Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal vs Type 2 Sheet Pewter
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Britannia Metal and Type 2 Sheet Pewter are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Type 2 Sheet Pewter is the stronger of the two: yield strength 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for Britannia Metal, about 54% more; tensile strength follows at 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) vs 60 MPa (8.7 ksi). Type 2 Sheet Pewter is harder — 25 HB against 23 HB for Britannia Metal — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Britannia Metal is stiffer (50 GPa vs 45 GPa) and Britannia Metal runs hotter in service (100°C vs 90°C continuous). On the shop floor, Britannia Metal welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100) and Type 2 Sheet Pewter forms better (excellent vs very good).
Britannia MetalChoose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.
Type 2 Sheet PewterChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Britannia Metal vs Type 2 Sheet 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 2 Sheet Pewter
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Elongation at Break 25% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 20 MPa2.9 ksi
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)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F · 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).
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 70% · Castability 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 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 2 Sheet Pewter |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Britannia Metal vs Type 2 Sheet Pewter — frequently asked
Is Type 2 Sheet Pewter stronger than Britannia Metal?
Yes. Type 2 Sheet Pewter has a typical yield strength of 43 MPa (6.24 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for Britannia Metal — about 54% more. Tensile strength is 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) vs 60 MPa (8.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Britannia Metal or Type 2 Sheet Pewter?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 2 Sheet Pewter?
Britannia Metal, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 60/100 for Type 2 Sheet Pewter; for welding the order is Britannia Metal first (poor, 30/100) then Type 2 Sheet Pewter (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Britannia Metal and Type 2 Sheet 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.