Anticorrosive bushing

Abstract

To provide an anticorrosive bushing having a high-load capacity.SOLUTION: A method of forming an anticorrosive bushing comprises bonding a sliding layer to a first surface of a load-bearing substrate to form a laminate sheet, and cutting a blank from the laminate sheet. The laminate sheet comprises an exposed surface that corresponds to a second surface of the load-bearing substrate. A blank comprises a cut edge part having a load-bearing substrate portion. The method further comprises forming a semi-machined bushing from the blank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to corrosion-resistant bushings having a high load capacity.

Background Art

[0002] Sliding bearing composite materials composed of a load-bearing substrate and a sliding layer overlay are generally known. The load-bearing substrate and the sliding layer are usually connected by laminating using a suitable adhesive. The sliding bearing composite material can be used, for example, in the manufacture of maintenance-free bushings used in the automotive industry. Such maintenance-free bushings can be used in door hinges, bonnet hinges and engine compartment hinges, seats, steering columns, flywheels, balancer shaft bearings, etc. Further, maintenance-free bushings manufactured from sliding bearing composite materials can also be used in applications other than automobiles. In some applications, the sliding bearing is exposed to environmental conditions that cause corrosion, especially when the load-bearing substrate is made of an iron alloy such as steel. There is currently a need for improved maintenance-free bushings having a longer maintenance-free service life, improved peel resistance or corrosion resistance, and a high load capacity.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, the sliding article comprises a load-bearing substrate, an aluminum-containing layer, and a sliding layer. The load-bearing substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge. The load-bearing substrate further has a thickness t1. The aluminum-containing layer can be laminated on the first major surface and can be in direct contact with the first major surface. The aluminum-containing layer has a thickness t2. In one or more embodiments, t2 is 10 μm or more. The sliding layer can be laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. In one or more embodiments, the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more, or t1 ≦ 10t2.

[0004] In a second aspect, the hinge assembly can include a first hinge portion, a second hinge portion, a pin joining the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion, and a bushing. The bushing can include a load-bearing substrate, an aluminum-containing layer, and a sliding layer. The load-bearing substrate can have a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and an edge portion. The load-bearing substrate has a thickness t1. The aluminum-containing layer is laminated on the first major surface and can be in direct contact with the first major surface. The aluminum-containing layer can have a thickness t2. In one embodiment, t2 is 10 μm or more. The sliding layer can be laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. The ratio of t2 / t1 can be 1 / 10 or more.

[0005] In a third aspect, a method for preparing a bushing can include providing a load-bearing substrate and an aluminum-containing layer. The load-bearing substrate has a first major surface and a second major surface. The aluminum-containing layer can be clad on the first major surface. In another embodiment, the aluminum-containing coating is formed, for example, by spray coating, metal spraying, mechanical coating, galvanic electroplating, fusion plating, or any combination thereof. The above method can further include depositing a sliding layer to cover the first major surface or the second major surface to form a laminate. The above method can further include cutting a blank from the laminate. The above method can further include forming a bushing from the blank.

[0006] In a fourth aspect, a method for preparing a corrosion-resistant iron-containing article can include providing a substrate. The substrate has a first major surface and a second major surface. The substrate includes an iron-containing layer. The iron-containing layer can form the first major surface. The substrate can further include an aluminum-containing layer laminated on the first major surface. The above method can further include cutting the substrate from the aluminum-containing layer across the first major surface to the second major surface to form a cross-section. The above method can further include forming an alumina-containing layer to cover the cross-section.

[0007] In a fifth aspect, the bushing comprises a multi-layer metal substrate. The multi-layer substrate comprises a steel layer. The steel layer has a first major surface and a second major surface. The bushing can further comprise a first aluminum-containing layer adjacent to and in direct contact with the first major surface. The bushing can further comprise a second aluminum-containing layer adjacent to and in direct contact with the second major surface. The bushing can further comprise an adhesive layer laminated on the multi-layer metal substrate. The bushing can further comprise a fluoropolymer sliding layer laminated on the adhesive layer and in direct contact with the adhesive layer.

[0008] In a sixth aspect, the bushing comprises a load-bearing substrate. The load-bearing substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge. In one embodiment, the load-bearing substrate has a thickness of 200 microns to 3000 microns. The bushing further comprises an aluminum-containing layer laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface. The aluminum-containing layer can have a thickness of 20 microns to 300 microns. The bushing further comprises a sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface.

[0009] In a seventh aspect, the bushing comprises a load-bearing substrate. The load-bearing substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge. In one embodiment, the load-bearing substrate has a thickness of 200 microns to 3000 microns. The bushing further comprises a corrosion prevention layer laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface. The corrosion prevention layer can have a thickness of 20 microns to 300 microns. In one embodiment, the corrosion prevention layer can contain a metal selected from magnesium, aluminum, titanium, scandium, zinc, or any combination thereof. The bushing further comprises a sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface.

[0010] In an eighth aspect, the sliding article includes a load-bearing substrate, a coating, and a sliding layer. The load-bearing substrate has a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge. The load-bearing substrate further has a thickness t1. The coating can be laminated on the first major surface and can be in direct contact with the first major surface. The coating contains an elemental metal having a Pauling electronegativity of less than 1.83. The coating has a thickness t2. In one or more embodiments, t2 is 10 μm or more. The sliding layer can be laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. In one or more embodiments, the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more, or t1 ≤ 10t2.

[0011] In a ninth aspect, the hinge assembly can include a first hinge portion, a second hinge portion, a pin joining the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion, and a bushing. The bushing can include a load-bearing substrate, a coating, and a sliding layer. The load-bearing substrate can have a first major surface, a second major surface facing the first major surface, and an edge. The load-bearing substrate has a thickness t1. The coating can be laminated on the first major surface and can be in direct contact with the first major surface. The coating contains an elemental metal having a Pauling electronegativity of less than 1.83. The coating has a thickness t2. In one or more embodiments, t2 is 10 μm or more. The sliding layer can be laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. The ratio of t2 / t1 can be 1 / 10 or more.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The present disclosure may be more deeply understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, and many of its features and advantages may become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0013]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

Figure 1D

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

[0014] The use of the same reference numerals in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In Figure 1A, a cross-section showing various layers of the corrosion-resistant bushing is shown, and the corrosion-resistant bushing is generally referred to as 100. The bushing 100 can include a load-bearing substrate 102. The load-bearing substrate 102 is a metal support layer that can handle high strain or high pressure. The load-bearing substrate 102 can be prone to corrosion. The metal support layer 102 can include metals or metal alloys such as steel, iron, including carbon steel, spring steel, etc., or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the load-bearing substrate 102 can be a metal (including metal alloys) such as an iron alloy. In a further embodiment, the load-bearing substrate 102 is selected from an iron-containing substrate, a tin-containing substrate, a copper-containing substrate, a titanium-containing substrate, or any combination thereof. The load-bearing substrate 102 is coated with a corrosion protection layer 104. The corrosion protection layer 104 can include aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0016] The load-bearing substrate 102 has a thickness t1. In one embodiment, t1 is 50 microns or more, 80 microns or more, 100 microns or more, 150 microns or more, 200 microns or more, or 300 microns or more. In another embodiment, t1 is 800 microns or less, 700 microns or less, 650 microns or less, 600 microns or less, 550 microns or less, 500 microns or less, 480 microns or less, 460 microns or less, 440 microns or less, or 420 microns or less. In a further embodiment, t1 ranges from 50 microns to 800 microns, such as from 100 microns to 600 microns, from 200 microns to 500 microns, or from 300 microns to 450 microns. In a specific embodiment, t1 ranges from 380 microns to 420 microns.

[0017] The load-bearing substrate is highly elastic against mechanical forces. In one embodiment, the load-bearing substrate has a tensile strength of 120 MPa or more, 140 MPa or more, 160 MPa or more, 180 MPa or more, 200 MPa or more, 220 MPa or more, or 240 MPa or more. In a further embodiment, the load-bearing substrate has a tensile strength of 600 MPa or less, 500 MPa or less, 450 MPa or less, 400 MPa or less, 350 MPa or less, 300 MPa or less, or 250 MPa or less. In another embodiment, the load-bearing substrate has a yield strength in the range of 100 MPa to 2000 MPa, 150 MPa to 1500 MPa, 200 MPa to 1000 MPa, or 200 MPa to 600 MPa.

[0018] The above load-bearing substrate often has a property of being easily corroded. The property of being easily corroded can be tested according to the neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006. Without any corrosion protection, a load-bearing substrate containing iron such as steel shows red corrosion after 5 hours of salt spray.

