Abstract: In a method for the production of a treatment element for a screw machine, a treatment element core of a first metal material is arranged in an inner space of a capsule of a hot isostatic pressing installation so that a contoured annular space is formed between a capsule wall and a treatment element core. The annular space is filled with a powder of a second metal material so as to produce an anti-wear layer. Afterwards, the treatment element blank is produced in such a way that the materials are combined by hot isostatic pressing to form a composite body. The treatment element blank is then post-processed to form the treatment element. The method according to the invention simplifies the production of treatment elements by in particular simplifying post machining and/or heat treatment of the anti-wear layer thus produced.

Abstract: A bearing material and a method for the manufacture of a bearing having a lining of the bearing material is described, the bearing material comprising: in wt %: 4-12 tin; 0.1-2 nickel; 1-6 bismuth; 0.01-less than 0.10 alumina; balance copper apart from incidental impurities.

Abstract: A bearing having improved wear resistance has a bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy which may also include phosphorus which has excellent strength, due to the solid solution of copper, tin and phosphorus (when used), attached to a steel backing shell. The material also has good lubricity as a result of the presence of the bismuth which also promotes tin mobilization and formation of a layer of tin on the bearing surface upon use of the bearing. The addition of small amounts of relatively small hard particles in the copper-tin-matrix, particularly Fe3P, MoSi2 or a mixture thereof, provides a suitable hard surface artifact to improve the wear resistance of the bearing material. The bearing includes a sintered powder compact bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy powder and a metal compound powder which is bonded to a steel backing shell, wherein the metal compound powder has an average particle size of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: There is provided a novel, environmentally friendly primer for use in the pretreatment steps in electroless plating, which can be easily used in fewer steps with a lower cost. A primer for forming a metallic plating film on a substrate by electroless plating, the primer including: a hyperbranched polymer having an ammonium group at a molecular terminal and a weight-average molecular weight of 500 to 5,000,000; and a metal fine particle.

Abstract: In one aspect, composite articles are described herein comprising wear-resistant claddings demonstrating improved corrosion resistance. A composite article described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a metal or alloy substrate and a cladding adhered to the substrate, the cladding comprising cemented carbide particles and an alloying additive dispersed in a nickel-based alloy matrix, wherein the alloying additive comprises at least one of copper and molybdenum.

Abstract: A method for applying a metal on a substrate comprises: a) applying a coating by treatment in a plasma, comprising a compound selected from alkanes up to 10 carbon atoms, and unsaturated monomers, and b1) producing polymers on the surface of said substrate, said polymers comprising carboxylic groups and adsorbed ions of a second metal, reducing said ions to the second metal, or alternatively b2) producing polymers on the surface, bringing the surface of said substrate in contact with a dispersion of colloidal metal particles of at least one second metal, and c) depositing said first metal on said second metal. Advantages include that materials sensitive to for instance low pH or solvents can be coated. Substrates including glass, SiO2 with very few of no abstractable hydrogen atoms as well as polymer materials containing halogen atoms can be coated with good adhesion.

Abstract: An electrode including a first layer having a sintered product of a metallic glass and a first conductive material, and a second layer including a second conductive material plated using the first layer as a seed layer, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic device including the electrode.

Abstract: A zirconium alloy with a coating layer formed on a surface comprising a mixed layer, the mixed layer comprises one or more very high temperature oxidation resistant material and zirconium alloy parent material selected from the group consisting of Y2O3, SiO2, ZrO2, Cr2O3, Al2O3, Cr3C2, SiC, ZrC, ZrN, Si and Cr, and in a vertical direction on a boundary between the mixed layer and the zirconium alloy parent material is formed a gradient of compositions between the very high temperature oxidation resistance material and the zirconium alloy parent material.

Abstract: A method of forming a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising the steps of spray or deposition or sputtering or welding processing to form a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material. Also a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material.

