Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 vs Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14 and Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 14 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 3% for B23 Grade 14, and B23 Grade 14 is harder (21 HB vs 11 HB). B23 Grade 14 is lighter (9.73 g/cm³ vs 10.2 g/cm³ for Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)) and B23 Grade 14 is stiffer (29 GPa vs 23 GPa). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 14 machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) welds better (poor vs not recommended).
B23 Grade 14Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
B23 Grade 14 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 14Terne 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 150 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 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 14 | Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B23 Grade 14 vs Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) — frequently asked
Is B23 Grade 14 stronger than Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Yes. B23 Grade 14 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) — about 67% more. Tensile strength is 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) vs 32 MPa (4.64 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 14 or Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 14 or Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
B23 Grade 14. Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) 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 14 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 14 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.