Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 vs Pb70Sn30
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 and Pb70Sn30 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb60Sn40 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Pb70Sn30, about 9% more. In exchange, Pb70Sn30 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for Pb60Sn40. Pb60Sn40 is lighter (9.29 g/cm³ vs 9.7 g/cm³ for Pb70Sn30) and Pb60Sn40 conducts electricity better (10.1 % IACS vs 9 % IACS).
Pb60Sn40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Pb70Sn30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Pb60Sn40 vs Pb70Sn30: 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
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Same in both: Shear Modulus 9 GPa1.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 38 MPa5.5 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 12 HB
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F
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.
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100
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.
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 4 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 2.6 MN·m/kg · 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 | Pb60Sn40 | Pb70Sn30 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pb60Sn40 vs Pb70Sn30 — frequently asked
Is Pb60Sn40 stronger than Pb70Sn30?
Yes. Pb60Sn40 has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Pb70Sn30 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 38 MPa (5.51 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pb60Sn40 or Pb70Sn30?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Pb60Sn40 or Pb70Sn30?
Pb60Sn40. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against poor (15/100) for Pb70Sn30.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb60Sn40 and Pb70Sn30 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.