JP2018048726A - Slide device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slide device hardly causing damage to a surface of a slide layer even under a non-lubricating condition, and having excellent abrasion resistance.SOLUTION: A slide device includes a shaft member and a slide member, and in the shaft member, hard particles of 5-50 vol% are dispersed in a synthetic resin. The slide member includes a back metal layer and a slide layer, and the slide layer is composed of a synthetic resin and graphite particles. A volume of the graphite particles is 5-50 vol% of the slide layer, the graphite particles are composed of long spherical graphite particles and thin plate-shaped scaly graphite particles, and a volume ratio of the scaly graphite particles to the total graphite particles is 10-40%. In a cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles, a plurality of AB surfaces of graphite crystal are laminated in a curved shape along roundness of the particle surfaces from a surface toward a center, and in a cross-sectional structure of the scaly graphite particles, the plurality of AB surfaces are laminated in a thickness direction of the thin plate shape. An average particle size of the long spherical graphite particles is 3-50 μm, an average particle size of the scaly graphite particles is 1-25 μm, a graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.80-0.97, and a graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles is greater than K1 by 0.03-0.15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sliding device. Specifically, a shaft member made of synthetic resin, and a sliding member that includes a sliding layer made of synthetic resin and graphite on a back metal layer and supports the shaft member. The present invention relates to a sliding device.

A sliding device having a structure in which two sliding members whose sliding surfaces that are in sliding contact with each other are resin compositions is combined is used. Of the two sliding members, one is a shaft member that performs a rotating operation or a reciprocating operation, and the other is a sliding member having a sliding layer that supports the shaft member.
Conventionally known shaft members are made of synthetic resin containing hard particles such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, metal particles, and ceramic particles in order to increase strength (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

  On the other hand, as a sliding member, what has the resin composition which added scaly graphite as a solid lubricant to a synthetic resin is used conventionally (patent document 3). Natural graphite is generally classified into scaly graphite, scaly graphite, and soil graphite depending on its properties. The degree of graphitization is the highest at 100% for scaly graphite, then 99.9% for scaly graphite, and 28% for soil graphite. Conventionally, as a solid lubricant for a sliding member, scaly graphite having a high degree of graphitization or scaly particles obtained by mechanically grinding natural graphite of scaly graphite has been used.

  This scaly graphite is a crystal in which carbon atoms regularly form a network structure and a large number of AB planes (hexagonal plane planes, basal planes) spread in a plane and have a thickness in the C-axis direction perpendicular to the AB plane. It is. Since the bonding force due to the van der Waals force between the laminated AB surfaces is much smaller than the bonding force in the in-plane direction of the AB surface, shearing is likely to occur between the AB surfaces. Therefore, this graphite has a thin plate shape as a whole because the thickness of the laminated layer is small with respect to the spread of the AB surface. In addition, it is thought that scaly graphite particles function as a solid lubricant by shearing between AB surfaces when receiving external force.

In recent years, in a sliding member using a resin composition containing scaly graphite particles, the surface of the resin composition serving as a sliding surface is machined because the shape of the scaly graphite particles is thin and brittle. When processed, the flaky graphite particles break and fall off, resulting in a problem that the surface roughness of the sliding layer is deteriorated, and as a result, seizure resistance is deteriorated. In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 4 proposes a sliding material capable of containing spherical natural graphite particles in a synthetic resin and reducing the surface roughness after machining.
Here, the spheroidized graphite particles are obtained by using natural scale-like graphite particles as a raw material, repeatedly applying a small load to the scale-like graphite particles, and bending the particles into a spherical shape (Patent Documents 5 and 6). reference).

JP 2001-132757 A JP-A-5-179277 JP 2005-89514 A International Publication No. 2012/074107 International Publication No. 2012/137770 JP 2008-24588 A

  A sliding device having a structure in which a sliding member that slides relative to each other is made of a resin composition and a sliding member has a structure in which oil is not supplied between the sliding surfaces (hereinafter referred to as “non-lubricated”). In many cases, the operation is performed under the “condition”, and the sliding surface of the sliding member and the surface of the shaft member are in direct contact with each other under the non-lubricated condition. A sliding member using a resin composition in which natural graphite spheroidized graphite particles are contained in a synthetic resin as in Patent Document 4 supports a shaft member made of a resin composition containing hard particles under non-lubricating conditions. When used in sliding parts, the surface of the sliding layer of the sliding member is scratched and wear easily occurs. It was found that the sliding performance declined due to the dropout of the material.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art in a sliding device having a structure in which a shaft member and a sliding member whose sliding surfaces are both resin compositions are combined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding device that hardly causes scratches on the surface of the sliding layer of the moving member and has excellent wear resistance.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding device including a shaft member made of a synthetic resin in which 5 to 50% by volume of hard particles are dispersed, and a sliding member that supports (supports) the shaft member. The The sliding member includes a backing metal layer and a sliding layer provided on the backing metal layer.
The sliding layer is made of a synthetic resin and graphite particles dispersed in the synthetic resin, and the graphite particles occupy 5 to 50% by volume of the sliding layer. The graphite particles are composed of long spherical graphite particles and thin scaly graphite particles, and the ratio of the volume of the scaly graphite particles to the total volume of the graphite particles is 10 to 40%. As for the cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles, a plurality of AB planes of the graphite crystal are laminated in a curved shape along the roundness of the particle surface from the particle surface toward the center. As for the cross-sectional structure of the scaly graphite particles, the AB surface of the graphite crystal is laminated in the thickness direction of the thin plate shape (C-axis direction perpendicular to the AB surface of the graphite crystal). The average particle diameter of the long spherical graphite particles is 3 to 50 μm, and the average particle diameter of the scaly graphite particles is 1 to 25 μm. The graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.80 to 0.97, the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles is larger than the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles, and the difference K2-K1 is 0.03 to 0.15.

In the sliding device of the present invention, the oblong graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer of the sliding member mainly act as a lubricating component.
The cross-sectional (internal) structure of the oblong graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer has a plurality of curved shapes along the roundness of the particle surface with the AB surface (hexagonal network surface plane) of the graphite crystal from the particle surface toward the center. Because of the lamination, the surface of the oblong graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface of the sliding layer is composed of the AB surface of graphite crystals.
As described above, the graphite crystal is a crystal in which a large number of AB planes are laminated and has a thickness in the C-axis direction perpendicular to the AB plane, and the bonding force (van der Waals force) between the laminated AB planes is: Since the bonding force in the in-plane direction of the AB surface is much smaller, shearing is likely to occur between the AB surfaces. When the surface consisting of the AB surface of the graphite crystal is exposed on the sliding surface, the AB surface contacts the surface of the shaft member on the sliding surface, so even if the load from the shaft member is small, shearing is performed between the AB surfaces. As a result, the frictional force between the sliding surface and the surface of the shaft member is reduced, and the wear amount of the sliding layer is reduced.

