Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Field's Metal vs Wood's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Field's Metal 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 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Field's Metal, about 4.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) vs 11 MPa (1.6 ksi). In exchange, Field's Metal is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 25% for Wood's Metal, and Wood's Metal is harder (11 HB vs 7 HB). Field's Metal is lighter (7.88 g/cm³ vs 9.7 g/cm³ for Wood's Metal) and Field's Metal conducts heat better (19 W/m·K vs 13 W/m·K).
Field's MetalChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Wood's MetalChoose it when strength drives the design.
Field's Metal 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Shear Modulus
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.35
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
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23 µm/m·K12.8 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 40°C104 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Castability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
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 | Field's Metal | Wood's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Field's Metal vs Wood's Metal — frequently asked
Is Wood's Metal stronger than Field's Metal?
Yes. Wood's Metal has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Field's Metal — about 4.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) vs 11 MPa (1.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Field's Metal or Wood's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Field's Metal or Wood's Metal?
Wood's Metal. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Field's Metal; for welding the order is Field's Metal first (poor, 20/100) then Wood's Metal (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Field's Metal 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.