Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn20Pb80 vs Sn60Pb40E
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn20Pb80 and Sn60Pb40E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 16 MPa (2.32 ksi) for Sn20Pb80, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 29 MPa (4.21 ksi). In exchange, Sn20Pb80 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40E, and Sn60Pb40E is harder (16 HB vs 11 HB). Sn60Pb40E is lighter (8.5 g/cm³ vs 10.2 g/cm³ for Sn20Pb80) and Sn60Pb40E is stiffer (30 GPa vs 23 GPa).
Sn20Pb80Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn20Pb80 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F
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).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100 · 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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | Sn20Pb80 | Sn60Pb40E |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn20Pb80 vs Sn60Pb40E — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn20Pb80?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 16 MPa (2.32 ksi) for Sn20Pb80 — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 29 MPa (4.21 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn20Pb80 or Sn60Pb40E?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sn20Pb80 over Sn60Pb40E?
Pick Sn20Pb80 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat. Pick Sn60Pb40E when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn20Pb80 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.