In 1839, Isaac Babbitt received the first patent for a white metal alloy that showed
excellent bearing properties. Since then, the name babbitt has been used for other alloys
involving similar ingredients. Babbitt alloys offer an almost unsurpassed combination of
compatibility, conformability, and embed ability. They easily adapt their shapes to conform
to the bearing shaft and will hold a lubricant film. Foreign matter not carried away by the
lubrication is embedded below the surface and rendered harmless. These characteristics are
due to babbitt's hard/soft composition. High-tin babbitt alloys, for example, consist of a
relatively soft, solid matrix of tin in which are distributed hard copper-tin needles and
tin-antimony cuboids. This provides for "excellent run-in" which means the bearing
will absorb a lubricant on the surface and hold the lubricant film. Even under severe
operating conditions, where high loads, fatigue problems, or high temperature dictate the
use of other stronger materials, babbits are often employed as a thin surface coating to
obtain the advantage of their good rubbing characteristics.
Grade 2 Babbitt wire provides effective and uniform spray metallization. It exceeds
ASTM B23 Grade 2 specification and all federal and legal guidelines for lead-free alloys.
Because the ASTM specification was developed for pouring operations, This
modified alloy with tighter impurity levels specifically for spray metallization.
Benefits of Babbitt Alloy :
No Laminations that would cause deposition problems
Non-splitting, virtually weld-free wire with a non-flaking surface to prevent machine
feeding problems
Available in diameter from .057 to .187"
Lead-free composition for environmental safety
Produces a soft, pliable wire for easier machine feeding
Homogenous structure and tight wire diameter provide even feeding and flame deposition.
Physical Data
Chemical Composition (1)
Gr. 2 Babbitt Wire
ASTM B23
Tin
88.0 - 90.0
88.0 - 90.0
Antimony
7.0 - 8.0
7.0 - 8.0
Lead
.10 (2)
.35
Copper
3.0 - 4.0
3.0 -4.0
Iron
.02
.08
Arsenic
.02
.10
Bismuth
.02
.08
Zinc
.005
.005
Aluminum
.005
.005
Cadmium
.001
.05
Silver
.02
not specified
Nickel
.02
not specified
(1) Limits are % maximum unless shown as a range.
(2) Exceeds all known state and federal legislative requirements.
Property
Gr. 2 Babbitt Wire
Density
0.267 lbs/in3
Melting range
466 - 669 F
Brinell hardness
@77 F
24
@212 F
12
@320 F
6
Tensile strength (psi)
@77 F
11200
@212 F
6500
@320 F
3000
Packaging:
Grade 2 Babbitt wire is available on 25 pound reels, 25 & 50 pound coils, and
100 or 300 pound pay-off-packs in diameters from 0.057 to 0.187.
XXXX Nickel Babbitt Alloy is the result of over sixty years constant effort to produce the
best bearing alloy, regardless of cost. Today it stands supreme in the field of high-grade
bearing metals. It is made only of carefully selected virgin materials and each element is
subjected to scientific treatment during the alloying process.
XXXX Nickel Babbitt lasts longer under severe service, because,