Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Wood's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and Wood's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Both yield at about 26 MPa — strength does not separate them. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 25% for Wood's Metal, and Wood's Metal is harder (11 HB vs 10 HB). Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 conducts heat better (18.8 W/m·K vs 13 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 machines more easily (45 vs 35 out of 100).
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 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.
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5Wood's Metal
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
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
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.35
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 70°C158 °F · Liquidus Temperature 72°C162 °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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 168 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 40°C104 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.45 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100 · 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)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 1 MN·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 | Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 | Wood's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 vs Wood's Metal — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and Wood's Metal?
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 and Wood's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Both yield at about 26 MPa — strength does not separate them. Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 25% for Wood's Metal, and Wood's Metal is harder (11 HB vs 10 HB).
Which is cheaper, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 or Wood's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 or Wood's Metal?
Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 35/100 for Wood's Metal.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bi50Pb25Sn12.5Cd12.5 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.