Inventors at Work, with Chapters on Discovery

by George Iles

Anti-Friction Alloys.

We have briefly glanced at recent progress in the art of alloying in so far as it has produced steels of new strength, elasticity, or hardness; new ability to resist abrasion or high temperatures, new capacity for magnetism, new indifference to changes of temperature as affecting dimensions. Alloying has of late years conferred other gifts upon industry, of which one example may be cited from among many of equal importance. Friction levies so grievous a tax upon the mechanic and the engineer that they are quick to seize upon any material for bearings which reduces friction. As the result of extensive experiments Dr. C. B. Dudley recommends an alloy of tin, copper, a little phosphorus, with ten to fifteen per cent. of lead. He finds the loss of metal by wear under uniform conditions diminishes as the lead is increased and the tin diminished.