Abstract: An Al-based bearing alloy and a slide bearing incorporating the alloy exhibit high corrosion resistance and maintain high strength for a long period of time even in a high temperature environment. The Al-based bearing alloy and slide bearing includes an Al matrix, and acicular compounds which are needle-shaped that precipitate at a plurality of sites in a structure of the Al matrix, and that have a minor diameter and a major diameter.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a slide member in which the bonding strength between a Bi-containing copper alloy layer and a substrate is enhanced; and a method for manufacturing the slide member. The slide member according to the present invention has a substrate and a copper alloy layer. The copper alloy layer comprises a copper alloy containing 4.0-25.0 mass % of Bi and has a structure in which Bi phases are scattered in a copper alloy structure. The volume ratio of Bi phases in the region of the copper alloy layer extending 10 ?m from the bonding interface with the substrate is not more than 2.0%. The slide member is manufactured by casting a molten copper alloy onto the substrate and causing the copper alloy to unidirectionally solidify.

Abstract: Provided are a slide material in which the joining strength between a Bi-containing copper alloy layer and a substrate is improved, and a method for manufacturing the slide material. The slide material according to the present invention has a substrate and a copper alloy layer. The copper alloy layer comprises a copper alloy containing 4.0-25.0 mass % of Bi and has a structure in which Bi phases are scattered in a copper alloy structure. The contact area ratio of Bi phases of the copper alloy layer at the joining interface with the substrate is not more than 2.0%. The slide material is manufactured by casting a molten copper alloy onto a substrate and causing the copper alloy to solidify unidirectionally.

Abstract: An Al-based bearing alloy and a slide bearing incorporating the alloy exhibit high corrosion resistance and maintain high strength for a long period of time even in a high temperature environment. The Al-based bearing alloy and slide bearing includes an Al matrix, and acicular compounds which are needle-shaped that precipitate at a plurality of sites in a structure of the Al matrix, and that have a minor diameter and a major diameter.

Abstract: A cleaning liquid includes a liquid (53), a first fine gas bubble group (59a) included in the liquid (53) and having a gas at a first temperature, and a second fine gas bubble group (59b) included in the liquid (53) and having a gas at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. Therefore, it is possible to provide a cleaning liquid that exhibits a remarkably better cleaning effect than ever before.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a slide member in which the bonding strength between a Bi-containing copper alloy layer and a substrate is enhanced; and a method for manufacturing the slide member. The slide member according to the present invention has a substrate and a copper alloy layer. The copper alloy layer comprises a copper alloy containing 4.0-25.0 mass % of Bi and has a structure in which Bi phases are scattered in a copper alloy structure. The volume ratio of Bi phases in the region of the copper alloy layer extending 10 ?m from the bonding interface with the substrate is not more than 2.0%. The slide member is manufactured by casting a molten copper alloy onto the substrate and causing the copper alloy to unidirectionally solidify.

Abstract: A cleaning liquid includes a liquid (53), a first fine gas bubble group (59a) included in the liquid (53) and having a gas at a first temperature, and a second fine gas bubble group (59b) included in the liquid (53) and having a gas at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. Therefore, it is possible to provide a cleaning liquid that exhibits a remarkably better cleaning effect than ever before.

Abstract: Provided are a slide material in which the joining strength between a Bi-containing copper alloy layer and a substrate is improved, and a method for manufacturing the slide material. The slide material according to the present invention has a substrate and a copper alloy layer. The copper alloy layer comprises a copper alloy containing 4.0-25.0 mass % of Bi and has a structure in which Bi phases are scattered in a copper alloy structure. The contact area ratio of Bi phases of the copper alloy layer at the joining interface with the substrate is not more than 2.0%. The slide material is manufactured by casting a molten copper alloy onto a substrate and causing the copper alloy to solidify unidirectionally.

Abstract: Provided is a sliding material including a substrate; and a copper alloy layer bonded to the substrate. The copper alloy includes 2.0 to 15.0% by mass of tin. The copper alloy layer includes a sliding body part including a sliding surface, and a gradient region including a bond surface with the substrate. A tin concentration in the gradient region reduces from the sliding body part toward the bond surface. A method for producing the siding material is also provided. The method includes preparing the substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; melting the copper alloy; casting the molten copper alloy on the first surface of the substrate; and solidifying the copper alloy unidirectionally by cooling the substrate from the second surface by a coolant.

Abstract: Provided is a sliding material including a substrate; and a copper alloy layer bonded to the substrate. The copper alloy includes 2.0 to 15.0% by mass of tin. The copper alloy layer includes a sliding body part including a sliding surface, and a gradient region including a bond surface with the substrate. A tin concentration in the gradient region reduces from the sliding body part toward the bond surface. A method for producing the siding material is also provided. The method includes preparing the substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; melting the copper alloy; casting the molten copper alloy on the first surface of the substrate; and solidifying the copper alloy unidirectionally by cooling the substrate from the second surface by a coolant.

Abstract: A thrust bearing including a back metal layer and a sliding layer joined to a front face of the back metal layer. The thrust bearing having a thickness. The back metal layer includes an intermediate sub-layer and a buffer sub-layer disposed on a back face of the back metal layer. The sliding layer is joined to the intermediate sub-layer. Both of the sub-layers include iron or an iron alloy, and the buffer sub-layer has a thickness of 2 to 20% relative to the thickness of the thrust bearing, and a porosity ratio of 10 to 50%.