Abstract: In one aspect, composite articles are described herein comprising a lightweight, high strength metal substrate and an abrasion resistant coating adhered to the substrate. In some embodiments, a composite article described herein comprises a titanium or titanium alloy substrate and a coating adhered to the substrate, the coating comprising particles disposed in a metal or alloy matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermally spray coated work rolls for use in metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet manufacture comprising a cylindrical-like structure having an outer peripheral surface and a thermally sprayed coating on the outer peripheral surface of said cylindrical-like structure, said thermally sprayed coating comprising from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of one or more Group VI metal carbides, and from about 5 to about 35 weight percent of one or more transition metals selected from chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel. This invention also relates to a process for preparing the work rolls for use in metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet manufacture, a method for manufacturing metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet using the thermally spray coated work rolls, and a thermal spray powder for coating the outer peripheral surface of the work rolls for use in metal or metal alloy, e.g., aluminum alloy, sheet manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starter material for a sintering compound, said starter material comprising first particles of at least one metal having a first coating which is applied to the first particles and consists of an organic material, and second particles which contain an organic metal compound and/or a precious metal oxide, the organic metal compound and/or the precious metal oxide being converted during heat treatment of the starter material into the fundamental elemental metal and/or precious metal. The invention is characterized in that the second particles have a core of at least one metal and a second coating which is applied to the core and contains the organic metal compound and/or precious metal oxide. Furthermore, the first coating contains a reducing agent by means of which the organic metal compound and/or the precious metal oxide is/are reduced to the elemental metal and/or precious metal at a temperature below the sintering temperature of the elemental metal and/or precious metal.

Abstract: An Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material containing in Ir or Ru at least one member of Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Hf, Ta, W, and Re in such an amount that a precipitation phase is not formed, wherein the Ir-based alloy material or Ru-based alloy material has a surface uniformly covered with an IrAl intermetallic compound film or a RuAl intermetallic compound film.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element (10) including a body (11, 18, 18?) comprising at least one recess (12) forming the pattern cavity for a decoration (13), said at least one recess being entirely filled by a galvanic deposition (16) in order to form an element (10) inlaid with at least one metallic decoration (13) with improved visual quality. According to the invention, the element (10) includes a device for fixedly securing said at least one metallic decoration communicating with said at least one recess in order to improve the securing of said at least one decoration against said element. The invention concerns the field of timepieces or pieces of jewellery.

Abstract: This invention relates to rolls for use in or in contact with molten metal comprising a roll drum having an outer peripheral surface and a thermally sprayed coating on the outer peripheral surface of said roll drum, said thermally sprayed coating comprising from about 66 to about 88 weight percent of tungsten, from about 2.5 to about 6 weight percent of carbon, from about 6 to about 20 weight percent of cobalt, and from about 2 to about 9 weight percent of chromium; a process for preparing the rolls; a method for forming a metal layer on a metal sheet utilizing the rolls, e.g., galvanization; and a thermal spray powder for coating the outer peripheral surface of the rolls.

Abstract: Tin-plated copper-alloy material for terminal having: a substrate made of Cu or Cu alloy; an Sn-based surface layer formed on a surface of the substrate; and a Cu—Ni—Sn alloy layer including Ni formed between the Sn-based surface layer and the substrate, in which the Cu—Ni—Sn alloy layer is made of: fine Cu—Ni—Sn alloy particles; and coarse Cu—Ni—Sn alloy particles, an average thickness of the Sn-based surface layer is not less than 0.2 ?m and not more than 0.6 ?m, an area ratio of the Cu—Ni—Sn alloy layer exposed at a surface of the Sn-based surface layer is not less than 10% and not more than 40%, and a coefficient of kinetic friction of the tin-plated copper-alloy material for terminal is not more than 0.3.

Abstract: A coated article system includes a substrate and a surface coating on the substrate. The surface coating is formed by depositing individual particles of a composite metal powder with sufficient energy to cause the composite metal powder to bond with the substrate and form the surface coating. The composite metal powder includes a substantially homogeneous dispersion of molybdenum and molybdenum disulfide sub-particles that are fused together to form the individual particles of the composite metal powder.

