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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B23 Grade 14-F (As fabricated)

Temper · default condition

ASTM B23 Grade 14 · UNS L54710

Standard supply condition: remelt ingot poured as a bearing lining or bushing by gravity/hand pouring.

High cost $$$$

Values for the F condition

Other B23 Grade 14 tempers and conditions

B23 Grade 14 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at B23 Grade 14.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
FDefaultThis page
As fabricated
Standard supply condition: remelt ingot poured as a bearing lining or bushing by gravity/hand pouring.3065321 HB6 % IACS
spun lining in a tinned steel or bronze shell
Pick for production bushings and large journal bearings needing dense, void-free lining and consistent bond.32703.522 HB6 % IACS
poured against a cooled steel shell
Pick when a finer, harder microstructure and better bond strength are needed for higher unit loads.3472423 HB6 % IACS

What is B23 Grade 14-F?

B23 Grade 14-F is B23 Grade 14 in the F temper — standard supply condition: remelt ingot poured as a bearing lining or bushing by gravity/hand pouring. B23 Grade 14-F has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 61% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 29 GPa (4.21 Msi). B23 Grade 14-F has a density of 9.73 g/cm³ (0.352 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 237°C (459 °F).

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 2.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 60/100, better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 95% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 94% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 84% of solder & low-melting alloy grades

B23 Grade 14-F properties

Typical room-temperature values for B23 Grade 14-F; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are B23 Grade 14 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Physical3

B23 Grade 14-F has a density of 9.73 g/cm³ (0.352 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 237°C (459 °F).

Density9.73 g/cm³0.35 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)237°C459 °F
Liquidus Temperature270°C518 °F

Mechanical13

B23 Grade 14-F has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 61% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 29 GPa (4.21 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus29 GPa4.2 Msi
Shear Modulus10.3 GPa1.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus42 GPa6.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.42
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)65 MPa9.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)30 MPa4.4 ksi
Elongation at Break3%
Compressive Strength105 MPa15.2 ksi
Shear Strength32 MPa4.6 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)22 MPa3.2 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)2 J1.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell21 HB
Hardness, Vickers22 HV

Thermal6

B23 Grade 14-F is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity150 J/kg·K0.04 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion42 J/g18.1 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)120°C248 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F

Electrical3

B23 Grade 14-F conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 84% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity6 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.4 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 52% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.55 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair45/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery good in sulfuric and phosphoric acid and in neutral atmospheres; attacked by acetic and nitric acids, and corroded by acidic (oxidized) lubricating oils — a common failure mode for lead babbitt bearings.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of B23 Grade 14-F takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content60%

Manufacturability8

B23 Grade 14-F's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityExcellent92/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)160%
WeldabilityNot recommended10/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
CastabilityExcellent90/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent90/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — lead-base alloy, not anodizable

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated7 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated3 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated16 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated16.4 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated2

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with B23 Grade 14-F

Is B23 Grade 14 easy to machine?

Cuts very easily with sharp, high-rake tools and flood lubricant; use low pressure to avoid smearing, and control lead swarf/dust exposure.

Can B23 Grade 14 be welded?

Not arc-weldable; repair is by re-tinning and re-pouring the lining, or by babbitt build-up with a low-temperature torch.

Can B23 Grade 14 be formed, bent or molded?

Used as a cast lining only — pour at roughly 380–430 °C onto a clean, fluxed and tinned steel back; avoid overheating to limit antimony segregation and dross.

What surface finishes work on B23 Grade 14?

Bore and burnish to final clearance; no anodizing or plating — the running surface is left as machined, and lead handling/health rules apply.

B23 Grade 14 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Sntin9.3 – 10.710
Sbantimony, forms hard SbSn/Sb phases14 – 1615
Cu≤ 0.5—
As≤ 0.25—
Fe≤ 0.1—
Bi≤ 0.1—
Zn≤ 0.01—
Al≤ 0.01—
Pbremainder, nominally ~75 %balance—

B23 Grade 14-F — frequently asked

What is B23 Grade 14-F used for?

B23 Grade 14-F is typically used for light-duty bushings, general machinery bearings, low-load sleeve bearing linings, chill-cast bearing linings, centrifugally cast bearing liners and re-lined bearing shells. In short: cheapest B23 lead babbitt; light-load bearing lining; very easy to bore.

What is the yield strength of B23 Grade 14-F?

B23 Grade 14-F has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — stronger than 61% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is B23 Grade 14-F easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Cuts very easily with sharp, high-rake tools and flood lubricant; use low pressure to avoid smearing, and control lead swarf/dust exposure.

Can B23 Grade 14-F be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not arc-weldable; repair is by re-tinning and re-pouring the lining, or by babbitt build-up with a low-temperature torch.

What surface finishes work on B23 Grade 14-F?

Bore and burnish to final clearance; no anodizing or plating — the running surface is left as machined, and lead handling/health rules apply.

Can B23 Grade 14-F be formed, bent or molded?

Used as a cast lining only — pour at roughly 380–430 °C onto a clean, fluxed and tinned steel back; avoid overheating to limit antimony segregation and dross.

What is the maximum service temperature of B23 Grade 14-F?

B23 Grade 14-F is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASTM B23 Standard Specification for White Metal Bearing Alloys (Known Commercially as Babbitt Metal) — ASTM International (2019)
  2. SAE J460 Bearing and Bushing Alloys — SAE International (2018)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Lead and Lead Alloys, Bearing Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.18 — Friction, Lubrication, and Wear Technology — ASM International (2017)
  5. Machinery's Handbook, Babbitt and Bearing Metals tables — Industrial Press (2020)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.