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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40Sb vs Sn63Pb37E

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40Sb and Sn63Pb37E are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn60Pb40Sb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn63Pb37E, about 7% more; tensile strength follows at 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 46 MPa (6.67 ksi). In exchange, Sn63Pb37E is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40Sb, and Sn63Pb37E is harder (17 HB vs 15 HB). Sn60Pb40Sb runs hotter in service (110°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40Sb machines more easily (fair vs poor).

Sn60Pb40SbChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Sn63Pb37EChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Sn60Pb40Sb vs Sn63Pb37E: properties

Sn60Pb40SbSn63Pb37E

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
30 GPa4.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

11.5 GPa1.7 Msi
11 GPa1.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

42 GPa6.1 Msi
50 GPa7.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

52 MPa7.5 ksi
46 MPa6.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

32 MPa4.6 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
40%

Shear Strength

38 MPa5.5 ksi
33 MPa4.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

15 MPa2.2 ksi
14 MPa2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

6 J4.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

15 HB
17 HB

Hardness, Vickers

16 HV
14 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.5 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.4 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Liquidus Temperature

190°C374 °F
183°C361 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 183°C361 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F
25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

43 J/g18.5 BTU/lb
42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

110°C230 °F
100°C212 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 176 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in
1.45×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.71 µΩ·in

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 11.5 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.5 V · Corrosion Resistance 45 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

35 / 100
20 / 100

Weldability

10 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

85 / 100
90 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

92 / 100
100 / 100

Same in both: Castability 95 / 100 · Polishability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb
210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

10.3 kg CO₂/kg
11.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
5 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

17 kJ/m³
15 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

33.4 mm²/s
33.8 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 3.6 MN·m/kg · 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.

125102050891011Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleSn63Pb37ESn60Pb40Sb

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySn60Pb40SbSn63Pb37E
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Sn60Pb40Sb vs Sn63Pb37E — frequently asked

Is Sn60Pb40Sb stronger than Sn63Pb37E?

Yes. Sn60Pb40Sb has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Sn63Pb37E — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) vs 46 MPa (6.67 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40Sb 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, Sn60Pb40Sb or Sn63Pb37E?

Sn60Pb40Sb. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (20/100) for Sn63Pb37E.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40Sb 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.