Babbitt metal

American  

Also babbitt metal,

noun

Metallurgy.

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.

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Babbitt metal British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: Babbitt.  any of a number of alloys originally based on tin, antimony, and copper but now often including lead: used esp in bearings

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Etymology

Origin of Babbitt metal

1870–75, named after Isaac Babbitt (1799–1862), American inventor

Example Sentences

Tin is indispensable for Babbitt metal and bronze used in aircraft and automobile engines.

From Time Magazine Archive

Special features were a zinc and lead concentrating plant, model of shot tower, illustration of process of making Babbitt metal and solder.

From Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

Babbitt metal is the material used in its construction, being cast in wooden molds.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.

In some cases cast-iron boxes are cast with a receptacle for some soft metal, such as the various compound metals known under the general name of Babbitt metal.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

They are particularly short of Babbitt metal and boiler tubes.

From The Crisis in Russia by Ransome, Arthur