Multi-layer type sliding bearing of aluminum alloy and method of producing the same

A multi-layer type sliding bearing of aluminum alloy, having a backing layer of steel provided on one side thereof with a rear face-plating layer provided on rear face thereof, a bearing layer of aluminum alloy bonded to another side of the backing layer, an overlay layer, and a mixture layer of a thickness of not more than 0.5 microns between the bearing layer and the overlay in a bonded relation to both the bearing layer and said overlay, said mixture layer consisting essentially of the overlay and one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co and Fe, said overlay consisting by weight of 0 to 15% Cu, 0 to 20% Sb, and the balance Sn and incidental impurities.

In a method of producing a multi-layer type sliding bearing of aluminum alloy, comprising the steps of:

• providing a half cylindrical or cylindrical bearing member made of an aluminum alloy, said bearing member being bonded onto a backing layer of steel;
• and electrolytically providing an overlay layer on the inner face of the bearing member which overlay layer consists by weight of 0 to 15% Cu, 0 to 20% Sb, and the balance Sn and incidental impurities, the improvement further comprising the step of providing a mixture layer having a thickness of not more than 5 microns between said overlay layer and said bearing layer of aluminum alloy by a combination of an electroless deposition and an overlay electroplating, said mixture layer being constituted by a mixture of the constituents of said overlay and one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co and Fe.

A multi-layer slide bearing, comprising a base layer (5) of steel, a bearing layer (4) of an aluminum alloy bonded to said base layer (5), a coating (1), and an intermediate layer (3) between said bearing layer (4) and said coating (1) and bonded to said bearing layer (4) and said coating,

• said intermediate layer being a mixed layer having a thickness of no more than 0.5 .mu.m, consisting of a mixture of the coating (1) and an element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co and Fe, said element being discontinuously present in the mixed layer;
• and said coating layer (1) consisting of 0 to 15% by weight of Cu, 0 to 20% by weight of Sb, and the remainder of Sn and accidental impurities.

A multi-layer slide bearing, comprising a base layer (5) of steel, a bearing layer (4) of an aluminum alloy bonded to the base layer (5), a coating (1), and an intermediate layer (3) between the bearing layer (4) and the coating (1) bonded to the bearing layer (4) and the coating, and a plating layer (6) is applied to the back of the base layer (5),

• said intermediate layer being a mixed layer (3) with a thickness of no more than 0.5 .mu.m, consisting of a mixture of the coating (1) and an element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co and Fe, which element is discontinuously present in the mixed layer (3), and wherein the coating (1) consists of 0 to 15% by weight of Cu, 0 to 20% by weight of Sb, and the remainder of Sn and accidental impurities.