Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal-H vs Britannia Metal-O
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · Britannia Metal temper comparison
Britannia Metal-H and Britannia Metal-O are two conditions of the same solder & low-melting alloy grade, Britannia Metal: H (hardened) versus O (annealed). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Britannia Metal-H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Britannia Metal-O, about 105% more; tensile strength follows at 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi). In exchange, Britannia Metal-O is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 35% for Britannia Metal-H, and Britannia Metal-H is harder (28 HB vs 19 HB). Britannia Metal-O runs hotter in service (100°C vs 80°C continuous). On the shop floor, Britannia Metal-H machines more easily (68 vs 55 out of 100).
Britannia Metal-HChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Britannia Metal-OChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Britannia Metal-H vs Britannia Metal-O: 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.
Britannia Metal-HBritannia Metal-O
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 50 GPa7.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 18.5 GPa2.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 52 GPa7.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.35 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 235°C455 °F · Liquidus Temperature 295°C563 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 22.5 µm/m·K12.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V · Corrosion Resistance 65 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100 · Polishability 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 290 MJ/kg124,678 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 17 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
Britannia Metal-H vs Britannia Metal-O — frequently asked
Is Britannia Metal-H stronger than Britannia Metal-O?
Yes. Britannia Metal-H has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Britannia Metal-O — about 105% more. Tensile strength is 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, H or O?
F is the default Britannia Metal condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither H nor O). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, Britannia Metal-H or Britannia Metal-O?
Britannia Metal-H, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 68/100 against 55/100 for Britannia Metal-O.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Britannia Metal-H and Britannia Metal-O 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.