Abstract: A rolling element including a base metal, and a nickel coat formed on a surface of the base metal and cooperating with the base metal to constitute a rolling contact surface satisfying condition that a mean value of ratios of L1 to L2 as measured in at least three optional observation areas is in a range of from 1.2 to 2.4, where each observation area is disposed in a cross section taken in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the base metal and is defined by two parallel vertical lines; lengths L1 and L2 respectively represent a length of an interface between the base metal and the nickel coat, and a length of a reference line segment extending perpendicular to the vertical direction, in same observation area.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell comprises a corrugated or undulated gas flow path portion (4) formed on central portion (2) of a clad thin plate: and a flat portion (6) formed on an outer periphery of the central portion, wherein the clad thin plate is obtained by applying rolling work on a metal plate whose surface is covered with a precious metal layer at a draft of 5% to 15% to make clad, and a limit plate thickness residual rate indicating a boundary limit in which cracking of the precious metal layer in the clad thin plate and reduction of corrosion resistance due to exposure of the metal plate are negligible is obtained in advance, wherein regarding a sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to a flow path of the gas flow path portion (4), when a plate thickness of the thinnest portion of a rib shoulder portion is represented as t2 and a plate thickness of a peripheral portion of the separator is represented as t4, a relationship of t2?t4×limit plate thickness residual rate is satisfied.

Abstract: A rolling bearing used in a system including an automotive power train and a peripheral auxiliary equipment of the power train, and in a compressor. The rolling bearing comprises a first race and a second race. A rolling element is rotatably disposed between the first and second races. A film whose main component is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and copper has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 15 ?m. The film is formed on a surface of at least one of the first race, the second race and the rolling element.

Abstract: A rolling element including a base metal, and a nickel coat formed on a surface of the base metal and cooperating with the base metal to constitute a rolling contact surface satisfying condition that a mean value of ratios of L1 to L2 as measured in at least three optional observation areas is in a range of from 1.2 to 2.4, where each observation area is disposed in a cross section taken in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the base metal and is defined by two parallel vertical lines; lengths L1 and L2 respectively represent a length of an interface between the base metal and the nickel coat, and a length of a reference line segment extending perpendicular to the vertical direction, in same observation area.

Abstract: A rotary member such as a member of a bearing, a rotating member of a transmission or a gear for a motor vehicle, includes a base region of a ferrous base material such as a steel. The rotary member is formed with a hydrogen blocking layer formed in a contact surface for contacting with a mating body in a relative motion. The hydrogen blocking layer includes a concentrated portion formed in the base region and made of a substance lower in hydrogen diffusion coefficient than the base material.

Abstract: A high strength gear is provided which comprises a base metal of an iron-base alloy, the base metal being carburized or carbonitrided and having a tooth surface, and a coating containing Fe nitride and/or Fe carbonitride, formed on the tooth surface. A method of forming a high strength gear is also provided.

Abstract: A bearing pressure-resistant member, including a matrix and a carbide dispersed in the matrix, the carbide having an average particle size of not more than 0.3 ?m. A carbon (C) content in an outer surface of the bearing pressure-resistant member is in a range of 0.6 to 1.5 mass percent. A process for making the bearing pressure-resistant member including subjecting a workpiece containing C to either of gas carburizing and gas carbonitriding to enhance the C content in the outer surface of the workpiece to 0.6 to 1.5 mass percent, holding the workpiece at a first temperature not more than an Ac1 transformation point under reduced pressure, heating the workpiece to a second temperature not less than the Ac1 transformation point under reduced pressure, followed by holding the workpiece at the second temperature, and subjecting the workpiece to quenching.

Abstract: A contact pressure-resistant member including a rolling contact portion having a carbon concentration ranging from 0.8 to 1.2%. The contact pressure-resistant member is made of a steel material containing 0.15 to 0.40% by mass of C, 0.50 to 1.50% by mass of Si, 0.20 to 1.50% by mass of Mn, 0.50 to 1.50% by mass of Cr, and 0.05 to 0.50% by mass of Mo, 0.010% by mass or less of P, at least one element selected from the group consisting of 0.50 to 3.50% by mass of Ni, 0.03 to 0.20% by mass of Ti, 0.03 to 0.15% by mass of Nb and 0.01 to 0.10% by mass of Al, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A rolling element for a continuously variable transmission, including a plurality of rolling members having rolling contact portions that come into rolling contact with each other via lubricating oil. At least one of the rolling contact portions includes an outer surface layer having a surface microhardness of not less than Hv 750, a surface residual compressive stress of not less than 1000 MPa and a residual austenite content of not more than 10% by volume.

