Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 vs Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 13 and Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 13 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn), about 67% more; tensile strength follows at 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 32 MPa (4.64 ksi). In exchange, Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 6% for B23 Grade 13, and B23 Grade 13 is harder (22 HB vs 11 HB). B23 Grade 13 is stiffer (29 GPa vs 23 GPa) and B23 Grade 13 runs hotter in service (120°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 13 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) welds better (30 vs 15 out of 100).
B23 Grade 13Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
B23 Grade 13 vs Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn): 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.
B23 Grade 13Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 | Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B23 Grade 13 vs Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) — frequently asked
Is B23 Grade 13 stronger than Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Yes. B23 Grade 13 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) — about 67% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 32 MPa (4.64 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 13 or Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, B23 Grade 13 or Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
B23 Grade 13. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (45/100) for Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn); for welding the order is Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) first (poor, 30/100) 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 Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) 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.