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: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all solder & low-melting alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all solder & low-melting alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
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
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 240°C464 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
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
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Castability 92 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | B23 Grade 13 | B23 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.
