Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn95Sb5
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb32Cd18 and Sn95Sb5 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn95Sb5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Sn50Pb32Cd18, about 20% more. Sn50Pb32Cd18 is harder — 14 HB against 13 HB for Sn95Sb5 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sn95Sb5 is lighter (7.25 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn50Pb32Cd18) and Sn95Sb5 is stiffer (48 GPa vs 28 GPa).
Sn50Pb32Cd18Choose it when surface hardness matters.
Sn95Sb5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn95Sb5: 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)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
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
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 27 µm/m·K15 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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.
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 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 | Sn50Pb32Cd18 | Sn95Sb5 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn95Sb5 — frequently asked
Is Sn95Sb5 stronger than Sn50Pb32Cd18?
Yes. Sn95Sb5 has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Sn50Pb32Cd18 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) vs 45 MPa (6.53 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn50Pb32Cd18 or Sn95Sb5?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sn50Pb32Cd18 over Sn95Sb5?
Pick Sn50Pb32Cd18 when surface hardness matters. Pick Sn95Sb5 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 Sn50Pb32Cd18 and Sn95Sb5 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.