A fixing device for image forming apparatus includes: a first nip member
in a shape of an endless belt and a second nip member that rotates while
pressed against the first nip member. A heat source heats at least one of
the nip members. A pressure receiver receives pressure applied to the
first nip member from the second nip member. A sliding contact has a
contact surface that makes sliding contact with an inner surface of an
axial end of the first nip member. A supporting mechanism supports the
sliding contact to displace the contact surface thereof away from the
pressure receiver as the first nip member moves away from the sliding
contact along the axial direction. The displacement increases frictional
forces between the contact surface and the inner surface of the first nip
member, thus suppressing axial displacement of the first nip member from
the sliding contact.