  However, particularly when the shaft member contains hard particles, the sliding member using the conventional sliding member having a sliding layer made of synthetic resin and spherical graphite particles tends to wear the sliding member. This is because if the hard particles exposed on the surface of the shaft member and the sliding surface of the sliding member are in direct contact, the oval graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface of the sliding member are cracked. This is because the sliding surface falls off, the sliding surface is damaged, and the sliding layer is easily worn. On the other hand, the sliding member of the sliding device of the present invention mainly has the surface of the sliding member by the action of the scaly graphite particles having the above graphitization degree dispersed in the sliding layer of the sliding member. Scratches are prevented from occurring.

  The scaly graphite particles exposed to the sliding surface of the sliding member due to sliding with the shaft member wear away from the sliding surface and fall off, but the scaly graphite particles are thin, so the sliding surface and shaft It penetrates into the gap between the surface of the member. The scaly graphite particles that have entered the gap are transferred so that the flat plate surface (AB surface) of the scaly graphite particles is parallel to the surface of the hard particles that are exposed on the surface of the shaft member. It is transferred so as to be parallel to the surface of the oblong graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface of the member. The scaly graphite particles transferred to the surface of the hard particles slightly protrude toward the sliding surface of the sliding member relative to the surface of the shaft member, and the scaly graphite particles transferred to the surface of the long spherical graphite particles are It protrudes slightly to the surface side of the shaft member with respect to the sliding surface of the sliding member. Since many such transfer parts are formed on the surface of the shaft member and the sliding surface of the sliding member, the length of the hard particles exposed on the original surface of the shaft member is exposed on the sliding surface of the sliding member. Direct contact with the spherical graphite particles is prevented or the frequency of contact is reduced. As a result, the occurrence of scratches on the sliding surface of the sliding member is suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the degree of graphitization K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.80 to 0.97. Since the higher the degree of graphitization has pure graphite crystals, the above-described shearing of the graphite crystals on the AB surface is likely to occur. When the degree of graphitization K1 is less than 0.80, shearing on the AB surface of the long spherical graphite particles is difficult to occur, and it may be insufficient to function as a lubricating component during sliding.

As described above, the scaly graphite particles dropped from the sliding surface during sliding are pressed and transferred onto the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface due to the load from the surface of the shaft member. The scaly graphite particles are transferred onto the long spherical graphite particles by plastic deformation in the same manner in the vicinity of the surface of the spherical graphite particles and the oblong graphite particles in contact with the flake graphite particles.
According to the present invention, the degree of graphitization K2 of the scaly graphite particles is larger than the degree of graphitization K1 of the long spherical graphite particles, and the difference K2-K1 is 0.03 to 0.15. With this relationship, the flaky graphite particles are more likely to be plastically deformed when subjected to external force than the spheroid graphite particles, and the flaky graphite particles are more easily transferred onto the spheroid graphite particles. At the time of transfer, the scaly graphite particles and the oval graphite particles may be plastically deformed to cause shearing between the AB surfaces of the particles. However, according to the above graphitization degree, shearing occurs in the scaly graphite particles. It is easy to shear in the long spherical graphite particles. In addition, even if shearing occurs in the scaly graphite particles at the time of transfer, the scaly graphite particles remain transferred on the long spherical graphite particles. That is, shearing occurs between the AB surfaces of the scaly graphite particles so that the scaly graphite particles on the side in contact with the surface of the long spherical graphite particles remain.

When the difference K2−K1 in the degree of graphitization is less than 0.03, since the degree of graphitization of the scaly graphite particles and the long spherical graphite particles is almost equal, it is not the inside of the scaly graphite particles at the time of transfer. Since the shear is generated inside the particles near the surface of the long spherical graphite particles with which the graphite particles are in contact and easily fall off from the sliding surface, the transferred portion of the scaly graphite particles is difficult to be formed on the long spherical graphite particles.
On the other hand, if the difference K2-K1 in the degree of graphitization exceeds 0.15, the degree of graphitization of the scaly graphite particles becomes too larger than the degree of graphitization of the long spherical graphite particles, and when the load is applied from the shaft member, The flaky graphite particles are more likely to be plastically deformed than the spherical graphite particles, and the flaky graphite particles are easily broken into a plurality of small thread segments, and the flaky graphite particles are difficult to transfer onto the long spherical graphite particles. Become.

  The average particle size of the scaly graphite particles is preferably 1 to 25 μm. When the average particle size of the flaky graphite particles is less than 1 μm, aggregated portions of the flaky graphite particles are easily formed in the sliding layer, and the strength of the sliding layer may be reduced. If the average particle size of the scaly graphite particles exceeds 25 μm, the scaly graphite particles in the sliding layer may be sheared by a load applied to the sliding layer during sliding, and the strength of the sliding layer may be reduced.

  On the other hand, the average particle diameter of the oblong graphite particles is preferably 3 to 50 μm. The oval graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface support the load from the surface of the shaft member, but if the average particle size is less than 3 μm, a part of the oval graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface when sliding May easily fall off the sliding surface, and the ability of the sliding layer to support a load may be reduced. If the average particle diameter of the long spherical graphite particles exceeds 50 μm, scratches may occur on the surface of the sliding layer.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the degree of graphitization K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is preferably 0.85 to 0.97. When the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.85 or more, the sliding characteristics are further improved and the wear resistance is further improved than when the graphitization degree K1 is less than 0.85. Furthermore, the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is more preferably 0.90 to 0.97.

  According to one specific example of the present invention, the difference K2-K1 between the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles and the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is preferably 0.03 to 0.10. When the difference in graphitization degree is 0.10 or less, the scaly graphite particles are transferred onto the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface, compared to the case where the difference in graphitization degree exceeds 0.10. And the sliding characteristics are further improved. Further, the difference K2-K1 in the degree of graphitization is preferably 0.03 to 0.05.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the average aspect ratio A1 of the oblong graphite particles is preferably 1.5 to 4.5. The average aspect ratio of the long spherical graphite particles is represented by the average ratio of the long axis and the short axis of the long spherical graphite particles. When the average aspect ratio A1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 1.5 or more, the wear resistance is further improved as compared with the case where the average aspect ratio A1 is less than 1.5. This is because the contact area of the oblong graphite particles with the synthetic resin is increased by increasing the surface area of the oblong graphite particles, and the adhesion with the synthetic resin is increased. This is thought to be difficult. Further, the average aspect ratio A1 of the long spherical graphite particles is preferably 2 or more.

