Acid bismuth electroplating baths are stable and have high current efficiency over the life of the baths. The bismuth baths are easy to control because of the reduced number of bath components.

Acid bismuth electroplating baths are stable and have high current efficiency over the life of the baths. The bismuth baths are easy to control because of the reduced number of bath components.

A sliding member includes: a base; a chromium-based hard chromium plated layer formed on the surface of the base; a hard carbon layer that is mainly composed of carbon element and is formed on the hard chromium plated layer. The hydrogen concentration of the hard chromium plated layer is equal to or less than 150 mass ppm.

A method for producing the sliding member involves heating the surface of the base on which the chromium-based hard chromium plated layer has been formed at a temperature of 250 C. or more so that the hydrogen concentration of the hard chromium plated layer is equal to or less than 150 mass ppm, and thereafter forming the hard carbon layer mainly composed of carbon element on the hard chromium plated layer.

A sliding member includes: a base; a chromium-based hard chromium plated layer formed on the surface of the base; a hard carbon layer that is mainly composed of carbon element and is formed on the hard chromium plated layer. The hydrogen concentration of the hard chromium plated layer is equal to or less than 150 mass ppm.

A method for producing the sliding member involves heating the surface of the base on which the chromium-based hard chromium plated layer has been formed at a temperature of 250 C. or more so that the hydrogen concentration of the hard chromium plated layer is equal to or less than 150 mass ppm, and thereafter forming the hard carbon layer mainly composed of carbon element on the hard chromium plated layer.

A multi-layer sliding bearing includes a sliding layer having a surface for contacting a component which is to be mounted. The sliding layer is made from a tin-based alloy with tin as the main alloy element and the sliding layer has on the surface, at least in sections, an oxidic subcoating in which the proportion of tin oxide(s) is at least 50% in weight.

A multi-layer sliding bearing includes a sliding layer having a surface for contacting a component which is to be mounted. The sliding layer is made from a tin-based alloy with tin as the main alloy element and the sliding layer has on the surface, at least in sections, an oxidic subcoating in which the proportion of tin oxide(s) is at least 50% in weight.

A sliding element, such as a piston ring, including a substrate, base coating, and relatively thin sliding coating is provided. The base coating is typically applied to a running surface of the substrate by PVD, CVD, galvanic deposition, electrodeposition, or a thermal spray process. The sliding coating includes a polymer matrix and hard particles disposed throughout the matrix. The sliding coating is applied to the base coating when the base coating is still in its as-applied condition and has a surface roughness of at least 4.0 m. During use of the sliding element, the thin sliding coating acts as a sacrificial run-in layer. In addition, as the polymer matrix of the sliding coating wears away, the hard particles polish the rough surface of the base coating. Thus, polishing or lapping of the as-applied base coating prior to use of the sliding element is not required.

To provide a technology with which cleavage fracture to a sliding surface can be prevented. A sliding member and a sliding bearing include a base layer and a cover layer of a cover material having a sliding surface for a counterpart material, the cover layer being formed on the base layer. The cover layer has a crystalline structure of the cover material including crystalline grains having a grain diameter of 3 m or more and 7 m or less.

To provide a technology with which cleavage fracture to a sliding surface can be prevented. A sliding member and a sliding bearing include a base layer and a cover layer of a cover material having a sliding surface for a counterpart material, the cover layer being formed on the base layer. The cover layer has a crystalline structure of the cover material including crystalline grains having a grain diameter of 3 m or more and 7 m or less.

In a method, in which a plain bearing alloy layer is bonded to a surface of a backing steel sheet, and, a Bi-based overlay layer is then deposited on the plain bearing alloy layer by electroplating, replacement of Bi with the backing steel sheet and deposition of Bi on the backing steel sheet are prevented. Prior to the step of electroplating of the Bi-based overlay layer, the following metals and the like are formed on at least the back surface of the backing steel sheet. An electrochemically more noble metal than Bi, an electrochemically more base metal than Bi and capable of forming a passivation state, or resin.