[0019] The aluminum-containing layer 104 has a thickness t2. In one embodiment, t2 can be 20 microns or more, 25 microns or more, 30 microns or more, 35 microns or more, 40 microns or more, 45 microns or more, or 50 microns or more. In another embodiment, t2 is 200 microns or less, 180 microns or less, 160 microns or less, 140 microns or less, 120 microns or less, 100 microns or less, 90 microns or less, 80 microns or less, 70 microns or less, or 60 microns or less. In yet another embodiment, t2 is in the range of 20 microns to 200 microns, 25 microns to 180 microns, 30 microns to 120 microns, or 40 microns to 80 microns. In a specific embodiment, t2 is 45 microns to 50 microns.

[0020] In one embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has a tensile strength of 50 MPa or more, 55 MPa or more, 60 MPa or more, 65 MPa or more, 70 MPa or more, 75 MPa or more, or 80 MPa or more. In another embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has a tensile strength of 200 MPa or less, 190 MPa or less, 180 MPa or less, 160 MPa or less, 150 MPa or less, 140 MPa or less, 130 MPa or less, 120 MPa or less, 110 MPa or less, or 100 MPa or less.

[0021] Regarding the aluminum content of the aluminum-containing layer, in one embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content of 20 wt% or more, 30 wt% or more, 40 wt% or more, 50 wt% or more, 60 wt% or more, 70 wt% or more, 75 wt% or more, 80 wt% or more, 85 wt% or more, or 90 wt% or more. In another embodiment, the aluminum content is 99.99999 wt% or less, 99.99 wt% or less, 99.95 wt% or less, 99.9 wt% or less, 99.85 wt% or less, 99.8 wt% or less, 99.5 wt% or less, 99 wt% or less, 98 wt% or less, 95 wt% or less, 93 wt% or less, 85 wt% or less, 80 wt% or less, 70 wt% or less, or 60 wt% or less. In one embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content in the range of 25 wt% to 99.99999 wt%, 50 wt% to 99.99 wt%, 90 wt% to 99.99 wt%, or 95 wt% to 99.9 wt%.

[0022] As described above, the aluminum-containing layer can have an aluminum content that is not the main component. Thus, the aluminum content can be 50 wt% or less, 45 wt% or less, 40 wt% or less, 35 wt% or less, 30 wt% or less, or 25 wt% or less. For example, in one embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer can include another metal selected from the group consisting of lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, silicon, and zinc. In a specific embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer is an aluminum-magnesium alloy such as x Mg y etc., where x is selected from 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, and x + y = 1.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer can be replaced by a coating. The coating can include an elemental metal having a polling electronegativity less than that of iron. In one embodiment, the elemental metal has a polling electronegativity of less than 1.83. In another embodiment, the elemental metal can be selected from beryllium, magnesium, lithium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zinc, aluminum, or any combination or alloy thereof. In another embodiment, the elemental metal is selected from an alloy containing magnesium, aluminum or zinc, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, or any combination thereof.

[0024] In yet a further embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has a structured surface. For example, the aluminum-containing layer has a structured surface that includes wall-like depressions, wall-like protrusions, or any combination thereof. The wall-like depressions or wall-like protrusions can have a height in the range of 0.1 micron to 30 microns, 1 micron to 20 microns, or 2 microns to 15 microns. In one embodiment, the structured surface can have a regular polygonal pattern such as a triangular pattern, a rectangular pattern, a square pattern, a pentagonal pattern, a hexagonal pattern, a higher-order polygonal pattern, and combinations thereof. The pattern can be a depression into the aluminum layer, a protrusion from the aluminum layer, or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has a surface structured like a honeycomb. In yet a further embodiment, the surface structure can have an irregular pattern. In yet another embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has a surface roughness of 1 micron or more, 2 microns or more, 3 microns or more, 4 microns or more, or 5 microns or more. In another embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer has a surface roughness of 20 microns or less, 15 microns or less, 12 microns or less, 10 microns or less, or 8 microns or less.

[0025] To obtain the maximum corrosion resistance, the minimum ratio of t2 / t1 is required. In one embodiment, the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more. To maintain the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate 102, the ratio of t1 / t2 needs to remain below the maximum value. In one embodiment, the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 3 or less, 1 / 4 or less, 1 / 5 or less, 1 / 6 or less, 1 / 7 or less, 1 / 8 or less, or 1 / 9 or less. In a further embodiment, the ratio of t2 / t1 is in the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 4, 1 / 10 to 1 / 5, or 1 / 9 to 1 / 7.

[0026] In a further embodiment, layer 104 is a corrosion prevention layer. The corrosion prevention layer can include a metal selected from magnesium, aluminum, titanium, scandium, zinc, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the corrosion prevention layer consists essentially of metal. In another embodiment, the corrosion prevention layer is substantially free of iron. In a further embodiment, the corrosion prevention layer consists essentially of magnesium. The corrosion prevention layer can consist essentially of a metal having an electronegativity of less than 1.70.

[0027] The corrosion prevention layer can have a thickness of 20 to 300 microns. In another embodiment, the corrosion prevention layer can have a thickness ratio to the load-bearing substrate as outlined and described herein.

[0028] The sliding layer 108 can be attached to the aluminum-containing layer 104 using the adhesive layer 106. The sliding layer 108 can include a polymer such as a fluoropolymer. Examples of polymers that can be used for the sliding layer 108 include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), polyacetal (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polysulfone, polyamide, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyurethane, polyester, or any combination thereof.

[0029] Furthermore, the sliding layer 108 can include a filler such as an antifriction filler. Examples of fillers that can be used for the sliding layer 108 include glass, glass fiber, carbon, carbon fiber, silicon, graphite, PEEK, molybdenum disulfide, aromatic polyester, carbon particles, bronze, fluoropolymer, thermoplastic filler, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, polyamideimide (PAI), polyimide (PI), PPS, polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), aromatic polyester (Econol), and mineral particles such as wollastonite, CaF2, and barium sulfate, or any combination thereof. The filler can be in the form of beads, fibers, powders, nets, fleeces, or any combination thereof.

[0030] Regarding the thickness of the sliding layer, in one embodiment, the sliding layer has a thickness of about 0.05 mm or more, for example, about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, or about 0.45 mm or more. In another embodiment, the sliding layer has a thickness of about 2 mm or less, for example, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1 mm or less, about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less, about 0.7 mm or less, about 0.6 mm or less, about 0.55 mm or less, or about 0.5 mm or less. In one embodiment, the sliding layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, 0.2 mm to 1 mm, or 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.

[0031] Regarding the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate and the aluminum-containing layer, in one embodiment, the combined tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate and the aluminum-containing layer is 70% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 75% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 80% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 80% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 85% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 90% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 95% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 98% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 99% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, 99.9% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate, or 99.99% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate.

[0032] In one embodiment, the sliding layer 108 may include a woven mesh or an expanded metal lattice. The woven mesh or expanded metal lattice can include a metal or metal alloy such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or bronze. Alternatively, the woven mesh can be a woven polymer mesh. In an alternative embodiment, the sliding layer may not include a mesh or lattice. In another alternative embodiment, the woven mesh, fleece, or expanded metal lattice may be embedded between the adhesive layer 106 and the sliding layer 108.

[0033] In one embodiment, the expanded metal layer has a mesh size of 10 mesh / inch or more, for example, 11 mesh / inch or more, 13 mesh / inch or more, 15 mesh / inch or more, 17 mesh / inch or more, 19 mesh / inch or more, or 21 mesh / inch or more. In another embodiment, the expanded metal layer has a thickness of 0.1 mm or more, for example, 0.2 mm or more, 0.3 mm or more, 0.4 mm or more, 0.5 mm or more, or 0.6 mm or more. In yet another embodiment, the expanded metal layer has a thickness of 1 mm or less, 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less, 0.7 mm or less, 0.6 mm or less, 0.55 mm or less, or 0.5 mm or less.

[0034] Returning to FIG. 1, the adhesive layer 106 can be a hot melt adhesive. Examples of adhesives that can be used for the adhesive layer 106 include fluoropolymers, epoxy resins, polyimide resins, polyether / polyamide copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), ETFE copolymers, perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), or any combination thereof. Further, the adhesive layer 106 can include one or more functional groups selected from -C=O, -C-O-R, -COH, -COOH, -COOR, -CF2=CF-OR, or any combination thereof. In the formula, R is a cyclic or linear organic group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Further, the adhesive layer 106 can include a copolymer. In one embodiment, the hot melt adhesive can have a melting point of about 250°C or less, for example, about 220°C or less. In another embodiment, the adhesive layer 112 may decompose when it is higher than about 200°C, for example, higher than about 220°C. In a further embodiment, the melting point of the hot melt adhesive can be higher than 250°C, and further higher than 300°C.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1B, in another embodiment, the aluminum-containing layer 104 is adjacent to the load-bearing substrate and is located on the side opposite to the sliding layer 108. In those embodiments, the aluminum-containing layer serves as a corrosion-resistant layer or a passivation layer. In the assembly, the aluminum-containing layer 104 shown in FIG. 1B contacts another metal part. The layer 104 acts as a sacrificial anode to protect the assembly from corrosion.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1C, another embodiment includes the presence of two aluminum-containing layers 1042 and 1044 laminated on both sides of the load-bearing substrate 102 adjacent to the load-bearing substrate. In this embodiment, the layer 1042 can have a thickness t2, and the layer 1044 can have a thickness t3. The layer 1042 and the layer 1044 can be the same or different in terms of thickness, aluminum content, or surface structure.

