Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs WJ1
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) and WJ1 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 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for WJ1, about 41% more. In exchange, WJ1 is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 3% for Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base), and Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) is harder (27 HB vs 25 HB). Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) runs hotter in service (150°C vs 130°C continuous) and WJ1 conducts electricity better (10 % IACS vs 8 % IACS).
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
WJ1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs WJ1: 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Shear Strength 40 MPa5.8 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 240°C464 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V · Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Castability 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 17 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 35%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 7.1 MN·m/kg · 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) | WJ1 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) vs WJ1 — frequently asked
Is Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) stronger than WJ1?
Yes. Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for WJ1 — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) vs 75 MPa (10.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) or WJ1?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base) or WJ1?
Babbitt Grade 3 (Tin-Base), by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 92/100 against 85/100 for WJ1.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Babbitt Grade 3 (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.