Film for use in intermediate image transfer member and method of producing endless-belt-shaped film

A film comprising an insulating matrix resin and an electroconductive material, having a thickness of T [cm], said electroconductive material being dispersed in said insulating matrix resin in such a manner that a surface resistivity of A [Ω] of said film and a volume resistivity of B [Ω·cm] of said film in the direction of a thickness thereof normal to the surface of said film satisfy a relationship of:

• A[Ω]×T[cm]>B[Ω·cm].

A film with a single layer structure comprising a first region extending along a surface of said film and a second region extending under said first region, said first region comprising an insulting matrix resin and a first electroconductive material dispersed in the form of particles in said insulating matrix resin, and said second region comprising said insulating matrix resin and a second electroconductive material dispersed in the form of particles in said insulating matrix resin, said first electroconductive material having a lower electroconductivity than that of said second electroconductive material.

A film with a single layer structure comprising a first region extending along a surface of said film and a second region extending under said first region, said first region comprising an insulting matrix resin and a first electroconductive material dispersed in said insulating matrix resin, and said second region comprising said insulating matrix resin and a second electroconductive material dispersed in said insulating matrix resin, said first electroconductive material and said second electroconductive material being of an identical electroconductive material, and said first electroconductive material having a larger particle size than that of said second electroconductive material.

A film with a single layer structure comprising an insulting matrix resin and an electroconductive material dispersed in the form of needles in said insulating matrix resin, with a longitudinal side of said needles of said electroconductive material being oriented in the direction normal to an external surface of said film.

A method of producing an endless-belt-shaped film with a single layer structure comprising an insulting matrix resin and an electroconductive material dispersed in the form of particles in said insulating matrix resin, with larger particles of said electroconductive material being positioned on the side of an external surface of said endless-belt-shaped film, and smaller particles of said electroconductive material being positioned on the side of an inner surface of said endless-belt-shaped film, comprising the steps of;

• dispersing said electroconductive materials with different particles size in a solution of said matrix resin in a solvent to form a dispersion of said electroconductive materials in said solution of said matrix resin, and
• subjecting said dispersion to centrifugal molding to localize larger particles of said electroconductive material on the side of the external surface of said endless-belt-shaped film, and to localize smaller particles of said electroconductive material on the side of the inner surface of said endless-belt-shaped film, with removal of said solvent therefrom.