[0037] Regarding FIG. 1C, the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is 1 / 10 or more. In another embodiment, the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is 1 / 3 or less, 2 / 7 or less, 1 / 4 or less, 2 / 9 or less, or 1 / 5 or less. In yet another embodiment, the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is in the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 3, 1 / 8 to 1 / 3, or 1 / 5 to 1 / 3.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1D, in another embodiment, the load-bearing substrate can include load-bearing metal layers 102 and 1022, and the load-bearing metal layers 102 and 1022 can be the same or different in terms of metal type, thickness, and composition. The load-bearing substrate can include aluminum-containing layers 104, 1042, and 1044, and in those, the thickness, aluminum content, and surface structure can be the same or different.

[0039] The laminate shown in FIGS. 1A - 1D has an application as a bushing. An example of such a bushing is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Referring to FIG. 2A, the assembly includes an outer member 202, an inner member 204, and a bushing 206 disposed between members 202 and 204. The bushing can have a flange that extends radially outward and covers the outer member. For illustrative purposes, only a portion of the bushing 206 is disclosed in FIG. 2A. In an embodiment, the bushing 206 can form a closed cylinder. In another embodiment, the bushing 206 can be a cylinder with a slit extending from a first axial end to a second axial end.

[0040] FIG. 2B discloses details of the bushing 206 and shows all the layers discussed herein, including two aluminum - containing layers 104 sandwiching a load - bearing substrate 102. In any embodiment, the bushing 206 has an edge that is exposed to the environment.

[0041] In one embodiment, the bushing can further include a functional layer adjacent to the load - bearing substrate on the opposite side of the sliding layer. In one embodiment, the functional layer can be a further sliding layer, an elastomer layer, or a combination thereof. When the functional layer is an elastomer layer, the elastomer layer can include nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, olefin - based elastomer, styrene - based elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, cross - linked elastomer, polyether - polyester elastomer, ethylene - propylene elastomer, ethylene - acrylate rubber, and / or fluorine - containing elastomer.

[0042] In the elastomer layer, a strong bond between the support material and the elastic layer can be produced by a vulcanization process at a temperature of about 150 to 250 °C. In this process, cross-linking can occur within the elastomer, and cross-linking can also occur with the surface of the support material activated by the binder. The bonding layer thus present between the support material and the elastic layer can contain one or more reactive polymers, particularly silane-based polymers, and / or pigments in a solvent, particularly pigments in methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, ethanol and water, or ethanol and methyl ethyl ketone.

[0043] Returning to the method of forming the bushing, a sliding layer can be adhered to the load-bearing substrate using a melt adhesive to form a laminate sheet. The laminate sheet can be cut into strips or blanks that can be formed into bushings. By cutting the laminate sheet, a cut edge containing the exposed portion of the load-bearing substrate can be created. The blank can be formed into a bushing by rounding the laminate and flanging it to form a semi-finished bushing of the desired shape.

[0044] Figure 4 illustrates exemplary shapes or uses of bushings. For example, the bushing can be a simple cylinder (4A), or it can be provided with a flange (4B). In another embodiment, the bushing can be conical with a flange (4C), or conical without a flange (not shown). Embodiment 4D illustrates a bushing with an inner member and an outer member. Embodiment 4E illustrates a bushing with an inner member that is isolated from a first outer member by the bushing but in contact with a second outer member adjacent to the first outer member, and the bushing flange isolates the first outer member and the second outer member. For example, a door hinge can be within the scope of embodiment 4E. Embodiment 4F shows a flanged bushing that typically has no slits present after molding.

[0045] In one embodiment, a bearing provided with the corrosion-resistant coating as described above can have a significantly improved service life. In particular, the bearing can have a corrosion resistance rating according to neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006 of 300 hours or more, 400 hours or more, 500 hours or more, 600 hours or more, 700 hours or more, 800 hours or more, 900 hours or more, 1000 hours or more, or 1100 hours or more. In another embodiment, the bushing can have a corrosion resistance rating of 2000 hours or less, 1800 hours or less, 1600 hours or less, or 1500 hours or less.

[0046] Another characteristic of the bushing is the deformability of the finished bushing. Deformability is the amount of plastic deformation that the laminate of the bushing can undergo. Deformability is represented by the percentage reduction in wall thickness after the bushing has been deformed by an oversize pin. That is, SC=(t0 - t a ) / t0 where SC is the deformability, t0 is the initial thickness of the laminate, and t a is the thickness after deformation by the oversize pin. Deformability can be measured by deforming the bushing stepwise using an oversize pin. For example, the bushing can be deformed 5% using a first pin, and further deformed up to 5% using a second oversize pin, and up to 5% with each additional oversize pin.

[0047] In one embodiment, the bushing has a deformability of 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 9% or more, 10% or more, 12% or more, 14% or more, 16% or more, or 18% or more.

[0048] The following set of items lists exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] Embodiment 1 A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t1 An aluminum-containing layer laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, having a thickness t2, where t2 is 10 microns or more. A sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. A sliding article comprising the above, where the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more.

[0050] Embodiment 2 A first hinge portion and a second hinge portion; A pin joining the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion; and A sliding article comprising A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, and having a thickness t1. An aluminum-containing layer laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, having a thickness t2, where t2 is 10 microns or more. A sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. A sliding article comprising the above. A hinge assembly comprising the above, where the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more.

[0051] Embodiment 3 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 1 or 2, further comprising a further aluminum-containing layer laminated on the second major surface and in direct contact with the second major surface, having a thickness t3.

[0052] Embodiment 4 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a functional layer laminated on the load-bearing substrate on the side opposite to the sliding layer.

[0053] Embodiment 5 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 4, where the functional layer is a second sliding layer.

[0054] Embodiment 6 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 4, where the functional layer is an elastomer layer.

[0055] Embodiment 7: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 6, wherein the above elastomer layer contains one or more of nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, olefin-based elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, crosslinked elastomer, polyether polyester elastomer, ethylene propylene elastomer, ethylene acrylate rubber, and / or fluorine elastomer.

[0056] Embodiment 8: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 3, wherein the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is 1 / 3 or less, 2 / 7 or less, 1 / 4 or less, 2 / 9 or less, or 1 / 5 or less.

[0057] Embodiment 9: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 3, wherein the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is in the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 3, 1 / 8 to 1 / 3, or 1 / 5 to 1 / 3.

[0058] Embodiment 10: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 3 or less, 1 / 4 or less, 1 / 5 or less, 1 / 6 or less, 1 / 7 or less, 1 / 8 or less, or 1 / 9 or less.

[0059] Embodiment 11: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the ratio of t2 / t1 is in the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 3, 1 / 10 to 1 / 5, or 1 / 9 to 1 / 7.

[0060] Embodiment 12: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein t2 is 25 microns or more, 30 microns or more, 35 microns or more, 40 microns or more, 45 microns or more, or 50 microns or more.

[0061] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein t2 is 200 microns or less, 180 microns or less, 160 microns or less, 140 microns or less, 120 microns or less, 100 microns or less, 90 microns or less, 80 microns or less, 70 microns or less, or 60 microns or less.

[0062] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein t2 is in the range of 20 microns to 200 microns, 25 microns to 180 microns, 30 microns to 120 microns, or 40 microns to 80 microns.

[0063] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein t1 is 50 microns or more, 80 microns or more, 100 microns or more, 150 microns or more, 200 microns or more, 300 microns or more, 400 microns or more, 500 microns or more, 600 microns or more, 800 microns or more, 1000 microns or more, 1200 microns or more, 1400 microns or more, 1600 microns or more, 1800 microns or more, or 2000 microns or more.

[0064] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein t1 is 2200 microns or less, 2000 microns or less, 1800 microns or less, 1600 microns or less, 1400 microns or less, 1200 microns or less, 1000 microns or less, 800 microns or less, 700 microns or less, 650 microns or less, 600 microns or less, 550 microns or less, 500 microns or less, 480 microns or less, 460 microns or less, 440 microns or less, or 420 microns or less.

[0065] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein t1 is in the range of 50 microns to 2000 microns, 100 microns to 1000 microns, 200 microns to 500 microns, or 300 microns to 450 microns.

[0066] Embodiment 18: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing base material contains a metal selected from iron, tin, copper, zinc, titanium, scandium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, or any combination thereof.

[0067] Embodiment 19: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 18, wherein the iron-containing base material contains steel.