The spheroidized graphite particles, which are raw materials for the long spherical graphite particles, are granulated in a spherical shape by repeatedly applying a small load to natural scaly graphite particles and bending them. When a large load is applied to natural scaly graphite particles during granulation, shearing occurs between the AB surfaces and the particles are crushed into small scaly shapes, so the applied load must be reduced. For this reason, in the inside of the spheroidized particles, there is a portion where the contact between the surfaces of the scaly graphite particles before granulation is insufficient, and voids are easily formed between the surfaces of the scaly graphite particles (see Patent Document 5). FIG. 5C and FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 of Patent Document 6).
When the spherical natural graphite particles are dispersed in the synthetic resin of the sliding member while maintaining the spherical shape, there are voids in the graphite particles, so the graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface are loaded. When it receives, there is a problem that the graphite particles are cracked, fall off from the sliding surface, enter the gap between the shaft member surface and damage the sliding surface of the sliding member and the shaft member surface.

  The long spherical graphite particles having the above average aspect ratio A1 of the present invention are formed by a process of imparting a long spherical shape to the raw spherical graphite particles as will be described later. Internal voids can be eliminated. When the average aspect ratio A1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 1.5, there are less voids in the cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles, and when the average aspect ratio A1 is 2 or more, the cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles Even if the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface are subjected to a load from the shaft member, the long spherical graphite particles are not cracked. Therefore, the oblong graphite particles fall off from the sliding surface, or fragments are generated due to cracking of the oblong graphite particles and enter the gap between the shaft member surface and the sliding surface of the sliding member. The problem of damage to the surface of the shaft member does not occur.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scaly graphite particles have an average aspect ratio A2 of 5-10. The average aspect ratio of the scaly graphite particles is represented by the average ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the scaly graphite particles.
Further, the scaly graphite particles preferably have an anisotropic dispersion index S of 3 or more. This anisotropic dispersion index S is defined as the average of the values of the ratio X1 / Y1 for each scaly graphite particle. Here, X1 is the length parallel to the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles in the cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding layer, and Y1 is the sliding surface of the sliding layer. On the other hand, it is the length in the direction perpendicular to the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles in the cross-sectional structure in the vertical direction.

  The value of the anisotropic dispersion index S increases as the ratio of the flat surface of the scaly graphite particles in the sliding layer (in which the AB surface spreads) is oriented substantially parallel to the sliding surface increases. As described above, the scaly graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface of the sliding member fall off from the sliding surface by sliding between the sliding member and the shaft member of the sliding device. The scaly graphite particles have a thin plate shape with an average aspect ratio A2 of 5 to 10 as described above, and further, since the anisotropic dispersion index S is 3 or more, the flat plate surface is oriented substantially parallel to the sliding surface. The ratio of things is large. Therefore, immediately after falling off, the scaly graphite particles have a flat surface substantially parallel to the surface of the shaft member, and are easily transferred to the surface of the shaft member. The anisotropic dispersion index S of the scaly graphite particles is more preferably 4 or more.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the synthetic resin used for the sliding layer of the sliding member is PAI (polyamideimide), PI (polyimide), PBI (polybenzimidazole), PA (polyamide), phenol, epoxy. , POM (polyacetal), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PE (polyethylene), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), and PEI (polyetherimide).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding layer of the sliding member further includes 1 to 20% by volume of one or more solid lubricants selected from MoS ₂ , WS ₂ , h-BN and PTFE. Can be included. By containing this solid lubricant, the sliding characteristics of the sliding layer can be enhanced.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding layer of the sliding member is selected from CaF ₂ , CaCo ₃ , talc, mica, mullite, iron oxide, calcium phosphate and Mo ₂ C (molybdenum carbide). The seed or two or more fillers may further comprise 1 to 10% by volume. By containing this filler, the wear resistance of the sliding layer can be increased.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding member may further include a porous metal layer between the back metal layer and the sliding layer. By providing the porous metal layer on the surface of the back metal layer, the bonding strength between the sliding layer and the back metal layer can be increased. That is, the bonding force between the backing metal layer and the sliding layer can be enhanced by the anchor effect by impregnating the pores of the porous metal layer with the composition constituting the sliding layer.
The porous metal layer can be formed by sintering metal powder such as Cu, Cu alloy, Fe, Fe alloy or the like on the surface of a metal plate or strip. The porosity of the porous metal layer may be about 20 to 60%. The thickness of the porous metal layer may be about 0.05 to 0.5 mm. In this case, the thickness of the sliding layer coated on the surface of the porous metal layer may be about 0.05 to 0.4 mm. However, the dimension described here is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this value, and can be changed to a different dimension.

  According to one specific example of the present invention, the synthetic resin used for the shaft member is PAI (polyamideimide), PI (polyimide), PBI (polybenzimidazole), PA (polyamide), PF (phenol), EP (epoxy). ), POM (polyacetal), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PE (polyethylene), PPS (polyphenylenesulfide) and PEI (polyetherimide).

According to one specific example of the present invention, the hard particles used for the shaft member are CF (carbon fiber), GF (glass fiber), BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , SiC, SiO ₂ , AlN, and TiO ₂ . It can consist of one or more selected from among them. When the shaft member contains these hard particles, the strength (rigidity) of the shaft member is increased. The average particle diameter of the hard particles can be 1 to 50 μm.

The shaft _member, CaF 2, CaCo _3, talcum, mica, mullite, iron oxide, calcium phosphate and _Mo 2 C 1 kind selected from among (molybdenum carbide) or two or more fillers 1-10% by volume Can further be included. Further, the shaft member can further include one or more solid lubricants selected from MoS ₂ , WS ₂ , h-BN and PTFE and / or 5% by volume or less of oil.

The figure which shows the cross section of the sliding apparatus by an example of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the sliding member by an example of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the shaft member by an example of this invention. The figure explaining the aspect ratio (A1) of an oblong graphite particle. The figure explaining the aspect-ratio (A2) and anisotropic dispersion index (S) of scaly graphite particles. The figure which shows the cross section of the sliding member by the other example of this invention. The figure which shows the example of 1 specific form of the sliding apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a sliding device 1 according to the present invention. The sliding device 1 includes a shaft member 2 and a sliding member 3 that supports the shaft member 2. The sliding member 3 has a backing metal layer 4 and a sliding layer 5.
As a specific form of the sliding device 1 of the present invention, a cylindrical shaft member 2 can be a sliding device supported by a cylindrical sliding member 3 (see FIG. 7). In this case, the sliding layer 5 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical sliding member 3. However, the sliding device according to the present invention is not limited to this form, and the shaft member 2 and the sliding member 3 may be flat or any other form.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section of an example of the sliding member 3 of the sliding device according to the present invention. The sliding member 3 is provided with a sliding layer 5 on a back metal layer 4. The sliding layer 5 is composed of a synthetic resin 6 and 5 to 50% by volume of graphite particles 7. The graphite particles 7 are composed of long spherical graphite particles 71 and flaky graphite particles 72. The graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles 71 is 0.80 to 0.97, and the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles 72 is 0.03 to the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles 51. 0.15 larger. The volume ratio of the scaly graphite particles 72 to the total volume of the graphite particles 7 is 10 to 40%. The cross-sectional (internal) structure of the oblong graphite particles 71 is such that the AB surface of the graphite crystal is laminated in a curved shape along the roundness of the particle surface from the particle surface toward the center. There are no voids in the tissue. As for the cross-sectional structure of the scaly graphite particles 72, a plurality of the AB surfaces of the graphite crystals are laminated in the thickness direction of the thin plate (the C-axis direction perpendicular to the AB surface of the graphite crystals). The average particle diameter D1 of the spherical graphite particles is 3 to 50 μm, and the average particle diameter D2 of the scaly graphite particles is 1 to 25 μm.
A porous metal layer 8 may be provided between the sliding layer 5 and the back metal layer 4. A cross section of an example of the sliding member provided with the porous metal layer 8 is schematically shown in FIG.

