Magnetic toner, magnetic developer, apparatus unit, image forming apparatus and facsimile apparatus

• US 5,424,810 A
• Filed: 09/10/1992
• Issued: 06/13/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kato, Masayoshi, Kobori, Takakuni, Yusa, Hiroshi, Tomiyama, Koichi, Suematsu, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, A. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, SUSAN SHUK YIN
• Application Number:
  US07/942,840
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 355/251, 355/245, 118/653, 118/657, 118/658, 252/62.54, 252/62.59, 430/106.6, 358/296, 358/301
• US Class Current: 430/106.2
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 9/0834 Non-magnetic inorganic compounds chemically incorporated in magnetic components

Abstract

A magnetic toner for electrophotography is composed from a binder resin and a silicon-containing magnetic iron oxide. The magnetic toner has a weigh-average particle size o at most 13.5 μm and has a particle size distribution such that it contains o more than 50 wt, % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μm. The magnetic toner is able to show high developing performances because of richness in fine particles and is also provided with an improved environmental stability because the magnetic iron oxide used therein contains 0.5-4 wt, % silicon (based on total iron content) and has a specific silicon distribution such that the magnetic iron oxide has a total silicon content (A), a silicon content (B) dissolved together with the magnetic iron oxide when the magnetic iron oxide is dissolved up to 20 wt, % dissolution of iron, and a superficial silicon content (C), satisfying relations of B/A=44-84% and C/A=10-55%. The performances are enhanced if the magnetic toner is blended with additives such as inorganic fine powder or resin fine particles.

Claims

1. A magnetic toner, comprising a binder resin and a silicon-containing magnetic iron oxide;

wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.5-4 wt. % silicon based on total iron content, provided that the magnetic iron oxide has a total silicon content (A), a silicon content (B) attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved up to 20 wt. % iron dissolution by hydrochloric acid solution or a mixture of hydrochloric acid solution and hydrofluoric acid solution and a superficial silicon content (C), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved by an alkali solution, satisfying relations of 44%≦

(B/A)×

100 %≦

84% and 10%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

55%; and

the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of at most 13.5 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains no more than 50 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

2. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

3. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

4. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80%.

5. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

6. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content and satisfy relations of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80% and 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

7. The magnetic toner according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

8. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.4 μ

m.

9. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.3 μ

m.

10. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -25 to -70 μ

C/g.

11. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -40 to -60 μ

C/g.

12. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10³ -1×

10⁸ Ω

.cm.

13. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10⁴ -5×

10⁷ Ω

.cm.

14. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 3-40%.

15. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 5-30%.

16. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.2-0.6.

17. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.3-0.5.

18. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.8.

19. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.85.

20. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.9.

21. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m.

22. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m.

23. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

24. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

25. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 6-8 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains 17-60 % by number of toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m, 5-50% by number of toner particles having a particle size of 6.35-10.08 μ

m and at most 2.0% by volume of toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 82 m, and the amount of the toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m in terms of % by number (N %) and % by volume (V %) satisfy a relationship of N/V=-0.05N+k, wherein k is a positive number of 4.6 to 6.7, and N is a positive number of 17-60.

26. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein 20-200 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

27. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein 30-150 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

28. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin comprises a styrene copolymer.

29. The magnetic toner according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin comprises a polyester resin.

30. A magnetic developer, comprising:

a magnetic toner, and inorganic fine powder, hydrophobic inorganic fine powder or resin fine particles;

wherein the magnetic toner comprises a binder resin and a silicon-containing magnetic iron oxide;

the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.5-4 wt. % silicon based on total iron content, provided that the magnetic iron oxide has a total silicon content (A), a silicon content (B), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved up to 20 wt. % iron dissolution by hydrochloric acid solution or a mixture of hydrochloric acid solution and hydrofluoric acid solution and a superficial silicon content (C), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved by an alkali solution, satisfying relations of 44%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

84% and 10%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

55%; and

the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of at most 13.5 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains no more than 50 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

31. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein said hydrophobic inorganic fine powder comprises hydrophobic silica fine powder.

32. The magnetic developer according to claim 31, wherein 0.1-5 wt. parts of the hydrophobic silica fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

33. The magnetic developer according to claim 31, wherein 0.1-3 wt. parts of the hydrophobic silica fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

34. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein said resin fine particles has a chargeability of a polarity which is identical in polarity to a negative chargeability or a positive chargeability of the magnetic toner.

