Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium, the fixing device comprising:

• a fixing roller comprising a first elastic layer as a surface layer and having a roller hardness A;
• a separation roller provided downstream from the fixing roller in a recording medium conveyance direction and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the fixing roller, the separation roller comprising a second elastic layer as a surface layer and having a roller hardness B smaller than the roller hardness A of the fixing roller;
• an endless fixing belt wound around at least the fixing roller and the separation roller;
• and
• a pressing roller pressed against the fixing roller and the separation roller via the fixing belt to form a nip portion between the fixing belt and the pressing roller through which the recording medium bearing the toner image passes,
• the pressing roller comprising a third elastic layer as a surface layer and having a roller hardness C not smaller than the roller hardness A of the fixing roller.