Process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus

A process cartridge, comprising a charging member and an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be charged by being in contact with the charging member, wherein

• the charging member has an electroconductive substrate and a conductive elastic layer as a surface layer,
• a surface of the elastic layer, containing an insulating hollow particle and an insulating binder,
• the hollow particle forming a convex portion exposed on the surface of the elastic layer,
• the hollow particle having a recess at the apex part of the convex portion,
• the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support and a photosensitive layer in this order,
• a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, having a Martens hardness of 230 N/mm2 or less.

An electrophotographic apparatus comprising a process cartridge,

• the process cartridge having a charging member and an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be charged by being in contact with the charging member, wherein
• the charging member hays an electroconductive substrate, and a conductive elastic layer as a surface layer,
• the elastic layer containing a binder and a bowl-shaped resin particle having an opening,
• the opening being retained in a state of being exposed on a surface of the charging member,
• a surface of the elastic layer, having a concave portion derived from the opening and a convex portion derived from an edge of the opening, and
• the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support and a photosensitive layer in this order,
• a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, having a Martens hardness of 230 N/mm2 or less.

An electrophotographic apparatus comprising a process cartridge,

• the process cartridge having a charging member, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be charged by being in contact with the charging member, wherein
• the charging member has an electroconductive substrate, and a conductive elastic layer as a surface layer,
• a surface of the elastic layer, containing an insulating hollow particle and an insulating binder,
• the hollow particle forming a convex portion exposed on the surface of the elastic layer,
• the hollow particle having a recess at the apex part of the convex portion, and
• the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support and a photosensitive layer in this order,
• a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, having a Martens hardness of 230 N/mm2 or less.