I picked up some 50/50 lead/tin ingots yesterday that I will use for the tin content when casting. However, the guy I bought them from had two ingots of ASTM B23-49 babbitt Grade 19.

I know some babbitt is tin based, which I think this is, and some lead based. The only thing I can find in any on-line reference that details the various babbitt grades, is that 19 was discontinued in 1959. No particulars about it. Anyone have any older reference books that details it ,or just happen to be familiar with it?

Thanks

Check out ASTM Specifications ASTM B-23
CHEMICAL Go to page 17. Given the grading, I would say it is Lead based.

INDUSTRY NAME No. 11
ASTM B23 Grade 11
Sn(Tin) 86.0 - 89.0
Sb (Antimony) 6.0 - 7.5
Cu (Copper) 5.0 - 6.5
Pb(Lead) 0.35 (Max)

INDUSTRY NAME Durite
ASTM B23 Grade 15
Sn(Tin) 0.8 - 1.2
Sb (Antimony) 14.5 - 17.5
Cu (Copper) <.60
Pb(Lead) Remainder

You could be correct that it's lead based. That's actually one of the references I've found, but unfortunately doesn't give the actual composition of it.

The reason I'd like to know is to see if it would be something that could be mixed with WW or pure lead when casting. I guess it's just too old to be listed anymore in anything other than a footnote.

Thanks

Yeah, my search only ended in footnote references, or optionof buying a $40+ manual.

I'm not that curious!

Guess you could mold a few bullets and weigh them agains a pure lead bullet and see if there is a lot of weight difference?

Too bad there is not any data on that unit........... bummer.

Good luck.

Yeah, without knowing exactly what it is, I'm going to pass on buying it. It does seem strange though that with the wealth of info on the net, there isn't some specifics about it.

I've tried multiple search engines in addition to looking at the library, but no luck.

My 1964 "Machinery's Handbook" p. 522 Table 1 White Metal Bearing Alloys ASTM B23-49, says ASTM 19 (if this is the same metal) is:

5% Tin
9% Antimony
86% Lead

With a melting point of 462f

Table 2 "Bearing and Bushing Alloys (SAE)
Says:
90% lead
10% tin

I'm not sure if either of these is the alloy you have.

Jeff

Table#2 would be preferable to #1 for casting I would think but either one would be sufficient for cast bullets.

My guess is that someone would pay more for real Babbit bearing material than lead. Babbit is kind of expensive.

I did a quick search of an on line auction site and see 2.75lb for $25.00

I have bars on CL77 babbit it was with some lead I had.

Wow! The ingots do not have a mfg listed on it as some babbit ingots do, but on the bottom it does say "ASTM B23-49 Grade 19". Babbitt is considered a white metal and is what ASTM B23-xx specifically refers too.

Not sure what the table 2 is.

The composition given for the Grade 19 seems like it would it serve in the same role as the hardball bullet casting alloy maybe.

Thanks!

Edit: Did your handbook mention if Grade 19 contained any Arsenic?

You all know your materials, even something that hasn't been raround in years. I find that impressive. I was a designer in a research lab and had to use lots of different materials, but no babbit metal except for bearings. I think I've still got a Machinery's handbook somewhere. What a great reference!

My "Handbook of Engineering Fundamentals (Eshbach) agrees.

Send a PM to Skip Hacket, the resident casting guru. I would suggest that the Babbit material would be excellent for hard cast gas checked rifle bullets. Long, long ago I traded 'drafting labor' for some antimony metal in college. Antimony "dissolves' in molten lead the same way salt dissolves in water.

I had about 15# of lead, wheel weight, antimony alloy that made fantastic 308 dia rifle bullets for my 30-06. The bullets were almost as hard as jacketed rifle bullets, no leading, and accurate with gas checks. I would buy those ingots in a heart beat!!

__________________
S&WHF 366

The composition given for the Grade 19 seems like it would it serve in the same role as the hardball bullet casting alloy maybe.

Thanks!

Edit: Did your handbook mention if Grade 19 contained any Arsenic?[/QUOTE]

My chart is identical to the one pictured above - no mention of arsenic.

Jeff

Grade 15 contains 1% arsenic. Grade 19 - no.

Thanks everyone for the help! Especially you folks that don't throw things away.

My copy of Eshbach's Handbook originally belonged to my father. I do hope my daughter and SIL want it when I'm "finished" with it.