Bismuth antimony Babbitt

[dieguy59]

How much bismuth is too much in an alloy?

Maybe a rookie question, but thanks for any help.

If the answer to this has been posted please forgive me and redirect me. Recently was given some babbitt. I cast a sample and had someone scan it for me. Pb 46.42,Bi 17.17,Sb 16.75 and Sn 12.29 I haven't done a hardness test yet, but a thin(1/8) puddle of the alloy will not even bend and no chance of scratching it with anything less than the edge of a penny.

Is this workable or a problem in the making?

[sabot_round]

How much bismuth is too much in an alloy?

Maybe a rookie question, but thanks for any help.

If the answer to this has been posted please forgive me and redirect me. Recently was given some babbitt. I cast a sample and had someone scan it for me. Pb 46.42,Bi 17.17,Sb 16.75 and Sn 12.29 I haven't done a hardness test yet, but a thin(1/8) puddle of the alloy will not even bend and no chance of scratching it with anything less than the edge of a penny.

Is this workable or a problem in the making?

What are you casting for? Caliber? Rifle or pistol? Magnum? ETC.

[dieguy59]

Excellent point....44,45 acp and Colt,9mm,38/357. Non magnum rifle for target and fun.

[felix]

1/2 pound max per 20 pound WW in pot. ... felix

[dieguy59]

Looking at the Rotometals site, bismuth seem to be the main ingredient in low temp melting alloys, how/will this effect 'castability'?

[dieguy59]

Is this at all a substitute for Lino or Mono as it is quite high in antimony?

[felix]

Mix according to tin percentage as needed in final alloy to be shot. The final lead will be hard because of the bismuth and antimony. Bismuth is being used as a replacement for arsenic in this particular babbit. ... felix

[runfiverun]

the bismuth will also add hardness and brittleness just like antimony.
only moreso on the brittle.
felix's earlier numbers are good.

for soft/pure keep the numbers [Bi-Sb] around 2% each.
that will make a good alloy easily pourable.
about 12-13 bhn.

[oldrodder]

Dieguy just sent me 5 half pound ingots such as those cast in a Lee mould. To maintain a 2% ratio, how much of this ingot would I add to a 20 lb melt of either pure Pb or COWW?
Thanks for the help,
Mike

[runfiverun]

1/2 lb with the ww's or 10% with pure lead.
the pure lead mix will be a bit harder than ww alloy and have enough tin to pour well.

[dieguy59]

I've sent several samples to members and am eagerly awaiting the results of any field testing. Just curious as to the potential of this babbit. Everyone keep me posted. Thanks.

[40Super]

My results from alloy analyzing showed upwards of 4% Bi in many alloys I had. Berry's plated cores/ jacketed cores, even a pile of same brand ww I had showed 2.5%bi. I think it is in more than most think. I've been shooting it for a while and it works fine.