Fixing device

A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium, the device comprising:

• an endless belt that is configured to be able to rotate;
• a pressure member that is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the belt;
• and
• a sliding member that has a sliding surface in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the belt and is arranged to face the pressure member with the belt interposed between the sliding member and the pressure member, wherein
• a direction in which the belt rotating at the time of conveying the recording medium slides on the sliding surface is referred to as a direction of conveyance, while a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance is referred to as an orthogonal direction,
• a plurality of grooves each extending in a direction intersecting with the direction of conveyance is formed on the sliding surface, and
• the groove is formed on an edge of the sliding surface in the direction of conveyance at a center of the sliding surface in the orthogonal direction, and formed away from the edge of the sliding surface in the direction of conveyance on an edge of the sliding surface in the orthogonal direction.