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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs WJ1

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and WJ1 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 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for WJ1, about 31% more. In exchange, WJ1 is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base). WJ1 conducts electricity better (10 % IACS vs 8 % IACS).

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

WJ1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs WJ1: properties

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)WJ1

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

53 GPa7.7 Msi
52 GPa7.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

20 GPa2.9 Msi
19.5 GPa2.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

50 GPa7.3 Msi
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

66 MPa9.6 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

42 MPa6.1 ksi
32 MPa4.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
6%

Compressive Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

27 MPa3.9 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

25 HB
25 HB

Hardness, Vickers

26 HV
—

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Shear Strength 40 MPa5.8 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

241°C466 °F
240°C464 °F

Liquidus Temperature

354°C669 °F
355°C671 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
53 W/m·K30.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb
56 J/g24.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
130°C266 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
10 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in
1.75×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.89 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
—

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
40 / 100

Castability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 85 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb
300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 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)

9 kN·m/kg
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.2 MN·m/kg
7.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

17 kJ/m³
10 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

32.4 mm²/s
31.3 mm²/s

Same in both: 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 2 (Tin-Base)WJ1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBabbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)WJ1
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs WJ1 — frequently asked

Is Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) stronger than WJ1?

Yes. Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for WJ1 — about 31% more. Tensile strength is 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) vs 75 MPa (10.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) or WJ1?

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 2 (Tin-Base) over WJ1?

Pick Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) when strength drives the design. Pick WJ1 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and WJ1 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.