Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb85Sn15 vs Pb90Sn10
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb85Sn15 and Pb90Sn10 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Pb90Sn10 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) against 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) for Pb85Sn15, about 15% more. In exchange, Pb85Sn15 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 25% for Pb90Sn10. On the shop floor, Pb85Sn15 machines more easily (very good vs poor).
Pb85Sn15Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Pb90Sn10Choose it when strength drives the design.
Pb85Sn15 vs Pb90Sn10: 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, Vickers
Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 10 HB
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
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 2 kN·m/kg
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 | Pb85Sn15 | Pb90Sn10 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pb85Sn15 vs Pb90Sn10 — frequently asked
Is Pb90Sn10 stronger than Pb85Sn15?
Yes. Pb90Sn10 has a typical yield strength of 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) against 13 MPa (1.89 ksi) for Pb85Sn15 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) vs 25 MPa (3.63 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Pb85Sn15 or Pb90Sn10?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Pb85Sn15 or Pb90Sn10?
Pb85Sn15. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against poor (30/100) for Pb90Sn10.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pb85Sn15 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.