Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs WJ3
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and WJ3 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. WJ3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base), about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) vs 66 MPa (9.57 ksi). WJ3 is harder — 27 HB against 25 HB for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.
WJ3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs WJ3: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 3% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 27 MPa3.9 ksi
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F
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.
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 85 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 80% · Weldability 20 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: 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 2 (Tin-Base) | WJ3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs WJ3 — frequently asked
Is WJ3 stronger than Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)?
Yes. WJ3 has a typical yield strength of 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) vs 66 MPa (9.57 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) or WJ3?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 WJ3?
Pick WJ3 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and WJ3 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.