Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL
Finish state
ASTM B23 Grade 13 · UNS L53390
Choose for production bearing shells: finer structure, fewer pores, best bond and fatigue life.
Values for the CENTRIFUGAL condition
Other B23 Grade 13 tempers and conditions
B23 Grade 13 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at B23 Grade 13.
- STATIC-CAST
- CENTRIFUGAL
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Static (gravity) cast lining on steel/bronze backing | Choose for hand-poured or jig-poured bearing shells and re-babbitted repair work. | 28 | 62 | 6 | 21 HB | 6.6 % IACS |
CENTRIFUGALThis page Centrifugally cast lining | Choose for production bearing shells: finer structure, fewer pores, best bond and fatigue life. | 32 | 70 | 5 | 24 HB | 6.6 % IACS |
What is B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL?
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL is B23 Grade 13 supplied in the CENTRIFUGAL condition — choose for production bearing shells: finer structure, fewer pores, best bond and fatigue life. B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL has a yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 29 GPa (4.21 Msi). B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL has a density of 10.24 g/cm³ (0.37 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 240°C (464 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 60/100, better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- High service temperature — 125°C (257 °F), better than 80% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 92% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 90% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Heavy — 10.24 g/cm³ (0.37 lb/in³), worse than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.6 % IACS, worse than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL properties
Typical room-temperature values for B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are B23 Grade 13 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL has a density of 10.24 g/cm³ (0.37 lb/in³), heavier than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 240°C (464 °F).
Mechanical11
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL has a yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 29 GPa (4.21 Msi).
Thermal6
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL is rated for continuous service to 125°C (257 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 24 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL conducts electricity at 6.6 % IACS, worse than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (46/100), better than 68% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL
Is B23 Grade 13 easy to machine?
Very easy to bore and scrape with sharp, high-rake tools and generous chip clearance; use light cuts and coolant to avoid smearing and heat build-up.
Can B23 Grade 13 be welded?
Not fusion-weldable in the structural sense; repairs are made by re-melting/re-pouring the lining or by lead-burning with matching filler at low heat.
Can B23 Grade 13 be formed, bent or molded?
Poured at roughly 420–480 °C into tinned, preheated shells; keep the melt stirred to avoid antimony-rich segregation and chill quickly for a fine structure.
What surface finishes work on B23 Grade 13?
Bore, then diamond-burnish or fine-scrape to the oil-film clearance; no plating or anodizing — protect stock from acidic oils and observe lead-handling/RoHS restrictions.
B23 Grade 13 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Sn | 5 – 7 | 6 |
| Sb | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| As | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Bi | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Pbremainder, nominally ~84 % | balance | — |
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL — frequently asked
What is B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL used for?
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL is typically used for industrial bearing shells, pump bearings and rolling mill bearings. In short: hardest low-tin lead babbitt; tin-lean substitute for Grade 7/8; free-machining bearing lining.
What is the yield strength of B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL?
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) — stronger than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Very easy to bore and scrape with sharp, high-rake tools and generous chip clearance; use light cuts and coolant to avoid smearing and heat build-up.
Can B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not fusion-weldable in the structural sense; repairs are made by re-melting/re-pouring the lining or by lead-burning with matching filler at low heat.
What surface finishes work on B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL?
Bore, then diamond-burnish or fine-scrape to the oil-film clearance; no plating or anodizing — protect stock from acidic oils and observe lead-handling/RoHS restrictions.
Can B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL be formed, bent or molded?
Poured at roughly 420–480 °C into tinned, preheated shells; keep the melt stirred to avoid antimony-rich segregation and chill quickly for a fine structure.
What is the maximum service temperature of B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL?
B23 Grade 13 CENTRIFUGAL is rated for continuous use to about 125°C (257 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM B23 Standard Specification for White Metal Bearing Alloys (Known Commercially as Babbitt Metal) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (bearing alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 18 — Friction, Lubrication, and Wear Technology — ASM International (2017)
- Babbitt bearing alloy ingot datasheets (lead-base grades) — Various babbitt producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.