Fixing device having metal pipe with rough section and image forming apparatus incorporating same

摘要

A fixing device includes a tubular, stationary metal pipe, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, and a lubricant. The metal pipe is subjected to heating. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal pipe to transfer heat radially outward from the heated metal pipe. The rotatable pressure member extends opposite the metal pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the metal pipe and the pressure member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt to press against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The lubricant is of a given particle size and deposited between the metal pipe and the fuser belt. The surface of the metal pipe has a rough section which exhibits a surface roughness equal to or greater than the particle size of the lubricant.