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

To prevent this, bushes of some dissimilar metal are employed; thus a shaft of mild steel or wrought iron may be made to run in hard cast steel, cast iron, bronze or Babbitt metal.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

Babbitt metal is composed of tin, antimony, and copper, mixed in varying proportions.

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

The pieces of the tail stock and tool rest support are fitted to the bars by means of Babbitt metal, the metal being poured first in one half and then in the other.

From Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX.?No. 24. [New Series.], December 14, 1878 A Weekly Journal Of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, And Manufactures by Various

Babbitt metal, used for journal bearings in machinery, contains the same metals in a different proportion together with a small percentage of copper.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William