Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 vs Wood's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 and Wood's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Wood's Metal, about 20% more. In exchange, Wood's Metal is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 2% for Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5, and Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 is harder (13 HB vs 11 HB). Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 is lighter (9.4 g/cm³ vs 9.7 g/cm³ for Wood's Metal) and Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 is stiffer (26 GPa vs 9.7 GPa). On the shop floor, Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100) and Wood's Metal welds better (poor vs not recommended).
Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Wood's MetalChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 vs Wood's 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.
Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5Wood's 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
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Shear Strength 28 MPa4.1 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 70°C158 °F
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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 40°C104 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 4 kN·m/kg
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 | Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 | Wood's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 vs Wood's Metal — frequently asked
Is Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 stronger than Wood's Metal?
Yes. Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Wood's Metal — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) vs 42 MPa (6.09 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 or Wood's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 or Wood's Metal?
Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for Wood's Metal; for welding the order is Wood's Metal first (poor, 15/100) then Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bi42.5Pb37.7Sn11.3Cd8.5 and Wood's 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.