Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 15
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 and B23 Grade 15 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 15 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for B23 Grade 14, about 50% more. In exchange, B23 Grade 14 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for B23 Grade 15. B23 Grade 14 is lighter (9.73 g/cm³ vs 10.1 g/cm³ for B23 Grade 15) and B23 Grade 14 conducts electricity better (6 % IACS vs 5 % IACS). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 15 welds better (poor vs not recommended) and B23 Grade 15 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than B23 Grade 14 (high, $$$$).
B23 Grade 14Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
B23 Grade 15Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 15: 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.
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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 29 GPa4.2 Msi · Hardness, Brinell 21 HB · Hardness, Vickers 22 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 150 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°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) -0.55 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Castability 90 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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 14 | B23 Grade 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 15 — frequently asked
Is B23 Grade 15 stronger than B23 Grade 14?
Yes. B23 Grade 15 has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for B23 Grade 14 — about 50% more. Tensile strength is 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) vs 65 MPa (9.43 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 14 or B23 Grade 15?
B23 Grade 15 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while B23 Grade 14 is high ($$$$). 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 14 or B23 Grade 15?
B23 Grade 14, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 92/100 against 85/100 for B23 Grade 15; for welding the order is B23 Grade 15 first (poor, 20/100) then B23 Grade 14 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 14 and B23 Grade 15 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.