Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC305 vs Sn60Pb40E
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC305 and Sn60Pb40E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. SAC305 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb40E, about 7% more. Sn60Pb40E is harder — 16 HB against 15 HB for SAC305 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. SAC305 is lighter (7.38 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40E) and SAC305 is stiffer (45 GPa vs 30 GPa). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40E machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and SAC305 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
SAC305Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part is machined in volume.
SAC305 vs Sn60Pb40E: 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)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elongation at Break 35% · Hardness, Vickers 14 HV
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Weldability
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 100 / 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 Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | SAC305 | Sn60Pb40E |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
SAC305 vs Sn60Pb40E — frequently asked
Is SAC305 stronger than Sn60Pb40E?
Yes. SAC305 has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb40E — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).
Which is cheaper, SAC305 or Sn60Pb40E?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, SAC305 or Sn60Pb40E?
Sn60Pb40E, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for SAC305; for welding the order is SAC305 first (poor, 30/100) then Sn60Pb40E (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAC305 and Sn60Pb40E 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.