Graphalloy

Graphalloy is a group of metal impregnated graphite materials.[1] The materials are commonly used for self-lubricating plain bearings or electrical contacts. They are proprietary materials owned by the Graphite Metallizing Corp.

Construction

When the metal is impregnated in the graphite it forms long continuous filaments. These are what gives the material its ductility, strength, and heat dissipation properties.[2]

Types

There are many types of Graphalloy because the graphite can be impregnated with many different metals.

Types of Graphalloy[3]
Type Impregnated material(s) Comments
Graphalloy Babbitt Bearing grade tin alloy and lead based Babbitt Tensile strength: 5,000 psi (34 MPa). Crushing strength: 19,000 psi (130 MPa). Applications: bearings, seal rings, and contact shoes.
Graphalloy bronze Bronze Tensile strength: 5,500 psi (38 MPa). Crushing strength: 24,000 psi (170 MPa). Applications: bearings, seal rings, and contacts.
Graphalloy copper Copper Tensile strength: 6,000 psi (41 MPa). Crushing strength: 25,000 psi (170 MPa). Applications: slip ring bushes, bearings, and contacts.
Graphalloy iron Iron Tensile strength: 6,000 psi (41 MPa). Crushing strength: 25,000 psi (170 MPa). Application: submerged bearings.
Graphalloy silver 8 Silver Tensile strength: 5,500 psi (38 MPa). Crushing strength: 24,000 psi (170 MPa). Applications: bushes, bearings, and contacts.

Applications

Graphalloy is used in applications where high and low temperatures are encountered, grease or oil is not feasible, expulsion of wear particles is prohibited, or in dusty, submerged, or corrosive environments. It is non-corrosive in gasoline, jet fuel, solvents, bleaches, caustics, dyes, liquefied gases, acids, and many more chemicals. It is not used in highly abrasive applications. Common applications include pumps, bleaching and washing tanks, ovens, industrial dryers, steam turbines, kilns, cryogenics.[2][4]

It is also used as bearing in applications where electrical conduction is necessary. It is used in when high frequency current degrades ball or needle bearings. Examples of applications include packaging machines, radar joints, and welding equipment.[4]

References

  1. ↑ GRAPHALLOY FAQs, retrieved 2010-04-06.
  2. 1 2 Bloch, Heinz P.; Geitner, Fred K. (1997), Major process equipment maintenance and repair (2nd ed.), Gulf Professional Publishing, p. 110, ISBN 978-0-88415-663-5.
  3. ↑ Woldman, Norman Emme; Frick, John P. (2000), Woldman's engineering alloys (9th ed.), ASM International, p. 501, ISBN 978-0-87170-691-1.
  4. 1 2 Typical applications, retrieved 2010-04-07.
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