As used herein, the term “oval” does not mean a geometrically exact oval, but in a broad sense extends long in one direction (ie has the following aspect ratio) and has a corner. This means that it does not have an irregular shape.
Further, the absence of voids in the structure of the long spherical graphite particles 71 means that a plurality of (for example, 20) graphite particles are magnified using an electron microscope in a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding layer 5. This can be confirmed by taking an electronic image at 2000 times and observing that no voids are formed in the cross-sectional structure of the particles of the long spherical graphite 71 in the taken image. However, although the formation of fine-line voids having a width of 0.1 μm or less is allowed in the cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles 71, the total area of the fine-line voids having a width of 0.1 μm or less is long. The area ratio in the cross-sectional structure of the spherical graphite particles 71 is limited to 3% or less.

The average aspect ratio A1 represented by the average of the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis of the long spherical graphite particles 71 dispersed in the sliding layer 5 is preferably 1.5 to 4.5.
On the other hand, it is preferable that the average aspect ratio A2 represented by the average of the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis of the scaly graphite particles 72 is 5 to 10.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the scale-like graphite particles 72 have an anisotropic dispersion index S of 3 or more. The anisotropic dispersion index S is X1 as the length in the direction parallel to the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles 72 in the cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding layer, and the sliding of the sliding layer. When the length in the direction perpendicular to the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles 72 in the cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the surface is Y1 (see FIG. 5), the ratio X1 / Y1 of each scaly graphite particle Values are expressed as averages for all scaly graphite particles. Furthermore, the anisotropic dispersion index S is preferably 4 or more.

The sliding member of the above-described sliding device will be described in detail below along the manufacturing process.
(1) Preparation of raw material graphite particles Spherical graphite particles obtained by granulating scaly natural graphite can be used as raw materials for the long spherical graphite particles. The spherical graphite particles have a structure in which a plurality of graphite crystal AB planes are laminated in a curved shape along the roundness of the particle surface from the particle surface to the inside, and voids are formed inside the particles. . As the raw material spherical graphite particles, those having a graphitization degree K1 of 0.80 to 0.97 are used. Here, the graphitization degree is the diffraction angle 2θ (degree) of the diffraction peak of graphite measured by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) measuring device, and the half-value (degree) is the diffraction angle 2θ of the diffraction peak of the silicon (Si) standard sample. Corrected by (degrees) and half value (degrees), the average interplanar spacing d ₀₀₂ value (nm) of the (002) plane of the graphite crystal is obtained, and the d ₀₀₂ value is inserted into the following equation.
Degree of graphitization = (d ₀₀₂ −0.344) / (0.335−0.344)

Further, it is preferable to use spherical graphite particles as raw materials having an average particle diameter of 2 to 60 μm and a circularity of 0.92 or more as measured by a laser diffraction particle size measuring apparatus. Here, the circularity is expressed by the following equation.
Circularity = (perimeter of a circle having the same area as the projected particle shape) / (perimeter of the projected particle shape)
When the projected particle shape forms a perfect circle, the circularity is 1. The projected particle shape can be obtained from a photographed image obtained using an optical microscope or a scanning electron microscope.
When the raw material spherical graphite particles having a circularity of less than 0.92 are used, the surface of the graphite particles tends to be unevenly loaded during the process of eliminating voids in the mixing step described later. The surface of the particle is locally deformed and sheared, or cracks are generated inside and new voids are easily formed.

  As a raw material of the scaly graphite particles, natural scaly graphite particles having a thin plate shape are used. The scaly graphite particles were measured for the degree of graphitization K2 by the same method as the method for measuring the degree of graphitization of the spherical graphite particles, and the degree of graphitization K2 of the scaly graphite particles and the degree of graphitization K1 of the spherical graphite particles. The difference K2-K1 is in the range of 0.03 to 0.15. Further, the scaly graphite particles have an average particle size in the direction parallel to the AB surface measured by a laser diffraction particle size measuring device of 1 to 30 μm, and an average particle thickness of 0.2 to 3.5 μm. It is preferable to use certain particles.

(2) Preparation of synthetic resin particles It is preferable to use synthetic resin particles as raw materials having an average particle diameter of 50 to 150% of the average diameter of the spherical graphite particles. As synthetic resin, what consists of 1 type (s) or 2 or more types chosen from PAI, PI, PBI, PA, a phenol, an epoxy, POM, PEEK, PE, PPS, and PEI can be used.

(3) Mixing Spherical graphite particles and scaly graphite particles are adjusted so that the volume ratio of the scaly graphite particles is 10 to 40% of the total graphite particle volume. Next, the ratio of the spherical graphite particles and scaly graphite particles to the synthetic resin particles is adjusted so that the graphite component is 5 to 50% by volume. The spherical graphite particles, scaly graphite particles, and synthetic resin particles are diluted with an organic solvent to produce a composition having a viscosity of 40,000 to 110,000 mPa · s. By mixing this diluted solution with a roll mill, a long spherical shape is imparted to the spherical graphite particles that are substantially spherical during mixing, and at the same time, voids in the internal structure of the spherical graphite particles are reduced or eliminated.

The reason is considered as follows.
The viscosity of the diluted liquid of the resin composition containing conventional graphite particles and other filler particles is usually about 15000 mPa · s at the maximum. However, here, the viscosity of the diluted composition is set to 40,000 to 110,000 mPa · s, which is larger than usual. This increases the frequency with which the spherical graphite particles and the resin particles simultaneously pass through the gap (gap) between the rolls of the roll mill during mixing by the roll mill. When the spherical graphite particles and the resin particles pass through the roll gap at the same time, the graphite particles are deformed by applying a load to the spherical graphite particles. By being relaxed by the deformation of the particles, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being locally applied to the surface of the spherical graphite particles and to deform the graphite particles without shearing. The graphite particles are gradually deformed and given a long spherical shape every time they pass through the roll gap of the roll mill together with the synthetic resin particles, and at the same time, voids inside the particles are reduced or eliminated.
When the viscosity of the composition exceeds 110000 mPa · s, the concentration of the solvent is too low, and it becomes difficult to uniformly disperse the resin particles, the long spherical graphite particles, and the scaly graphite particles. Furthermore, cracks may occur in the scaly graphite particles during mixing with a roll mill.

