Fixing unit having an endless belt including a base layer and a composite material

An endless belt for a fixing unit for fixing a toner image onto a recording sheet, comprising:

• a film-like belt consisting essentially of a base film and a layer layered on said base film, said layer being made of a composite material containing porous material and elastomer;
• wherein said endless belt is in press contact with a fixing roll in a nip area so that when the recording sheet bearing the toner image not yet fixed passes through the nip area of said fixing roll and said endless belt, said fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording sheet in the nip area.

An endless belt for a fixing unit for fixing a toner image onto a recording sheet, comprising:

• a film-like belt consisting essentially of a base film and a layer layered on the base film, the layer being made of a composite material containing porous material and elastomer, the endless belt having a heat-resistance of at least 100.degree. C.;
• wherein the endless belt is in press contact with a fixing roll in a nip area so that when the recording sheet bearing the toner image not yet fixed passes through the nip area, the fixing unit fixes the toner image onto the recording sheet in the nip area.