Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E vs Sn63Pb37E
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E and Sn63Pb37E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) for Sn63Pb37E, about 9% more. In exchange, Sn63Pb37E is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40E, and Sn63Pb37E is harder (17 HB vs 16 HB). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40E machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100).
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Sn63Pb37EChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn63Pb37E: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 30 GPa4.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 11 GPa1.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 30 MPa4.4 ksi · Hardness, Vickers 14 HV
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.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
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 Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 11.5 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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.
Machinability
Weldability
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 100 / 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)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Modulus of Resilience 15 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Sn60Pb40E | Sn63Pb37E |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn63Pb37E — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn63Pb37E?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 46 MPa (6.67 ksi) for Sn63Pb37E — about 9% more.
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40E or Sn63Pb37E?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Sn63Pb37E?
Sn60Pb40E, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for Sn63Pb37E.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40E and Sn63Pb37E 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.