Effect of different Cu₆Sn₅ morphology on the tribological properties of Babbitt alloy

Purpose: This paper aims to study different morphology Cu₆Sn₅ effect on Babbitt alloy tribological properties. Design/methodology/approach: Different morphology Cu₆Sn₅ of Babbitt was conducted by different cooling modes. Bare Babbitt was marked by Babbitt-0, Babbitt modified by first cooling mode (marked by Babbitt-1) and Babbitt modified by second cooling mode (marked by Babbitt-2). The microstructure and microhardness of specimens were tested. Then, tribological properties of Babbitt-0, Babbitt-1 and Babbitt-2 were performed by reciprocating mode under lubricated condition. Findings: The results showed that shape Cu₆Sn₅ of Babbitt was changed from mixed needle and star-like shape to short rod-like or granular shape. The microhardness of Babbitt-1 was highest than that of Babbitt-0 and Babbitt-2. Compared with Babbitt-0 and Babbitt-2, tribological properties of Babbitt-1 were better under lubricated condition due to short rod-like and sparse distribution of Cu₆Sn₅. Moreover, the simulation result of strain and stress of Babbitt-1 was lowest than that of Babbitt-0 and Babbitt-2. Originality/value: Different morphology (shape and distributed) of Cu₆Sn₅ was obtained by different cooling modes. Modulated different forms of Cu₆Sn₅ around SnSb was beneficial to improve Babbitt alloy tribological properties.