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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs Sn99.9

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and Sn99.9 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 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Sn99.9, about 4.7 times as much; tensile strength follows at 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi). In exchange, Sn99.9 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) is harder (25 HB vs 4 HB). Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) is stiffer (53 GPa vs 44 GPa) and Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) runs hotter in service (120°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and Sn99.9 welds better (fair vs poor).

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Sn99.9Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs Sn99.9: properties

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)Sn99.9

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

53 GPa7.7 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

20 GPa2.9 Msi
18 GPa2.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

50 GPa7.3 Msi
58 GPa8.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

66 MPa9.6 ksi
15 MPa2.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

42 MPa6.1 ksi
9 MPa1.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
50%

Compressive Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
—

Shear Strength

40 MPa5.8 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

27 MPa3.9 ksi
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

25 HB
4 HB

Hardness, Vickers

26 HV
5 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.39 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
7.29 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

241°C466 °F
232°C449 °F

Liquidus Temperature

354°C669 °F
232°C450 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
66.6 W/m·K38.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb
59 J/g25.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
100°C212 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
13°C55 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
15 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in
1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
65 / 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

85 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
60%

Weldability

20 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
95 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
100 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb
320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

17 kg CO₂/kg
18 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
700 L/kg83.9 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
2 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.2 MN·m/kg
6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

17 kJ/m³
1 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

32.4 mm²/s
40.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
1

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 2 (Tin-Base)Sn99.9

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBabbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)Sn99.9
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs Sn99.9 — frequently asked

Is Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) stronger than Sn99.9?

Yes. Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Sn99.9 — about 4.7 times as much. Tensile strength is 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) or Sn99.9?

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 2 (Tin-Base) or Sn99.9?

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base). Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against fair (45/100) for Sn99.9; for welding the order is Sn99.9 first (fair, 40/100) then Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and Sn99.9 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.