Abstract: Provided is a rolled copper or copper alloy foil having a roughened surface formed of fine copper particles, obtained by subjecting a rolled copper or copper alloy foil to roughening plating with a plating bath containing copper sulfate (Cu equivalent of 1 to 50 g/L), 1 to 150 g/L of sulfuric acid, and one or more additives selected among sodium octyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate under the conditions of a temperature of 20 to 50° C. and a current density of 10 to 100 A/dm2. The provided rolled copper or copper alloy foil subject to roughening is reduced in craters which are obvious defects unique to rolled copper or copper alloy foils having a roughened surface, has high strength, adhesive strength with the resin layer, acid resistance and anti-tin plating solution properties, high peel strength, favorable etching properties and gloss level, and also suits for use in producing a flexible printed wiring board capable of bearing a fine wiring pattern.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and compositions comprising metal nanoparticles. The invention comprises metal nanoparticles and surfaces treated with a metal nanoparticle coating. The present invention further comprises compositions for preparing nanoparticles comprising at least one stabilizing agent, one or more metal compounds, at least one reducing agent and a solvent. In one aspect, the stabilizing agent comprises a surfactant or a polymer. The polymer may comprise polymers such as polyacrylamides, polyurethanes, and polyamides. In one aspect, the metal compound comprises a salt comprising a metal cation and an anion. The anion may comprise saccharinate derivatives, long chain fatty acids, and alkyl dicarboxylates.

Abstract: The corrosion resistance of formed and shaped sheet magnesium alloy articles may be improved by applying to the article a substantially crack-and pore-free ductile metal layer on at least selected surfaces and cut or sheared edges. An exemplary ductile metal may be aluminum or its alloys. Two methods of applying such a ductile metal layer are described. One method is suitable for extended areas of the magnesium alloy sheet surface, and is applied prior to stamping the article, while a second method, suitable for cut or sheared edges, is intended for application after the article is fully formed. The incorporation of both methods into conventional sheet metal stamping processes to form the corrosion resistant formed magnesium article is described.

Abstract: A contact material which provides improved wear resistance as well as reduced adhesion utilizing the features of an intermetallic compound having an ordered phase, with the intention of (i) improving the seizure resistance and/or wear resistance of an implement bearing which slides under low-speed, high-surface-pressure conditions and is susceptible to lubricant starvation; (ii) preventing abnormal noises; and (iii) achieving prolonged greasing intervals. The contact material contains 10% by volume or more a metallic alloy phase having such a composition range that causes an order-disorder transition. The metallic alloy phase is a Fe base alloy phase containing one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Co and Ni.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate, a Ni layer formed on the substrate, and a vacuum coated layer formed on the Ni layer. The vacuum coated layer is made of material selected from a group consisting of Al, Ti, Cr and Zn. A method for manufacturing an article is also provided.

Abstract: In a copper-based sliding material in which a Cu alloy layer contains 5% to 30% by mass of Bi, and the balance consisting of Cu and an unavoidable impurity, Bi is dispersed as particles of a Bi phase in the Cu alloy layer, and the mass ratio of the particles having a particle size of 2 to 50 ?m and a circularity of 0.1 to 0.7 is 30% or more in the entire Bi phase in the Cu alloy layer, so that the particles of the Bi phase are uniformly dispersed in the Cu alloy layer. Therefore, the particles of the Bi phase in the Cu alloy layer are sequentially exposed to a sliding surface as wear of the sliding material progresses while excessive flow-out of molten Bi is prevented, so that improved seizure resistance is achieved.

Abstract: A process of forming an ultrafine crystal layer in a workpiece constituted by a metallic material. The process includes: performing a machining operation on a surface of the workpiece, so as to impart a large local strain to the machined surface of the workpiece, where the machining operation causes the machined surface of the workpiece to be subjected to a plastic working that causes to have large local strain in the form of a true strain of at least one, such that the ultrafine crystal layer is formed in a surface layer portion of the workpiece that defines the machined surface of the workpiece. Also disclosed are a nanocrystal layer forming process, a machine component having the ultrafine crystal layer or the nanocrystal layer, and a machine component producing process of producing the machine component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing silver ions (Ag+) comprising treating element metal silver (Ag0) under high temperature and high pressure, and quickly cooling to directly obtain the silver ions (Ag+).

