Copper alloy for sliding materials

Abstract

A copper alloy having excellent sliding performance is produced without relying on lead or molybdenum. The copper alloy contains a sintered Cu 5 FeS 4 material produced by sintering a raw material powder that comprises Cu, Fe and S and is produced by a gas atomizing method.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A copper alloy for sliding materials,
 wherein the copper alloy comprises Cu 5 FeS 4 , and   wherein the copper alloy is produced by melt-mixing a raw material comprising Cu, Fe and S to obtain a melt-mixed product, and then rapidly cooling the melt-mixed product to generate the Cu 5 FeS 4  in the copper alloy.   
     
     
         7 . The copper alloy of  claim 6 , wherein the copper alloy is a bronze alloy and further comprises 1 mass % or more and 15 mass % or less of Sn. 
     
     
         8 . The copper alloy of  claim 6 , wherein the rapid cooling is produced by an atomizing method to obtain a raw material powder, and producing the copper alloy further comprises sintering the raw material powder. 
     
     
         9 . A sliding material comprising the copper alloy of  claim 6 , wherein the copper alloy forms a sliding surface of the sliding material. 
     
     
         10 . A sliding material comprising a base and the copper alloy of  claim 8 , wherein the copper alloy is provided on the base by spraying the raw material powder onto the base, and wherein the copper alloy is sintered together with the base. 
     
     
         11 . The copper alloy of  claim 7 , wherein the rapid cooling is produced by an atomizing method to obtain a raw material powder, and producing the copper alloy further comprises sintering the raw material powder. 
     
     
         12 . A sliding material comprising a base and the copper alloy of  claim 11 , wherein the copper alloy is provided on the base by spraying the raw material powder onto the base, and wherein the copper alloy is sintered together with the base. 
     
     
         13 . A sliding material comprising the copper alloy of  claim 7 , wherein the copper alloy forms a sliding surface of the sliding material. 
     
     
         14 . A sliding material comprising the copper alloy of  claim 8 , wherein the copper alloy forms a sliding surface of the sliding material. 
     
     
         15 . A sliding material comprising the copper alloy of  claim 11 , wherein the copper alloy forms a sliding surface of the sliding material. 
     
     
         16 . A copper alloy for sliding materials,
 wherein the copper alloy comprises Cu 5 FeS 4 , and   wherein the copper alloy has an X-ray powder diffraction pattern shown by  FIG. 3  or  FIG. 4 .   
     
     
         17 . The copper alloy of  claim 16 , wherein the copper alloy is a bronze alloy and further comprises 1 mass % or more and 15 mass % or less of Sn. 
     
     
         18 . A sliding material comprising the copper alloy of  claim 16 , wherein the copper alloy forms a sliding surface of the sliding material.