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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B560 Type III vs Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B560 Type III and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) for B560 Type III, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 42 MPa (6.09 ksi). In exchange, B560 Type III is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is harder (27 HB vs 17 HB). Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is stiffer (53 GPa vs 45 GPa) and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) runs hotter in service (150°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) machines more easily (excellent vs very good) and B560 Type III welds better (fair vs poor).

B560 Type IIIChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

B560 Type III vs Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base): properties

B560 Type IIIBabbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
53 GPa7.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

17 GPa2.5 Msi
20 GPa2.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

56 GPa8.1 Msi
52 GPa7.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

42 MPa6.1 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

24 MPa3.5 ksi
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
3%

Compressive Strength

45 MPa6.5 ksi
121 MPa17.5 ksi

Shear Strength

30 MPa4.4 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

17 HB
27 HB

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
28 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.3 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
7.46 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

235°C455 °F
240°C464 °F

Liquidus Temperature

260°C500 °F
422°C792 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

57 W/m·K32.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F
22.1 µm/m·K12.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

59 J/g25.4 BTU/lb
60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.5 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.65×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.5 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

75 / 100
92 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
200%

Weldability

40 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

88 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb
280 MJ/kg120,378 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
700 L/kg83.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 17 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
9 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.2 MN·m/kg
7.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

6 kJ/m³
19 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

35.5 mm²/s
32.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
3

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 scaleBabbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)B560 Type III

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityB560 Type IIIBabbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

B560 Type III vs Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) — frequently asked

Is Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) stronger than B560 Type III?

Yes. Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) for B560 Type III — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 42 MPa (6.09 ksi).

Which is cheaper, B560 Type III or Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)?

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, B560 Type III or Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)?

Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base). Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) against very good (75/100) for B560 Type III; for welding the order is B560 Type III first (fair, 40/100) then Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in B560 Type III and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) 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.