Solder & Low-Melting Alloy WJ1 CAST-CHILL
Other
GB WJ1 · JIS H5401 WJ1
Choose for conventional plain bearings and thrust pads lined by gravity pouring onto a tinned, preheated shell.
Values for the CAST-CHILL condition
Other WJ1 tempers and conditions
WJ1 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at WJ1.
- CAST-CHILL
- CAST-THIN
- CAST-CENTRIF
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAST-CHILLThis page bonded to steel or bronze shell | Choose for conventional plain bearings and thrust pads lined by gravity pouring onto a tinned, preheated shell. | 33 | 78 | 6 | 25 HB | 10 % IACS |
Thin-wall lining (<1 mm) on rigid backing | Use where high specific load and fatigue life are needed: a thin WJ1 layer on steel raises load capacity but reduces embeddability. | 35 | 85 | 5 | 26 HB | 10 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast lining | Pick for large journal/turbine bearings where centrifugal casting gives a denser, finer-grained, better-bonded lining. | 36 | 88 | 8 | 27 HB | 10 % IACS |
What is WJ1 CAST-CHILL?
WJ1 CAST-CHILL is WJ1 in the CAST-CHILL condition — choose for conventional plain bearings and thrust pads lined by gravity pouring onto a tinned, preheated shell. WJ1 CAST-CHILL has a yield strength of 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) — stronger than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 52 GPa (7.54 Msi). WJ1 CAST-CHILL has a density of 7.36 g/cm³ (0.266 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 240°C (464 °F).
Advantages
- Stiff — 52 GPa (7.54 Msi), better than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 89% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- High service temperature — 130°C (266 °F), better than 87% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 60/100, better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Lightweight — 7.36 g/cm³ (0.266 lb/in³), better than 80% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited formability — 35/100, worse than 85% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
WJ1 CAST-CHILL properties
Typical room-temperature values for WJ1 CAST-CHILL; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are WJ1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
WJ1 CAST-CHILL has a density of 7.36 g/cm³ (0.266 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 240°C (464 °F).
Mechanical10
WJ1 CAST-CHILL has a yield strength of 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) — stronger than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 52 GPa (7.54 Msi).
Thermal6
WJ1 CAST-CHILL is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 53 W/m·K (30.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
WJ1 CAST-CHILL conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 54% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), better than 78% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of WJ1 CAST-CHILL takes about 300 MJ of energy and emits 17 kg of CO₂ — more than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
WJ1 CAST-CHILL's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 89% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with WJ1 CAST-CHILL
Is WJ1 easy to machine?
Bore and face with very sharp high-rake HSS or carbide tools, high speed, light feeds and generous flood lubricant to avoid smearing; diamond boring gives the best bearing surface.
Can WJ1 be welded?
Not fusion welded; repairs are made by re-melting/puddling with matching WJ1 filler at low torch heat, and the shell must be fluxed and tinned (pure Sn or Sn-Sb) for bond integrity.
Can WJ1 be formed, bent or molded?
Used as-cast — pour at about 420–460 °C onto a clean, tinned, preheated (~250–300 °C) shell and chill from the back to obtain fine, uniformly distributed SbSn and Cu6Sn5 phases; avoid overheating which coarsens Cu-Sn needles.
What surface finishes work on WJ1?
No plating or anodizing; finish is a fine-bored or scraped/burnished running surface, optionally with oil grooves — ultrasonic or dye bond testing is normal before final machining.
WJ1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sb | 5 – 7 | 6 |
| Cu | 3 – 5 | 4 |
| Pbimpurity max | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Feimpurity max | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Asimpurity max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Biimpurity max | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Znimpurity max | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Alimpurity max | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cdimpurity max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Sn | ≥ 88 (balance) | — |
WJ1 CAST-CHILL — frequently asked
What is WJ1 CAST-CHILL used for?
WJ1 CAST-CHILL is typically used for turbine bearings, generator bearings and high-speed spindle bushings. In short: highest-tin JIS white metal; highest service temperature here; for high-speed heavy loads.
What is the yield strength of WJ1 CAST-CHILL?
WJ1 CAST-CHILL has a typical yield strength of 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 78 MPa (11.3 ksi) — stronger than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is WJ1 CAST-CHILL easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 89% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Bore and face with very sharp high-rake HSS or carbide tools, high speed, light feeds and generous flood lubricant to avoid smearing; diamond boring gives the best bearing surface.
Can WJ1 CAST-CHILL be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not fusion welded; repairs are made by re-melting/puddling with matching WJ1 filler at low torch heat, and the shell must be fluxed and tinned (pure Sn or Sn-Sb) for bond integrity.
What surface finishes work on WJ1 CAST-CHILL?
No plating or anodizing; finish is a fine-bored or scraped/burnished running surface, optionally with oil grooves — ultrasonic or dye bond testing is normal before final machining.
Can WJ1 CAST-CHILL be formed, bent or molded?
Used as-cast — pour at about 420–460 °C onto a clean, tinned, preheated (~250–300 °C) shell and chill from the back to obtain fine, uniformly distributed SbSn and Cu6Sn5 phases; avoid overheating which coarsens Cu-Sn needles.
What is the maximum service temperature of WJ1 CAST-CHILL?
WJ1 CAST-CHILL is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- JIS H5401 White metals (WJ1–WJ10) — Japanese Standards Association (1958)
- ASTM B23 Standard Specification for White Metal Bearing Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- GB/T 1174 (ZSnSb8Cu4 ) (1992)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Tin and Tin Alloys, Bearing Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Tin-base babbitt bearing alloy datasheets — 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.