The present invention relates to an annular sliding fluoroplastics member
which is requested to have good mechanical properties, resistance to
abrasion and wear, thermal conductivity, heat resistance, and the like,
and also to a method of producing such an annular sliding fluoroplastics
member. The annular sliding fluoroplastics member of the invention has a
composite structure which mainly consists of fluorine plastics and short
fibers, and 20 or more wt. % of short fibers by weight of a total amount
of the short fibers are oriented in a direction along which a burden of a
load is large. According to this configuration, the buckling resistance
and the pressure resistance are enhanced. A member having a high buckling
resistance can be used in a thrust slide bearing or a thrust washer in
which a large press load is applied in the axial direction, and a member
having a high pressure resistance can be used in a radial slide bearing
in which a large press load is applied in a radial direction. In some
cases, in the annular sliding fluoroplastics member of the invention,
filaments consisting of long fibers may be stitched to the inner
peripheral face or the like, the surface is covered with an expanded
graphite sheet, or the member is impregnated with a lubricant. The member
having such a structure is excellent in buckling resistance and pressure
resistance in a radial direction, and also in resistance to abrasion and
wear, thermal conductivity, etc. According to the production method of
the invention, a cutting work step can be omitted, and therefore
materials can be prevented from being wastefully used, and the production
cost can be reduced.