Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal vs Type 1 Casting Pewter
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal and Type 1 Casting Pewter are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Type 1 Casting Pewter is the stronger of the two: yield strength 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for Britannia Metal, about 21% more. Type 1 Casting Pewter is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 25% for Britannia Metal. Britannia Metal is stiffer (50 GPa vs 47 GPa). On the shop floor, Britannia Metal welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
Britannia MetalChoose it when it will be welded.
Type 1 Casting PewterChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Britannia Metal vs Type 1 Casting Pewter: 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 MetalType 1 Casting Pewter
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
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Shear Strength 40 MPa5.8 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 20 MPa2.9 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 23 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 295°C563 °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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°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
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 8 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
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 | Britannia Metal | Type 1 Casting Pewter |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Britannia Metal vs Type 1 Casting Pewter — frequently asked
Is Type 1 Casting Pewter stronger than Britannia Metal?
Yes. Type 1 Casting Pewter has a typical yield strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for Britannia Metal — about 21% more. Tensile strength is 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 60 MPa (8.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Britannia Metal or Type 1 Casting Pewter?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Britannia Metal or Type 1 Casting Pewter?
Type 1 Casting Pewter. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against good (65/100) for Britannia Metal; for welding the order is Britannia Metal first (poor, 30/100) then Type 1 Casting Pewter (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Britannia Metal and Type 1 Casting Pewter 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.