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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pure Tin (Grade A) vs Type 1 Casting Pewter

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pure Tin (Grade A) and Type 1 Casting Pewter are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Type 1 Casting Pewter is the stronger of the two: yield strength 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for Pure Tin (Grade A), about 3.4 times as much; tensile strength follows at 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi). In exchange, Pure Tin (Grade A) is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for Type 1 Casting Pewter, and Type 1 Casting Pewter is harder (23 HB vs 5 HB). Pure Tin (Grade A) conducts heat better (66 W/m·K vs 50 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Type 1 Casting Pewter machines more easily (very good vs fair) and Pure Tin (Grade A) welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).

Pure Tin (Grade A)Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

Type 1 Casting PewterChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

Pure Tin (Grade A) vs Type 1 Casting Pewter: properties

Pure Tin (Grade A)Type 1 Casting Pewter

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
47 GPa6.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

58 GPa8.4 Msi
47 GPa6.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

15 MPa2.2 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

10 MPa1.5 ksi
34 MPa4.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
30%

Shear Strength

12 MPa1.7 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

8 MPa1.2 ksi
20 MPa2.9 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

5 HB
23 HB

Hardness, Vickers

5 HV
24 HV

Reduction in Area

—
38%

Compressive Strength

—
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Same in both: Shear Modulus 18 GPa2.6 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

232°C449 °F
240°C464 °F

Liquidus Temperature

232°C449 °F
295°C563 °F

Same in both: Density 7.3 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

66 W/m·K38.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

228 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

22 µm/m·K12.2 µin/in·°F
21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

60 J/g25.6 BTU/lb
58 J/g24.9 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
95°C203 °F

Min Service Temperature

13°C55 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

15 % IACS
8.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.15×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.53 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
62 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
72 / 100

Weldability

30 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
96 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

100 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
88 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
110%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb
310 MJ/kg133,276 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
420 L/kg50.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 18 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

2 kN·m/kg
8 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.2 MN·m/kg
6.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1 kJ/m³
12 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

39.7 mm²/s
29.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

1
3

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 scaleType 1 Casting PewterPure Tin (Grade A)

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPure Tin (Grade A)Type 1 Casting Pewter
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pure Tin (Grade A) vs Type 1 Casting Pewter — frequently asked

Is Type 1 Casting Pewter stronger than Pure Tin (Grade A)?

Yes. Type 1 Casting Pewter has a typical yield strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.45 ksi) for Pure Tin (Grade A) — about 3.4 times as much. Tensile strength is 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 15 MPa (2.18 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Pure Tin (Grade A) or Type 1 Casting Pewter?

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, Pure Tin (Grade A) or Type 1 Casting Pewter?

Type 1 Casting Pewter. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against fair (35/100) for Pure Tin (Grade A); for welding the order is Pure Tin (Grade A) first (poor, 30/100) then Type 1 Casting Pewter (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pure Tin (Grade A) and Type 1 Casting Pewter 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.