Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn25 vs Wood's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi50Pb25Sn25 and Wood's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Wood's Metal is the stronger of the two: yield strength 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Bi50Pb25Sn25, about 39% more; tensile strength follows at 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi). In exchange, Bi50Pb25Sn25 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for Wood's Metal. Bi50Pb25Sn25 is stiffer (25 GPa vs 9.7 GPa) and Bi50Pb25Sn25 runs hotter in service (50°C vs 40°C continuous).
Bi50Pb25Sn25Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Wood's MetalChoose it when strength drives the design.
Bi50Pb25Sn25 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 11 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 9.7 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 35 J/g15 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 | Bi50Pb25Sn25 | Wood's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Bi50Pb25Sn25 vs Wood's Metal — frequently asked
Is Wood's Metal stronger than Bi50Pb25Sn25?
Yes. Wood's Metal has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) for Bi50Pb25Sn25 — about 39% more. Tensile strength is 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Bi50Pb25Sn25 or Wood's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Bi50Pb25Sn25 or Wood's Metal?
Bi50Pb25Sn25, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for Wood's Metal; for welding the order is Wood'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 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.