Bi-Containing Copper Slide Material With Stronger Substrate Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The bonding strength between a copper alloy layer with Bi phases and a substrate is compromised due to Bi accumulation at the bonding interface during the sintering process, leading to reduced material strength, especially under increased loads or in downsized engine applications.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a copper alloy layer with Bi phases dispersed in a copper alloy matrix, where the contact area ratio of Bi phases at the bonding interface is minimized through unidirectional solidification and controlled cooling, ensuring a reduced Bi presence at the interface and enhanced bonding strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Bi is added to copper alloy to improve seizure resistance, then seizure resistance is improved, but Bi accumulates at the bonding interface during sintering, reducing bonding strength between copper alloy layer and substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseizure resistanceVSAvoidbonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the particle size distribution of Bi phases, specifically setting the average particle size to 2-50 μm with circularity of 0.1-0.7. This parameter control prevents Bi accumulation at the bonding interface during sintering while maintaining sufficient Bi content (5-30 mass%) in the copper alloy layer for seizure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform distribution of Bi phases where particles are dispersed in the copper alloy matrix but excluded from the bonding interface region. This local differentiation ensures that the bonding interface has high Cu content for strong bonding, while the bulk material contains Bi phases for seizure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If Bi content in copper alloy layer is increased to improve seizure resistance, then seizure resistance is improved, but bonding area between copper alloy and substrate decreases, reducing overall material strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseizure resistanceVSAvoidbonding area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by specifying that Bi particles with circularity of 0.1-0.7 and size of 2-50 μm should constitute 30% or more of total Bi phases. This controlled morphology and size distribution ensures Bi phases remain dispersed in the matrix without coalescing at the bonding interface, maintaining both high Bi content for seizure resistance and sufficient bonding area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a heterogeneous structure where Bi phases are dispersed as distinct particles within the copper alloy matrix. This composite structure allows the Cu matrix to provide bonding area at the interface while Bi particles provide seizure resistance in the bulk, with the interface region being predominantly Cu-rich.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases the bonding area and strength between the copper alloy layer and the substrate, improving the overall material strength and reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing Bi phases at the bonding interface.

Implementation Method 1

Bi is melted during a temperature rise in a first sintering step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the molten Bi starts to flow before copper alloy particles are bonded to each other. A part of Bi melted at an early stage during the first sintering step flows down to an interface between the copper alloy powder and the substrate through a gap between the copper alloy particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

Such a sliding material including a copper alloy including Bi is manufactured by sintering a copper alloy powder scattered on a substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3521464B1Slide material and method for manufacturing same, and slide member
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 DAIDO METAL CO LTD
  • EP3521464B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3521464B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3521464B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a slide material in which the joining strength between a Bi-containing copper alloy layer and a substrate is improved, and a method for manufacturing the slide material. The slide material according to the present invention has a substrate and a copper alloy layer. The copper alloy layer comprises a copper alloy containing 4.0-25.0 mass% of Bi and has a structure in which Bi phases are scattered in a copper alloy structure. The contact area ratio of Bi phases of the copper alloy layer at the joining interface with the substrate is not more than 2.0%. The slide material is manufactured by casting a molten copper alloy onto a substrate and causing the copper alloy to solidify unidirectionally.