BABBITT METALS

BABBITT METAL
Babbitt metal, also called white metal, is an alloy used to provide the best bearing surface in a plain bearing. It was invented by Isaac Babbitt in 1839. The term is used today to describe a series of alloys used as a bearing metal. Babbit metal is characterized by its resistance to gall. Common compositions for Babbitt alloys: 1) 2) 3) 90% tin 89% tin 80% lead 10% copper 7% antimony 15% antimony

4% copper 5% tin

The UNS designated Babbitt alloys are given on the last page of this text. Originally used as a cast in place bulk bearing material, it is now more commonly used as a thin surface layer in a complex, multi metal structure. Babbitt metal is soft and easily damaged, and seems at first sight an unlikely candidate for a bearing surface, but this appearance is deceptive. The structure of the alloy is made up of small hard crystals dispersed in a matrix of softer alloy. As the bearing wears the harder crystal is exposed, with the matrix eroding somewhat to provide a path for the lubricant between the high spots that provide the actual bearing surface. Traditional babbitt bearings In the traditional style of white metal bearing, a cast iron pillow block is assembled as a loose fit around the shaft, with the shaft in approximately its final position. The inner face of the cast iron pillow block is often drilled to form a key to locate the bearing metal as it is cast into place. The ends of the bearing are packed with clay and molten white metal poured into the cavity around the shaft, initially half filling the pillow block. The bearing is stripped, and the white metal trimmed back to the top surface of the pillow block. Hardened white metal is soft enough to be cut with a knife or sharp chisel. A steel shim is inserted to protect the face of the lower bearing and to space the cap of the pillow block away from the shaft. After resealing the ends with clay, more white metal is then poured to fill the cap of the pillow block through the hole in the top of the pillow block cap that will eventually be a lubrication hole.

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

GIETECH BV

March, 2006

BABBITT METALS

The two halves of the bearing are then split at the shim, the oil holes cleared of white metal and any grease ways cut into the surface of the new bearing. The shaft is smeared with engineer's blue and rotated in the bearing. When the bearing is disassembled the blue fills the hollows and is rubbed off the high spots. The high spots are scraped down, and the process repeated, until a uniform and evenly distributed pattern of blue shows when the shaft is removed. The bearing is then cleaned and lubricated, and shimmed up such that the shaft is held firmly but not binding in the bearing. The bearing is then "run in" by being run heavily lubricated at low load and revolution, completing the process of exposing the hard bearing surface. After final adjustment of the shimming, a very reliable and high load capability bearing results. Before the wide availability of cheap electric motors, power was distributed through the factory floor via overhead shafting running in hundreds of bearings of this form. The expression a "run bearing" also derives from this style of bearing, since failure of lubrication will lead to heat build up due to friction in the bearing, eventually leading to the white metal liquifying and literally running out of the pillow block. Modern bearings In more modern practice, such as the connecting rod big end bearings in a modern automobile engine, the bearing is a replaceable steel shell, keyed to the bearing 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 is Babbitting.

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

GIETECH BV

March, 2006

BABBITT METALS

TABLE WITH UNS DESIG NATED BABBIT METALS

Tin Base Chemical Composition, % UNS- UNS- UNS- UNS- UNSL13910 L13890 L13840 L13870 L53585 Tin Antimony Lead Copper Iron Arsenic Bismuth Zinc Aluminum Cadmium UNSL53565 UNSL53346 UNSL53620 Tin Base Tin Base Tin Base Lead Base Lead Base Lead Base Lead Base

11

13

15

90.0- 88.0- 83.0- 86.09.3-10.7 4.5-5.5 92.0 90.0 85.0 89.0 4.05.0 0.35 4.05.0 0.08 0.10 0.08 7.08.0 0.35 3.04.0 0.08 0.10 0.08 7.58.5 0.35 7.58.5 0.08 0.10 0.08 6.07.5 0.50 5.06.5 0.08 0.10 0.08 14.016.0 14.016.0

5.5-6.5 9.5-10.5

0.8-1.2 14.517.5

remainder* remainder* remainder* remainder*

0.50 0.10 0.300.60 0.10

0.50 0.10 0.300.60 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05

0.50 0.10 0.25 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05

0.6 0.10 0.8-1.4 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05

0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05

Total named elements, 99.80 99.80 99.80 99.80 min

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

GIETECH BV

March, 2006

BABBITT METALS

BABBITT METAL
ASTM B-23 Types based on tin
Tin Base Chemical 1 Composition, % UNS-L13910 Tin Antimony Lead Copper Iron Arsenic Bismuth Zinc Aluminum Cadmium Total named elements, min 90.0-92.0 4.0-5.0 0.35 4.0-5.0 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.005 0.005 0.05 99.80 Tin Base 2 Tin Base 3 Tin Base 11 UNS-L13870 86.0-89.0 6.0-7.5 0.50 5.0-6.5 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.005 0.005 0.05 99.80

UNS-L13890 UNS-L13840 88.0-90.0 7.0-8.0 0.35 3.0-4.0 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.005 0.005 0.05 99.80 83.0-85.0 7.5-8.5 0.35 7.5-8.5 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.005 0.005 0.05 99.80

All values, not given as ranges, are maximum values unless otherwise indicated. Remainder *: to be determined by difference Alloy no 11, similar to SAE Grade 11, was added in 1966. Alloy No 9 was discontinued, as well as No 4, 5, 56, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 19 were discontinued in 1959.

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

GIETECH BV

March, 2006

BABBITT METALS

Types based on lead

Lead Base Chemical Composition, % Tin Antimony Lead Copper Iron Arsenic Bismuth Zinc Aluminum Cadmium Total named elements, min 7 Lead Base 8 Lead Base 13 Lead Base 15 UNS-L53620 0.8-1.2 14.5-17.5 remainder* 0.6 0.10 0.8-1.4 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05

UNS-L53585 UNS-L53565 UNS-L53346 9.3-10.7 14.0-16.0 remainder* 0.50 0.10 0.30-0.60 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05 4.5-5.5 14.0-16.0 remainder* 0.50 0.10 0.30-0.60 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05 5.5-6.5 9.5-10.5 remainder* 0.50 0.10 0.25 0.10 0.005 0.005 0.05

All values, not given as ranges, are maximum values unless otherwise indicated. Remainder *: to be determined by difference

Ir G.D HENDERIECKX

GIETECH BV

March, 2006