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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 vs Pb65Sn35

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 and Pb65Sn35 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb60Sn40 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for Pb65Sn35, about 14% more; tensile strength follows at 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 33 MPa (4.79 ksi). In exchange, Pb65Sn35 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 40% for Pb60Sn40. Pb65Sn35 is stiffer (26 GPa vs 24 GPa).

Pb60Sn40Choose it when strength drives the design.

Pb65Sn35Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Pb60Sn40 vs Pb65Sn35: properties

Pb60Sn40Pb65Sn35

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

24 GPa3.5 Msi
26 GPa3.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

9 GPa1.3 Msi
9.5 GPa1.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

33 GPa4.8 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

38 MPa5.5 ksi
33 MPa4.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

24 MPa3.5 ksi
21 MPa3 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
55%

Shear Strength

28 MPa4.1 ksi
26 MPa3.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

12 MPa1.7 ksi
11 MPa1.6 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Hardness, Brinell 12 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.29 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
9.5 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

238°C460 °F
247°C477 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

176 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
163 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F
25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

41 J/g17.6 BTU/lb
38 J/g16.3 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-55°C-67 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.1 % IACS
9.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
45 / 100

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.

Castability

90 / 100
85 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Polishability 30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
128 MJ/kg55,030 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.6 kg CO₂/kg
6.7 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

55%
45%

Same in both: Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

4 kN·m/kg
3 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.6 MN·m/kg
2.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

12 kJ/m³
8 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26.9 mm²/s
28.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
2

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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePb60Sn40Pb65Sn35

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPb60Sn40Pb65Sn35
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pb60Sn40 vs Pb65Sn35 — frequently asked

Is Pb60Sn40 stronger than Pb65Sn35?

Yes. Pb60Sn40 has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for Pb65Sn35 — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 33 MPa (4.79 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pb60Sn40 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.

When should I choose Pb60Sn40 over Pb65Sn35?

Pick Pb60Sn40 when strength drives the design. Pick Pb65Sn35 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb60Sn40 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.