  The gap between rolls of the roll mill is set to an interval corresponding to 150% to 250% of the average particle diameter of the spherical graphite particles. In the prior art, when a resin composition containing graphite particles or other filler particles that are sliding members is mixed using a roll mill, the mixing is simply performed in an organic solvent with resin particles and graphite particles or other fillers. The purpose is to uniformly disperse the particles, and the gap between rolls of the roll mill is considerably larger than the particle size of the raw material resin particles and graphite particles (for example, about 400% of the average particle size of the graphite particles). It was made to.

  Note that even if a composition obtained by diluting only spherical graphite particles with an organic solvent is passed through a roll mill, the spherical graphite particles cannot be deformed. In this case, shearing and cracking occur in the spherical graphite particles and no deformation occurs. This is because when the spherical graphite particles pass through the gap between the rolls, a large load is locally applied to the contact portions of the spherical graphite particles with the roll surface and the contact portions of the spherical graphite particles, resulting in shearing and cracking. It is done.

  The relationship that the average particle diameter of the synthetic resin particles described above is 50 to 150% of the average particle diameter of the spherical graphite particles is that an excessive load is applied to the graphite particles when passing through the gap between the rolls, and shearing occurs. It is suitable for preventing. When the sliding layer further contains a solid lubricant or filler, the solid lubricant or filler particles should have an average particle size of 50% or less of the average particle size of the spherical graphite particles. preferable.

  The method of mixing the synthetic resin particles, the spherical graphite particles and the scaly graphite particles is not limited to the mixing method using the roll mill shown in the above embodiment, but using other mixers or adjusting other mixing conditions Is also possible.

(4) Back metal As a back metal layer, metal plates, such as Fe alloy, Cu, and Cu alloy, can be used. The porous metal layer may be formed on the surface of the back metal layer, that is, the side that becomes the interface with the sliding layer, but the porous metal layer may have the same composition as the back metal layer, or a different composition or material may be used. Is possible.

(5) Coating process The composition after mixing is applied to one surface of the back metal layer or the porous metal layer on the back metal layer, and the back metal applied with the composition has a uniform thickness. And passed between rolls having a predetermined constant gap.
The viscosity of the composition after mixing is also closely related to the long-axis anisotropic (orientation) dispersion of the scaly graphite particles in the sliding layer of the sliding member, and the anisotropic dispersion of the scaly graphite particles It was found that setting conditions in this coating step is important.

When the viscosity of the composition is high in the mixing step (the ratio of the organic solvent is small), the scaly graphite particles in the composition (the flat surface of which is slid) are transferred when the back metal layer coated with the composition passes between the rolls. This is because it becomes difficult to flow (in a direction parallel to the moving surface).
On the other hand, when the viscosity of the composition is 110000 mPa · s or less, the oval graphite particles easily flow together with the organic solvent in the coating step. In the sliding layer, it is oriented, that is, anisotropically dispersed. Specifically, when the viscosity of the composition is 110000 mPa · s or less, the scale-like graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer have an anisotropic dispersion index S of 2.5 or more. Furthermore, when the viscosity of the composition is 100,000 mPa · s or less, the anisotropic dispersion index is 3 or more, and when it is 80000 mPa · s or less, the anisotropic dispersion index is 4 or more.

(6) Drying / firing step The backing metal layer (or backing metal layer and porous porous metal layer) coated with the composition is heated to dry the organic solvent in the composition, and the resin in the composition is fired. For this reason, the sliding member is obtained. As these heating conditions, conditions generally used for the resin used can be adopted.

(7) Measurement The graphitization degree K1 of the oblong graphite particles and the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles were measured from a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding member. Specifically, the degree of graphitization K1 of the long spherical graphite particles and the degree of graphitization K2 of the scaly graphite particles are measured using an X-ray diffractometer (apparatus: X'pert MPD; manufactured by PHILIPS). As a source, the diffraction angle 2θ (degrees) and half value (degrees) of the diffraction lines of each graphite particle dispersed in the sliding member measured precisely by setting the tube voltage to 40 Kv and the tube current to 50 mA are the peaks of the Si standard sample. After correcting the diffraction angle 2θ (degrees) and half value (degrees) to obtain an average interplanar distance d ₀₀₂ value (nm), the d ₀₀₂ value is inserted into the following equation, and the degree of graphitization is calculated. .
Degree of graphitization = (d ₀₀₂ −0.344) / (0.335−0.344)
Note that the values of the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles dispersed in the sliding member and the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles are the same as the graphitization degree K1 of the spherical graphite particles and the scaly graphite particles of the raw material described above. It becomes the same as the value of the graphitization degree K2.

  As for the average particle diameter of the long spherical graphite particles, a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding member was photographed with an electron microscope at 200 times using an electron microscope, and the average particle diameter of the long spherical graphite particles was measured. Specifically, the average particle diameter of the long spherical graphite particles is determined by using a general image analysis method (analysis software: Image-Pro Plus (Version 4.5); manufactured by Planetron Co., Ltd.). Then, the area of each oblong graphite particle is measured, and it is calculated by converting it into an average diameter when it is assumed to be a circle.

  The average particle diameter of the flaky graphite particles is also the average diameter when the area of each flaky graphite particle is measured using the above image analysis technique and the electronic image obtained by the above technique is assumed to be a circle. Calculate by converting to However, the photographing magnification of the electronic image is not limited to 200 times, and can be changed to other magnifications.

  The aspect ratio A1 of the long spherical graphite particles is the ratio between the long axis length L1 and the short axis length S1 of each long spherical graphite particle by using the above-described image analysis method for the electronic image obtained by the above method. It is determined as an average of (long axis length L1 / short axis length S1) (see FIG. 4). The long axis length L1 of the long spherical graphite particles indicates the length at the position where the length of the long spherical graphite particles in the electron image is maximum, and the short axis length S1 of the long spherical graphite particles. Indicates the length at a position where the length in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the length L1 of the long axis is maximum.

  The aspect ratio A2 of the scaly graphite particles is the ratio of the major axis length L2 to the minor axis length S2 of each scaly graphite particle using the above-described image analysis method based on the electronic image obtained by the above method. It is obtained as an average of (long axis length L2 / short axis length S2) (see FIG. 5). The long axis length L2 of the scaly graphite particles indicates the length at the position where the length of the scaly graphite particles in the electronic image is maximum, and the short axis length S2 of the scaly graphite particles. Indicates the length at the position where the length in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the length L2 of the long axis is maximum.

