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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Rose's Metal

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and Rose'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 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Rose's Metal, about 44% more; tensile strength follows at 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi). Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 25% for Rose's Metal, and Rose's Metal is harder (11 HB vs 10 HB). Rose's Metal is stiffer (25 GPa vs 10 GPa) and Rose's Metal runs hotter in service (45°C vs 40°C continuous). 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.

Rose's MetalChoose it when the part sees heat.

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Rose's Metal: properties

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5Rose's Metal

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

10 GPa1.5 Msi
25 GPa3.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

3.7 GPa0.54 Msi
9.5 GPa1.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

44 MPa6.4 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

26 MPa3.8 ksi
18 MPa2.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

50%
25%

Shear Strength

30 MPa4.4 ksi
22 MPa3.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

10 MPa1.5 ksi
—

Hardness, Brinell

10 HB
11 HB

Hardness, Vickers

11 HV
—

Bulk Modulus

—
33 GPa4.8 Msi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.35 · Compressive Strength 55 MPa8 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.6 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
9.7 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

70°C158 °F
98°C208 °F

Liquidus Temperature

72°C162 °F
110°C230 °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
16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

168 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
167 J/kg·K0.04 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
36 J/g15.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

40°C104 °F
45°C113 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.2 % IACS
2.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.3 µΩ·in
6.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.45 V
-0.5 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

60%
35%

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

35 / 100
30 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100 · Castability 95 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

92 MJ/kg39,553 BTU/lb
120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

5 kN·m/kg
3 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

1 MN·m/kg
2.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

34 kJ/m³
6 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

11.7 mm²/s
9.9 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 scaleRose's MetalBi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5Rose's Metal
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Rose's Metal — frequently asked

Is Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 stronger than Rose's Metal?

Yes. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 has a typical yield strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Rose's Metal — about 44% more. Tensile strength is 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 or Rose'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 Rose's Metal?

Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for Rose's Metal.

Ready to make it?

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