Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs Pure Tin (Grade A)
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) and Pure Tin (Grade A) are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for Pure Tin (Grade A), about 3.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi). In exchange, Pure Tin (Grade A) is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 8% for Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) is harder (17 HB vs 5 HB). Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) is stiffer (52 GPa vs 45 GPa) and Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) runs hotter in service (120°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and Pure Tin (Grade A) welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Pure Tin (Grade A)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs Pure Tin (Grade A): 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.
Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)Pure Tin (Grade A)
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
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Shear Strength
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).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) | Pure Tin (Grade A) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs Pure Tin (Grade A) — frequently asked
Is Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) stronger than Pure Tin (Grade A)?
Yes. Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for Pure Tin (Grade A) — about 3.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) or Pure Tin (Grade A)?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Pure Tin (Grade A)?
Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base). Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against fair (35/100) for Pure Tin (Grade A); for welding the order is Pure Tin (Grade A) first (poor, 30/100) then Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) and Pure Tin (Grade A) 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.