Babbit vs Lead (?) ID

[Cheef]

An odd question,

My grandfather-in-law was a machinist for many years and had his own shop. When he retired/moved from location, he left me 5 ingots of about 60 pounds each that ostensibly was bearing babbit.

What would be involved in confirming this and getting some idea of its percentages assuming it doesn't turn out to be lead or linotype.

Also has the word "Gould" cast into bar. Internet proved futile in that Gould, a metals firm, appears to be belly-up.It has a ring with the thud when you smack it with a hammer...makes me wonder that at least is not lead.

My apologies in advance for such an odd question.

Thanks!

Cheef

[Kevin O. Pulver]

Cheef,
No apologies necessary, I don't think it's odd at all.
I don't have much definitive help, other than to suggest you get some known lead and compare. Compare perhaps melting temps and hardness by hammering on a portion of each. I'm sure someone else will have better advice. Of course there are several types of babbitt and how to tell which is which I don't know. Kevin

[JKWidener]

Here is a chart for different types of babbitt. Has the melting tempetures for the different kinds.



MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
OF SELECTED TIN-LEAD BABBITTS

[Cheef]

Sir,

This is a most interesting chart. I did not think of hardness or melting point. Should be easy enough to use my IR temp gauge to get a reading.

I had thought about immersing a bar in a large basin of water and computing density. I figure at least I could rule out pure lead.

Time for a science experiment!

Thanks!

Cheef

[Craig A]

Lead will bend; GOOD babbitt will break.
Lead will thud; babbitt will, more or less, ring.
Linotype metal is lead based so it would make lousy bearing metal:
lead 85%, antimony 13% and tin 2%

[ListerDiesel]

There are some more Babbitt tables on our websites at:

http://www.stationary-engine.co.uk/Tables/Babbitt1.htm

or at:

http://www.oldengine.org/members/die...s/Babbitt1.htm

Peter

[Tony-G]

Hi Guys, Many thanks for the various charts on babitt, but which one do we use for making say lined bearings or bearings that are totally made out of this material? it`s the old story the more you read on a subject the more you dont know.
regards tony

[Craig A]

There's no way around it, whether lined or not, better babbitt makes a better bearing.
The best babbitt is more difficult to work with as it sets up faster.
A slow turning show engine doesn't need the best babbitt money can buy......and these days the best money doesn't buy very much "genuine babbitt".......

[Sky]

were could i find babbit if needed? just curious. I made my first succesful babbit bearing a month ago but it failed cuz the steel sleave wasnt clean. T'was a nice attempt though. I had it bored out nice and pretty and everything.

[Joe Brincat]

Did you tin the steel sleave before pouring the babbitt? That would have helped it adhear

Joe B

[Sky]

No i didnt. I know i didnt do something right. That was it.

[makoman1860]

Acro sales in wisconsin has many different bearing lining types. They also have some nice tinning compounds. ASTM#2 is tin based and works well in most applications.
-Aaron

[makoman1860]

Cheef,
sorry I forgot to mention, if your still wanting to know what it is that you have, send me a piece and I will scan it for you.
-Aaron

[Case441]

according to the "machinery's handbook" a good bearing babbitt would be babbitt # 11 which matches up in composition with ats # 1 in jkwidener's chart. the melting point would be the easyest way to find out what type of babitt you have.

brad