[0068] Embodiment 20: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing base material is selected from a steel base material, a brass base material, a bronze base material, or a combination thereof.

[0069] Embodiment 21: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing base material contains a steel base material.

[0070] Embodiment 22: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing base material consists essentially of a steel base material.

[0071] Embodiment 23: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 120 MPa or more, 140 MPa or more, 160 MPa or more, 180 MPa or more, 200 MPa or more, 220 MPa or more, or 240 MPa or more.

[0072] Embodiment 24: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 600 MPa or less, 500 MPa or less, 450 MPa or less, 400 MPa or less, 350 MPa or less, 300 MPa or less, or 250 MPa or less.

[0073] Embodiment 25. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the load-bearing substrate has a yield strength in the range of 100 MPa to 2000 MPa, 150 MPa to 1500 MPa, 200 MPa to 1000 MPa, or 200 MPa to 600 MPa.

[0074] Embodiment 26. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a tensile strength of 50 MPa or more, 55 MPa or more, 60 MPa or more, 65 MPa or more, 70 MPa or more, 75 MPa or more, or 80 MPa or more.

[0075] Embodiment 27. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a tensile strength of 200 MPa or less, 190 MPa or less, 180 MPa or less, 160 MPa or less, 150 MPa or less, 140 MPa or less, 130 MPa or less, 120 MPa or less, 110 MPa or less, or 100 MPa or less.

[0076] Embodiment 28. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content of 20% by weight or more, 30% by weight or more, 40% by weight or more, 50% by weight or more, 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 75% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, 85% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more.

[0077] Embodiment 29. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the combined tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate and the aluminum-containing layer is 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 80% or more, or 85% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate.

[0078] Embodiment 30: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a magnesium content of 20% by weight or more, 30% by weight or more, 40% by weight or more, 50% by weight or more, 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 75% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, 85% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more.

[0079] Embodiment 31: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content of 99.99999% by weight or less, 99.99% by weight or less, 99.95% by weight or less, 99.9% by weight or less, 99.85% by weight or less, 99.8% by weight or less, 99.5% by weight or less, 99% by weight or less, 98% by weight or less, 95% by weight or less, 93% by weight or less, or 85% by weight or less.

[0080] Embodiment 32: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content in the range of 25% by weight to 99.99999% by weight, 50% by weight to 99.99% by weight, 90% by weight to 99.99% by weight, or 95% by weight to 99.9% by weight.

[0081] Embodiment 33: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer contains a fluoropolymer.

[0082] Embodiment 34: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), modified PTFE (TFM), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyamide (PA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), perfluoromethylalkoxy (MFA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or a mixture thereof.

[0083] Embodiment 35. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer includes a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0084] Embodiment 36. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer consists essentially of a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0085] Embodiment 37. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness of about 0.01 mm or more, about 0.05 mm or more, about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, or about 0.45 mm or more.

[0086] Embodiment 38. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness of about 5 mm or less, about 4 mm or less, about 3 mm or less, about 2.5 mm or less, about 2 mm or less, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1 mm or less, about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less, about 0.7 mm or less, about 0.6 mm or less, about 0.55 mm or less, or about 0.5 mm or less.

[0087] Embodiment 39. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 5 mm, 0.2 mm to 2 mm, or 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0088] Embodiment 40. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising an adhesive layer adjacent to the sliding layer.

[0089] Embodiment 41. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 40, wherein the adhesive layer contains a thermoplastic substance.

[0090] Embodiment 42 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 41, wherein the thermoplastic substance includes tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), aromatic polyester (Ekonol), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (MFA), modified polytetrafluoroethylene (TFM), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or any combination thereof.

[0091] Embodiment 43 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 41, wherein the adhesive layer consists essentially of a thermoplastic substance selected from the group of tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), and combinations thereof.

[0092] Embodiment 44 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 41, wherein the thermoplastic substance includes a modified thermoplastic substance containing one or more groups selected from C(=O)R, C‐O‐R, COOH, COOR, COH, or any combination thereof, where R is a cyclic organic residue or a linear organic residue having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0093] Embodiment 45 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a discontinuous metal layer adjacent to the first major surface.

[0094] Embodiment 46 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 45, wherein the discontinuous metal layer includes aluminum, an aluminum alloy, a steel metal, steel clad or coated with an aluminum-containing layer, or any combination thereof.

[0095] Embodiment 47: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 45, wherein the discontinuous metal layer is selected from expanded metal, mesh, fleece, foam, or any combination thereof.

[0096] Embodiment 48: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 45, wherein the discontinuous metal layer has a mesh size of 10 mesh / inch or more, for example, 11 mesh / inch or more, 13 mesh / inch or more, 15 mesh / inch or more, 17 mesh / inch or more, 19 mesh / inch or more, or 21 mesh / inch or more.

[0097] Embodiment 49: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 45, wherein the discontinuous metal layer has a thickness of 0.1 mm or more, for example, 0.2 mm or more, 0.3 mm or more, 0.4 mm or more, 0.5 mm or more, or 0.6 mm or more.

[0098] Embodiment 50: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 45, wherein the discontinuous metal layer has a thickness of 1 mm or less, 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less, 0.7 mm or less, 0.6 mm or less, 0.55 mm or less, or 0.5 mm or less.

[0099] Embodiment 51: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a structured surface.

[0100] Embodiment 52: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a structured surface including wall-like depressions, wall-like protrusions, or any combination thereof.

[0101] Embodiment 53: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 52, wherein the wall-like depressions or wall-like protrusions have a height in the range of 0.1 micron to 200 microns, 1 micron to 50 microns, or 2 microns to 30 microns.

[0102] Embodiment 54: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a polygonal structure.

[0103] Embodiment 55: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 54, wherein the polygonal structure is regular or irregular.

[0104] Embodiment 56: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 54, wherein the polygonal structure is a honeycomb structure.

[0105] Embodiment 57: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a surface roughness of 1 micron or more, 2 microns or more, 3 microns or more, 4 microns or more, or 5 microns or more.

[0106] Embodiment 58: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a surface roughness of 20 microns or less, 15 microns or less, 12 microns or less, 10 microns or less, or 8 microns or less.

[0107] Embodiment 59: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, further comprising an alumina-containing layer laminated on the edge.

[0108] Embodiment 60: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 51, wherein the alumina-containing layer contains Al2O3.

[0109] Embodiment 61: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 51, wherein the alumina-containing layer has a thickness of 5 microns or less, 4 microns or less, 3 microns or less, 2 microns or less, 1.5 microns or less, 1 micron or less, 0.9 microns or less, 0.8 microns or less, 0.7 microns or less, 0.6 microns or less, or 0.5 microns or less.

[0110] Embodiment 62. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding article has a corrosion resistance rating according to the neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006 for 300 hours or more, 400 hours or more, 500 hours or more, 600 hours or more, 700 hours or more, 800 hours or more, 900 hours or more, 1000 hours or more, or 1100 hours or more.

[0111] Embodiment 63. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding article has a corrosion resistance rating of 1 million hours or less, 100,000 hours or less, or 10,000 hours or less.

[0112] Embodiment 64. The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sliding article has a deformability of 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 10% or more, 12% or more, 14% or more, 16% or more, or 18% or more.

[0113] Embodiment 65 Preparing a load-bearing base material having a first main surface and a second main surface; Coating the first main surface with an aluminum-containing layer; Covering the first main surface or the second main surface and attaching a sliding layer to form a laminate; Cutting out a blank from the laminate; and Forming a semi-finished bushing from the blank A method for preparing a bushing including the above.

[0114] Embodiment 66. The method according to Embodiment 65, wherein the coating includes cladding, spray coating, metal spraying, mechanical coating, galvanic electroplating, hot dipping, or any combination thereof.

[0115] Embodiment 67 Prepare a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, comprising an iron-containing layer forming the first major surface, and further comprising an aluminum layer laminated on the first major surface; Cut the above substrate from the above aluminum layer across the first major surface to the second major surface to form a cross-section; and Form an alumina-containing layer covering the above cross-section A method for preparing a corrosion-resistant iron-containing article comprising the above steps.

[0116] Embodiment 68 A steel layer having a first major surface and a second major surface, A first aluminum-containing layer adjacent to and in direct contact with the first major surface, and A second aluminum-containing layer adjacent to and in direct contact with the second major surface, A multi-layer metal substrate comprising the above layers; An adhesive layer laminated on the above multi-layer metal substrate; A fluoropolymer sliding layer laminated on the above adhesive layer and in direct contact with the above adhesive layer A bushing comprising the above layers.

[0117] Embodiment 69 The bushing according to Embodiment 68, characterized in that the bushing has one or more shaft collars.

[0118] Embodiment 70 The bushing according to Embodiment 68 or 69, characterized in that the bushing has an essentially cylindrical shape.

[0119] Embodiment 71 The bushing according to Embodiment 68 or 69, characterized in that the bushing has a conical shape.

