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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 8

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 and B23 Grade 8 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 14 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) for B23 Grade 8, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi). B23 Grade 14 is lighter (9.73 g/cm³ vs 10.04 g/cm³ for B23 Grade 8). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 8 welds better (poor vs not recommended).

B23 Grade 14Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

B23 Grade 8Choose it when it will be welded.

B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 8: properties

B23 Grade 14B23 Grade 8

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

10.3 GPa1.5 Msi
10.5 GPa1.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

65 MPa9.4 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
26 MPa3.8 ksi

Compressive Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
108 MPa15.7 ksi

Shear Strength

32 MPa4.6 ksi
33 MPa4.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

22 MPa3.2 ksi
18 MPa2.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.5 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

21 HB
20 HB

Hardness, Vickers

22 HV
—

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 29 GPa4.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.42 · Elongation at Break 3%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.73 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
10.04 g/cm³0.36 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

237°C459 °F
240°C464 °F

Liquidus Temperature

270°C518 °F
272°C522 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

150 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
145 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
26 µm/m·K14.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb
40 J/g17.2 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

6 % IACS
5.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.4 µΩ·in
3.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

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

92 / 100
90 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

160%
200%

Weldability

10 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
92 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

60%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

7 kN·m/kg
5 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

3 MN·m/kg
2.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

16 kJ/m³
12 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

16.4 mm²/s
16.5 mm²/s

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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleB23 Grade 14B23 Grade 8

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityB23 Grade 14B23 Grade 8
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

B23 Grade 14 vs B23 Grade 8 — frequently asked

Is B23 Grade 14 stronger than B23 Grade 8?

Yes. B23 Grade 14 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) for B23 Grade 8 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi).

Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 14 or B23 Grade 8?

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 welds better, B23 Grade 14 or B23 Grade 8?

B23 Grade 8. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (10/100) for B23 Grade 14.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 14 and B23 Grade 8 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.