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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC405 vs Sn63Pb37Sb

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy SAC405 and Sn63Pb37Sb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. SAC405 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) for Sn63Pb37Sb, about 5% more. In exchange, Sn63Pb37Sb is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 28% for SAC405. SAC405 is lighter (7.44 g/cm³ vs 8.4 g/cm³ for Sn63Pb37Sb) and SAC405 is stiffer (51 GPa vs 32 GPa). On the shop floor, SAC405 machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100).

SAC405Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Sn63Pb37SbChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

SAC405 vs Sn63Pb37Sb: properties

SAC405Sn63Pb37Sb

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

51 GPa7.4 Msi
32 GPa4.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

19 GPa2.8 Msi
12.5 GPa1.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

61 GPa8.8 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

40 MPa5.8 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
32%

Shear Strength

34 MPa4.9 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
15 MPa2.2 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

16 HV
—

Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 16 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.44 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

62 W/m·K35.8 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)

21.5 µm/m·K11.9 µin/in·°F
24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

62 J/g26.7 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

55 / 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.

Machinability

30 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
90 / 100

Castability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 20 / 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)

21 kg CO₂/kg
11 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.9 MN·m/kg
3.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

16 kJ/m³
23 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

36.2 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 scaleSn63Pb37SbSAC405

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySAC405Sn63Pb37Sb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

SAC405 vs Sn63Pb37Sb — frequently asked

Is SAC405 stronger than Sn63Pb37Sb?

Yes. SAC405 has a typical yield strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) for Sn63Pb37Sb — about 5% more. Tensile strength is 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 58 MPa (8.41 ksi).

Which is cheaper, SAC405 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 is easier to machine, SAC405 or Sn63Pb37Sb?

SAC405, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for Sn63Pb37Sb.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAC405 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.