Abstract: In a copper-based slide member in which needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds are dispersed in a brass structure, 50% or more of a total number of the needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds having lengths of 50 ?m or more in a major axis direction are constituted of a plurality of small particles. Thereby, even if the needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds fall off during sliding, the small particles which constitute the needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds may fall off. Thus, the frequency of falling off of the coarse needle-shaped Mn—Si based compound which damages a shaft and a bearing is decreased. Therefore, seizure hardly occurs.

Abstract: The disclosed is a thrust bearing including: a back metal layer; and a sliding layer joined to a front face of the back metal layer, the thrust bearing having a thickness T, wherein the back metal layer includes an intermediate sub-layer and a buffer sub-layer disposed on a back face of the back metal layer, the sliding layer being joined to the intermediate sub-layer, both of the sub-layers include iron or an iron alloy, and the buffer sub-layer has the thickness of 2 to 20% relative to a thickness T of the thrust bearing, and has a porosity ratio of 10 to 50%.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for a turbocharger of an internal-combustion engine is made of a copper alloy including a brass matrix and a needle-like Mn—Si-based compound dispersed in the brass matrix. Not less than 50% of the needle-like Mn—Si-based compound dispersed in a region from a surface of a sliding portion of the thrust bearing to a depth of 50 ?m have a major axis extending from the inside of the sliding portion to the surface. The major axis makes an angle of 30° to 150° with the surface of the sliding portion when observed in a sectional view perpendicular to the surface of the sliding portion.

Abstract: A copper-based sliding material including a steel back metal layer and a Cu alloy layer is provided. The Cu alloy layer contains 0.5 to 15 mass % of Sn, 0.2 to 5 mass % of inorganic compound particles and the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The inorganic compound particles are dispersed in a Cu alloy matrix and have an average size of 1 to 10 ?m. A ratio of a true density of the Cu alloy matrix in relation to that of the inorganic compound particles is 0.6 to 1.4 and a ratio of a thermal expansion coefficient of the Cu alloy matrix in relation to that of the inorganic compound particles is 1.5 to 3.0. An average distance between the inorganic compound particles dispersed in the Cu alloy matrix is 5 to 50 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding bearing used in turbochargers of internal combustion engines. It is formed with a copper alloy containing, by mass %, 25 to 45% Zn, 0.3 to 2.0% Si, 1.5 to 6.0% Mn, and the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The sliding bearing has a cylindrical shape for supporting a rotating shaft. Crystallized Mn—Si compounds are dispersed in a matrix of the copper alloy, the compounds extending in an axial direction of the rotating shaft on a sliding surface of the sliding bearing. The crystallized Mn—Si compounds have an average inter-grain distance of 20 to 80 ?m. The matrix may contain precipitated Mn—Si compounds as well as the crystallized Mn—Si compounds.

Abstract: A copper-based sliding material including a steel back metal layer and a Cu alloy layer is provided. The Cu alloy layer contains 0.5 to 15 mass % of Sn, 0.2 to 5 mass % of inorganic compound particles and the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The inorganic compound particles are dispersed in a Cu alloy matrix and have an average size of 1 to 10 ?m. A ratio of a true density of the Cu alloy matrix in relation to that of the inorganic compound particles is 0.6 to 1.4 and a ratio of a thermal expansion coefficient of the Cu alloy matrix in relation to that of the inorganic compound particles is 1.5 to 3.0. An average distance between the inorganic compound particles dispersed in the Cu alloy matrix is 5 to 50 ?m.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for a turbocharger of an internal-combustion engine is made of a copper alloy including a brass matrix and a needle-like Mn-Si-based compound dispersed in the brass matrix. Not less than 50% of the needle-like Mn-Si-based compound dispersed in a region from a surface of a sliding portion of the thrust bearing to a depth of 50 ?m have a major axis extending from the inside of the sliding portion to the surface. The major axis makes an angle of 30° to 150° with the surface of the sliding portion when observed in a sectional view perpendicular to the surface of the sliding portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding bearing used in turbochargers of internal combustion engines. It is formed with a copper alloy containing, by mass %, 25 to 45% Zn, 0.3 to 2.0% Si, 1.5 to 6.0% Mn, and the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The sliding bearing has a cylindrical shape for supporting a rotating shaft. Crystallized Mn—Si compounds are dispersed in a matrix of the copper alloy, the compounds extending in an axial direction of the rotating shaft on a sliding surface of the sliding bearing. The crystallized Mn—Si compounds have an average inter-grain distance of 20 to 80 ?m. The matrix may contain precipitated Mn—Si compounds as well as the crystallized Mn—Si compounds.

Abstract: A method for forming a spacer of an optical fiber cable includes the steps of providing a tension member and covering it with a spacer body of crystalline thermoplastic resin, the spacer body being formed on its outer periphery with a plurality of grooves each for supporting an optical fiber therein. An apparent diameter d0 of the tension member and a target diameter d3 of the spacer body measured at bottoms of the grooves are so determined as to satisfy an expression 0.5<d0/d3<1.