PURPOSE: To prevent deterioration in the characteristics of a sintered Fe alloy contg. dispersed graphite and increases in the extent of wear and the coefft. of friction in accordance with use, by forming hardened Fe-Cu layers between the matrix of the alloy and the graphite particles.

CONSTITUTION: Hardened Fe-Cu layers 4 having 3W10μm thickness are formed around graphite particles 2 in a sintered alloy having a structure contg. 1W5wt% free graphite 2 dispersed in the ion matrix 1 contg. ≤1.2wt% solubilized carbon. In the figure, each symbol 3 is a pore. The solid lubricity of the alloy is shown by the exposed heads of graphite particles 2 at the surface sliding along its opposite member. The open parts of pores 3 are narrowed during use by the plastic flow 1' of the matrix, yet the layers 4 hinder the graphite particles 2 from flowing in the exposed part of the matrix. As a result, a low coefft. of friction is maintained, and the extent of wear is reduced. The layer 4 are formed by allowing copper plated on the particles 2 with iron as the matrix.