Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn25 vs Rose's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn25 and Rose's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Both yield at about 18 MPa — strength does not separate them. Bi50Pb25Sn25 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for Rose's Metal. Bi50Pb25Sn25 runs hotter in service (50°C vs 45°C continuous) and Bi50Pb25Sn25 conducts electricity better (4 % IACS vs 2.7 % IACS). On the shop floor, Bi50Pb25Sn25 machines more easily (fair vs poor).
Bi50Pb25Sn25Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Bi50Pb25Sn25 vs Rose'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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 25 GPa3.6 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 30 MPa4.4 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 18 MPa2.6 ksi · Shear Strength 22 MPa3.2 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 11 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 9.7 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 98°C208 °F · Liquidus Temperature 110°C230 °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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 167 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 3 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 2.6 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 6 kJ/m³ · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Bi50Pb25Sn25 | Rose's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Bi50Pb25Sn25 vs Rose's Metal — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bi50Pb25Sn25 and Rose's Metal?
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn25 and Rose's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Both yield at about 18 MPa — strength does not separate them. Bi50Pb25Sn25 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for Rose's Metal.
Which is cheaper, Bi50Pb25Sn25 or Rose's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Bi50Pb25Sn25 or Rose's Metal?
Bi50Pb25Sn25. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for Rose's Metal; for welding the order is Rose's Metal first (poor, 15/100) then Bi50Pb25Sn25 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bi50Pb25Sn25 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.