Babbit Alloy

Description:

A Babbitt alloy, also known as Babbitt metal, is a soft, low-friction alloy predominantly used as a lining material in plain bearings to support rotating shafts. Developed initially by Isaac Babbitt in 1839, it typically consists of a tin, lead, cadmium, or zinc base, with alloying additions like copper and antimony . Its unique structure features hard crystals embedded in a softer matrix, which provides excellent embeddability for foreign particles and conformability to slight shaft misalignments, significantly reducing wear and preventing catastrophic failure of the main machinery. This exceptional ability to “run-in” and protect against seizure makes it indispensable in heavy-duty and high-speed applications.

Applications:

Babbitt alloy’s excellent properties lead to its use in critical machinery components:

1. Plain Bearings: Most commonly, it’s used as the liner for sleeve or journal bearings in large machines like steam turbines, compressors, and pumps.
2. Heavy-Duty Engines: It’s often found in the main and connecting rod bearings of large internal combustion engines, such as those in ships or power generators.
3. Refurbishing & Repair: It is frequently used to recast or repair damaged or worn-out bearings, extending the life of valuable industrial equipment.