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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E vs Sn63Pb37

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E and Sn63Pb37 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) for Sn63Pb37, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 46 MPa (6.67 ksi). Sn60Pb40E is harder — 16 HB against 13 HB for Sn63Pb37 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Sn60Pb40E vs Sn63Pb37: properties

Sn60Pb40ESn63Pb37

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

48 GPa7 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

50 MPa7.3 ksi
46 MPa6.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
27 MPa3.9 ksi

Shear Strength

34 MPa4.9 ksi
33 MPa4.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

16 HB
13 HB

Hardness, Vickers

14 HV
15 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 30 GPa4.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 11 GPa1.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Elongation at Break 35%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Liquidus Temperature

190°C374 °F
183°C361 °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
167 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F
25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°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.

Electrical Conductivity

11.5 % IACS
11.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in
1.45×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.71 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.5 V
-0.51 V

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

20 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
95 / 100

Castability

92 / 100
95 / 100

Polishability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 100 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.5 kg CO₂/kg
11 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

15%
40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
5 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

3.5 MN·m/kg
3.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

15 kJ/m³
12 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

32.7 mm²/s
35.6 mm²/s

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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSn63Pb37Sn60Pb40E

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySn60Pb40ESn63Pb37
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Sn60Pb40E vs Sn63Pb37 — frequently asked

Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn63Pb37?

Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) for Sn63Pb37 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 46 MPa (6.67 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40E or Sn63Pb37?

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, Sn60Pb40E or Sn63Pb37?

Sn60Pb40E, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for Sn63Pb37.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40E and Sn63Pb37 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.