Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi57Sn42Ag1 vs Wood's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Bi57Sn42Ag1 and Wood's Metal are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Bi57Sn42Ag1 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Wood's Metal, about 60% more; tensile strength follows at 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) vs 42 MPa (6.09 ksi). Bi57Sn42Ag1 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for Wood's Metal, and Bi57Sn42Ag1 is harder (22 HB vs 11 HB). Bi57Sn42Ag1 is lighter (8.57 g/cm³ vs 9.7 g/cm³ for Wood's Metal) and Bi57Sn42Ag1 is stiffer (42 GPa vs 9.7 GPa).
Bi57Sn42Ag1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Bi57Sn42Ag1 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Machinability 35 / 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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 2
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 | Bi57Sn42Ag1 | Wood's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Bi57Sn42Ag1 vs Wood's Metal — frequently asked
Is Bi57Sn42Ag1 stronger than Wood's Metal?
Yes. Bi57Sn42Ag1 has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Wood's Metal — about 60% more. Tensile strength is 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) vs 42 MPa (6.09 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Bi57Sn42Ag1 or Wood's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Bi57Sn42Ag1 or Wood's Metal?
Bi57Sn42Ag1. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against poor (15/100) for Wood's Metal.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Bi57Sn42Ag1 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.