Fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording medium while conveying and heating the recording medium

A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material while conveying and heating the recording material on which a toner image is formed at a nip portion, the fixing apparatus comprising:

• a roller;
• a heating unit configured to heat the roller, the heating unit including a first film having a cylindrical shape, a pressure portion forming member configured to form a pressure portion with the roller via the first film by contacting an inner surface of the first film, and a first regulating member configured to regulate an inner surface of an end portion of the first film with respect to a generatrix direction of the roller;
• and
• a pressing unit configured to form a nip portion with the roller, the pressing unit including a second film having a cylindrical shape, a nip portion forming member configured to form the nip portion with the roller via the second film by contacting an inner surface of the second film, and a second regulating member configured to regulate an inner surface of an end portion of the second film with respect to the generatrix direction of the roller,
• wherein the first film and the second film are rotated by rotation of the roller,
• wherein micro-hardness of a surface of the first film at the pressure portion and micro-hardness of a surface of the second film at the nip portion are both larger than micro-hardness of a surface of the roller, and
• wherein an area of a first protruding region of the first film is larger than an area of a second protruding region of the second film, the first protruding region being a region where an outline of the first film in a case where the first regulating member is provided protrudes outside from an outline of the first film in a case where the first regulating member is removed on a cross section of the first film perpendicular to the generatrix direction of the roller, the second protruding region of the second film being a region where an outline of the second film in a case where the second regulating member is provided protrudes outside from an outline of the second film in a case where the second regulating member is removed on a cross section of the second film perpendicular to the generatrix direction of the roller.