FabDigitFabDigit

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 10 vs Lead-Calcium-Tin

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 10 and Lead-Calcium-Tin are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Lead-Calcium-Tin 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. Lead-Calcium-Tin is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 3% for B23 Grade 10, and B23 Grade 10 is harder (21 HB vs 16 HB). B23 Grade 10 is lighter (10 g/cm³ vs 11.3 g/cm³ for Lead-Calcium-Tin) and B23 Grade 10 is stiffer (28 GPa vs 15 GPa). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 10 machines more easily (excellent vs fair), Lead-Calcium-Tin welds better (good vs poor), and Lead-Calcium-Tin sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than B23 Grade 10 (premium, $$$).

B23 Grade 10Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Lead-Calcium-TinChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

B23 Grade 10 vs Lead-Calcium-Tin: properties

B23 Grade 10Lead-Calcium-Tin

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

28 GPa4.1 Msi
15 GPa2.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

10 GPa1.5 Msi
5.6 GPa0.81 Msi

Bulk Modulus

40 GPa5.8 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.42
0.44

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%
25%

Compressive Strength

108 MPa15.7 ksi
—

Shear Strength

35 MPa5.1 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.5 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

21 HB
16 HB

Hardness, Vickers

22 HV
17 HV

Reduction in Area

—
32%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10 g/cm³0.36 lb/in³
11.3 g/cm³0.41 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

240°C464 °F
320°C608 °F

Liquidus Temperature

270°C518 °F
327°C621 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F
29 µm/m·K16.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb
23 J/g9.9 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
100°C212 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

5.7 % IACS
7.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
58 / 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
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

90%
—

Weldability

15 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

21 MJ/kg9,028 BTU/lb
22 MJ/kg9,458 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

75 L/kg9 gal/lb
80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
75%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 1.8 kg CO₂/kg

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
1.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

12 kJ/m³
30 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

16.4 mm²/s
22.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
3

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 10Lead-Calcium-Tin

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityB23 Grade 10Lead-Calcium-Tin
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

B23 Grade 10 vs Lead-Calcium-Tin — frequently asked

Is Lead-Calcium-Tin stronger than B23 Grade 10?

Yes. Lead-Calcium-Tin 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 Lead-Calcium-Tin?

Lead-Calcium-Tin is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while B23 Grade 10 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, B23 Grade 10 or Lead-Calcium-Tin?

B23 Grade 10. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against fair (45/100) for Lead-Calcium-Tin; for welding the order is Lead-Calcium-Tin first (good, 60/100) then B23 Grade 10 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 10 and Lead-Calcium-Tin 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.