Abstract: A hardmetal composition comprises tungsten carbide in an amount greater than 50 weight percent of the hardmetal composition. In addition, the hardmetal composition comprises a binder material consisting of at least 90 weight percent nickel, a binder flux between 3.5 to 10.0 weight percent chosen from the group consisting of boron and silicon, and less than 1.0 weight percent other components.

Abstract: A microfibrous article includes a substrate and a plurality of magnetic fibers disposed on the substrate. Each of the plurality of magnetic fibers is individually sheathed with a polymer and includes a plurality of magnetic particles. Further, each of the plurality of magnetic fibers is aligned along a magnetic field and not connected by the polymer to any adjacent magnetic fiber. A method of forming the microfibrous article is also disclosed.

Abstract: Braze materials and processes for using braze materials, such as for use in the manufacturing, coating, repair, and build-up of superalloy components. The braze material contains a plurality of first particles of a metallic material having a melting point, and a plurality of second particles comprising at least one nonmetallic material chosen from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, and nitrides of at least one metal. The nonmetallic material is more susceptible to heating by microwave radiation than the metallic material of the first particles, and the nonmetallic material is present in the braze material in an amount sufficient to enable the first particles to completely melt when the first and second particles are subjected to heating by microwave radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a pattern electrode which excels in electroconductivity, transparency and etching property and a pattern electrode, the method comprising a step of applying a metal particle containing solution onto a substrate to form a conductive layer, a step of pattern printing a metal particle removing solution on a portion of the conductive layer, which is to be removed, and a step of washing the resulting printed material, whereby the portion of the conductive layer on which the metal particle removing solution has been printed is removed to form a non-conductive portion.

Abstract: A running-in coating for gas turbines and a method for production of a running-in coating are provided. The running-in coating serves to seal a radial gap between a housing (11) of the gas turbine and the rotating blades (10) themselves, whereby the running-in coating (13) is applied to the housing. The running-in coating is made from a CoNiCrAIY-hBN material. The CoNiCrAIY-hBN material can be applied by thermal spraying, in particular plasma spraying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing silver ions (Ag+) comprising treating element metal silver (Ag0) under high temperature and high pressure, and quickly cooling to directly obtain the silver ions (Ag+).

Abstract: A high-temperature material transferring member including a coating film formed on a surface of base metal, wherein the coating film is a composite coating film using a mixed powder made up of: a Co-based alloy powder containing, in mass %, 0.03 to 0.6% of C, 0.2 to 3% of Si, 22 to 35% of Cr, and more than 50% of Co; and a Cr carbide powder, the composite coating film is formed by the plasma powder overlaying process. The high-temperature material transferring member has excellent build-up resistance particularly in a gas atmosphere of 1100° C. or more. The high-temperature material transferring member has excellent in build-up resistance, oxidation resistance, and heat cracking resistance.

Abstract: A resin composition for a pre-coated steel sheet having excellent welding properties, corrosion resistance and workability, a method of producing a pre-coated steel sheet using the same, and a pre-coated steel sheet are provided. More particularly, a metal resin composition for coating a film is provided. The composition includes a subject resin, a curing agent, and at least one kind of metal powder selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Ti, Cu, Al, Zn, Sn and Fe2P powder, and has an average short-axis diameter (?) satisfying the condition t/3???3t (where t is a thickness of a dried coating film formed by coating a resin metal composition for coating the coating film). Therefore, the steel sheet to which the metal resin composition is coated has excellent welding properties, corrosion resistance and workability.

Abstract: First, in a primary sintering step, a manufacturing system 1 for a sliding member 2 laminates and thereby forms a sintered alloy layer 4 on back metal 3. Subsequently, a large number of indents 5 are formed on a front surface of the sintered alloy layer 4 by an indent forming mechanism 14. Next, the back metal 3 and sintered alloy layer 4 are rolled by a reduction roll 15 and a secondary sintering process is applied to the sintered alloy layer 4. Consequently, the sliding member 2 is manufactured with the large number of indents 5 provided on a front surface. Since the indents 5 are formed on the sintered alloy layer 4 after the primary sintering step, it is possible to inhibit work hardening from occurring in the indents 5 and surrounding areas.