Abstract: A rolling element for a continuously variable transmission, including input and output disks and a power roller interposed between the input and output disks, the power roller including an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the inner and outer races, the input and output disks and the inner race having rolling contact surfaces coming into rolling contact with each other via lubricating oil, the inner and outer races having rolling contact surfaces coming into rolling contact with the rolling members via lubricating oil, and a nickel-based coat formed on at least one of the rolling contact surfaces, the nickel-based coat having a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A rotary member such as a member of a bearing, a rotating member of a transmission or a gear for a motor vehicle, includes a base region of a ferrous base material such as a steel. The rotary member is formed with a hydrogen blocking layer formed in a contact surface for contacting with a mating body in a relative motion. The hydrogen blocking layer includes a concentrated portion formed in the base region and made of a substance lower in hydrogen diffusion coefficient than the base material.

Abstract: A rolling bearing used in a system including an automotive power train and a peripheral auxiliary equipment of the power train, and in a compressor. The rolling bearing comprises a first race and a second race. A rolling element is rotatably disposed between the first and second races. A film whose main component is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and copper has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 15 &mgr;m. The film is formed on a surface of at least one of the first race, the second race and the rolling element.

Abstract: A high bearing pressure-resistant member used as a rolling element forming part of a toroidal continuously variable transmission for an automotive vehicle. The high bearing pressure-resistant member is formed of a mechanical structural steel containing Cr. The mechanical structural steel includes a matrix having at least one of martensite structure and bainite structure. The matrix contains carbide having a mean particle size of 3 &mgr;m or less, dispersed and precipitated in form of at least one of generally spheres and pseudo-spheres.

Abstract: A power roller assembly for a toroidal-type CVT, including a pair of races formed with bearing surfaces opposed to each other, a plurality of rolling elements rotatably disposed between the races in contact with the bearing surfaces, and an iron phosphate-based coat formed on at least one of bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A bearing pressure-resistant member, including a matrix and a carbide dispersed in the matrix, the carbide having an average particle size of not more than 0.3 &mgr;m. A carbon (C) content in an outer surface of the bearing pressure-resistant member is in a range of 0.6 to 1.5 mass percent. A process for making the bearing pressure-resistant member including subjecting a workpiece containing C to either of gas carburizing and gas carbonitriding to enhance the C content in the outer surface of the workpiece to 0.6 to 1.5 mass percent, holding the workpiece at a first temperature not more than an Ac1 transformation point under reduced pressure, heating the workpiece to a second temperature not less than the Ac1 transformation point under reduced pressure, followed by holding the workpiece at the second temperature, and subjecting the workpiece to quenching.

Abstract: A high strength gear is provided which comprises a base metal of an iron-base alloy, the base metal being carburized or carbonitrided and having a tooth surface, and a coating containing Fe nitride and/or Fe carbonitride, formed on the tooth surface. A method of forming a high strength gear is also provided.

Abstract: A rolling element for a continuously variable transmission, including a plurality of rolling members having rolling contact portions that come into rolling contact with each other via lubricating oil. At least one of the rolling contact portions includes an outer surface layer having a surface microhardness of not less than Hv 750, a surface residual compressive stress of not less than 1000 MPa and a residual austenite content of not more than 10% by volume.

Abstract: A rolling element for a continuously variable transmission, including input and output disks and a power roller interposed between the input and output disks, the power roller including an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the inner and outer races, the input and output disks and the inner race having rolling contact surfaces coming into rolling contact with each other via lubricating oil, the inner and outer races having rolling contact surfaces coming into rolling contact with the rolling members via lubricating oil, and a nickel-based coat formed on at least one of the rolling contact surfaces, the nickel-based coat having a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A power roller assembly for a toroidal-type CVT, including a pair of races formed with bearing surfaces opposed to each other, a plurality of rolling elements rotatably disposed between the races in contact with the bearing surfaces, and an iron phosphate-based coat formed on at least one of bearing surfaces.