Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Field's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and Field's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Field's Metal, about 4.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) vs 11 MPa (1.6 ksi). Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 40% for Field's Metal, and Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is harder (10 HB vs 7 HB). Field's Metal is lighter (7.88 g/cm³ vs 9.6 g/cm³ for Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5). On the shop floor, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 machines more easily (fair vs poor).
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Field's MetalChoose it when weight is the constraint.
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Field'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.
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5Field's Metal
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 10 GPa1.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.35
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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 40°C104 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 | Field's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Field's Metal — frequently asked
Is Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 stronger than Field's Metal?
Yes. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 has a typical yield strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Field's Metal — about 4.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) vs 11 MPa (1.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 or Field's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 or Field's Metal?
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for Field's Metal; for welding the order is Field's Metal first (poor, 20/100) then Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and Field'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.