Abrasion resistant copper alloy for build-up cladding on engine cylinder head

The copper alloy contains 6 - 9 wt% Ni, 1 - 5 wt% Si; 1 - 5 wt% (total) Mo, W, Ta, Nb, and /or V. The alloy may also contain 0.5 - 1.5 wt% Fe, 1 - 5 wt% Cr, 0.5 - 0.9 wt% Al, and 0.1 - 1.0 wt% P. The alloy may also contain 5 - 15 wt% Co, 1 - 10 wt% Mn, and 0.01 to 0.1 wt% rare earth metal. A valve seat (2) is formed by build-up cladding by irradiating a laser beam on a powder (4) of the copper alloy, provided in the rim of a port (3) formed in an engine cylinder head (1). Due to the composition of the copper alloy, the valve seat (2) has few microcracks and excellent abrasion resistance.