Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs Britannia Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) and Britannia Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for Britannia Metal, about 61% more; tensile strength follows at 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 60 MPa (8.7 ksi). In exchange, Britannia Metal is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is harder (27 HB vs 23 HB). Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is stiffer (53 GPa vs 50 GPa) and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) runs hotter in service (150°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) machines more easily (excellent vs good) and Britannia Metal welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Britannia MetalChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs Britannia Metal: 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.
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)Britannia Metal
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 52 GPa7.5 Msi · Shear Strength 40 MPa5.8 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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb
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.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 17 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) | Britannia Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs Britannia Metal — frequently asked
Is Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) stronger than Britannia Metal?
Yes. Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for Britannia Metal — about 61% more. Tensile strength is 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 60 MPa (8.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) or Britannia Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 3 (Tin-Base) or Britannia Metal?
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base). Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) against good (65/100) for Britannia Metal; for welding the order is Britannia Metal first (poor, 30/100) then Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) and Britannia Metal 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.