Electrophotographic member, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor and a charging member that is arranged so that it is able to charge the electrophotographic photoreceptor,

• the charging member comprises:
• a support having a conductive outer surface;
• an elastic layer provided on the outer surface side of the support;
• and
• a surface layer provided on the outer surface of the elastic layer,
• the elastic layer includes
• a matrix containing a first rubber;
• a plurality of regions B in the matrix;
• and
• a plurality of regions C in the matrix,
• a volume resistivity of the matrix is 1.0×108 to 1.0×1012 Ω·cm,
• the region B contains a second rubber different from the first rubber and an electron conducting agent, and has a volume resistivity of 1.0×104 Ω·cm or less,
• the region C contains a third rubber different from both the first rubber and the second rubber and has a volume resistivity of 1.0×1012 Ω·cm or more,
• in cross-sectional observation of a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic member, at least a part of the region B includes a region B1, and
• the region B1 is a domain dispersed in the matrix, in contact with the surface layer, and is a region where the region C exists directly below.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• and
• a charging roller that is arranged so that it is able to charge the electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein
• the charging roller comprises:
• a support having a conductive outer surface;
• an elastic layer provided on the outer surface side of the support;
• and
• a surface layer provided on the outer surface of the elastic layer,
• the elastic layer includes
• a matrix containing a first rubber;
• a plurality of regions B in the matrix;
• and
• a plurality of regions C in the matrix;
• a volume resistivity of the matrix is 1.0×108 to 1.0×1012 Ω·cm,
• the region B contains a second rubber different from the first rubber and an electron conducting agent, and has a volume resistivity of 1.0×104 Ω·cm or less,
• the region C contains a third rubber different from both the first rubber and the second rubber and has a volume resistivity of 1.0×1012 Ω·cm or more,
• in cross-sectional observation of a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic member, at least a part of the region B includes a region B1, and
• the region B1 is a domain dispersed in the matrix, in contact with the surface layer, and is a region where the region C exists directly below.