Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 16 vs Chemical Lead
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 16 and Chemical Lead are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. B23 Grade 16 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Chemical Lead, about 5.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) vs 17 MPa (2.47 ksi). In exchange, Chemical Lead is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 2% for B23 Grade 16, and B23 Grade 16 is harder (21 HB vs 5 HB). B23 Grade 16 is lighter (10.1 g/cm³ vs 11.34 g/cm³ for Chemical Lead) and B23 Grade 16 is stiffer (24 GPa vs 14 GPa). On the shop floor, B23 Grade 16 machines more easily (excellent vs good), Chemical Lead welds better (very good vs not recommended), and Chemical Lead sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than B23 Grade 16 (premium, $$$).
B23 Grade 16Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Chemical LeadChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
B23 Grade 16 vs Chemical Lead: 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
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
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 16 | Chemical Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
B23 Grade 16 vs Chemical Lead — frequently asked
Is B23 Grade 16 stronger than Chemical Lead?
Yes. B23 Grade 16 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Chemical Lead — about 5.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) vs 17 MPa (2.47 ksi).
Which is cheaper, B23 Grade 16 or Chemical Lead?
Chemical Lead is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while B23 Grade 16 is premium ($$$). 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 16 or Chemical Lead?
B23 Grade 16. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (55/100) for Chemical Lead; for welding the order is Chemical Lead first (very good, 75/100) then B23 Grade 16 (not recommended, 12/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B23 Grade 16 and Chemical Lead 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.