Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb50 vs Sn60Pb40E
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn50Pb50 and Sn60Pb40E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) for Sn50Pb50, about 19% more. In exchange, Sn50Pb50 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40E, and Sn60Pb40E is harder (16 HB vs 14 HB). Sn60Pb40E is lighter (8.5 g/cm³ vs 8.87 g/cm³ for Sn50Pb50) and Sn60Pb40E is stiffer (30 GPa vs 27 GPa).
Sn50Pb50Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn50Pb50 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 30 MPa4.4 ksi
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
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °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.
Machinability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Castability 92 / 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 | Sn50Pb50 | Sn60Pb40E |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn50Pb50 vs Sn60Pb40E — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn50Pb50?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) for Sn50Pb50 — about 19% more.
Which is cheaper, Sn50Pb50 or Sn60Pb40E?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Sn50Pb50 or Sn60Pb40E?
Sn60Pb40E, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for Sn50Pb50.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn50Pb50 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.