FabDigitFabDigit

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 vs Pb93Sn5Ag2

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 and Pb93Sn5Ag2 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 Pb93Sn5Ag2, about 9% more; tensile strength follows at 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 33 MPa (4.79 ksi). Pb60Sn40 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Pb93Sn5Ag2, and Pb60Sn40 is harder (12 HB vs 11 HB). Pb60Sn40 is lighter (9.29 g/cm³ vs 11 g/cm³ for Pb93Sn5Ag2) and Pb93Sn5Ag2 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 100°C continuous).

Pb60Sn40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Pb93Sn5Ag2Choose it when the part sees heat.

Pb60Sn40 vs Pb93Sn5Ag2: properties

Pb60Sn40Pb93Sn5Ag2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

24 GPa3.5 Msi
23 GPa3.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

9 GPa1.3 Msi
8.2 GPa1.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

33 GPa4.8 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

38 MPa5.5 ksi
33 MPa4.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

24 MPa3.5 ksi
22 MPa3.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
35%

Shear Strength

28 MPa4.1 ksi
26 MPa3.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

12 MPa1.7 ksi
9 MPa1.3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

12 HB
11 HB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.29 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
11 g/cm³0.4 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

183°C361 °F
296°C565 °F

Liquidus Temperature

238°C460 °F
301°C574 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

176 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
135 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F
29 µm/m·K16.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

41 J/g17.6 BTU/lb
25 J/g10.7 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
150°C302 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.1 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2.05×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.07 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.5 V
-0.53 V

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Weldability

20 / 100
—

Castability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

30 / 100
20 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.6 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

55%
45%

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
2.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

12 kJ/m³
11 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26.9 mm²/s
24.2 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 scalePb60Sn40Pb93Sn5Ag2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPb60Sn40Pb93Sn5Ag2
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pb60Sn40 vs Pb93Sn5Ag2 — frequently asked

Is Pb60Sn40 stronger than Pb93Sn5Ag2?

Yes. Pb60Sn40 has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) for Pb93Sn5Ag2 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 33 MPa (4.79 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pb60Sn40 or Pb93Sn5Ag2?

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 Pb93Sn5Ag2?

Pick Pb60Sn40 when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick Pb93Sn5Ag2 when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb60Sn40 and Pb93Sn5Ag2 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.