babbitt metal

babbitt metal, any of several tin- or lead-based alloys used as bearing material for axles and crankshafts, based on the tin alloy invented in 1839 by Isaac Babbitt for use in steam engines. Modern babbitts provide a low-friction lining for bearing shells made of stronger metals such as cast iron, steel, or bronze. They may be made of: (1) high-tin alloys with small quantities of antimony and copper; (2) high-lead alloys containing antimony, arsenic, and tin; and (3) intermediate tin-lead alloys with antimony and copper.

The small quantities of hard metal in a soft matrix of tin or lead create a material strong enough to bear relatively high speeds and loads yet soft enough to embed dirt or other intrusions and not seize up on a spinning shaft in case of lubrication failure. Tin babbitts can be used at higher temperatures than the cheaper lead alloys, but most babbitts cannot endure prolonged use in high-performance internal-combustion engines, for which bearings are now made with linings of copper and aluminum alloys.