Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E vs Sn95Cu4Ag1
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E and Sn95Cu4Ag1 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn95Cu4Ag1 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb40E, about 7% more. In exchange, Sn60Pb40E is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 25% for Sn95Cu4Ag1, and Sn95Cu4Ag1 is harder (18 HB vs 16 HB). Sn95Cu4Ag1 is lighter (7.35 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40E) and Sn95Cu4Ag1 is stiffer (48 GPa vs 30 GPa).
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Sn95Cu4Ag1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn95Cu4Ag1: 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)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Same in both: 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.
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).
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.
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 30 / 100 · Weldability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 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)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Sn60Pb40E | Sn95Cu4Ag1 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn95Cu4Ag1 — frequently asked
Is Sn95Cu4Ag1 stronger than Sn60Pb40E?
Yes. Sn95Cu4Ag1 has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn60Pb40E — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) vs 50 MPa (7.25 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40E or Sn95Cu4Ag1?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sn60Pb40E over Sn95Cu4Ag1?
Pick Sn60Pb40E when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick Sn95Cu4Ag1 when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40E and Sn95Cu4Ag1 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.