Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E vs Sn97Cu3
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40E and Sn97Cu3 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40E is the stronger of the two: yield strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Sn97Cu3, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 35 MPa (5.08 ksi). Sn60Pb40E is harder — 16 HB against 15 HB for Sn97Cu3 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sn97Cu3 is lighter (7.33 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40E) and Sn97Cu3 is stiffer (45 GPa vs 30 GPa).
Sn60Pb40EChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Sn97Cu3Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn97Cu3: 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)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elongation at Break 35%
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).
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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | Sn97Cu3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb40E vs Sn97Cu3 — frequently asked
Is Sn60Pb40E stronger than Sn97Cu3?
Yes. Sn60Pb40E has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Sn97Cu3 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 35 MPa (5.08 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40E or Sn97Cu3?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sn60Pb40E over Sn97Cu3?
Pick Sn60Pb40E when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters. Pick Sn97Cu3 when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40E and Sn97Cu3 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.