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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 10 vs B23 Grade 16

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 10 and B23 Grade 16 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 16 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) for B23 Grade 10, about 15% more. In exchange, B23 Grade 10 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for B23 Grade 16. B23 Grade 10 is stiffer (28 GPa vs 24 GPa).

B23 Grade 10Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

B23 Grade 16Choose it when strength drives the design.

B23 Grade 10 vs B23 Grade 16: properties

B23 Grade 10B23 Grade 16

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

28 GPa4.1 Msi
24 GPa3.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

10 GPa1.5 Msi
8.5 GPa1.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

40 GPa5.8 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

60 MPa8.7 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

26 MPa3.8 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
2%

Compressive Strength

108 MPa15.7 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Shear Strength

35 MPa5.1 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
14 MPa2 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.42 · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 2 J1.5 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 21 HB · Hardness, Vickers 22 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10 g/cm³0.36 lb/in³
10.1 g/cm³0.36 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

240°C464 °F
245°C473 °F

Liquidus Temperature

270°C518 °F
285°C545 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

146 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
140 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F
26 µm/m·K14.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb
33 J/g14.2 BTU/lb

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.7 % IACS
6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
2.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
42 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.55 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

90%
75%

Weldability

15 / 100
12 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
92 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

21 MJ/kg9,028 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.8 kg CO₂/kg
2.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

75 L/kg9 gal/lb
110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
4 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.8 MN·m/kg
2.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

12 kJ/m³
19 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

16.4 mm²/s
17 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 2

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every solder & low-melting alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleB23 Grade 10B23 Grade 16

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityB23 Grade 10B23 Grade 16
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

B23 Grade 10 vs B23 Grade 16 — frequently asked

Is B23 Grade 16 stronger than B23 Grade 10?

Yes. B23 Grade 16 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) for B23 Grade 10 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) vs 60 MPa (8.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 10 or B23 Grade 16?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, B23 Grade 10 or B23 Grade 16?

B23 Grade 10, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 90/100 against 85/100 for B23 Grade 16.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 10 and B23 Grade 16 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.