Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 16
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 and B23 Grade 16 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 14 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for B23 Grade 16, about 44% more. B23 Grade 14 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 2% for B23 Grade 16. B23 Grade 14 is lighter (9.73 g/cm³ vs 10.1 g/cm³ for B23 Grade 16) and B23 Grade 14 is stiffer (29 GPa vs 24 GPa). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 16 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than B23 Grade 14 (high, $$$$).
B23 Grade 14Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
B23 Grade 16Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 16: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 42 GPa6.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.42 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 30 MPa4.4 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 2 J1.5 ft·lbf · 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.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.4 µΩ·in
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
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 20 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: 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 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 16 — frequently asked
Is B23 Grade 14 stronger than B23 Grade 16?
Yes. B23 Grade 14 has a typical tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for B23 Grade 16 — about 44% more.
Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 14 or B23 Grade 16?
B23 Grade 16 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 16?
B23 Grade 14, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 92/100 against 85/100 for B23 Grade 16.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 14 and B23 Grade 16 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.