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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb65Sn35 vs Pb98Sn2

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb65Sn35 and Pb98Sn2 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb65Sn35 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Pb98Sn2, about 133% more; tensile strength follows at 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) vs 19 MPa (2.76 ksi). Pb65Sn35 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 45% for Pb98Sn2, and Pb65Sn35 is harder (12 HB vs 6 HB). Pb65Sn35 is lighter (9.5 g/cm³ vs 11.2 g/cm³ for Pb98Sn2) and Pb65Sn35 is stiffer (26 GPa vs 16 GPa). On the shop floor, Pb98Sn2 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Pb98Sn2 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Pb65Sn35 (high, $$$$).

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

Pb98Sn2Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.

Pb65Sn35 vs Pb98Sn2: properties

Pb65Sn35Pb98Sn2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

26 GPa3.8 Msi
16 GPa2.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

9.5 GPa1.4 Msi
5.6 GPa0.81 Msi

Bulk Modulus

43 GPa6.2 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.43

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

33 MPa4.8 ksi
19 MPa2.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

21 MPa3 ksi
9 MPa1.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
45%

Shear Strength

26 MPa3.8 ksi
13 MPa1.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

11 MPa1.6 ksi
8 MPa1.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

12 HB
6 HB

Hardness, Vickers

—
6 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.5 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³
11.2 g/cm³0.4 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

183°C361 °F
316°C601 °F

Liquidus Temperature

247°C477 °F
322°C612 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
35 W/m·K20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
29 µm/m·K16.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

38 J/g16.3 BTU/lb
24 J/g10.3 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
150°C302 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-55°C-67 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
7.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.5 V
-0.55 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
95 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

88 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

30 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

128 MJ/kg55,030 BTU/lb
28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.7 kg CO₂/kg
2.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
65%

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
1.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

8 kJ/m³
3 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

28.4 mm²/s
24 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 scalePb65Sn35Pb98Sn2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPb65Sn35Pb98Sn2
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pb65Sn35 vs Pb98Sn2 — frequently asked

Is Pb65Sn35 stronger than Pb98Sn2?

Yes. Pb65Sn35 has a typical yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for Pb98Sn2 — about 133% more. Tensile strength is 33 MPa (4.79 ksi) vs 19 MPa (2.76 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pb65Sn35 or Pb98Sn2?

Pb98Sn2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Pb65Sn35 is high ($$$$). 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, Pb65Sn35 or Pb98Sn2?

Pb98Sn2. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for Pb65Sn35.

Ready to make it?

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