A sliding engine component may include a substrate having a surface coated with a first electroplated metallic layer and a second electroplated metallic layer. The first metallic layer may be disposed between the substrate and the second metallic layer. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer may have a grained structure. The grained structure of each of the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer may have an aspect ratio between a mean grain size perpendicular to the substrate surface and a mean grain size parallel to the substrate surface. The aspect ratio of the second metallic layer may be less than the aspect ratio of the first metallic layer.

A sliding engine component may include a substrate having a surface coated with a first electroplated metallic layer and a second electroplated metallic layer. The first metallic layer may be disposed between the substrate and the second metallic layer. The first metallic layer and the second metallic layer may have a grained structure. The grained structure of each of the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer may have an aspect ratio between a mean grain size perpendicular to the substrate surface and a mean grain size parallel to the substrate surface. The aspect ratio of the second metallic layer may be less than the aspect ratio of the first metallic layer.

There is provided a technique which can realize both of conformability and fatigue resistance. A sliding member and a slide bearing include a base layer and a coating layer provided on the base layer and having a sliding surface on which a counter material slides, and are characterized in that the coating layer is formed of a soft material which is softer than that for the base layer; and that, in the sliding surface, crystal grains of the soft material having an average grain diameter of 0.1 m or more and 1 m or less are aggregated into lumps, thereby forming aggregates having an average diameter of 3 m or more and 30 m or less.

There is provided a technique which can realize both of conformability and fatigue resistance. A sliding member and a slide bearing include a base layer and a coating layer provided on the base layer and having a sliding surface on which a counter material slides, and are characterized in that the coating layer is formed of a soft material which is softer than that for the base layer; and that, in the sliding surface, crystal grains of the soft material having an average grain diameter of 0.1 m or more and 1 m or less are aggregated into lumps, thereby forming aggregates having an average diameter of 3 m or more and 30 m or less.

Provided is a slide member having an overlay on a bearing alloy. The overlay has a thickness T and has a sliding surface and an interface with respect to the bearing alloy. The overlay includes an intermetallic compound and a matrix of Bi or a Bi alloy. In a thickness domain constituting 70%-75% of the thickness T of the overlay from the sliding surface to the interface, the volume proportion of the intermetallic compound is 10%-70%.

Provided is a slide member having an overlay on a bearing alloy. The overlay has a thickness T and has a sliding surface and an interface with respect to the bearing alloy. The overlay includes an intermetallic compound and a matrix of Bi or a Bi alloy. In a thickness domain constituting 70%-75% of the thickness T of the overlay from the sliding surface to the interface, the volume proportion of the intermetallic compound is 10%-70%.

There is provided a technique which can realize both of conformability and fatigue resistance.

A sliding member and a slide bearing include a base layer and a coating layer provided on the base layer and having a sliding surface on which a counter material slides, and are characterized in that the coating layer is formed of a soft material which is softer than that for the base layer; and that, in the sliding surface, crystal grains of the soft material having an average grain diameter of 0.1 m or more and 1 m or less are aggregated into lumps, thereby forming aggregates having an average diameter of 3 m or more and 30 m or less.

There is provided a technique which can realize both of conformability and fatigue resistance.

A sliding member and a slide bearing include a base layer and a coating layer provided on the base layer and having a sliding surface on which a counter material slides, and are characterized in that the coating layer is formed of a soft material which is softer than that for the base layer; and that, in the sliding surface, crystal grains of the soft material having an average grain diameter of 0.1 m or more and 1 m or less are aggregated into lumps, thereby forming aggregates having an average diameter of 3 m or more and 30 m or less.

A method of forming a lubricant coating, a method of coating a bearing surface with a lubricant coating, and a vehicle including a bearing including a lubricant coating. A substrate, such as a bearing, including a surface and an electrode are immersed in an electrolyte bath. The electrolyte bath includes an aqueous electrolyte solution including sodium metabisulfite (Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.5), sodium molybdate (Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4.Math.2H.sub.2O), a pH modifier, an anionic surfactant, and water. A first pulsed direct current is applied through the aqueous electrolyte solution using a direct current power supply and a molybdenum disulfide (MoS.sub.2) layer is formed on the surface of the substrate.

A method of forming a lubricant coating, a method of coating a bearing surface with a lubricant coating, and a vehicle including a bearing including a lubricant coating. A substrate, such as a bearing, including a surface and an electrode are immersed in an electrolyte bath. The electrolyte bath includes an aqueous electrolyte solution including sodium metabisulfite (Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.5), sodium molybdate (Na.sub.2MoO.sub.4.Math.2H.sub.2O), a pH modifier, an anionic surfactant, and water. A first pulsed direct current is applied through the aqueous electrolyte solution using a direct current power supply and a molybdenum disulfide (MoS.sub.2) layer is formed on the surface of the substrate.