Comparative Analysis of Mechanical and Tribological Performance of Babbitt B83 Alloy: Gravity Versus Centrifugal Casting Methods
摘要
This study analyzes the mechanical and tribological performance of Babbitt B83 antifriction alloy used in the recovery of sliding bearings in turbo machines. Two casting methods were compared: gravity casting (GC) and centrifugal casting (CC). The characterization included microstructure analysis, hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance of the samples. Results showed that centrifugal casting significantly improved the material's properties, with a 3.4% increase in hardness and a 20% reduction in wear compared to gravity casting. The finer grain structure and more uniform distribution of intermetallic phases in the centrifugally cast alloy led to superior tribological behavior. These improvements suggest that CC is better suited for applications requiring enhanced load-bearing capacity and wear resistance, such as in the thermoelectric and automotive industries. Future research could explore the impact of additional alloying elements and further optimize the casting process to enhance durability under extreme conditions.