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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs ZSnSb8-4

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and ZSnSb8-4 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. ZSnSb8-4 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 77 MPa (11.2 ksi) against 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base), about 17% more. ZSnSb8-4 is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base).

ZSnSb8-4Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs ZSnSb8-4: properties

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)ZSnSb8-4

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
51 GPa7.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

66 MPa9.6 ksi
77 MPa11.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

42 MPa6.1 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

3%
5%

Compressive Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
88 MPa12.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
4 J3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

25 HB
24 HB

Hardness, Vickers

26 HV
25 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Shear Strength 40 MPa5.8 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 27 MPa3.9 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 241°C466 °F · Liquidus Temperature 354°C669 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

55 W/m·K31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
54 W/m·K31.2 BTU/hr·ft·°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 · Latent Heat of Fusion 60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

8 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.27 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 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

85 / 100
80 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

80%
200%

Weldability

20 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
30 / 100

Castability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Same in both: 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
20 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
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.2 MN·m/kg
7.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

17 kJ/m³
15 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

32.4 mm²/s
31.9 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)ZSnSb8-4

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBabbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)ZSnSb8-4
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) vs ZSnSb8-4 — frequently asked

Is ZSnSb8-4 stronger than Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base)?

Yes. ZSnSb8-4 has a typical tensile strength of 77 MPa (11.2 ksi) against 66 MPa (9.57 ksi) for Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) — about 17% more.

Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) or ZSnSb8-4?

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 ZSnSb8-4?

Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base). Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for ZSnSb8-4; for welding the order is Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) first (poor, 20/100) then ZSnSb8-4 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 2 (Tin-Base) and ZSnSb8-4 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.