[0120] Embodiment 72 A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness of 200 microns to 3000 microns, An aluminum-containing layer laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, the aluminum-containing layer having a thickness of 20 microns to 300 microns, and A sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface described above. A bushing comprising the above.

[0121] Embodiment 73: The bushing according to Embodiment 72, further comprising a further aluminum-containing layer laminated on the second major surface and in direct contact with the second major surface, the further aluminum-containing layer having a thickness of 20 microns to 300 microns.

[0122] Embodiment 74: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 or 73, further comprising a functional layer laminated on the load-bearing base material on the side opposite to the sliding layer described above.

[0123] Embodiment 75: The bushing according to Embodiment 74, wherein the functional layer is a second sliding layer.

[0124] Embodiment 76: The bushing according to Embodiment 74, wherein the functional layer is an elastomer layer.

[0125] Embodiment 77: The bushing according to Embodiment 76, wherein the elastomer layer contains one or more of nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, olefin-based elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, crosslinked elastomer, polyether polyester elastomer, ethylene propylene elastomer, ethylene acrylate rubber, and / or fluorine elastomer.

[0126] Embodiment 78: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 77, wherein the thickness of the aluminum-containing layer is in the range of 20 microns to 250 microns, 25 microns to 200 microns, 30 microns to 150 microns, or 40 microns to 100 microns.

[0127] Embodiment 79: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 78, wherein the thickness of the load-bearing base material is in the range of 200 microns to 2500 microns, 250 microns to 2000 microns, 300 microns to 1500 microns, or 350 microns to 1000 microns.

[0128] Embodiment 80: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 79, wherein the load-bearing base material contains a metal selected from iron, tin, copper, zinc, titanium, scandium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, or any combination thereof.

[0129] Embodiment 81: The bushing according to Embodiment 80, wherein the iron-containing base material contains steel.

[0130] Embodiment 82: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 81, wherein the load-bearing base material is selected from a steel base material, a brass base material, a bronze base material, or a combination thereof.

[0131] Embodiment 83: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 82, wherein the load-bearing base material consists essentially of a steel base material.

[0132] Embodiment 84: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 83, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 120 MPa or more, 140 MPa or more, 160 MPa or more, 180 MPa or more, 200 MPa or more, 220 MPa or more, or 240 MPa or more.

[0133] Embodiment 85: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 84, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 600 MPa or less, 500 MPa or less, 450 MPa or less, 400 MPa or less, 350 MPa or less, 300 MPa or less, or 250 MPa or less.

[0134] Embodiment 86. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 85, wherein the load-bearing base material has a yield strength in the range of 100 MPa to 2000 MPa, 150 MPa to 1500 MPa, 200 MPa to 1000 MPa, or 200 MPa to 600 MPa.

[0135] Embodiment 87. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 86, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a tensile strength of 50 MPa or more, 55 MPa or more, 60 MPa or more, 65 MPa or more, 70 MPa or more, 75 MPa or more, or 80 MPa or more.

[0136] Embodiment 88. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 87, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a tensile strength of 200 MPa or less, 190 MPa or less, 180 MPa or less, 160 MPa or less, 150 MPa or less, 140 MPa or less, 130 MPa or less, 120 MPa or less, 110 MPa or less, or 100 MPa or less.

[0137] Embodiment 89. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 88, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content of 20% by weight or more, 30% by weight or more, 40% by weight or more, 50% by weight or more, 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 75% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, 85% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more.

[0138] Embodiment 90. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 89, wherein the combined tensile strength of the load-bearing base material and the aluminum-containing layer is 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 80% or more, or 85% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing base material.

[0139] Embodiment 91. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 90, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a magnesium content of 20 wt% or more, 30 wt% or more, 40 wt% or more, 50 wt% or more, 60 wt% or more, 70 wt% or more, 75 wt% or more, 80 wt% or more, 85 wt% or more, or 90 wt% or more.

[0140] Embodiment 92. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 91, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content of 99.99999 wt% or less, 99.99 wt% or less, 99.95 wt% or less, 99.9 wt% or less, 99.85 wt% or less, 99.8 wt% or less, 99.5 wt% or less, 99 wt% or less, 98 wt% or less, 95 wt% or less, 93 wt% or less, or 85 wt% or less.

[0141] Embodiment 93. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 77, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content in the range of 25 wt% to 99.99999 wt%, 50 wt% to 99.99 wt%, 90 wt% to 99.99 wt%, or 95 wt% to 99.9 wt%.

[0142] Embodiment 94. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 93, wherein the sliding layer contains a fluoropolymer.

[0143] Embodiment 95. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 94, wherein the sliding layer contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or a mixture thereof.

[0144] Embodiment 96. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 95, wherein the sliding layer contains a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0145] Embodiment 97. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 96, wherein the sliding layer essentially consists of a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0146] Embodiment 98. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 97, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 5 mm, 0.2 mm to 2 mm, or 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0147] Embodiment 99. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 98, further comprising an adhesive layer adjacent to the sliding layer.

[0148] Embodiment 100. The bushing according to Embodiment 99, wherein the adhesive layer contains a thermoplastic substance.

[0149] Embodiment 101. The bushing according to Embodiment 100, wherein the thermoplastic substance includes tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), aromatic polyester (Ekonol), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (MFA), modified polytetrafluoroethylene (TFM), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or any combination thereof.

[0150] Embodiment 102. The bushing according to Embodiment 101, wherein the adhesive layer essentially consists of a thermoplastic substance selected from the group consisting of tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), and combinations thereof.

[0151] Embodiment 103: The bushing according to Embodiment 102, wherein the thermoplastic substance includes a modified thermoplastic substance containing one or more groups selected from C(=O)R, C-O-R, COOH, COOR, COH, or any combination thereof, where R is a cyclic organic residue or a linear organic residue having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0152] Embodiment 104: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 103, further comprising an expanded metal layer adjacent to the first major surface.

[0153] Embodiment 105: The bushing according to Embodiment 104, wherein the expanded metal layer includes an aluminum alloy, a steel metal, a steel clad or coated with an aluminum-containing layer, or a combination thereof.

[0154] Embodiment 106: The bushing according to Embodiment 104, wherein the expanded metal layer is embedded in a polymer matrix.

[0155] Embodiment 107: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 106, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a structured surface.

[0156] Embodiment 108: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 107, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a structured surface including wall-like depressions, wall-like protrusions, or any combination thereof.

[0157] Embodiment 109: The bushing according to Embodiment 108, wherein the wall-like depression or wall-like protrusion has a height in the range of 0.1 micron to 200 microns, 1 micron to 50 microns, or 2 microns to 30 microns.

[0158] Embodiment 110: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 72 to 109, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has a polygonal structure.

[0159] Embodiment 111. The bushing described in Embodiment 110, wherein the above polygonal structure is regular or irregular.

[0160] Embodiment 112. The bushing described in Embodiment 110, wherein the above polygonal structure is a honeycomb structure.

[0161] Embodiment 113. The bushing described in any one of Embodiments 72 to 112, further comprising an alumina-containing layer laminated on the above edge.

[0162] Embodiment 114. The bushing described in any one of Embodiments 72 to 113, wherein the above alumina-containing layer contains Al2O3.

[0163] Embodiment 115. The bushing described in Embodiment 114, wherein the above alumina-containing layer has a thickness of 5 microns or less, 4 microns or less, 3 microns or less, 2 microns or less, 1.5 microns or less, 1 micron or less, 0.9 microns or less, 0.8 microns or less, 0.7 microns or less, 0.6 microns or less, or 0.5 microns or less.

[0164] Embodiment 116. The bushing described in any one of Embodiments 72 to 115, wherein the above bushing has a corrosion resistance rating according to the neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006 of 300 hours or more, 400 hours or more, 500 hours or more, 600 hours or more, 700 hours or more, 800 hours or more, 900 hours or more, 1000 hours or more, or 1100 hours or more.

[0165] Embodiment 117. The bushing described in any one of Embodiments 72 to 116, wherein the above bushing has a deformability of 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 10% or more, 12% or more, 14% or more, 16% or more, or 18% or more.

[0166] Embodiment 118 A load-bearing substrate having a first main surface, a second main surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness of 200 microns to 3000 microns. An anti-corrosion layer laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, the anti-corrosion layer having a thickness of 20 microns to 300 microns, and A sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. A bushing comprising the above.

[0167] Embodiment 119: The bushing according to Embodiment 118, further comprising an additional anti-corrosion layer laminated on the second major surface and in direct contact with the second major surface, the additional anti-corrosion layer having a thickness of 20 microns to 300 microns.

[0168] Embodiment 120: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 or 119, further comprising a functional layer laminated on the load-bearing substrate on the side opposite to the sliding layer.

[0169] Embodiment 121: The bushing according to Embodiment 120, wherein the functional layer is a second sliding layer.

[0170] Embodiment 122: The bushing according to Embodiment 120, wherein the functional layer is an elastomer layer.

