Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40Sb vs Sn96.3Ag3.7
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison
Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn60Pb40Sb and Sn96.3Ag3.7 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn96.3Ag3.7 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for Sn60Pb40Sb, about 9% more. Sn96.3Ag3.7 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for Sn60Pb40Sb. Sn96.3Ag3.7 is lighter (7.37 g/cm³ vs 8.5 g/cm³ for Sn60Pb40Sb) and Sn96.3Ag3.7 is stiffer (50 GPa vs 31 GPa). On the shop floor, Sn60Pb40Sb machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Sn96.3Ag3.7 welds better (poor vs not recommended).
Sn60Pb40SbChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
Sn96.3Ag3.7Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Sn60Pb40Sb vs Sn96.3Ag3.7: 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)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 15 HB · Hardness, Vickers 16 HV
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 45 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 92 / 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 | Sn60Pb40Sb | Sn96.3Ag3.7 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sn60Pb40Sb vs Sn96.3Ag3.7 — frequently asked
Is Sn96.3Ag3.7 stronger than Sn60Pb40Sb?
Yes. Sn96.3Ag3.7 has a typical yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for Sn60Pb40Sb — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 52 MPa (7.54 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Sn60Pb40Sb or Sn96.3Ag3.7?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Sn60Pb40Sb or Sn96.3Ag3.7?
Sn60Pb40Sb. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for Sn96.3Ag3.7; for welding the order is Sn96.3Ag3.7 first (poor, 20/100) then Sn60Pb40Sb (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn60Pb40Sb and Sn96.3Ag3.7 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.