35. The magnetic developer according to claim 34, wherein the resin fine particles have an average particle size of 0.03-2.0 μ

m.

36. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein 0.1-5 wt. parts of the inorganic fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

37. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein 0.1-3 wt. parts of the inorganic fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts oi the magnetic toner.

38. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

39. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

40. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80%.

41. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

42. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content and satisfy relations of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80% and 25% ≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

43. The magnetic developer according to claim 42, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

44. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.4 μ

m.

45. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.3 μ

m.

46. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -25 to -70 μ

C/g.

47. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -40 to -60 μ

C/g.

48. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10³ -1×

10⁸ Ω

.cm.

49. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10⁴ -5×

10⁷ Ω

.cm.

50. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 3-40%.

51. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 5-30%.

52. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.2-0.6.

53. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.3-0.5.

54. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.8.

55. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.85.

56. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.9.

57. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m.

58. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m.

59. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

60. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

61. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 6-8 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains 17-60% by number of toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m, 5-50% by number of toner particles having a particle size of 6.35-10.08 μ

m and at most 2.0% by volume of toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m, and the amount of the toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m in terms of % by number (N %) and % by volume (V %) satisfy a relationship of N/V=-0.05N+k, wherein k is a positive number of 4.6 to 6.7, and N is a positive number of 17-60.

62. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein 20-200 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

63. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein 30-150 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

64. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the binder resin comprises a styrene copolymer.

65. The magnetic developer according to claim 30, wherein the binder resin comprises a polyester resin.

66. An apparatus unit, comprising:

a latent image-bearing member for bearing a latent image thereon and a developing apparatus for developing the latent image;

the developing apparatus including a developer container for containing a developer, a developer-carrying member for carrying and conveying the developer from the developer container to a developing zone facing the latent image-bearing member, and a regulating blade for regulating the developer carried and conveyed by the developer-carrying membe4r into a prescribed thickness to form a thin layer of the developer on the developer carrying member;

wherein the developer comprising a magnetic toner comprising a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide;

the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.5-4 wt. % silicon based on total iron content, provided that the magnetic iron oxide has a total silicon content (A), a silicon content (B), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved up to 20 wt. % iron dissolution by hydrochloric acid solution or a mixture of hydrochloric acid solution and hydrofluoric acid solution and a superficial silicon content (C), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved by an alkali solution, satisfying relations of 44%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

84% and 10%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

55%; and

the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of at most 13.5 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains no more than 50 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

69. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

70. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

71. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80%.

72. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

73. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content and satisfy relations of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80% and 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

74. The magnetic toner according to claim 71, wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

75. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.4 μ

m.

76. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.3 μ

m.

77. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -25 to -70 μ

C/g.

78. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -40 to -60 μ

C/g.

79. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10³ -1×

10⁸ Ω

.cm.

80. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10⁴ -5×

10⁷ Ω

.cm.

81. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 3-40%.

82. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 5-30%.

83. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.2-0.6.

84. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.3-0.5.

85. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.8.

86. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.85.

87. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.9.

88. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m.

89. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m.

90. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

91. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

92. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 6-8 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains 17-60% by number of toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m, 5-50% by number of toner particles having a particle size of 6.35-10.08 μ

m and at most 2.0% by volume of toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m, and the amount of the toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m in terms of % by number (N %) and % by volume (V %) satisfy a relationship of N/V=-0.05 N+k, wherein k is a positive number of 4.6 to 6.7, and N is a positive number of 17-60.

93. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein 20-200 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

94. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein 30-150 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

95. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the binder resin comprises a styrene copolymer.

96. The magnetic toner according to claims 66, 67 or 68 wherein the binder resin comprises a polyester resin.

97. The magnetic developer according to claims 66, 67 or 68 which additionally includes an inorganic fine powder, hydrophobic inorganic fine powder or resin fine particles.

98. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein said hydrophobic inorganic fine powder comprises hydrophobic silica fine powder.

99. The magnetic developer according to claim 98 wherein 0.1-5 wt. % parts of the hydrophobic silica fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

100. The magnetic developer according to claim 98 wherein 0.1-3 wt. % parts of the hydrophobic silica fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

101. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein said resin fine particles have a chargeability of a polarity which is identical in polarity to a negative chargeability or a positive chargeability of the magnetic toner.