The long spherical graphite particles have a cross-sectional structure in which the AB surface of the graphite crystal is laminated in a curved shape along the roundness of the particle surface from the particle surface toward the center. In a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface, an electron image of a plurality (for example, 20) of long spherical graphite particles was photographed at a magnification of 2000 using an electron microscope, and the cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles in the photographed image However, it was confirmed by observing that a layered portion was formed along the roundness of the particle surface from the particle surface toward the center.
Even if spheroidized natural graphite particles are used as a raw material and the graphite particles are subjected to a treatment for eliminating voids in the internal structure of the graphite particles in the mixing step, a part of the long spherical graphite particles is obtained by the above observation method. Inside, fine line voids having a width (width in the direction perpendicular to the AB surface of the graphite crystal in the structure) of 0.1 μm or less, the total area of the voids is 3 in terms of the area ratio in the cross-sectional structure of the oblong graphite particles. However, the long spherical graphite particles having such fine-line voids have the same sliding performance as the long spherical graphite particles having no voids.

  The scaly graphite particles have a cross-sectional structure in which the AB surface of the graphite crystal is laminated in the thickness direction of the thin plate shape (C-axis direction perpendicular to the AB surface of the graphite crystal). That is, in a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding member, an electronic image of a plurality (for example, 20 pieces) of scaly graphite particles is taken at a magnification of 2000 using an electron microscope, and the scales in the photographed image are taken. It was confirmed by observing that the cross-sectional structure of the glassy graphite particles was formed as a layered portion in which a plurality of laminated layers were formed in the thickness direction of the thin plate shape.

  The anisotropic dispersion index S of the scaly graphite particles 72 is obtained by using the above image analysis method for an image obtained by photographing an electronic image at a magnification of 200 using an electron microscope with respect to a cross section perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding member. The length X1 in the direction parallel to the sliding surface of each scaly graphite particle 72 in the sliding layer and the length Y1 in the direction perpendicular to the sliding surface are measured, and the ratio X1 of these lengths The average value of / Y1 was calculated (see FIG. 5).

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross section of an example of the shaft member 2 of the sliding device 1 according to the present invention. In the shaft member 2, hard particles 10 are dispersed in a synthetic resin 9. The manufacturing process of a shaft member can be formed into a predetermined shape such as a columnar shape or a flat plate shape by injection molding by mixing synthetic resin and hard particles and then pelletizing.

  The synthetic resin 9 of the shaft member 2 is PAI (polyamideimide), PI (polyimide), PBI (polybenzimidazole), PA (polyamide), PF (phenol), EP (epoxy), POM (polyacetal), PEEK (poly). It can be composed of one or more selected from ether ether ketone), PE (polyethylene), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), and PEI (polyetherimide).

The shaft member 2 includes a synthetic resin 9 and hard particles 10 dispersed in the synthetic resin 9, and the hard particles 10 can occupy 5 to 50% by volume of the sliding layer 5.
The hard particles 10 of the shaft member 2 are one or more selected from CF (carbon fiber), GF (glass fiber), BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , SiC, SiO ₂ , AlN, and TiO ₂ . Can consist of The average particle diameter of the hard particles 10 can be about 1 to 50 μm.

The shaft member _2, CaF 2, CaCo _3, talcum, mica, mullite, one or more fillers 1-10 volume selected from among iron oxides, calcium phosphate and _Mo 2 C (molybdenum carbide) % May further be included. The shaft member 2 can further include one or more solid lubricants selected from MoS ₂ , WS ₂ , h-BN, and PTFE and / or 5% by volume or less of oil.

  Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 11 to 20 of the bearing device according to the present invention were produced as follows. The compositions of the sliding layers of the shaft members and the sliding members of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 11 to 20 are as shown in Table 1.

The shaft members of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 11 to ₂₀ were prepared by mixing the resin (EP, PF) and hard particles (CF (carbon fiber), SiO ₂ particles) shown in Table 1 into pellets. Molded into a cylindrical shape using an injection molding machine.

  The spherical graphite particles used as the raw material of the sliding member are obtained by spherically granulating scaly natural graphite, and the internal structure of the particles is such that the AB surface of the graphite crystal is rounded from the particle surface toward the inside. A structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated along a curved line, and about 10% of voids are formed inside the grains.

  In addition, the scaly graphite particles used as the raw material of the sliding member have a structure in which a large number of AB surfaces spreading in a planar shape are laminated and have a thickness in the C-axis direction perpendicular to the AB surface. On the other hand, since the thickness of the laminate is thin, the shape of the particles is a thin plate. The scaly graphite particles have no voids in the cross-sectional structure.

Further, the synthetic resin (PAI, PI) particles used as the raw material of the sliding member, when the raw material of the sliding member contains spherical graphite particles, the average particle size of the synthetic resin with respect to the average particle size of the spherical graphite particles A diameter of 125% was used. In Comparative Example 16 where the raw material of the sliding member is only scaly graphite particles, the raw material synthetic resin has a particle size of 125% with respect to the average particle size of the scaly graphite particles. The solid lubricant (MoS ₂ , PTFE) used as a raw material for the sliding members of Examples 5 to 7 has an average particle diameter of 30% with respect to the average particle diameter of the spherical graphite particles as the raw material. The filler (CaCo ₃ ) particles having an average particle diameter of 25% with respect to the average particle diameter of the spherical graphite particles were used.

  The composition of the sliding member shown in Table 1 using the raw material of the sliding member is diluted with an organic solvent to prepare a composition having a viscosity shown in the “viscosity (mPa · s)” column of Table 1. In addition, the composition was mixed using a roll mill and the treatment for eliminating the internal voids of the spherical graphite particles (treatment time 1 hour) was simultaneously performed. In addition, the gap between the rolls of the roll mill is set so that the ratio of the average diameter of the spherical graphite particles used as the raw material of the sliding member in Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 11 to 15 and 17 to 20 is 200%. In Comparative Example 16, the ratio of the scaly graphite particles used as the raw material of the sliding member to the average diameter was 400%.

Next, the composition of the mixed sliding member was applied to one surface of the Fe alloy back metal layer, and then coated with a roll so that the composition had a predetermined thickness. In addition, the back metal layer of Examples 1-9 and Comparative Examples 11-20 used Fe alloy, and Example 10 used Fe alloy which has a porous sintered part of Cu alloy on the surface.
Next, heating for drying the solvent in the composition of the sliding member and heating for baking the synthetic resin of the composition of the sliding member were performed to prepare the sliding member. The thickness of the sliding layer of the manufactured sliding members of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 11 to 20 was 0.3 mm, and the thickness of the back metal layer was 1.7 mm.

