Sliding structure and sliding method

Abstract

According to the present invention, a sliding structure whereby wear resistance of a pair of sliding members that are able to slide relative to each other is improved and the friction coefficient can be reduced is provided. The sliding structure in which a lubricating oil is fed between sliding faces of a pair of sliding members that are able to slide relative to each other such that at least one of the members is allowed to slide is provided. The sliding structure is characterized in that: an amorphous carbon film is formed on the sliding face of at least one sliding member so as to result in a D to G band integrated intensity ratio in the Raman spectrum of between 1.5 and 2.0; and the lubricating oil existing between the sliding faces contains a compound comprising at least molybdenum and sulfur so as to result in a molybdenum content of not less than 400 ppm relative to the lubricating oil.

1 . A sliding structure in which a lubricating oil is fed between sliding faces of a pair of sliding members that are able to slide relative to each other such that at least one of the members is allowed to slide, characterized in that: an amorphous carbon film is formed on the sliding face of at least one sliding member so as to result in a D to G band integrated intensity ratio in the Raman spectrum of between 1.5 and 2.0; and the lubricating oil existing between the sliding faces contains a compound comprising at least molybdenum and sulfur so as to result in a molybdenum content of not less than 400 ppm relative to the lubricating oil.  
   
   
       2 . The sliding structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the compound contained in the lubricating oil is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate (Mo-DTC), molybdenum dithiophosphate (Mo-DTP), molybdenum disulfide, and any combination thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The sliding structure according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , characterized in that the compound is contained in the lubricating oil so as to result in the molybdenum content in the compound of not more than 800 ppm relative to the lubricating oil.  
   
   
       4 . The sliding structure according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the amorphous carbon film is formed by a plasma physical vapor deposition method (plasma PVD), a plasma chemical vapor deposition method (plasma CVD), or an arc ion plating method.  
   
   
       5 . A sliding method wherein at least one member of a pair of sliding members is allowed to slide while a lubricating oil is fed between sliding faces of the sliding members, characterized in that: 
 an amorphous carbon film is formed on the sliding face of at least one sliding member so as to result in a D to G band integrated intensity ratio in the Raman spectrum of between 1.5 and 2.0; and the lubricating oil contains a compound comprising at least molybdenum and sulfur so as to result in a molybdenum content of not less than 400 ppm relative to the lubricating oil.