Method of increasing the working life of a heating element of a fixing device and associated fixing device.

摘要

Heating element (20) for a device for fixing images developed by means of toner (25) on a support (12). The element is characterised by a protective layer (33) of wear-resistant material based on carbon particles deposited on the said heating element by means of growth by the vacuum deposition of carbon ions. The said protective layer also results in a reduced coefficient of friction between the said heating element and the film for conveying the said support across the said fixing unit, thereby increasing the working life of the said heating element. <IMAGE>