  The sliding member of the manufactured example was measured for the average particle size of the long spherical graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer by the measurement method described above, and the result was shown in the “average particle size” column of Table 1. It was shown to. Further, the average aspect ratio (A1) of the oblong graphite particles described above was measured, and the result is shown in the “Aspect ratio (A1)” column of Table 1. In Comparative Examples 11 to 15 and 17 to 20, Table 1 shows the results of measuring the average particle diameter and average aspect ratio (A1) in the same manner as in the Examples.

  The sliding member of the produced example was measured for the average particle size of the scaly graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer by the measurement method described above, and the result was shown in the “average particle size” column of Table 1. It was shown to. Further, the average aspect ratio (A2) and the anisotropic dispersion index (S) of the scale-like graphite particles 72 described above are measured, and the results are shown in the “Aspect ratio (A2)” column of Table 1, “Anisotropic dispersion index”. (S) "column. Comparative Examples 11 to 14 and 16 to 20 show the results of measuring the average particle diameter, average aspect ratio (A2), and “anisotropic dispersion index (S)” in the same manner as in Example 1.

  The manufactured sliding member of the example was measured for the degree of graphitization (K1) of the long spherical graphite particles and the degree of graphitization (K2) of the scaly graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer by the measurement method described above. The results are shown in the columns of “degree of graphitization (K1)” and “degree of graphitization (K2)” in Table 1, respectively. In addition, the difference K2-K1 between the degree of graphitization of the scaly graphite particles (K2) and the degree of graphitization of the long spherical graphite particles (K1) was calculated, and the result is shown in Table 1 as “graphitization degree difference (K2-K1). ) "Column.

  The sliding member of each example and each comparative example was formed into a cylindrical shape with the sliding layer inside, and the shaft member was formed into a cylindrical shape (see FIG. 7), and the sliding test was performed under the conditions shown in Table 2. went. The amount of wear of the sliding layer after the sliding test of each example and each comparative example is shown in the “wear amount” column of Table 1. In each example and each comparative example, the surface of the sliding member (the surface of the sliding layer) of the sliding member after the sliding test was checked for occurrence of scratches on the surface using a roughness measuring instrument. evaluated. When a scratch having a depth of 2 μm or more was measured on the sliding surface, “Yes” was indicated, and when it was not measured, “No” was indicated.

  As can be seen from the results shown in Table 1, in Examples 1 to 10, the amount of wear of the sliding layer after the sliding test was smaller than in Comparative Examples 11 to 20.

  Further, in Examples 1 to 10, there was no scratch on the sliding surface of the sliding member after the sliding test, which is the same reason as the suppression of the amount of wear. That is, the reason why Examples 1 to 10 suppress the generation of scratches on the sliding surface of the sliding member is that, as already described, the sliding layer includes long spherical graphite particles and scaly graphite particles, and the sliding layer The volume ratio of the scaly graphite particles to the total graphite particles contained in the graphite is 10 to 40%, the degree of graphitization K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.80 to 0.97, and the graphite of the scaly graphite particles Hard particles exposed on the surface of the shaft member when sliding under non-lubricating conditions because the difference K2−K1 between the degree K2 and the graphitization degree K1 of the oblong graphite particles is 0.03 to 0.15 This is because the scaly graphite particles are transferred onto the oblong graphite particles exposed on the upper and sliding surfaces of the sliding member.

  In Examples 4 to 9, the amount of wear was particularly small compared to the comparative example. The reason will be described below.

  In Example 4, the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is 0.85 or more, and the wear function of the sliding layer is large because of its large function as a sliding component during sliding. I think it's less.

  In Example 5, since the difference K2-K1 between the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles contained in the sliding layer and the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.10 or less, it is described above. Thus, during sliding, it seems that the amount of wear was reduced because the transfer part of the scaly graphite particles was easily formed on the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface.

  In Example 6, since the average aspect ratio A1 of the long spherical graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is 3 or more, the surface area of the long spherical graphite particles is increased as described above. It seems that the amount of wear decreased because the contact area increased and the retention by the synthetic resin increased.

  In Example 7, since the average aspect ratio A2 of the scaly graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is in the range of 5 to 10 and the anisotropic dispersion index S is 3 or more, as described above. The flat plate surface of the flaky graphite particles was almost parallel to the sliding surface, and the amount of wear was thought to have decreased because the transfer parts of the flaky graphite particles were easily formed on the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface. It is.

  In Examples 8 and 9, the amount of wear was particularly small. This satisfies all of the conditions described as the reason why the amount of wear in Examples 4 to 7 is reduced, so it seems that the amount of wear is particularly small.

  In Comparative Example 11, since the graphitization degree K1 of the oblong graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is as low as 0.698, it does not function sufficiently as a lubricating component, and the amount of wear of the sliding layer during sliding in an oil supply state Seems to have increased.

In Comparative Example 12, since the difference K2-K1 between the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles contained in the sliding layer and the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is as small as 0.015, as described above. At the time of sliding, the transfer part of the scaly graphite particles is difficult to be formed on the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface, and the hard spherical particles and the hard particles exposed on the surface of the shaft member are in direct contact with each other. It is considered that the long spherical graphite particles were sheared and dropped from the sliding surface, causing scratches on the surface of the sliding layer, and the amount of wear of the sliding layer increased.

  In Comparative Example 13, since the degree of graphitization K1 of the long spherical graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is larger than the degree of graphitization K2 of the scaly graphite particles, as described above, when sliding, It is difficult to sufficiently form the transfer part of the scaly graphite particles on the exposed long spherical graphite particles, and shearing occurs inside the long spherical graphite particles, so that the sliding surface is removed, and wear of the sliding surface is promoted. Conceivable.

  In Comparative Example 14, since the difference K2-K1 between the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles contained in the sliding layer and the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is too large as 0.171, it is explained above. Even when the flaky graphite particles are transferred onto the long spherical graphite particles, when the load is applied from the shaft member, the flaky graphite particles are excessively plastically deformed with respect to the long spherical graphite particles, and the flaky graphite particles have a plurality of flaky graphite particles. It becomes easy to be broken into small thread fragments, and as a result, fewer scaly graphite particles are transferred onto the long spherical graphite particles. For this reason, the long spherical graphite particles and the hard particles exposed on the surface of the shaft member are in direct contact with each other, shearing occurs inside the long spherical graphite particles and falling off the sliding surface, and wear of the sliding surface is promoted. Conceivable.