[0171] Embodiment 123: The bushing according to Embodiment 122, wherein the elastomer layer contains one or more of nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, olefin-based elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, cross-linked elastomer, polyether polyester elastomer, ethylene propylene elastomer, ethylene acrylate rubber, and / or fluorine elastomer.

[0172] Embodiment 124: The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 123, wherein the thickness of the anti-corrosion layer is in the range of 20 microns to 250 microns, 25 microns to 200 microns, 30 microns to 150 microns, or 40 microns to 100 microns.

[0173] Embodiment 125. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 124, wherein the thickness of the load-bearing base material is in the range of 200 microns to 2500 microns, 250 microns to 2000 microns, 300 microns to 1500 microns, or 350 microns to 1000 microns.

[0174] Embodiment 126. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 125, wherein the load-bearing base material contains a metal selected from iron, tin, copper, zinc, titanium, scandium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, or any combination thereof.

[0175] Embodiment 127. The bushing according to Embodiment 126, wherein the iron-containing base material contains steel.

[0176] Embodiment 128. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 127, wherein the load-bearing base material is selected from a steel base material, a brass base material, a bronze base material, or a combination thereof.

[0177] Embodiment 129. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 128, wherein the load-bearing base material consists essentially of a steel base material.

[0178] Embodiment 130. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 129, wherein the corrosion prevention layer contains a metal selected from magnesium, aluminum, titanium, scandium, zinc, or any combination thereof.

[0179] Embodiment 131. The bushing according to Embodiment 130, wherein the corrosion prevention layer consists essentially of magnesium, aluminum, or a combination thereof.

[0180] Embodiment 132. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 131, wherein the corrosion prevention layer contains a metal having an electronegativity of 1.70 or less, 1.69 or less, 1.68 or less, 1.67 or less, 1.66 or less, 1.65 or less, 1.63 or less, 1.60 or less, 1.55 or less, 1.50 or less, or 1.45 or less.

[0181] Embodiment 133. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 132, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 120 MPa or more, 140 MPa or more, 160 MPa or more, 180 MPa or more, 200 MPa or more, 220 MPa or more, or 240 MPa or more.

[0182] Embodiment 134. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 133, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 600 MPa or less, 500 MPa or less, 450 MPa or less, 400 MPa or less, 350 MPa or less, 300 MPa or less, or 250 MPa or less.

[0183] Embodiment 135. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 134, wherein the load-bearing base material has a yield strength in the range of 100 MPa to 2000 MPa, 150 MPa to 1500 MPa, 200 MPa to 1000 MPa, or 200 MPa to 600 MPa.

[0184] Embodiment 136. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 135, wherein the corrosion prevention layer has a tensile strength of 50 MPa or more, 55 MPa or more, 60 MPa or more, 65 MPa or more, 70 MPa or more, 75 MPa or more, or 80 MPa or more.

[0185] Embodiment 137. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 136, wherein the corrosion prevention layer has a tensile strength of 200 MPa or less, 190 MPa or less, 180 MPa or less, 160 MPa or less, 150 MPa or less, 140 MPa or less, 130 MPa or less, 120 MPa or less, 110 MPa or less, or 100 MPa or less.

[0186] Embodiment 138. The combined tensile strength of the above load-bearing substrate and the above corrosion prevention layer is 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 80% or more, or 85% or more of the tensile strength of the above load-bearing substrate. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 137.

[0187] Embodiment 139. The above corrosion prevention layer has a magnesium content of 20% by weight or more, 30% by weight or more, 40% by weight or more, 50% by weight or more, 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 75% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, 85% by weight or more, or 90% by weight or more. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 138.

[0188] Embodiment 140. The above corrosion prevention layer has a magnesium content of 99.99999% by weight or less, 99.99% by weight or less, 99.95% by weight or less, 99.9% by weight or less, 99.85% by weight or less, 99.8% by weight or less, 99.5% by weight or less, 99% by weight or less, 98% by weight or less, 95% by weight or less, 93% by weight or less, or 85% by weight or less. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 139.

[0189] Embodiment 141. The above corrosion prevention layer has a magnesium content in the range of 25% by weight to 99.99999% by weight, 50% by weight to 99.99% by weight, 90% by weight to 99.99% by weight, or 95% by weight to 99.9% by weight. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 139.

[0190] Embodiment 142. The above sliding layer contains a fluoropolymer. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 141.

[0191] Embodiment 143. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 142, wherein the sliding layer contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or a mixture thereof.

[0192] Embodiment 144. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 143, wherein the sliding layer contains a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0193] Embodiment 145. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 144, wherein the sliding layer consists essentially of a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0194] Embodiment 146. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 145, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 5 mm, 0.2 mm to 2 mm, or 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0195] Embodiment 147. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 146, further comprising an adhesive layer adjacent to the sliding layer.

[0196] Embodiment 148. The bushing according to Embodiment 147, wherein the adhesive layer contains a thermoplastic substance.

[0197] Embodiment 149. The above-mentioned thermoplastic substance is a bushing according to Embodiment 148, which contains tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), aromatic polyester (Ekonol), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (MFA), modified polytetrafluoroethylene (TFM), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or any combination thereof.

[0198] Embodiment 150. The above-mentioned adhesive layer is a bushing according to Embodiment 149, which consists essentially of a thermoplastic substance selected from the group of tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), and combinations thereof.

[0199] Embodiment 151. The above-mentioned thermoplastic substance contains a modified thermoplastic substance containing one or more groups selected from C(=O)R, C-O-R, COOH, COOR, COH, or any combination thereof, where R is a cyclic organic residue or a linear organic residue having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and is a bushing according to Embodiment 150.

[0200] Embodiment 152. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 151, further comprising an expanded metal layer adjacent to the above-mentioned first main surface.

[0201] Embodiment 153. The above-mentioned expanded metal layer is a bushing according to Embodiment 152, which contains an aluminum alloy, steel metal, steel clad or coated with a corrosion prevention layer, or any combination thereof.

[0202] Bushing according to Embodiment 152, in which the above-described expanded metal layer is embedded in a polymer matrix.

[0203] Bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 154, in which the above-described corrosion prevention layer has a structured surface.

[0204] Bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 155, in which the above-described corrosion prevention layer has a structured surface including wall-like depressions, wall-like protrusions, or any combination thereof.

[0205] Bushing according to Embodiment 156, in which the above-described wall-like depression or wall-like protrusion has a height in the range of 0.1 micron to 200 microns, 1 micron to 50 microns, or 2 microns to 30 microns.

[0206] Bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 157, in which the above-described corrosion prevention layer has a polygonal structure.

[0207] Bushing according to Embodiment 158, in which the above-described polygonal structure is regular or irregular.

[0208] Bushing according to Embodiment 158, in which the above-described polygonal structure is a honeycomb structure.

[0209] Bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 160, further comprising an alumina-containing layer laminated on the above-described edge.

[0210] Bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 161, in which the above-described alumina-containing layer contains Al2O3.

[0211] Embodiment 163. The bushing according to Embodiment 161, wherein the alumina-containing layer has a thickness of 5 microns or less, 4 microns or less, 3 microns or less, 2 microns or less, 1.5 microns or less, 1 micron or less, 0.9 microns or less, 0.8 microns or less, 0.7 microns or less, 0.6 microns or less, or 0.5 microns or less.

[0212] Embodiment 164. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 163, wherein the bushing has a corrosion resistance rating according to the neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006 of 300 hours or more, 400 hours or more, 500 hours or more, 600 hours or more, 700 hours or more, 800 hours or more, 900 hours or more, 1000 hours or more, or 1100 hours or more.

[0213] Embodiment 165. The bushing according to any one of Embodiments 118 to 164, wherein the bushing has a deformability of 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 10% or more, 12% or more, 14% or more, 16% or more, or 18% or more.

[0214] Embodiment 166 A load-bearing substrate having a first main surface, a second main surface, and an edge portion, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t1 A coating laminated on the first main surface and in direct contact with the first main surface, the coating containing an elemental metal having a Pourbaix electronegativity of less than 1.83 and having a thickness t2, where t2 is 10 microns or more A sliding layer laminated on the first main surface or the second main surface A sliding article comprising the sliding article, wherein the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more.

[0215] Embodiment 167 A first hinge portion and a second hinge portion; A pin joining the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion; and A sliding article, A load-bearing substrate having a first main surface, a second main surface, and an edge portion, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t1 A coating laminated on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, the coating containing an elemental metal having a Pauling electronegativity of less than 1.83, having a thickness t2, and t2 being 10 microns or more. A sliding layer laminated on the first major surface or the second major surface. A sliding article comprising the same, wherein the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 10 or more. A hinge assembly comprising the same.

[0216] Embodiment 168: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 or 167, further comprising a further coating laminated on the second major surface and in direct contact with the second major surface, the further coating having a thickness t3.

