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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) and Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base), about 40% more. In exchange, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) is harder (25 HB vs 17 HB). Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) conducts electricity better (9 % IACS vs 8 % IACS).

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)Choose it when strength drives the design.

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base): properties

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

52 GPa7.5 Msi
53 GPa7.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

19 GPa2.8 Msi
20 GPa2.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

55 GPa8 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
42 MPa6.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
3%

Compressive Strength

89 MPa12.9 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

28 MPa4.1 ksi
27 MPa3.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

17 HB
25 HB

Shear Strength

—
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
26 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 66 MPa9.6 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.34 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
7.39 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

223°C433 °F
241°C466 °F

Liquidus Temperature

371°C700 °F
354°C669 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

56 W/m·K32.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

55 J/g23.6 BTU/lb
60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9 % IACS
8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
50 / 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

90 / 100
85 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
80%

Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Castability 95 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
17 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.1 MN·m/kg
7.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

9 kJ/m³
17 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

33.8 mm²/s
32.4 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 9 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 1 (Tin-Base)Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBabbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) — frequently asked

Is Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) stronger than Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)?

Yes. Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) vs 66 MPa (9.57 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) or Babbitt Grade 2 (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, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) or Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)?

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base), by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 90/100 against 85/100 for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) and Babbitt Grade 2 (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.