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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb70Sn30 vs Pb80Sn20

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb70Sn30 and Pb80Sn20 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb70Sn30 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) against 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) for Pb80Sn20, about 57% more; tensile strength follows at 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 27 MPa (3.92 ksi). Pb70Sn30 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for Pb80Sn20, and Pb70Sn30 is harder (12 HB vs 11 HB). Pb70Sn30 is lighter (9.7 g/cm³ vs 10.2 g/cm³ for Pb80Sn20) and Pb70Sn30 is stiffer (25 GPa vs 23 GPa).

Pb70Sn30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Pb70Sn30 vs Pb80Sn20: properties

Pb70Sn30Pb80Sn20

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

25 GPa3.6 Msi
23 GPa3.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

9 GPa1.3 Msi
8.2 GPa1.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
46 GPa6.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.42

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

38 MPa5.5 ksi
27 MPa3.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

22 MPa3.2 ksi
14 MPa2 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
40%

Shear Strength

26 MPa3.8 ksi
21 MPa3 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

12 HB
11 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

9.7 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
10.2 g/cm³0.37 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

255°C491 °F
277°C531 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

155 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
150 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

26 µm/m·K14.4 µin/in·°F
26.5 µm/m·K14.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

40 J/g17.2 BTU/lb
30 J/g12.9 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-55°C-67 °F
-60°C-76 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9 % IACS
8.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
1.98×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.8 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.53 V
-0.5 V

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
35 / 100

Weldability

15 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
90 / 100

Polishability

35 / 100
40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

96 MJ/kg41,273 BTU/lb
64 MJ/kg27,515 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.1 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

45%
60%

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
2.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

10 kJ/m³
4 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

30.6 mm²/s
26.1 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 scalePb70Sn30Pb80Sn20

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPb70Sn30Pb80Sn20
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pb70Sn30 vs Pb80Sn20 — frequently asked

Is Pb70Sn30 stronger than Pb80Sn20?

Yes. Pb70Sn30 has a typical yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) against 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) for Pb80Sn20 — about 57% more. Tensile strength is 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) vs 27 MPa (3.92 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pb70Sn30 or Pb80Sn20?

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 is easier to machine, Pb70Sn30 or Pb80Sn20?

Pb80Sn20. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Pb70Sn30; for welding the order is Pb80Sn20 first (poor, 20/100) then Pb70Sn30 (poor, 15/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb70Sn30 and Pb80Sn20 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.