Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 vs Tellurium Lead
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 and Tellurium Lead are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 13 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 11 MPa (1.6 ksi) for Tellurium Lead, about 173% more; tensile strength follows at 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 23 MPa (3.34 ksi). In exchange, Tellurium Lead is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 6% for B23 Grade 13, and B23 Grade 13 is harder (22 HB vs 6 HB). B23 Grade 13 is lighter (10.24 g/cm³ vs 11.34 g/cm³ for Tellurium Lead) and B23 Grade 13 is stiffer (29 GPa vs 14.5 GPa). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 13 machines more easily (very good vs good), Tellurium Lead welds better (very good vs poor), and Tellurium Lead sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than B23 Grade 13 (high, $$$$).
B23 Grade 13Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Tellurium LeadChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
B23 Grade 13 vs Tellurium Lead: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: 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)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 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 | Tellurium Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B23 Grade 13 vs Tellurium Lead — frequently asked
Is B23 Grade 13 stronger than Tellurium Lead?
Yes. B23 Grade 13 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 11 MPa (1.6 ksi) for Tellurium Lead — about 173% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 23 MPa (3.34 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 13 or Tellurium Lead?
Tellurium Lead 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 Tellurium Lead?
B23 Grade 13. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against good (60/100) for Tellurium Lead; for welding the order is Tellurium Lead first (very good, 75/100) 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 Tellurium Lead 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.