FabDigitFabDigit

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC305 vs Sn63Pb37Sb

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC305 and Sn63Pb37Sb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn63Pb37Sb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for SAC305, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 48 MPa (6.96 ksi). Sn63Pb37Sb is harder — 16 HB against 15 HB for SAC305 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. SAC305 is lighter (7.38 g/cm³ vs 8.4 g/cm³ for Sn63Pb37Sb) and SAC305 is stiffer (45 GPa vs 32 GPa). On the shop floor, SAC305 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).

SAC305Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Sn63Pb37SbChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

SAC305 vs Sn63Pb37Sb: properties

SAC305Sn63Pb37Sb

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
32 GPa4.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

17.5 GPa2.5 Msi
12.5 GPa1.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

54 GPa7.8 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

48 MPa7 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

32 MPa4.6 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
32%

Shear Strength

30 MPa4.4 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

15 HB
16 HB

Hardness, Vickers

14 HV
—

Same in both: Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 15 MPa2.2 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.38 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³
8.4 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

217°C423 °F
183°C361 °F

Liquidus Temperature

220°C428 °F
185°C365 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

58 W/m·K33.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F
170 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

22 µm/m·K12.2 µin/in·°F
24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

61 J/g26.2 BTU/lb
42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

125°C257 °F
100°C212 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

13 % IACS
11.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.32×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.2 µΩ·in
1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 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.

Weldability

30 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Castability 95 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 100 / 100 · Polishability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

350 MJ/kg150,473 BTU/lb
210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

24 kg CO₂/kg
11 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

900 L/kg108 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.1 MN·m/kg
3.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

11 kJ/m³
23 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

34.2 mm²/s
35 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
4

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 7 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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSn63Pb37SbSAC305

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySAC305Sn63Pb37Sb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

SAC305 vs Sn63Pb37Sb — frequently asked

Is Sn63Pb37Sb stronger than SAC305?

Yes. Sn63Pb37Sb has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for SAC305 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 48 MPa (6.96 ksi).

Which is cheaper, SAC305 or Sn63Pb37Sb?

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 welds better, SAC305 or Sn63Pb37Sb?

SAC305. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against poor (20/100) for Sn63Pb37Sb.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAC305 and Sn63Pb37Sb 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.