Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E vs Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E and Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7, about 11% more. Sn60Pb40E is harder — 16 HB against 14 HB for Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 is lighter (7.4 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40E) and Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 is stiffer (50 GPa vs 30 GPa). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40E machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 30 MPa4.4 ksi · Elongation at Break 35% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 20 MPa2.9 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V · Corrosion Resistance 40 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 6 kN·m/kg
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 | Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 — about 11% more.
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40E or Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7?
Sn60Pb40E, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7; for welding the order is Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 first (poor, 30/100) then Sn60Pb40E (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40E and Sn95.8Ag3.5Cu0.7 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.