Fixing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a fixing apparatus which can secure a sufficient fixing performance even if a nip pressure is arranged in relatively low value. A fixing apparatus comprises a fixing member (12, 36) having an elastic layer (12B, 36B) formed on the fixing member at a side to which a sheet surface supporting an unfixed toner is contacted; a pressing member (18, 38) for making the sheet surface supporting the unfixed toner contact to the fixing member (12, 36) with a particular pressure and forming a nip portion between the fixing member and the pressing member; and a heating means (20) heating the fixing member(12, 36), wherein 0.05≦P·t/E≦0.50 is satisfied, where t (mm) is thickness of the elastic layer (12B, 36B), E (Pa) is Young's modulus of the elastic layer (12B, 36B) and P (Pa) is pressure in the nip portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.