Waukesha Metal 88
WM88 is Waukesha Foundry’s patented solution for food and beverage industry equipment – preventing galling on parts, even without liquid lubricants. It’s blended and cast to be highly resistant to corrosion, stand up to daily cleaning, and remain gall-free to prevent crevices that can harbor bacteria.
What is the Chemical Composition of Waukesha 88?
WM88 is often referred to as Waukesha 88, Alloy 88, ASTM A494 CY5SnBiM, or UNS N26055. WM88 is not a stainless steel. It is a nickel-based alloy enhanced with bismuth and tin to help the material “self-lubricate.” The alloy’s microstructure provides a solid lubrication that prevents galling and seizing, even when it slides repeatedly against another hard metal’s surface.
The alloy also includes chromium and molybdenum to make it corrosion resistant. This combination of properties helps parts stand up to the cleaning agents and acids used during the sterilization process that’s common in food processing facilities.
Applications of WM88
Food Processing Industry
Waukesha Foundry developed WM88 to meet the unique needs of food processing plants, where liquid lubricants are prohibited due to FDA standards. WM88 overcomes the adhesion wear – or galling – that happens with non-lubricated metal-on-metal contact. It’s compatible with stainless steels, Inconel, Monel, and chromium plated parts, and it is approved by the FDA (and 3-A sanitary standards) for contact with food. This makes it the material of choice for food processing machinery. It’s also corrosion-resistant to stand up to the daily cleaning and equipment sterilization that’s required in food processing facilities.
Other Industrial Applications
Anytime metal parts will be in close contact, WM88 provides an added layer of protection against galling and friction damage. WM88 also has low thermal conductivity, making it an ideal material for temperature-sensitive areas.
Technical Specifications
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Blend: A proprietary formula of nickel, bismuth, tin, chromium and molybdenum
- Hardness: 121-170 BHN, 149 typ
- Density: 0.31 lb/in3 at room temperature
- Coefficient of thermal expansion: 8.0 in/in/°F x 10^-6 from 0 to 500 °F
- Magnetic permeability: On the order of 10^-4 H/m
Machining Guidelines
WM88 machines similarly to 304 stainless steel. Depending on the equipment used, consider the following as starting guidelines:
- Lathe: CNMG543EMU inserts, S.F. 400 (+/- 50) and feed rate .008 (.006 to .012; .008 will produce the best tool life).
- Vertical mill (4” face mill): 580 RPM at 27.0 IPM. Shell Mill 1.5”: 1440 RPM at 27.0 IPM. Shell Mill 2”: 1050 RPM at 28.0 IPM.
- Waterjet cut: The material can be waterjet cut. Laser cutting may compromise properties or cause cracking and is not recommended.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Waukesha Foundry wrote the patent for WM88 in 1954, and we remain the quality authority for ASTM A494 CY5SnBiM. We perform gall testing on all parts on-site and these results are available to all of Waukesha’s WM88 customers upon request. Waukesha Foundry can also conduct corrosion testing on any cleaning chemicals or agents that may be unique to your application.
FAQs
What are the primary applications of Waukesha Metal 88?
We developed WM88 to meet the stringent needs of the food and beverage industry, where liquid lubricants are prohibited due to FDA standards. WM88 provides wear-resistance on unlubricated parts, and is FDA approved to meet 3-A sanitary standards.
What testing and quality assurance processes are in place for WM88?
Gall testing is performed at our facility and results are available to all of Waukesha’s WM88 customers upon request. Waukesha Foundry can also conduct corrosion testing on chemicals unique to your application.
How does WM88 compare to other wear-resistant alloys?
WM88 typically galls at a rate about 5 times less than 316 stainless steel, depending on the operating environment. Waukesha Foundry remains the quality authority for meeting ASTM A494 standards.
What metals and alloys are compatible with WM88?
It is compatible with stainless steels, Inconel, Monel, and chromium plated parts.
Is Waukesha Alloy 88 approved for use in food processing industries?
Yes. WM88 is approved by the FDA (and 3-A sanitary standards) for contact with food. The alloy stands up to daily cleaning or sterilization without corroding.
How can I order Waukesha Metal 88?
Reach out to us online, via email or give us a call at 262-549-8452.
Can WM88 be customized for specific industrial applications?
WM88 is a very castable alloy and can be customized to a customer’s needs.
Is there technical support available for using WM88 in my application? Absolutely. Contact us directly at 262-542-0741.
What are the machining guidelines for Waukesha Alloy 88?
WM88 machines similarly to 304 stainless steel and matches 304 in its thermal expansion rate. For a lathe, a good starting base is using CNMG543EMU inserts, S.F. 400 (+/- 50) and feed rate .008 (.006 to .012, but .008 generally has the best tool life). Vertical mill (4” face mill): 580 RPM at 27.0 IPM. Shell Mill 1.5”: 1440 RPM at 27.0 IPM. Shell Mill 2”: 1050 RPM at 28.0 IPM.
How does Waukesha Metal 88 contribute to compliance with sanitary standards in the food industry?
WM88 does not require a liquid lubricant for metal-on-metal contact. It can withstand this type of friction without galling. When galling occurs, metal particles can end up in food or metal folds can harbor bacteria growth. WM88 can help keep parts gall-free with its non-galling properties. It is approved by the FDA (and 3-A sanitary standards) for contact with food.
Can WM88 be used at elevated temperatures?
Due to the small phases of bismuth and tin and their low melting points compared to the surrounding nickel matrix, WM88 has operating temperature limitations. At elevated temperatures, these phases begin to expand and even melt, causing microcracking throughout the metal.
How does Waukesha Metal 88 prevent galling during metal-on-metal contact?
The nickel-based alloy prevents galling without the use of liquid lubricants due to its unique microstructure and chemical composition. Bismuth and tin are the main contributors to solid lubrication phases within the alloy’s microstructure. This helps to prevent galling and seizing when sliding against another hard metal’s surface.