Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn60Pb40E
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb32Cd18 and Sn60Pb40E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Sn50Pb32Cd18, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 45 MPa (6.53 ksi). Sn60Pb40E is harder — 16 HB against 14 HB for Sn50Pb32Cd18 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sn60Pb40E is stiffer (30 GPa vs 28 GPa) and Sn60Pb40E runs hotter in service (100°C vs 70°C continuous).
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Sn50Pb32Cd18 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
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 35%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 8.5 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
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)
Min Service Temperature
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
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 | Sn50Pb32Cd18 | Sn60Pb40E |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn60Pb40E — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn50Pb32Cd18?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Sn50Pb32Cd18 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 45 MPa (6.53 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn50Pb32Cd18 or Sn60Pb40E?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sn50Pb32Cd18 over Sn60Pb40E?
Pick Sn60Pb40E when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn50Pb32Cd18 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.