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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb39Cu1 vs Sn63Pb37Sb

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb39Cu1 and Sn63Pb37Sb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn63Pb37Sb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb39Cu1, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 52 MPa (7.54 ksi). Sn63Pb37Sb is stiffer (32 GPa vs 30 GPa).

Sn63Pb37SbChoose it when strength drives the design.

Sn60Pb39Cu1 vs Sn63Pb37Sb: properties

Sn60Pb39Cu1Sn63Pb37Sb

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

30 GPa4.4 Msi
32 GPa4.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

11 GPa1.6 Msi
12.5 GPa1.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

43 GPa6.2 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
32%

Shear Strength

36 MPa5.2 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

16 MPa2.3 ksi
15 MPa2.2 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

17 HV
—

Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 16 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.5 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.4 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

192°C378 °F
185°C365 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Specific Heat Capacity

180 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
170 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

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 · Latent Heat of Fusion 42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °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).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Castability

90 / 100
95 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

98 / 100
100 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 20 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Polishability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb
210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
11 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
7 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

3.5 MN·m/kg
3.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

15 kJ/m³
23 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

32.7 mm²/s
35 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 4

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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSn63Pb37SbSn60Pb39Cu1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySn60Pb39Cu1Sn63Pb37Sb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Sn60Pb39Cu1 vs Sn63Pb37Sb — frequently asked

Is Sn63Pb37Sb stronger than Sn60Pb39Cu1?

Yes. Sn63Pb37Sb has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb39Cu1 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 52 MPa (7.54 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb39Cu1 or Sn63Pb37Sb?

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 Sn60Pb39Cu1 over Sn63Pb37Sb?

Pick Sn63Pb37Sb when strength drives the design.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb39Cu1 and Sn63Pb37Sb 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.