Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E vs Sn70Pb30
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E and Sn70Pb30 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) for Sn70Pb30, about 6% more. In exchange, Sn70Pb30 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40E, and Sn60Pb40E is harder (16 HB vs 14 HB). Sn70Pb30 is lighter (8.17 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40E). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40E welds better (poor vs not recommended).
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
Sn70Pb30Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn70Pb30: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 30 GPa4.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 11 GPa1.6 Msi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 30 MPa4.4 ksi · Shear Strength 34 MPa4.9 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 20 MPa2.9 ksi
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 180 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Polishability 20 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 6 kN·m/kg · 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 | Sn70Pb30 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn70Pb30 — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn70Pb30?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) for Sn70Pb30 — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40E or Sn70Pb30?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Sn60Pb40E or Sn70Pb30?
Sn60Pb40E. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Sn70Pb30.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40E and Sn70Pb30 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.