3D Reconstruction of Microstructure for Centrifugal Casting Babbitt Lining of Bimetallic Bearing Based on Mimics

Abstract

Babbitt alloys are the most commonly used bearing materials for low speed diesel engines due to their excellent attributes. An understanding of microstructures in these alloys is important, especially quantifying microstructure in 3D. In this study, we used serial sectioning technique to reconstruct 3D microstructure of tin-based Babbitt lining of bimetallic bearing made by centrifugal casting based on medical software Mimics. The morphologies and volume fraction of hard phase particles and α-Sn matrix were obtained. The volume fraction of the reconstructed microstructures was verified by the area fraction of the metallographic sections, which proved a higher reliability of 3D reconstruction. The results of 3D microstructural characterization and analysis will enable a comprehensive understanding the structure–property relationships of these materials.