Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs Sn99.9
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) and Sn99.9 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 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Sn99.9, about 5.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi). In exchange, Sn99.9 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is harder (27 HB vs 4 HB). Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is stiffer (53 GPa vs 44 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 fair) and Sn99.9 welds better (fair vs poor).
Babbitt Grade 3 (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 3 (Tin-Base) vs Sn99.9: 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)Sn99.9
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 700 L/kg83.9 gal/lb
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 3 (Tin-Base) | Sn99.9 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs Sn99.9 — frequently asked
Is Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) stronger than Sn99.9?
Yes. Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Sn99.9 — about 5.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) or Sn99.9?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 3 (Tin-Base) or Sn99.9?
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base). Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) against fair (45/100) for Sn99.9; for welding the order is Sn99.9 first (fair, 40/100) 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 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.