Charging method and charging device

A charging device for charging a charge receiving member comprising:

• an electrical power source for supplying an electrical power;
• and
• a contact member which is electrically connected with said electrical power source, said contact member having a surface for contacting with the charge receiving member, wherein
• the width of scratch of said contact member under the scratch hardness test is 1 .mu.m or less.

A method of charging a charge receiving member comprising the steps of:

• providing a contact member having a surface, said surface having a volume resistivity in a range from 1.times.10.sup.4 .OMEGA..multidot.cm to 1.times.10.sup.6 .OMEGA..multidot.cm, and having a surface resistivity in the range from 1.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA./.quadrature. to 1.times.10.sup.10 .OMEGA./.quadrature.,
• wherein a bending moment of 20 g.multidot.cm or less;
• contacting the surface of said contact member with the charge receiving member;
• and
• applying an electrical power to said contact member.

A method for charging a charge receiving member comprising the steps of:

• providing a contact member having a surface, the width of scratch of said surface under the scratch hardness test being 1 .mu.m or less;
• contacting said surface of the contact member with the charge receiving member;
• and
• applying an electrical power to said contact member.