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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40 vs Sn60Pb40Sb

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40 and Sn60Pb40Sb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Both yield at about 32 MPa — strength does not separate them. Sn60Pb40 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40Sb, and Sn60Pb40 is harder (16 HB vs 15 HB). Sn60Pb40Sb runs hotter in service (110°C vs 100°C continuous).

Sn60Pb40Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Sn60Pb40SbChoose it when the part sees heat.

Sn60Pb40 vs Sn60Pb40Sb: properties

Sn60Pb40Sn60Pb40Sb

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

38 GPa5.5 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.38

Elongation at Break

40%
35%

Shear Strength

35 MPa5.1 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

18 MPa2.6 ksi
15 MPa2.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

16 HB
15 HB

Hardness, Vickers

13 HV
16 HV

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
6 J4.4 ft·lbf

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 31 GPa4.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 11.5 GPa1.7 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 52 MPa7.5 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 32 MPa4.6 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.52 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.5 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F · Liquidus Temperature 190°C374 °F

Thermal

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

40 J/g17.2 BTU/lb
43 J/g18.5 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
110°C230 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 176 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°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

30 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
85 / 100

Castability

92 / 100
95 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

98 / 100
92 / 100

Weldability

—
10 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
10.3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb
320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Thermal Diffusivity

33.3 mm²/s
33.4 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 6 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 3.6 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 17 kJ/m³ · 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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSn60Pb40Sn60Pb40Sb

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySn60Pb40Sn60Pb40Sb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Sn60Pb40 vs Sn60Pb40Sb — frequently asked

What is the difference between Sn60Pb40 and Sn60Pb40Sb?

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40 and Sn60Pb40Sb are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Both yield at about 32 MPa — strength does not separate them. Sn60Pb40 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40Sb, and Sn60Pb40 is harder (16 HB vs 15 HB).

Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40 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, Sn60Pb40 or Sn60Pb40Sb?

Sn60Pb40Sb. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for Sn60Pb40.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40 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.