102. The magnetic developer according to claim 101 wherein the resin fine particles have an average particle size of 0.03-2.0 μ

m.

103. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein 0.1-5 wt. parts of the inorganic fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

104. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein 0.1-3 wt. parts of the inorganic fine powder is mixed with 100 wt. parts of the magnetic toner.

105. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

106. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

107. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80%.

108. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide satisfies a relation of 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

109. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.8-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content and satisfy relations of 60%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

80% and 25%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

40%.

110. The magnetic developer according to claim 109 wherein the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.9-3.0 wt. % silicon based on total iron content.

111. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.4 μ

m.

112. The magnetic developer according to claim 95 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an average particle size of 0.1-0.3 μ

m.

113. The magnetic developer according to claim 95 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -25 to -70 μ

C/g.

114. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a triboelectric chargeability of -40 to -60 μ

C/g.

115. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10³ -1×

10⁸ Ω

.cm.

116. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a volume resistivity of 5×

10⁴ -5×

10⁷ Ω

.cm.

117. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 3-40%.

118. The magnetic developer according to claim 95 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has an agglomeration degree of 5-30%.

119. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.2-0.6.

120. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a smoothness D of 0.3-0.5.

121. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.8.

122. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.85.

123. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic iron oxide has a sphericity φ

of at least 0.9.

124. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m.

125. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m.

126. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 3.5-13.5 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

127. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 5.0-13.0 μ

m and contains at most 40 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

128. The magnetic toner according to claim 98, wherein the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of 6-8 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains 17-60% by number of toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m, 5-50% by number of toner particles having a particle size of 6.35-10.08 μ

m and at most 2.0% by volume of toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m, and the amount of the toner particles having a particle size of at most 5 μ

m in terms of % by number (N %) and % by volume (V %) satisfy a relationship of N/V=0.05N+k, wherein k is a positive number of 4.6 to 6.7, and N is a positive number of 17-60.

129. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein 20-200 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

130. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein 30-150 wt. parts of the magnetic iron oxide is contained per 100 wt. parts of the binder resin.

131. The magnetic developer according to claim 97 wherein the binder resin comprises a styrene copolymer.

132. The magnetic developer according to claim 95 wherein the binder resin comprises a polyester resin.

67. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a latent image-bearing member for bearing a latent image thereon and a developing apparatus for developing the latent image;

the developing apparatus including a developer container for containing a developer, and a developer-carrying member for carrying and conveying the developer from the developer container to a developing zone facing the latent image-bearing member;

wherein the developer comprises a magnetic toner comprising a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide;

the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.5-4 wt. % silicon based on total iron content, provided that the magnetic iron oxide has a total silicon content (A), a silicon content (B), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved up to 20 wt. % iron dissolution by hydrochloric acid solution or a mixture of hydrochloric acid solution and hydrofluoric acid solution and a superficial silicon content (C), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved by an alkali solution, satisfying relations of 44%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

84% and 10%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

55%; and

the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of at most 13.5 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains no more than 50 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.

68. A facsimile apparatus, comprising:

an electrophotographic apparatus and a receiving means for receiving image data from a remote terminal;

wherein said electrophotographic apparatus comprises a latent image-bearing member for bearing a latent image thereon and a developing apparatus for developing the latent image;

the developing apparatus including a developer container for containing a developer, a developer-carrying member for carrying and conveying the developer from the developer container to a developing zone facing the latent image-bearing member, and a regulating blade for regulating the developer carried and conveyed by the developer-carrying member into a prescribed thickness to form a thin layer of the developer on the developer carrying member;

wherein the developer comprises a magnetic toner comprising a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide;

the magnetic iron oxide contains 0.5-4 wt. % silicon based on total iron content, provided that the magnetic iron oxide has a total silicon content (A), a silicon content (B), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved up to 20 wt. % iron dissolution by hydrochloric acid solution or a mixture of hydrochloric acid solution and hydrofluoric acid solution and a superficial silicon content (C), attributable to siliceous compound contained in a surface layer of the magnetic iron oxide particles and dissolved by an alkali solution, satisfying relations of 44%≦

(B/A)×

100%≦

84% and 10%≦

(C/A)×

100%≦

55%; and

the magnetic toner has a weight-average particle size of at most 13.5 μ

m and has a particle size distribution such that it contains no more than 50 wt. % of magnetic toner particles having a particle size of at least 12.7 μ

m.