| abstract |
[Purpose] To provide sliding components each comprising a base metal and, joined thereto, a sliding face member having a sliding face of crowning profile, in particular, sliding components such as valve train parts, a cam follower and a rocker arm of an automobile engine. n [Constitution] A sliding component having a structure comprising (1) a ceramic forming a sliding face and (2) a base metal joined together, in which the extent of crowning of the sliding face is at least 0.1 to 0.4% of the maximum length of the junction face of the ceramic. The ceramic has a four-point flexural strength of at least 500 MPa as measured in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standard R1601. The base metal is mainly steel at least the surface of which has preferably a martensite texture and has a hardness of higher than 45 in terms of H RC . The structure may have an intermediate layer of a metal or cermet. In one mode the junction of the sliding face member such as a ceramic of crowning profile is simultaneously carried out with the formation of the base metal part and in another mode the sliding face of the base metal is hardened by the heating after the junction. n [Effect] A sliding component whose extent of crowning is great can be provided at a lowered cost without suffering from defects such as cracking. |