Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb55Sn45 vs Pb65Sn35
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb55Sn45 and Pb65Sn35 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb55Sn45 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for Pb65Sn35, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 41 MPa (5.95 ksi) vs 33 MPa (4.79 ksi). Pb55Sn45 is harder — 13 HB against 12 HB for Pb65Sn35 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pb55Sn45 is lighter (9.1 g/cm³ vs 9.5 g/cm³ for Pb65Sn35) and Pb55Sn45 is stiffer (28 GPa vs 26 GPa).
Pb55Sn45Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Pb55Sn45 vs Pb65Sn35: 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Weldability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 28.4 mm²/s
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 | Pb55Sn45 | Pb65Sn35 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pb55Sn45 vs Pb65Sn35 — frequently asked
Is Pb55Sn45 stronger than Pb65Sn35?
Yes. Pb55Sn45 has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for Pb65Sn35 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 41 MPa (5.95 ksi) vs 33 MPa (4.79 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pb55Sn45 or Pb65Sn35?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pb55Sn45 or Pb65Sn35?
Pb55Sn45. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Pb65Sn35.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb55Sn45 and Pb65Sn35 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.