| abstract |
A slide member comprising a body of sintered silicon nitride of 60 W/m·K or higher thermal conductivity containing rare earth elements in an amount of 7 to 18 mass% in terms of oxide and at least one element (M) selected from among Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and W in an amount of 0.1 to 3 mass% in terms of oxide wherein the total content of impurity positive ion elements is 0.3 mass% or less. The body of sintered silicon nitride has silicon nitride crystal grains and intergranular phases. The ratio of crystal compound phases based on the intergranular phases is 20% or more in area ratio, and the average particle diameter of the crystal compound phases is 0.5 μm or less. The slide member is used as, for example, bearing ball (2). |