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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 vs B23 Grade 7

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 and B23 Grade 7 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 13 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for B23 Grade 7, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi). B23 Grade 13 is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 4% for B23 Grade 7. B23 Grade 7 is lighter (9.73 g/cm³ vs 10.24 g/cm³ for B23 Grade 13) and B23 Grade 13 is stiffer (29 GPa vs 25 GPa). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 7 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than B23 Grade 13 (high, $$$$).

B23 Grade 13Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

B23 Grade 7Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.

B23 Grade 13 vs B23 Grade 7: properties

B23 Grade 13B23 Grade 7

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

29 GPa4.2 Msi
25 GPa3.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

10.5 GPa1.5 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

65 MPa9.4 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
4%

Shear Strength

40 MPa5.8 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

22 HB
23 HB

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
2 J1.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
24 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.42 · Compressive Strength 108 MPa15.7 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 20 MPa2.9 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10.24 g/cm³0.37 lb/in³
9.73 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

258°C496 °F
268°C514 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 240°C464 °F

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

145 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
150 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

36 J/g15.5 BTU/lb
28 J/g12 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6.6 % IACS
5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m10.2 µΩ·in
3.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m14.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.53 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

80 / 100
88 / 100

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
15 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Castability 92 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

65%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
5 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.8 MN·m/kg
2.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

16 kJ/m³
13 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

16.2 mm²/s
16.4 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 13B23 Grade 7

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityB23 Grade 13B23 Grade 7
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

B23 Grade 13 vs B23 Grade 7 — frequently asked

Is B23 Grade 13 stronger than B23 Grade 7?

Yes. B23 Grade 13 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for B23 Grade 7 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).

Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 13 or B23 Grade 7?

B23 Grade 7 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while B23 Grade 13 is high ($$$$). 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 13 or B23 Grade 7?

B23 Grade 7. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against very good (80/100) for B23 Grade 13; for welding the order is B23 Grade 7 first (poor, 20/100) then B23 Grade 13 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 13 and B23 Grade 7 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.