Mining Industry

Challenges in Mining

Babbitt bearings in mining equipment are often faced with high load and high impact forces. This heavy load and impact can lead to bearing fatigue and premature wear. Additionally, contamination from dust, debris and inadequate lubrication can cause surface damage, greatly reducing bearing efficiency and lifespan

Why Kapp Alloy Babbitt?

Repairing babbitt bearings can be expensive. Not only the costs of tear down and repouring, but also the days spent without essential equipment.

To make sure your equipment stays in operation as long as possible Kapp Alloy uses a proprietary casting process along with specialty high-pure metals to ensure the perfect composition and highest purity babbitt in every bar.

Babbitt Applications in Mining

Bearing Solutions

Many crushers, mills, conveyors and pumps use babbitt in various moving parts:

• Crushers: Bearings in the main shafts and eccentric shafts.
• Mills: Bearings in the trunnions and pinions.
• Conveyors: Bearings in the rollers and pulleys.
• Pumps: Bearings in the shafts and impellers.
• Fans and Blowers: Bearings in the shafts and rotors.

Materials & Grades Recommended

The best type of Babbitt for mining equipment typically depends on the specific application and operating conditions. However, tin-based Babbitt is generally preferred for high-speed and heavy-load applications, which are common in mining equipment. Tin-based Babbitt alloys offer excellent fatigue resistance, good conformability, and the ability to embed dirt and other contaminants, making them suitable for the harsh conditions in mining operations.

Some common tin-based Babbitt alloys include:

• ASTM Grade 2: Known for its high load-carrying capacity and good fatigue resistance.
• ASTM Grade 3: Offers excellent conformability and embeddability, making it suitable for applications with potential contamination.
• ASTM Grade 11: Provides a good balance of strength and fatigue resistance.

Lead-Based Babbitt alloys are also used in some mining equipment, especially in applications with lower speeds, continuous operation in dirty locations, and lighter loads. When you find your equipment has a lead-based Babbitt bearing, it is best to replace the babbitt with a new lead-based layer. ASTM Grade 7 Babbitt is by far the most common lead-based Babbitt used today. These lead-based bearings are becoming rare as this equipment is replaced with modern higher-speed machines with tin-based babbitt bearings.

Custom Solutions/Consultation for Mining

As always at Kapp Alloy and Wire we strive for perfection in our manufacturing process as well as application. If you are unsure of exact composition of the babbitt you need please call us or contact us for a free consultation.