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Babbitt, also called Babbitt metal or bearing metal, is any of several alloys used for
the bearing surface in a plain bearing.
The original Babbitt metal was invented in 1839
by Isaac Babbitt[1] in Taunton, Massachusetts, USA. He
disclosed one of his alloy recipes but kept others
as trade secrets.[2] Other formulations were later
developed.[3] Like other terms whose eponymous origin
is long since deemphasized (such as diesel
engine or eustachian tube), the term babbitt metal is
frequently styled in lowercase.[3][4] It is preferred over
the term "white metal", because the latter term may
refer to various bearing alloys, lead- or tin-based
alloys, or zinc die-casting metal.
Microstructure of babbitt
Babbitt metal is most commonly used as a thin surface layer in a complex, multi-metal
structure, but its original use was as a cast-in-placebulk bearing material. Babbitt metal is
characterized by its resistance to galling. Babbitt metal is soft and easily damaged, which
suggests that it might be unsuitable for a bearing surface. However, its structure is made up
of small hard crystals dispersed in a softer metal, which makes it a metal matrix composite.
As the bearing wears, the softer metal erodes somewhat, which creates paths for lubricant
between the hard high spots that provide the actual
bearing surface. When tin is used as the softer metal,
friction causes the tin to melt and function as a
lubricant, which protects the bearing from wear when
other lubricants are absent.
Internal combustion engines use Babbitt metal which
is primarily tin-based because it can withstand cyclic
loading. Lead-based Babbitt tends to work-harden and
develop cracks but it is suitable for constant-turning
tools such as sawblades.
Pigs and bars of Grade #2 Babbitt
Contents
3 Alternative bearings
4 Babbitt alloys
7 Eco-Babbitt
8 References
9 Bibliography
10 External links
caps. The inner surface of the steel shell is plated with a coating of bronze which is in turn
coated with a thin layer of Babbitt metal as the bearing surface.
The process of laying down this layer of white metal is known as Babbitting.
Alternative bearings[edit]
In many applications, rolling-element bearings, such as ball or roller bearings, have
replaced Babbitt bearings. Though such bearings can offer a lower coefficient of
friction than plain bearings, their key advantage is that they can operate reliably without a
continuous pressurized supply of lubricant. Ball and roller bearings can also be used in
configurations that are required to carry both radial and axial thrusts. However, rolling-element bearings lack the beneficial damping and shock-load
capability provided by fluid-film bearings, such as the Babbitt.
Babbitt alloys[edit]
Industr
y Names
AST
M
Yield Point,
psiD (MPa)
Comments
S
n
Pb
C
u
S
b
Grade
No. 1[5]
Nickel
Genuine[5]
Super
Tough[5]
Most
common and
industry
standard for
bearing
lining.
A
s
Johnson's
Apparent
Elastic Limit
psi (MPa)E
oth.
20C
(68F
)
100C
(212F
)
20C
(68F
)
100C
(212F)
Melting
Point
F (C)
90
92
0.35
45
45
4400
(30.3)[6]
2650
(18.3)[6]
2450
(16.9)[6]
[6]
88
90
0.35
34
78
6100
(42.0)[6]
3000
(20.6)[6]
3350
(23.1)[6]
1100 (7.6)
466 (241)
[6]
[6]
83
85
0.35
7.5
8.5
7.5
8.5
6600
(45.5)[6]
3150
(21.7)[6]
5350
(36.9)[6]
[6]
Proper Pouring
Temp F (C)
825 (441)[6]
795 (424)[6]
915 (491)[6]
Grade 4[5]
7476
9.310.7
2.53.5 1113
Grade 11[5]
11
8689
0.35
56.5
Heavy Pressure[5] 7
9.3
10.7
72.5
76.5
1416
0.30.6
Royal[5]
4.55.5
77.9
81.2
1416
0.30.6
3400 (23.4)[6] 1750 (12.1)[6] 2650 (18.3)[6] 1200 (8.3)[6] 459 (237)[6] 645 (341)[6]
Grade 13[5]
13
5.56.5
82.585
9.510.5
0.25
Durite[5]
15
0.81.2
79.9
83.9
14.5
17.5
0.81.4
67.5
The values of yield point were taken from stress-strain curves at deformation of 0.125% of gauge length [6]
Johnson's apparent elastic limit is taken as the unit stress at the point where the slope of the tangent to the curve is 2/3 times its slope in origin [6]
Continuity of service
Bonding characteristics
Cooling facilities
Lubrication
Cleanliness
use in a clean, light duty environment. This so-called art is really the condensation of
the experience of the technician and the experience of the bearing being rebuilt.
If the bearing has performed well in use over many years, the bearing needs simply to be
rebuilt to its original specification and formulation. In this case the technicians greatest
concerns are:
1. Bearing shell surface preparation
2. Bonding characteristics of the tinning compound and the Babbitt layer and,
3. Load bearing surface preparation and finish
Eco-Babbitt[edit]
Eco-Babbitt is an alloy of 90%Sn/7%Zn/3%Cu that is not technically a Babbitt metal.
See Solder#Solder alloys for more information on Eco-Babbitt.[7]
References[edit]
1.
2.
Jump up^ Isaac Babbitt, "Mode of making boxes for axles and gudgeons," U.S.
patent no. 1,252 (issued: July 17, 1839). Babbitt did not patent his alloy, although he does
state its formulation: "The inner parts of the boxes are to be lined with any of the harder
kinds of composition known under the names of britannia metal or pewter, of which block tin
is the basis. An excellent compound for this purpose I have prepared by taking about 50
parts of tin, five of antimony, and one of copper, but I do not intend to confine myself to this
particular composition."
3.
4.
Jump up^ American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed, headword babbitt metal.
5.
6.
7.
Jump up^ Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc. "Kapp Eco-Babbitt". Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc.
Retrieved 10 April 2013.
Bibliography[edit]
Green, Robert E. et al. (eds) (1996), Machinery's Handbook (25 ed.), New York, NY,
USA: Industrial Press, ISBN 978-0-8311-2575-2.
External links[edit]
"How white metal is moulded to steam locomotive big-end bearings". Ropley, Mid
Hants Railway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_%28metal%29