is applied on the support prepared in each of the above examples by dip coating, followed by drying and curing at 170 ° C. for 30 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 23 μm. Formed.

(Formation of charge generation layer)
Bragg angles (2θ ± 0.2 °) in X-ray diffraction spectrum are 7.5 °, 9.9 °, 12.5 °, 16.3 °, 18.6 °, 25.1 °, 28.3 ° 1 part by weight of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine having a strong diffraction peak, 1 part by weight of polyvinyl butyral (ESREC BM-S, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), and 80 parts by weight of n-butyl acetate were obtained to obtain a mixed solution. . The mixed solution was dispersed together with glass beads with a paint shaker for 1 hour to prepare a coating solution for forming a charge generation layer. The obtained coating solution for forming a charge generation layer was dip-coated on the undercoat layer formed above and dried by heating at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.15 μm.

(Formation of charge transport layer)
Benzidine compound represented by the following formula (CT-1): 2.6 parts by mass and a polymer compound having a repeating unit represented by the following formula (B-1) (viscosity average molecular weight: 40,000): 3 Part by mass was dissolved in 25 parts by mass of THF (tetrahydrofuran) to prepare a coating solution for forming a charge transport layer. The obtained coating solution for forming a charge transport layer was dip-coated on the charge generation layer formed above, and heated at 130 ° C. for 45 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 20 μm. Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced.

[Evaluation]
(Drop test)
The electrophotographic photosensitive member produced above was mounted on a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Docu Print C1100), freely dropped from a fall height of 1.5 m from the floor surface, and collided with the floor.
After the fall, the amount of deformation of the support was confirmed by measuring the roundness with a Roncom 60A manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd. and visually.
After that, it was mounted on a printer, and a 50% density halftone image (low density image) was output on A4 paper (Fuji Xerox, C2 paper). After that, on A4 paper (Fuji Xerox Co., C2 paper), output 20,000 character images with area coverage (area ratio occupied by characters in A4 paper) of 2%. confirmed.
The results are shown in Table 3.

−Deformation amount−
A: No change in roundness, no problem.
B: Although the roundness is changed (higher) than before dropping, the roundness after dropping is 30 μm or less, and there is no problem in practical use.
C: Although the roundness is changed (higher) than before dropping, the roundness after dropping is more than 30 μm and not more than 100 μm, and there is no problem in practical use.
D: The roundness is changed (higher) than before dropping, and the roundness after dropping exceeds 100 μm.

-Image quality-
A: No change in density is seen between the initial image and the image after output of 20,000 sheets, and there is no problem.
B: Although a change in density can be seen between the initial image and the image after outputting 20,000 sheets, there is no problem in actual use.
C: A clear density drop (density drop causing a problem in actual use) occurs in the image after outputting 20,000 sheets compared to the initial image.
D: White spots occur due to deformation from the first sheet.

  In Table 3, “crystal grains” represents “average area of crystal grains”.

  From the above results, it can be seen that in this example, better results were obtained for the measurement results of each shape than in the comparative example. In addition, in this embodiment, it can be seen that the deformation amount and the evaluation result of the image quality are good as compared with the comparative example. Thereby, even when the thickness is made thin, it can be seen that the strength is high and the shape accuracy is high.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Undercoat layer, 2 Charge generation layer, 3 Charge transport layer, 4 Support body, 4A, 4B Molded body, 5 Photosensitive layer, 6 Protective layer, 7 Electrophotographic photoconductor, 8 Charging device, 9 Exposure device, 10 Single layer Type photosensitive layer, 11 developing device, 13 cleaning device, 20 die (female type), 21 punch (male type), 22 stripper, 23 center hole, 24 circular hole, 30 slug, 31 punch, 32 die, 33 die, 40 Transfer device, 50 Intermediate transfer member, 100 Image forming device, 120 Image forming device, 131 Cleaning blade, 132 Fibrous member (roll shape), 133 Fibrous member (flat brush shape), 300 Process cartridge

Claims (11)

Si: 0.8 mass% or less, Fe: 0.7 mass% or less, Cu: 3.0 mass% or more and 5.0 mass% or less, Mn: 0.3 mass% or more and 1.0 mass% or less, Mg: An aluminum alloy comprising 0.4% by mass or more and 1.8% by mass or less, Cr: 0.1% by mass or less, Zn: 0.25% by mass or less, Ti: 0.15% by mass or less, balance: Al and impurities. has an average area of crystal grains of the aluminum alloy, the conductive support is 3.0 [mu] m ² or more 100 [mu] m ² or less.   The conductive support according to claim 1, wherein the conductive support has a thickness of 0.03 mm to 1.5 mm.   The conductive support according to claim 1, wherein the conductive support has a cylindricity of 60 μm or less.   The roundness of the said electroconductive support body is 30 micrometers or less, The electroconductive support body of any one of Claims 1-3.   The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conductive support has a coaxiality of 20 µm or less.   The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an uneven thickness of the conductive support is 30 µm or less.   The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conductive support is a conductive support for an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The conductive support according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A photosensitive layer on the conductive support;
An electrophotographic photosensitive member having: An electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 8,
A process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 8,
Charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
An electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer containing toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to the surface of the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Preparing the aluminum alloy;
A first processing step of obtaining a molded body by subjecting the aluminum alloy to a cold impact press;
Applying solution treatment to the molded body obtained in the first processing step;
A second processing step of performing shape processing on the molded body subjected to the solution treatment;
Applying age-hardening treatment to the shaped body subjected to the shape processing;
The manufacturing method of the electroconductive support body of any one of Claims 1-7 containing these.