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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb65Sn35 vs Pb90Sn10

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb65Sn35 and Pb90Sn10 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb65Sn35 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) against 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) for Pb90Sn10, about 40% more; tensile strength follows at 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) vs 26 MPa (3.77 ksi). Pb65Sn35 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 25% for Pb90Sn10, and Pb65Sn35 is harder (12 HB vs 10 HB). Pb65Sn35 is lighter (9.5 g/cm³ vs 10.75 g/cm³ for Pb90Sn10) and Pb65Sn35 is stiffer (26 GPa vs 22 GPa).

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

Pb65Sn35 vs Pb90Sn10: properties

Pb65Sn35Pb90Sn10

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

26 GPa3.8 Msi
22 GPa3.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

9.5 GPa1.4 Msi
7.6 GPa1.1 Msi

Bulk Modulus

43 GPa6.2 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.42

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

33 MPa4.8 ksi
26 MPa3.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

21 MPa3 ksi
15 MPa2.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
25%

Shear Strength

26 MPa3.8 ksi
20 MPa2.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

12 HB
10 HB

Same in both: Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 11 MPa1.6 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.5 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
10.75 g/cm³0.39 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

183°C361 °F
268°C514 °F

Liquidus Temperature

247°C477 °F
302°C576 °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

163 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
138 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
29.5 µm/m·K16.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

38 J/g16.3 BTU/lb
26 J/g11.2 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
2.03×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.99 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.5 V
-0.51 V

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Castability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
80 / 100

Polishability

30 / 100
20 / 100

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

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

128 MJ/kg55,030 BTU/lb
49 MJ/kg21,066 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.7 kg CO₂/kg
3.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

3 kN·m/kg
2 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.7 MN·m/kg
2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

8 kJ/m³
5 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

28.4 mm²/s
24.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
1

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 scalePb65Sn35Pb90Sn10

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPb65Sn35Pb90Sn10
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pb65Sn35 vs Pb90Sn10 — frequently asked

Is Pb65Sn35 stronger than Pb90Sn10?

Yes. Pb65Sn35 has a typical yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) against 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) for Pb90Sn10 — about 40% more. Tensile strength is 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) vs 26 MPa (3.77 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pb65Sn35 or Pb90Sn10?

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 Pb65Sn35 over Pb90Sn10?

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

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb65Sn35 and Pb90Sn10 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.