As shown in Table 1, Comparative Example 15 is different from the Examples, and the sliding layer includes only long spherical graphite particles. In Comparative Example 15, the hard particles exposed on the surface of the shaft member during sliding and the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface of the sliding member are in direct contact with each other to form the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface. Cracking occurred and the sliding surface fell off, the sliding surface was damaged, and the wear amount of the sliding layer increased. Further, in Comparative Example 15, spheroidized graphite particles having voids therein were used as the raw material graphite particles, but the composition containing graphite particles was diluted with an organic solvent so that the viscosity became 15000 mPa · s. The ratio of the organic solvent is large, and when the spheroidized graphite particles pass through the gap between the rolls of the roll mill in the mixing step, the frequency of the synthetic resin particles passing at the same time is low. For this reason, the amount of deformation of the spheroidized graphite particles as a raw material is reduced in the mixing step, and as a result, the long spherical graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer have a small average aspect ratio A1, and the raw material is present in the cross-sectional structure. The voids formed inside the spheroidized graphite particles remained almost as they were.
For this reason, in the sliding member of Comparative Example 15, in the sliding test, when the graphite particles exposed on the surface of the sliding layer are subjected to a load from the surface of the shaft member, The voids are crushed and buckling occurs, the surface area of the grains is reduced, and the oval graphite particles are not sufficiently retained by the synthetic resin. It is considered that the wear of the sliding surface was promoted by entering the gap between the surface and the surface.

As shown in Table 1, Comparative Example 16 is different from the Examples, and the sliding layer includes only scaly graphite particles. The reason why the wear amount of the sliding layer increased in Comparative Example 16 is considered as follows.
In Comparative Example 16, since the sliding layer includes only the scaly graphite particles, the amount of the scaly graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface is larger than that of the example. For this reason, in Comparative Example 16, the amount of scaly graphite particles falling off from the sliding surface into the gap between the surface of the shaft member and the sliding surface during sliding is excessive, and the sliding surface is scratched. This occurred and the amount of wear of the sliding layer increased.

  In Comparative Example 17, the sliding layer includes both long spherical graphite particles and scaly graphite particles, but the volume ratio of the scaly graphite particles to the total volume of the graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer is as low as 8%. Therefore, the formation of the transfer portion on the long spherical graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles during sliding was insufficient, and the sliding surface was damaged. For this reason, the abrasion amount of the sliding layer increased.

  In Comparative Example 18, the sliding layer includes both long spherical graphite particles and scaly graphite particles, but the volume ratio of the scaly graphite particles to the total volume of the graphite particles dispersed in the sliding layer is as large as 45%. Therefore, during the sliding, the scaly graphite particles exposed on the sliding surface are cracked, and the amount of falling off increases, and the falling scaly graphite particles cause scratches on the sliding surface and wear the sliding layer. The amount is thought to have increased.

  Comparative Example 19 reduces the frictional force between the sliding layer and the shaft member shaft surface because the amount of graphite particles composed of the oblong graphite particles and the scaly graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is as small as 3% by volume. It is considered that the effect was insufficient and the wear amount of the sliding layer was increased.

  In Comparative Example 20, since the amount of the graphite particles composed of the oblong graphite particles and the scaly graphite particles contained in the sliding layer is as large as 60% by volume, the strength of the sliding layer is reduced, and the wear amount of the sliding layer is reduced. Seems to have increased.

1: Sliding device 2: Shaft member 3: Sliding member 4: Back metal layer 5: Sliding layer 6: Synthetic resin of sliding member 7: Graphite particles 71: Spherical graphite particles 72: Scale-like graphite particles 8: Porous Metal layer 9: shaft member synthetic resin 10: hard particles

Claims (12)

A sliding device comprising a shaft member and a sliding member for supporting the shaft member,
The shaft member is made of a synthetic resin and hard particles dispersed in the synthetic resin, and the volume of the hard particles is 5 to 50% by volume of the volume of the shaft member,
The sliding member includes a backing metal layer and a sliding layer provided on the backing metal layer,
The sliding layer comprises a synthetic resin and graphite particles dispersed in the synthetic resin, and the volume of the graphite particles is 5 to 50% by volume of the volume of the sliding layer,
The graphite particles are composed of oblong graphite particles having a graphitization degree K1 and thin plate-like scaly graphite particles having a graphitization degree K2, and the ratio of the volume of the scaly graphite particles to the total volume of the graphite particles is 10 to 10. 40%,
The cross-sectional structure of the long spherical graphite particles is such that the AB surface of the graphite crystal is laminated in a curved shape along the roundness of the particle surface from the particle surface toward the center, and the cross-sectional structure of the scaly graphite particles is: A plurality of AB surfaces of graphite crystals are laminated in the thickness direction of the thin plate shape,
The average particle diameter of the long spherical graphite particles is 3 to 50 μm, the average particle diameter of the scaly graphite particles is 1 to 25 μm,
The graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.80 to 0.97, the graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles is larger than the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles, and the difference K2− The sliding device whose K1 is 0.03-0.15.   The sliding device according to claim 1, wherein the graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.85 to 0.97.   The slide according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a difference K2-K1 between a graphitization degree K2 of the scaly graphite particles and a graphitization degree K1 of the long spherical graphite particles is 0.03 to 0.10. Moving device.   The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an average aspect ratio of the long spherical graphite particles is 1.5 to 4.5. The scaly graphite particles have an average aspect ratio of 5 to 10,
The anisotropic dispersion index of the scaly graphite particles is 3 or more, and the anisotropic dispersion index is represented by an average of the ratio X1 / Y1 for each of the scaly graphite particles, where X1 is the value of the sliding layer. The cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the sliding surface is the length in the direction parallel to the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles,
5. Y1 is a length in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface of the scaly graphite particles in a cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the sliding surface of the sliding layer. The sliding device described in any one of the preceding items.   The synthetic resin of the sliding layer is composed of one or more selected from PAI, PI, PBI, PA, phenol, epoxy, POM, PEEK, PE, PPS, and PEI. The sliding device described in any one of the preceding items. Said sliding _layer, MoS further comprising _{2, WS 2, h-BN} , and 1 to 20 vol% of one or more solid lubricants selected from PTFE, of claims 1 to 6 The sliding device described in any one of items. The sliding layer _comprises CaF 2, CaCo _3, talcum, mica, mullite, iron oxide, calcium phosphate, and Mo ₂ one or more fillers selected from C 1 to 10 vol% addition, claim The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a porous metal layer between the backing metal layer and the sliding layer.   The synthetic resin of the shaft member is one or more selected from PAI, PI, PBI, PA, phenol, epoxy, POM, PEEK, PE, PPS and PEI. The sliding device described in any one of the preceding items. The hard particles are composed of one or more selected from carbon fiber, glass fiber, BN, Al ₂ O ₃ , SiC, SiO ₂ , AlN, and TiO ₂ . The sliding device described in any one of the items. The shaft member is
CaF _2, CaCo _3, talcum, mica, mullite, iron oxide, 1-10% by volume of one or more selected from among calcium phosphate and Mo ₂ C, and / or MoS _{2, WS} 2, h-BN The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising 5 vol% or less of one or more selected from PTFE.