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Babbitt (Metal) : Babbitt, Also Called Babbitt Metal or Bearing Metal, Is Any of Several
Babbitt (Metal) : Babbitt, Also Called Babbitt Metal or Bearing Metal, Is Any of Several
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.
Contents
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]
Johnson's
Yield Point, Apparent
psiD (MPa) Elastic Limit
AST psi (MPa)E Melting
Industr M Comment S C S A Proper Pouring
Pb oth. Point
y Names s n u b s Temp °F (°C)
°F (°C)
Grade
20°C 100°C 20°C
100°C
(68°F (212°F (68°F
(212°F)
) ) )
Most
common and
Nickel industry 88– ≤ 6100 3000 3350 1100 (7.6) 466 (241)
2 3–4 7–8 795 (424)[6]
Genuine[5] standard for 90 0.35 (42.0)[6] (20.6)[6] (23.1)[6] [6] [6]
bearing
lining.
Super 83– ≤ 7.5– 7.5– 6600 3150 5350 1300 (9.0) 464 (240)
3 915 (491)[6]
Tough[5] 85 0.35 8.5 8.5 (45.5)[6] (21.7)[6] (36.9)[6] [6] [6]
2.5–
Grade 4[5] 4 74–76 9.3–10.7 11–13
3.5
Heavy 9.3– 72.5– 0.3– 3550 (24.5) 1600 (11.0) 2500 (17.2) 1350 (9.3) 464 (240)
7 14–16 640 (338)[6]
Pressure[5] 10.7 76.5 0.6 [6] [6] [6] [6] [6]
77.9– 0.3– 3400 (23.4) 1750 (12.1) 2650 (18.3) 1200 (8.3) 459 (237)
Royal[5] 8 4.5–5.5 14–16 645 (341)[6]
81.2 0.6 [6] [6] [6] [6] [6]
D
The values of yield point were taken from stress-strain curves at deformation of 0.125% of gauge length [6]
E
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]
The science of bearing Babbitt selection[edit]
The engineering of a bearing’s Babbitt lining is usually completed during the design of the
machine. In selecting the proper type of Babbitt for a particular job there are a number of
factors to take into consideration, the most important of which are as follows:
Continuity of service
Bonding characteristics
Cooling facilities
Lubrication
Cleanliness
Maintenance schedule for the bearing in use
For example, a bearing in continuous use in a harsh environment without regular
maintenance will require different Babbitt and lubrication than a bearing in intermittent
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 technician’s 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]
7. Jump up^ Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc. "Kapp Eco-Babbitt". Kapp Alloy & Wire, Inc.
Retrieved 10 April 2013.
Bibliography[edit]
External links[edit]
"How white metal is moulded to steam locomotive big-end bearings" . Ropley, Mid
Hants Railway.
"How to Pour Babbitt Bearings". WikiHow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_%28metal%29