Abstract: Disclosed are an antimicrobial coating and a product comprising the same. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the antimicrobial coating and the metal product comprising the coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a composite part, the composite part comprising at least one powder metal part compacted from a powdery material and at least one solid part. The powdery material is compacted to a powder metal part inside the working chamber of a press, especially a pressing tool of a press, and the solid part is at least partially fed to the working chamber in the same step, especially in the same working cycle of the press so that the composite part is produced within one working cycle.

Abstract: An electrode foil includes a substrate and a coarse film layer having a void therein and formed on the substrate. The coarse film layer includes at least a first coarse film layer formed on the substrate. The first coarse film layer is composed of arrayed first columnar bodies. Each of the first columnar bodies is composed of metallic microparticles stacked on a surface of the substrate and extending in a curve from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising the steps of spray or deposition or sputtering or welding processing to form a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material. Also a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material.

Abstract: A mercury vapour sensor in which the sensor surface is a gold substrate, and gold nanostructures with controlled crystallographic facets are strongly adhered to the substrate. A substantial increase in response magnitude and stability of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) based mercury vapour sensor is achieved using this sensor surface. The method of forming gold nanostructures on a gold substrate includes the steps of electrodepositing gold onto a gold working electrode from a solution of hydrogen or alkali metal tetrahaloaureate (III) and an additive such as lead acetate at an electro-deposition temperature between 20 and 40° C. and a deposition time of at least 15 seconds. The growth is controlled by the composition of the deposition solution, the temperature and the current density. The deposition rates may be varied as will the deposition times which are preferably about 150 seconds but may be as long as 15 minutes. The preferred deposition solution contains 2.

Abstract: An aluminium alloy brazing sheet including: a core material made of an aluminium alloy; and a cladding material clad on at least one side of the core material and made of an aluminium alloy having a potential lower than that of the core material. The cladding material is an outermost layer of the brazing sheet, wherein the cladding material is made of an aluminium alloy including 0.2 to 2.0 wt % of Mg, 0.5 to 1.5 wt % of Si, 1.0 to 2.0 wt %, preferably 1.4-1.8% of Mn, ?0.7 wt % of Fe, ?0.1 wt % of Cu, and ?4 wt % of Zn, ?0.3 wt % each of Zr, Ti, Ni, Hf, V, Cr, In, Sn and ?0.5 wt % total of Zr, Ti, Ni, Hf, V, Cr, In, Sn, the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A slide member is disclosed. The slide member includes a Cu-based bearing alloy layer; an intermediate layer provided over the Cu-based bearing alloy layer; and a Sn-based overlay provided over the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer consists of one or more materials selected from a group of Ni, Ni alloy, Co, and Co alloy and is thinner than 4 ?m. The Sn-based overlay contains Sn and 6 mass % or more of Cu.

Abstract: Fine-grained (average grain size 1 nm to 1,000 nm) metallic coatings optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein are disclosed. The fine-grained metallic materials are significantly harder and stronger than conventional coatings of the same chemical composition due to Hall-Petch strengthening and have low linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The invention provides means for matching the CTE of the fine-grained metallic coating to the one of the substrate by adjusting the composition of the alloy and/or by varying the chemistry and volume fraction of particulates embedded in the coating. The fine-grained metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling. The low CTEs and the ability to match the CTEs of the fine-grained metallic coatings with the CTEs of the substrate minimize dimensional changes during thermal cycling and prevent premature failure.

