Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb38Bi2 vs Sn60Pb40Sb
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb38Bi2 and Sn60Pb40Sb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40Sb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb38Bi2, about 7% more. In exchange, Sn60Pb38Bi2 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40Sb. Sn60Pb40Sb runs hotter in service (110°C vs 100°C continuous).
Sn60Pb38Bi2Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Sn60Pb40SbChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Sn60Pb38Bi2 vs Sn60Pb40Sb: 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 15 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 8.5 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 190°C374 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 11.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V · Corrosion Resistance 45 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Weldability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 10.3 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 6 kN·m/kg · 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 | Sn60Pb38Bi2 | Sn60Pb40Sb |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb38Bi2 vs Sn60Pb40Sb — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40Sb stronger than Sn60Pb38Bi2?
Yes. Sn60Pb40Sb has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb38Bi2 — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb38Bi2 or Sn60Pb40Sb?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Sn60Pb38Bi2 or Sn60Pb40Sb?
Sn60Pb40Sb. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Sn60Pb38Bi2.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb38Bi2 and Sn60Pb40Sb 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.