Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 vs Pb98Sn2
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb60Sn40 and Pb98Sn2 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb60Sn40 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Pb98Sn2, about 167% more; tensile strength follows at 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 19 MPa (2.76 ksi). In exchange, Pb98Sn2 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for Pb60Sn40, and Pb60Sn40 is harder (12 HB vs 6 HB). Pb60Sn40 is lighter (9.29 g/cm³ vs 11.2 g/cm³ for Pb98Sn2) and Pb60Sn40 is stiffer (24 GPa vs 16 GPa). On the shop floor, Pb98Sn2 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Pb98Sn2 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Pb60Sn40 (high, $$$$).
Pb60Sn40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Pb98Sn2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Pb60Sn40 vs Pb98Sn2: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
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)
Same in both: 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.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Castability 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
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 | Pb60Sn40 | Pb98Sn2 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pb60Sn40 vs Pb98Sn2 — frequently asked
Is Pb60Sn40 stronger than Pb98Sn2?
Yes. Pb60Sn40 has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Pb98Sn2 — about 167% more. Tensile strength is 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 19 MPa (2.76 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pb60Sn40 or Pb98Sn2?
Pb98Sn2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Pb60Sn40 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Pb60Sn40 or Pb98Sn2?
Pb98Sn2. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for Pb60Sn40.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb60Sn40 and Pb98Sn2 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.