Centrifugal casting die, method for manufacturing thereof as well as casting material, blade obtained therefrom and method for manufacturing thereof

Abstract

A centrifugal casting die according to the present invention includes a cylindrical die body, a backup layer releasably bonded to the inner surface 12 b of the die body, and a top layer bonded to be integral to the inner surface of the backup layer, for holding a centrifugally casting material supplied to the inner surface thereof, whereby the centrifugally casting material having a uniform thickness is easily releasable from the centrifugal casting die without using a die-lubricant.

1 . A centrifugal casting die comprising:
 a cylindrical die body;   a backup layer releasably bonded to the inner surface of the cylindrical die body; and   a top layer bonded to be integral with the inner surface of the backup layer, wherein   the top layer releasably holds a centrifugally casting material supplied to the inner surface thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the top layer is roughened. 
   
   
       3 . The centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the top layer is formed of silicone rubber and containing a solid lubricant for roughening the inner surface of the top layer. 
   
   
       4 . The centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the solid lubricant is a graphite fluoride having a particle size of 5 μm diameter or less. 
   
   
       5 . The centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the ten-point average surface roughness Rz of the inner surface of the top layer is in a range from 2 to 10 μm. 
   
   
       6 . The centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the backup layer is formed of thermosetting resin having a heat-resistant temperature equal to a curable temperature or higher. 
   
   
       7 . The centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the thermosetting resin is epoxy resin and the thickness of the backup layer is in a range from 0.3 to 5.0 mm. 
   
   
       8 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A cylindrical centrifugally casting material produced by using the centrifugal casting die as claimed in  claim 1 , or the centrifugal casting die manufactured by the method as claimed in claim  8 . 
   
   
       13 . A cleaning blade held by a mounting member via an adhesive to be brought into slide-contact with the outer surface of the photosensitive drum in an electrophotographic apparatus for wiping-off the outer surface of the photosensitive drum, wherein the cleaning blade is obtained by cutting the cylindrical centrifugally casting material as claimed in  claim 12  in the circumferential direction into rectangular pieces. 
   
   
       14 . A developer blade held by a mounting member via an adhesive to be brought into slide-contact with the outer surface of a developer sleeve in an electrophotographic apparatus for restricting an amount of toner carried on the developer sleeve, wherein the developer blade is obtained by cutting the cylindrical centrifugally casting material as claimed in  claim 12  in the circumferential direction into rectangular pieces. 
   
   
       15 - 20 . (canceled)