[0217] Embodiment 169: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 168, further comprising a functional layer laminated on the load-bearing substrate on the side opposite to the sliding layer.

[0218] Embodiment 170: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 169, wherein the functional layer is a second sliding layer.

[0219] Embodiment 171: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 169, wherein the functional layer is an elastomer layer.

[0220] Embodiment 172: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 171, wherein the elastomer layer contains one or more of nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, silicone rubber, olefin-based elastomer, styrene-based elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, crosslinked elastomer, polyether polyester elastomer, ethylene propylene elastomer, ethylene acrylate rubber, and / or fluorine elastomer.

[0221] Embodiment 173: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 166, wherein the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is 1 / 3 or less, 2 / 7 or less, 1 / 4 or less, 2 / 9 or less, or 1 / 5 or less.

[0222] Embodiment 174 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 166, wherein the ratio of (t2 + t3) / t1 is in the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 3, 1 / 8 to 1 / 3, or 1 / 5 to 1 / 3.

[0223] Embodiment 175 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 174, wherein the ratio of t2 / t1 is 1 / 3 or less, 1 / 4 or less, 1 / 5 or less, 1 / 6 or less, 1 / 7 or less, 1 / 8 or less, or 1 / 9 or less.

[0224] Embodiment 176 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 175, wherein the ratio of t2 / t1 is in the range of 1 / 10 to 1 / 3, 1 / 10 to 1 / 5, or 1 / 9 to 1 / 7.

[0225] Embodiment 177 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 176, wherein t2 is 25 microns or more, 30 microns or more, 35 microns or more, 40 microns or more, 45 microns or more, or 50 microns or more.

[0226] Embodiment 178 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 177, wherein t2 is 200 microns or less, 180 microns or less, 160 microns or less, 140 microns or less, 120 microns or less, 100 microns or less, 90 microns or less, 80 microns or less, 70 microns or less, or 60 microns or less.

[0227] Embodiment 179 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 178, wherein t2 is in the range of 20 microns to 200 microns, 25 microns to 180 microns, 30 microns to 120 microns, or 40 microns to 80 microns.

[0228] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 179, wherein t1 is 50 microns or more, 80 microns or more, 100 microns or more, 150 microns or more, 200 microns or more, 300 microns or more, 400 microns or more, 500 microns or more, 600 microns or more, 800 microns or more, 1000 microns or more, 1200 microns or more, 1400 microns or more, 1600 microns or more, 1800 microns or more, or 2000 microns or more.

[0229] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 180, wherein t1 is 2200 microns or less, 2000 microns or less, 1800 microns or less, 1600 microns or less, 1400 microns or less, 1200 microns or less, 1000 microns or less, 800 microns or less, 700 microns or less, 650 microns or less, 600 microns or less, 550 microns or less, 500 microns or less, 480 microns or less, 460 microns or less, 440 microns or less, or 420 microns or less.

[0230] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 181, wherein t1 is in the range of 50 microns to 2000 microns, 100 microns to 1000 microns, 200 microns to 500 microns, or 300 microns to 450 microns.

[0231] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 182, wherein the load-bearing substrate contains a metal selected from iron, tin, copper, zinc, titanium, scandium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, or any combination thereof.

[0232] The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 183, wherein the iron-containing substrate contains steel.

[0233] Embodiment 185: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 184, wherein the load-bearing base material is selected from a steel base material, a brass base material, a bronze base material, or a combination thereof.

[0234] Embodiment 186: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 185, wherein the load-bearing base material includes a steel base material.

[0235] Embodiment 187: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 186, wherein the load-bearing base material consists essentially of a steel base material.

[0236] Embodiment 188: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 187, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 120 MPa or more, 140 MPa or more, 160 MPa or more, 180 MPa or more, 200 MPa or more, 220 MPa or more, or 240 MPa or more.

[0237] Embodiment 189: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 188, wherein the load-bearing base material has a tensile strength of 600 MPa or less, 500 MPa or less, 450 MPa or less, 400 MPa or less, 350 MPa or less, 300 MPa or less, or 250 MPa or less.

[0238] Embodiment 190: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 189, wherein the load-bearing base material has a yield strength in the range of 100 MPa to 2000 MPa, 150 MPa to 1500 MPa, 200 MPa to 1000 MPa, or 200 MPa to 600 MPa.

[0239] Embodiment 191: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 190, wherein the coating has a tensile strength of 50 MPa or more, 55 MPa or more, 60 MPa or more, 65 MPa or more, 70 MPa or more, 75 MPa or more, or 80 MPa or more.

[0240] Embodiment 192: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 191, wherein the coating has a tensile strength of 200 MPa or less, 190 MPa or less, 180 MPa or less, 160 MPa or less, 150 MPa or less, 140 MPa or less, 130 MPa or less, 120 MPa or less, 110 MPa or less, or 100 MPa or less.

[0241] Embodiment 193: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 192, wherein the coating contains an elemental metal selected from the group consisting of beryllium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, or any combination thereof.

[0242] Embodiment 194: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 193, wherein the combined tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate and the coating is 70% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 80% or more, or 85% or more of the tensile strength of the load-bearing substrate.

[0243] Embodiment 195: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 194, wherein the coating has a content of an elemental metal selected from magnesium, aluminum, or zinc of 20 wt% or more, 30 wt% or more, 40 wt% or more, 50 wt% or more, 60 wt% or more, 70 wt% or more, 75 wt% or more, 80 wt% or more, 85 wt% or more, or 90 wt% or more.

[0244] Embodiment 196: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 195, wherein the coating has a content of an elemental metal selected from magnesium, aluminum, or zinc in the range of 25 wt% to 99.99999 wt%, 50 wt% to 99.99 wt%, 90 wt% to 99.99 wt%, or 95 wt% to 99.9 wt%.

[0245] Sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 196, wherein the sliding layer contains a fluoropolymer.

[0246] Sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 197, wherein the sliding layer contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), modified PTFE (TFM), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyamide (PA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), perfluoromethylalkoxy (MFA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or a mixture thereof.

[0247] Sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 198, wherein the sliding layer contains a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0248] Sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 199, wherein the sliding layer consists essentially of a polytetrafluoroethylene compound layer.

[0249] Sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 200, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness of about 0.01 mm or more, about 0.05 mm or more, about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, or about 0.45 mm or more.

[0250] Embodiment 202: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 201, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness of about 5 mm or less, about 4 mm or less, about 3 mm or less, about 2.5 mm or less, about 2 mm or less, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1 mm or less, about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less, about 0.7 mm or less, about 0.6 mm or less, about 0.55 mm or less, or about 0.5 mm or less.

[0251] Embodiment 203: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 202, wherein the sliding layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 5 mm, 0.2 mm to 2 mm, or 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

[0252] Embodiment 204: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 203, further comprising an adhesive layer adjacent to the sliding layer.

[0253] Embodiment 205: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 204, wherein the adhesive layer contains a thermoplastic substance.

[0254] Embodiment 206: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 205, wherein the thermoplastic substance includes tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), aromatic polyester (Ekonol), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (MFA), modified polytetrafluoroethylene (TFM), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or any combination thereof.

[0255] Embodiment 207 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 205, wherein the adhesive layer essentially consists of a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA), and combinations thereof.

[0256] Embodiment 208 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 205, wherein the thermoplastic material includes a modified thermoplastic material containing one or more groups selected from C(=O)R, C-O-R, COOH, COOR, COH, or any combination thereof, where R is a cyclic organic residue or a linear organic residue having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0257] Embodiment 209 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 208, further comprising a discontinuous metal layer adjacent to the first major surface.

[0258] Embodiment 210 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 209, wherein the discontinuous metal layer includes expanded metal, a mesh, a fleece, a foam, or a combination thereof.

[0259] Embodiment 211 The bushing according to Embodiment 209, wherein the discontinuous metal layer is embedded in a polymer matrix.

[0260] Embodiment 212 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 209, wherein the discontinuous metal layer has a mesh size of 10 mesh / inch or more, for example, 11 mesh / inch or more, 13 mesh / inch or more, 15 mesh / inch or more, 17 mesh / inch or more, 19 mesh / inch or more, or 21 mesh / inch or more.

[0261] Embodiment 213 The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 209, wherein the discontinuous metal layer has a thickness of 0.1 mm or more, for example, 0.2 mm or more, 0.3 mm or more, 0.4 mm or more, 0.5 mm or more, or 0.6 mm or more.

[0262] Embodiment 214: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 209, wherein the discontinuous metal layer has a thickness of 1 mm or less, 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less, 0.7 mm or less, 0.6 mm or less, 0.55 mm or less, or 0.5 mm or less.

[0263] Embodiment 215: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 214, wherein the coating has a structured surface.

[0264] Embodiment 216: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 215, wherein the coating has a structured surface including wall-like depressions, wall-like protrusions, or any combination thereof.

