Intermediate transfer member, image forming apparatus, and production device for polymer mixture

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a first image bearing member;
• an intermediate transfer member onto which an unfixed toner image formed on the first image bearing member is primarily transferred;
• and
• a secondary transfer unit configured to secondarily transfer the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer member onto a second image bearing member,
• wherein the intermediate transfer member has a base layer,
• the base layer contains a thermoplastic resin and an electroconductive filler dispersed in the thermoplastic resin, and
• the base layer has a volume resistivity of 1×106 to 1×1013 Ω·cm, and has an electroconductive path index of 0.20 or less.

A production device for a polymer mixture containing a thermoplastic resin and an electroconductive filler,

• the production device comprising:
• a flow path having an inner diameter D1 in which the polymer mixture containing the thermoplastic resin that has been plasticized flows;
• a shear force applying portion, which is coupled to a distal end side of the flow path, and which is configured to apply a shear force to the polymer mixture;
• and
• at least two flow paths, which are coupled to a distal end side of the shear force applying portion, and in which the polymer mixture having passed through the shear force applying portion flows,
• wherein a ratio (D1/D2) of the inner diameter D1 to a face-to-face distance D2 of a gap portion in the shear force applying portion is from 10 to 20.