Solid lubricant and sliding member

Abstract

Lead-free solid lubricant to be embedded in pores or grooves formed at a sliding surface of a sliding member body, comprising 20 to 40% by weight of at least one wax selected from hydrocarbon waxes, higher-fatty acids, esters of higher-fatty acid and amides of higher-fatty acid, 20 to 40% by weight of melamine cyanurate, and 20 to 50% by weight of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin. The lubricant exhibits sliding properties identical to or higher than those of lead-containing solid lubricants, even under high load conditions.

1 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method of making a solid lubricant for embedding in pores or grooves formed at a sliding surface of a sliding member body, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) blending together 20 to 40% by weight of at least one wax selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon waxes, higher-fatty acids, esters of higher-fatty acid and amides of higher-fatty acid, 20 to 40% by weight of melamine cyanurate, and 20 to 50% by weight of a polytetrafluoroethylene resin to form a mixture devoid of lead and graphite, and thereafter   (b) injection molding the mixture formed in step (a) to form cylindrical solid lubricant pieces.   
     
     
         7 . The method of forming solid lubricant pieces formed by the process of  claim 6 , wherein the mixture formed in step (a) further contains from 5 to 20% by weight of metal soap. 
     
     
         8 . The method of forming solid lubricant pieces formed by the process of  claim 6 , wherein the mixture formed in step (a) further contains from 5 to 20% by weight of a polyethylene resin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of forming solid lubricant pieces formed by the process of  claim 6 , wherein the mixture formed in step (a) further contains from 5 to 15% by weight of a phosphate. 
     
     
         10 . A method of forming solid lubricant pieces formed by the process of  claim 6 , including the additional step of:
 (c) injection molding the extruded pellets formed in step (b) to form cylindrical solid lubricant pieces in a desired shape.