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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs In52Sn48

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and In52Sn48 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) for In52Sn48, about 3.7 times as much; tensile strength follows at 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) vs 12 MPa (1.73 ksi). In exchange, In52Sn48 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 50% for Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5, and Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is harder (10 HB vs 5 HB). In52Sn48 is lighter (7.3 g/cm³ vs 9.6 g/cm³ for Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5) and In52Sn48 is stiffer (20 GPa vs 10 GPa). 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 machined in volume.

In52Sn48Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs In52Sn48: properties

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5In52Sn48

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

10 GPa1.5 Msi
20 GPa2.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

3.7 GPa0.54 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

44 MPa6.4 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

26 MPa3.8 ksi
7 MPa1 ksi

Elongation at Break

50%
60%

Compressive Strength

55 MPa8 ksi
—

Shear Strength

30 MPa4.4 ksi
11 MPa1.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

10 MPa1.5 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

10 HB
5 HB

Hardness, Vickers

11 HV
—

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.6 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
7.3 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

70°C158 °F
118°C244 °F

Liquidus Temperature

72°C162 °F
118°C244 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

18.8 W/m·K10.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

168 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
200 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F
20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

33 J/g14.2 BTU/lb
28 J/g12 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

40°C104 °F
60°C140 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.2 % IACS
11.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.3 µΩ·in
1.47×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.79 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.45 V
-0.55 V

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
20 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
—

Weldability

15 / 100
10 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
95 / 100

Castability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

90 / 100
98 / 100

Polishability

35 / 100
—

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

92 MJ/kg39,553 BTU/lb
1,600 MJ/kg687,877 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
105 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

70%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

5 kN·m/kg
2 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

1 MN·m/kg
2.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

34 kJ/m³
1 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.7 mm²/s
23.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
1

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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleIn52Sn48Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5In52Sn48
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs In52Sn48 — frequently asked

Is Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 stronger than In52Sn48?

Yes. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 has a typical yield strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) for In52Sn48 — about 3.7 times as much. Tensile strength is 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) vs 12 MPa (1.73 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 or In52Sn48?

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 In52Sn48?

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (20/100) for In52Sn48; for welding the order is Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 first (poor, 15/100) then In52Sn48 (not recommended, 10/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and In52Sn48 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.