A valve spring retainer for a valve operating mechanism for an internal combustion engine comprises a matrix formed from a quenched and solidified aluminum alloy powder, and a hard grain dispersed in said matrix. The hard grain is at least one selected from the group consisting of grains of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2 and metal Si. The amount of hard grain added is in a range of 0.5% to 20% by weight, and the area rate of said hard grain is in a range of from 1% to 6%.