IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS AND FLEXIBLE SLEEVE FOR USE THEREIN

摘要

An image heating apparatus comprising a flexible sleeve having a stainless steel base layer; a heater disposed in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the flexible sleeve; and an elastic roller disposed in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the flexible sleeve and forming a nip zone in cooperation with the heater, wherein a recording material with images while being pinched and delivered is heated at the nip zone, and wherein the stainless steel base layer has an outside diameter of 18 to 24 mm and a thickness of 25 to 30 µm, and wherein the outer circumferential surface of the stainless steel base layer is subjected to blast trimming. Accordingly, there can be provided an image heating apparatus capable of ensuring durability, and provided a flexible sleeve for use in the image heating apparatus.