Babbitt metal

Metall.

1. any of various alloys of tin with smaller amounts of antimony and copper, used as an antifriction lining for bearings.

2. any of various similar alloys.

Also, babbitt metal, babbitt.

[1870-75, Amer.; named after Isaac Babbitt (1799-1862), American inventor]

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also spelled  Babbit 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.

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