IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

摘要

An image forming apparatus including developing unit to develop electrostatic latent image with toner to form visible image, and cleaning unit including elastic member including surface layer and configured to remove the toner, wherein Martens hardness A and Martens hardness B of the surface layer measured by applying load of 1 μN and load of 1,000 μN, respectively, to position of the surface layer in thickness direction thereof using nanoindenter are both 2.5 N/mm² or greater but 32.5 N/mm² or less, and Martens hardness A and Martens hardness B satisfy inequality,; Martens hardness AMartens hardness B;wherein coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface layer against polycarbonate is 0.5 or less, and the toner includes polyester resin insoluble to THF and Tg of THF-insoluble component of the toner determined from DSC curve of first heating of DSC is −60° C. or higher but 20° C. or lower.