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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn63Pb37Sb vs Sn99.3Cu0.7

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy · grade comparison

Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn63Pb37Sb and Sn99.3Cu0.7 are both solder & low-melting alloy grades. Sn63Pb37Sb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) for Sn99.3Cu0.7, about 153% more; tensile strength follows at 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 28 MPa (4.06 ksi). In exchange, Sn99.3Cu0.7 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 32% for Sn63Pb37Sb, and Sn63Pb37Sb is harder (16 HB vs 14 HB). Sn99.3Cu0.7 is lighter (7.31 g/cm³ vs 8.4 g/cm³ for Sn63Pb37Sb) and Sn99.3Cu0.7 is stiffer (43 GPa vs 32 GPa).

Sn63Pb37SbChoose it when strength drives the design.

Sn99.3Cu0.7Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Sn63Pb37Sb vs Sn99.3Cu0.7: properties

Sn63Pb37SbSn99.3Cu0.7

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

32 GPa4.6 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

12.5 GPa1.8 Msi
16 GPa2.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

50 GPa7.3 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

58 MPa8.4 ksi
28 MPa4.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

38 MPa5.5 ksi
15 MPa2.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
40%

Shear Strength

38 MPa5.5 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

15 MPa2.2 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

16 HB
14 HB

Hardness, Vickers

—
13 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.4 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
7.31 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

183°C361 °F
227°C441 °F

Liquidus Temperature

185°C365 °F
227°C441 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

170 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
230 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24.5 µm/m·K13.6 µin/in·°F
22 µm/m·K12.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb
60 J/g25.8 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F · Min Service Temperature -55°C-67 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

11.5 % IACS
14 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in
1.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m4.72 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
45 / 100

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.

Weldability

20 / 100
—

Castability

95 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 20 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 100 / 100 · Polishability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb
320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

11 kg CO₂/kg
18 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

320 L/kg38.3 gal/lb
700 L/kg83.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

7 kN·m/kg
4 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

3.8 MN·m/kg
5.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

23 kJ/m³
3 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

35 mm²/s
38.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
2

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 scaleSn63Pb37SbSn99.3Cu0.7

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySn63Pb37SbSn99.3Cu0.7
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Sn63Pb37Sb vs Sn99.3Cu0.7 — frequently asked

Is Sn63Pb37Sb stronger than Sn99.3Cu0.7?

Yes. Sn63Pb37Sb has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) against 15 MPa (2.18 ksi) for Sn99.3Cu0.7 — about 153% more. Tensile strength is 58 MPa (8.41 ksi) vs 28 MPa (4.06 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Sn63Pb37Sb or Sn99.3Cu0.7?

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.

When should I choose Sn63Pb37Sb over Sn99.3Cu0.7?

Pick Sn63Pb37Sb when strength drives the design. Pick Sn99.3Cu0.7 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sn63Pb37Sb and Sn99.3Cu0.7 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.