Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn97Cu3
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb32Cd18 and Sn97Cu3 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn50Pb32Cd18 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Sn97Cu3, about 29% more. Sn97Cu3 is harder — 15 HB against 14 HB for Sn50Pb32Cd18 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sn97Cu3 is lighter (7.33 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn50Pb32Cd18) and Sn97Cu3 is stiffer (45 GPa vs 28 GPa).
Sn50Pb32Cd18Choose it when strength drives the design.
Sn97Cu3Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn97Cu3: 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)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.36 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 25 MPa3.6 ksi · Elongation at Break 35%
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)
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
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Polishability 25 / 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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 5 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Sn50Pb32Cd18 | Sn97Cu3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn50Pb32Cd18 vs Sn97Cu3 — frequently asked
Is Sn50Pb32Cd18 stronger than Sn97Cu3?
Yes. Sn50Pb32Cd18 has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Sn97Cu3 — about 29% more.
Which is cheaper, Sn50Pb32Cd18 or Sn97Cu3?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sn50Pb32Cd18 over Sn97Cu3?
Pick Sn50Pb32Cd18 when strength drives the design. Pick Sn97Cu3 when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn50Pb32Cd18 and Sn97Cu3 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.