Copper alloy for a sliding member, a cast member, a sliding member, and a production method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a copper alloy for a sliding member which contains tin, sulfur, iron and phosphorus as its main components, but in which even if no iron is contained or the iron content is reduced, sliding properties are obtained which are equal or superior to the sliding properties of a conventional copper alloy. The present invention also provides a production method for producing a sliding member by casting the copper alloy. The copper alloy of the present invention consists of not less than 3.0% by mass and not more than 16.0% by mass of tin; not less than 0.3% by mass and not more than 1.0% by mass of sulfur; less than 0.3% by mass of iron; not less than 0.04% by mass and not more than 0.5% by mass of phosphorus; and a balance consisting of copper and unavoidable impurities.

1 . A copper alloy for a sliding member, the copper alloy consisting of:
 not less than 3.0% by mass and not more than 16.0% by mass of tin;   not less than 0.3% by mass and not more than 1.0% by mass of sulfur;   less than 0.3% by mass of iron;   not less than 0.04% by mass and not more than 0.5% by mass of phosphorus; and   a balance consisting of copper and unavoidable impurities.   
     
     
         2 . The copper alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the tin content is not less than 6.0% by mass and not more than 15.0% by mass, and the iron content is not less than 0.005% by mass and less than 0.3% by mass. 
     
     
         3 . The copper alloy according to  claim 1 , wherein the iron content is not less than 0.005% by mass and less than 0.05% by mass. 
     
     
         4 . A cast member formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . A sliding member comprising the cast member, which is formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . A production method for producing a sliding member, the production method comprising:
 melting a material prepared such that components thereof after casting comprise not less than 3.0% by mass and not more than 16.0% by mass of tin, not less than 0.3% by mass and not more than 1.0% by mass of sulfur, less than 0.07% by mass of iron, and not less than 0.04% by mass and not more than 0.5% by mass of phosphorus; and   casting the melted material, thereby obtaining the copper alloy according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         7 . The production method according to  claim 6 , wherein the tin content is not less than 6.0% by mass and not more than 15.0% by mass, and the iron content is not less than 0.005% by mass and less than 0.05% by mass. 
     
     
         8 . The copper alloy according to  claim 2 , wherein the iron content is not less than 0.005% by mass and less than 0.05% by mass. 
     
     
         9 . A cast member formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         10 . A cast member formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 3 . 
     
     
         11 . A cast member formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         12 . A sliding member comprising the cast member, which is formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         13 . A sliding member comprising the cast member, which is formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 3 . 
     
     
         14 . A sliding member comprising the cast member, which is formed of the copper alloy according to  claim 8 .