PURPOSE: To obtain a material for sliding parts by which smooth sliding properties are obtained and lowered abrasion (loss) is realized between the sliding parts and their counterparts.

CONSTITUTION: This material for sliding parts is composed of a free carbon- containing sintered body of ≤0.2% open porosity and is provided with a smooth sliding face where the free carbon occupies the sliding surface area by 2.4-12% and its particle sizes are adjusted to 0.1-2.9μm on the average. Further, the sliding part materials is roughly ground or etched on its sliding surface to adjust its bearing surface rate to 40-99%, and a liquid or semi-solid lubricant is applied to the depressions in the sliding surface to fill the depressions. Thus, the presence of free carbon and lubricant on the sliding surface realizes smooth sliding properties for a long period of time even under severe conditions of high load and high speed operations.