Graphalloy

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Graphalloy is the trademark for 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. based in Yonkers, New York, USA.

Contents

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]
TypeImpregnated material(s)Comments
Graphalloy BabbittBearing 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]

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Bearing (mechanical) Mechanism to constrain relative movement to the desired motion and reduce friction

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Pillow block bearing

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Self-lubricating chains, also referred to as lube-free chains, are commonly found in both roller chain and conveyor chain varieties, with specialty self-lubricating chains also available. These chains utilize a bush made of an oil-impregnated sintered metal or plastic to provide continuous lubrication to the chain during drive, eliminating the need for further lubrication.

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.