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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs SnSb12Cu6Pb

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) and SnSb12Cu6Pb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. SnSb12Cu6Pb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base), about 100% more; tensile strength follows at 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) vs 66 MPa (9.57 ksi). In exchange, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 7% for SnSb12Cu6Pb, and SnSb12Cu6Pb is harder (30 HB vs 17 HB).

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

SnSb12Cu6PbChoose it when strength drives the design.

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs SnSb12Cu6Pb: properties

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)SnSb12Cu6Pb

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
52 GPa7.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

66 MPa9.6 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

8%
7%

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
30 HB

Shear Strength

—
55 MPa8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Vickers

—
32 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

223°C433 °F
240°C464 °F

Liquidus Temperature

371°C700 °F
410°C770 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

56 W/m·K32.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
52 W/m·K30 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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
130°C266 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 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.

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
20 / 100

Castability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
200%

Same in both: Machinability 90 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
18 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

9 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.1 MN·m/kg
7.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

9 kJ/m³
34 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

33.8 mm²/s
30.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
4

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)SnSb12Cu6Pb

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBabbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)SnSb12Cu6Pb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) vs SnSb12Cu6Pb — frequently asked

Is SnSb12Cu6Pb stronger than Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base)?

Yes. SnSb12Cu6Pb has a typical yield strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) — about 100% more. Tensile strength is 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) vs 66 MPa (9.57 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) or SnSb12Cu6Pb?

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.

When should I choose Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) over SnSb12Cu6Pb?

Pick Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick SnSb12Cu6Pb when strength drives the design.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 1 (Tin-Base) and SnSb12Cu6Pb 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.