[0265] Embodiment 217: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 216, wherein the wall-like depression or wall-like protrusion has a height in the range of 0.1 micron to 200 microns, 1 micron to 50 microns, or 2 microns to 30 microns.

[0266] Embodiment 218: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 217, wherein the coating has a polygonal structure.

[0267] Embodiment 219: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 218, wherein the polygonal structure is regular or irregular.

[0268] Embodiment 220: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 218, wherein the polygonal structure is a honeycomb structure.

[0269] Embodiment 221: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 220, wherein the coating has a surface roughness of 1 micron or more, 2 microns or more, 3 microns or more, 4 microns or more, or 5 microns or more.

[0270] Embodiment 222: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 222, wherein the coating has a surface roughness of 20 microns or less, 15 microns or less, 12 microns or less, 10 microns or less, or 8 microns or less.

[0271] Embodiment 223: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 222, further comprising a passivation layer laminated on the edge portion.

[0272] Embodiment 224: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 223, wherein the passivation layer contains a compound selected from Al2O3, MgO, ZnO, BeO, or any combination thereof.

[0273] Embodiment 225: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to Embodiment 223, wherein the passivation layer has a thickness of 5 microns or less, 4 microns or less, 3 microns or less, 2 microns or less, 1.5 microns or less, 1 micron or less, 0.9 microns or less, 0.8 microns or less, 0.7 microns or less, 0.6 microns or less, or 0.5 microns or less.

[0274] Embodiment 226: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 225, wherein the sliding article has a corrosion resistance rating according to the neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006 of 300 hours or more, 400 hours or more, 500 hours or more, 600 hours or more, 700 hours or more, 800 hours or more, 900 hours or more, 1000 hours or more, or 1100 hours or more.

[0275] Embodiment 227: The sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 226, wherein the sliding article has a corrosion resistance rating of 1 million hours or less, 100,000 hours or less, or 10,000 hours or less.

[0276] Embodiment 228. The sliding article described above is the sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 166 to 227 having a deformability of 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 10% or more, 12% or more, 14% or more, 16% or more, or 18% or more.

[0277] Embodiment 229. The sliding article described above is the sliding article or hinge assembly according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 64 or Embodiments 166 to 228, which is selected from a plain bearing, a bushing, a spherical bearing, a ball bearing, a washer, a bearing housing, or a combination thereof.

Examples

[0278] The corrosion resistance rating is determined according to the neutral salt spray test ISO 9227:2006. The samples are stored at room temperature for 24 hours before the test. The samples are placed on a PVC shelf or suspended with nylon threads and installed in a salt spray chamber. For each type of bushing, more than 5 samples are tested per salt spray test. The appearance of the samples is inspected at regular intervals.

[0279] For example, Sample 1 is prepared by cutting a blank from a laminate comprising a 0.25 mm PTFE compound tape, a 0.03 mm ETFE adhesive, and a substrate of 0.47 mm steel clad with aluminum on both sides, each aluminum layer being 20 microns thick. Sample 1 is prepared by cutting a blank from a laminate comprising a 0.25 mm PTFE compound tape, a 0.03 mm ETFE adhesive, and a substrate of 0.45 mm steel clad with aluminum on both sides, each aluminum layer being 50 microns thick. Therefore, the difference between Sample 1 and Sample 2 is the thickness of the aluminum layer.

[0280] The sample is formed to create a semi-finished bushing. The blank is formed by rounding and flanging to obtain the desired shape. The corrosion resistance rating of Sample 1 was determined to be less than 300 hours, i.e., red corrosion was observed at 300 hours. The corrosion resistance rating of Sample 2 was determined to be 1000 hours or more, i.e., red corrosion was not observed at 1000 hours, and red rust was not observed after 1500 hours and 3000 hours.

[0281] In FIGS. 3A and 3B, diagrams of scanning electron microscope scans (SEM) with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) of the edges of Sample 2 before and after forming are shown. In FIG. 3A, layers 1048 and 1046 are 50-micron aluminum layers clad to the steel layer 102. The sliding layer 108 is a PTFE tape, and the adhesive layer between 108 and 1046 cannot be identified by EDS analysis. As can be seen, after forming, the base material 102 is coated with aluminum from layer 1048 as a result of the forming process. This coating does not spread across the entire cross-section of layer 102. In fact, there is a transition zone 105 indicating the presence of iron and aluminum.

[0282] In the deformability test, three bushings with a wall thickness of 1 mm are used. Bushing 1 is a standard SM material (SM100CG, manufactured by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics) that is 0.5 mm steel clad with aluminum on both sides, with each aluminum layer being 50 microns. Bushing 2 is an SM 100CG bushing that further includes a 0.4 mm expanded aluminum (99.5) mesh in the sliding layer. Bushing 3 was an SM 100CG bushing that further included a 0.4 mm expanded aluminum magnesium alloy (AlMg3) mesh in the sliding layer.

[0283] The deformability was determined by the amount of deformation by inserting a series of five extra-large pins having a size 0.02 mm to 0.22 mm larger than the inner diameter of the bushing. The inner diameter of the three bushings was 15 mm. Table 1 shows the deformability (plastic deformation) results.

Table 1

Claims

1. A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t １ A load-bearing substrate having an aluminum-containing layer disposed on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, the aluminum-containing layer having a thickness of t ２ and t ２ an aluminum-containing layer having a thickness of 10 microns or more; A sliding layer laminated on the first main surface or the second main surface; A sliding part comprising: ２ / t １ The ratio of is 1 / 10 or more.

2. a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion; a pin joining the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion; and A sliding article, A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t １ A load-bearing substrate having an aluminum-containing layer disposed on the first major surface and in direct contact with the first major surface, the aluminum-containing layer having a thickness of t ２ and t ２ an aluminum-containing layer having a thickness of 10 microns or more; A sliding layer laminated on the first principal surface or the second principal surface. A sliding part comprising: ２ / t １ The ratio of the sliding article is 1 / 10 or more. A hinge assembly comprising:

3. a further aluminum-containing layer overlying and in direct contact with said second major surface, said layer having a thickness t ３ 3. The sliding article or hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising a further aluminium-containing layer having a

4. 3. The sliding article or hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the aluminum-containing layer has an aluminum content in the range of 25% to 99.99999% by weight, 50% to 99.99% by weight, 90% to 99.99% by weight, or 95% to 99.9% by weight.

5. 2. The sliding article or hinge assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding layer comprises a fluoropolymer.

6. 10. The sliding article or hinge assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), modified PTFE (TFM), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyamide (PA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), perfluoromethylalkoxy (MFA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene (PE), UHMWPE, or a mixture thereof.

7. 3. The hinge assembly of claim 2 further comprising an alumina-containing layer laminated to said edge.

8. The alumina-containing layer is Al ２ O ３ 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, comprising:

9. Providing a load-bearing substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; coating said first major surface with an aluminum-containing layer; depositing a sliding layer over the first major surface or the second major surface to form a laminate; cutting a blank from the laminate; and forming a blank bushing from said blank; A method for preparing a bushing comprising:

10. providing a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface, the substrate comprising an iron-containing layer forming the first major surface, the substrate further comprising an aluminum layer laminated to the first major surface; cutting the substrate from the aluminum layer across the first major surface to the second major surface to form a cross section; and forming an alumina-containing layer over said cross-section. A method for preparing a corrosion-resistant iron-containing article comprising:

11. a load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness between 200 microns and 3000 microns; an aluminum-containing layer disposed over and in direct contact with the first major surface, the aluminum-containing layer having a thickness between 20 microns and 300 microns; A sliding layer laminated on the first principal surface or the second principal surface. A bushing comprising:

12. 12. The bushing of claim 11, further comprising an additional aluminum-containing layer laminated to and in direct contact with said second major surface, the additional aluminum-containing layer having a thickness between 20 microns and 300 microns.

13. A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t １ A load-bearing substrate having a coating disposed on and in direct contact with the first major surface, the coating comprising an elemental metal having a Pauling electronegativity of less than 1.83 and having a thickness t ２ and t ２ a coating having a thickness of 10 microns or more; A sliding layer laminated on the first main surface or the second main surface; A sliding part comprising: ２ / t １ The ratio of is 1 / 10 or more.

14. a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion; a pin joining the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion; and A sliding article, A load-bearing substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge, the load-bearing substrate having a thickness t １ A load-bearing substrate having a coating disposed on and in direct contact with the first major surface, the coating comprising an elemental metal having a Pauling electronegativity of less than 1.83 and having a thickness t ２ and t ２ a coating having a thickness of 10 microns or more; A sliding layer laminated on the first principal surface or the second principal surface. A sliding part comprising: ２ / t １ The ratio of the sliding article is 1 / 10 or more. A hinge assembly comprising:

15. a further coating overlying and in direct contact with said second major surface, said coating having a thickness t ３ 15. A sliding article or hinge assembly according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a further coating having a

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