Solder & Low-Melting Alloy In52Sn48 vs Wood's Metal
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy In52Sn48 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 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) for In52Sn48, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) vs 12 MPa (1.73 ksi). In exchange, In52Sn48 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 25% for Wood's Metal, and Wood's Metal is harder (11 HB vs 5 HB). In52Sn48 is lighter (7.3 g/cm³ vs 9.7 g/cm³ for Wood's Metal) and In52Sn48 is stiffer (20 GPa vs 9.7 GPa). On the shop floor, Wood's Metal machines more easily (fair vs poor).
In52Sn48Choose 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, or when the part is machined in volume.
In52Sn48 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Shear Modulus
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
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.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Polishability
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 | In52Sn48 | Wood's Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
In52Sn48 vs Wood's Metal — frequently asked
Is Wood's Metal stronger than In52Sn48?
Yes. Wood's Metal has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) for In52Sn48 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) vs 12 MPa (1.73 ksi).
Which is cheaper, In52Sn48 or Wood's Metal?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, In52Sn48 or Wood's Metal?
Wood's Metal. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (20/100) for In52Sn48; for welding the order is Wood's Metal first (poor, 15/100) then In52Sn48 (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in In52Sn48 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.