Abstract: A direct metal laser sintered material including a substrate formed from a laser sintering process, the substrate having at least one surface, and a cladding material brazed onto at least a portion of the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of materials science and material physics and relates to a coated magnetic alloy material, which can be used, for example, as a magnetic cooling material for cooling purposes. The object of the present invention is to disclose a coated magnetic alloy material, which has improved mechanical and/or chemical properties. The object is attained with a magnetic alloy material with a NaZn13 type crystal structure and a composition according to the formula RaFe100-a-x-y-zTxMyLz and the surface of which is coated with a material composed of at least one element from the group Al, Si, C, Sn, Ti, V, Cd, Cr, Mn, W, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au or combinations thereof The object is furthermore attained by a method in which the magnetic alloy material is coated by means of a method from the liquid phase.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a two-layer flexible substrate that excels in folding endurance and free from occurrence of Kirkendall voids or the like even when lead portions of COF are plated with tin and heat treatment is performed. The present invention is directed to a two-layer flexible substrate in which a copper layer is provided on one or both faces of an insulating film by using a copper electrolytic solution, wherein an average size of copper crystal grains constituting the copper layer is equal to or greater than 1 ?m and equal to or less than a thickness of the copper layer, and a ratio of peak intensity of (200) to a sum total of intensities of six principal peaks {[peak intensity of (200)]/[sum total of peak intensities of (111), (200), (220), (311), (400), (331)]} in the X-ray diffraction of the copper layer is equal to or greater than 0.4.

Abstract: An anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA) arrangement is disclosed, including a thermosetting resin disposed between a connector of a first structure and a connector of a second structure, and a plurality of ferromagnetic conductive particles dispersed through the thermosetting resin, wherein the plurality of ferromagnetic conductive particles form columns between the connector of the first structure and the connector of the second structure, and wherein a density of the ferromagnetic particles in the columns is substantially higher than a density of the plurality of ferromagnetic particles away from the columns.

Abstract: Provided is a copper foil for a printed circuit with an electrodeposited ternary-alloy layer composed of copper, cobalt and nickel formed on a surface of the copper foil, wherein the electrodeposited layer comprises dendritic particles grown on the copper foil surface, and the entire surface of the copper foil is covered with particles having an area as seen from above the copper foil surface of 0.1 to 0.5 ?m2 at a density of 1000 particles/10000 ?m2 or less, particles exceeding 0.5 ?m2 at a density of 100 particles/10000 ?m2 or less, and particles less than 0.1 ?m2 as the remainder. Roughening particles formed dendritically in a roughening treatment based on copper-cobalt-nickel alloy plating are inhibited from shedding from the copper foil surface, and the phenomenon known as powder falling and uneven treatment are thereby inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition having excellent electro-conductivity and corrosion resistance, a method of preparing the coating composition, and an article coated with the coating composition. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coating composition having excellent surface electro-conductivity and corrosion resistance, comprising: one or more base resins selected from the group consisting of a polyester resin, an epoxy resin, a polyurethane resin, an acrylic resin, a polyolefin resin, a fluorine resin, a polycarbonate resin and a phenol resin; a melamine-based curing agent; one or more selected from among carbon black and carbon nanotubes; metal powder; and organic clay, a method of preparing the coating composition, and an article coated with the coating composition.

Abstract: A method of surface coating a metallic object, including removing substantially all of the existing silver sulfide tarnish if present, ultrasonically cleaning the object with immersion in a solvent, uniformly dispersing selected nanoparticles over the surface of the object by sonicating the object in an ultrasonic bath containing the selected nanoparticles. The invention further includes quickly rinsing the object with solvent upon removal from the ultrasonic bath to inhibit formation of large agglomerates, drying the object with a flow of gas, optically inspecting the object for the presence of agglomeration and applying a barrier layer conformal coating and a protective layer conformal coating.

Abstract: Provided is a copper-based sliding material including a steel back-metal layer and a Cu alloy layer. The Cu alloy layer contains, by mass %, 10 to 30% of Bi, 0.5 to 5% of an inorganic compound, and the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities. The Cu alloy layer may further contain 0.5 to 5% of Sn and/or at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Fe, P and Ag in a total amount of 0.1 to 10%. The inorganic compound has an average particle size of 1 to 5 ?m and a specific gravity of 70 to 130% relative to the specific gravity of Bi. Bi phase is formed in the Cu alloy layer in an average particle size of 2 to 15 ?m, and the Bi phase is dispersed in the Cu alloy layer and isotropic.