Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC387 vs Sn60Pb40E
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC387 and Sn60Pb40E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. SAC387 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb40E, about 27% more. Sn60Pb40E is harder — 16 HB against 15 HB for SAC387 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. SAC387 is lighter (7.44 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40E) and SAC387 is stiffer (50 GPa vs 30 GPa). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40E machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and SAC387 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
SAC387Choose 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.
SAC387 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 50 MPa7.3 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 20 MPa2.9 ksi
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
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 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 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 | SAC387 | Sn60Pb40E |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
SAC387 vs Sn60Pb40E — frequently asked
Is SAC387 stronger than Sn60Pb40E?
Yes. SAC387 has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb40E — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).
Which is cheaper, SAC387 or Sn60Pb40E?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, SAC387 or Sn60Pb40E?
Sn60Pb40E, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for SAC387; for welding the order is SAC387 first (poor, 30/100) then Sn60Pb40E (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAC387 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.