Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B560 Type III
ASTM B560 Type III
ASTM B560 Type III is a tin-antimony-copper pewter formulated for metal spinning and ornamental work, supplied as annealed sheet, cold-rolled strip, extrusion and castings.
Reference datasheet — B560 Type III is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
B560 Type III tempers and conditions
B560 Type III is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F | For cast ornamental parts, figurines and handles poured from the same Type III composition. | 22 | 38 | 30 | 15 HB | 10 % IACS |
Extruded rod / tube / wire | Extruded stock for stems, rims, wire trim and turned components. | 26 | 45 | 38 | 18 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Cold rolled (work-hardened sheet/strip) | Choose when a slightly stiffer, dent-resistant flat panel is needed and no severe forming follows. | 34 | 52 | 25 | 21 HB | 10.2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways B560 Type III is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Sheet-AnnealedDefault | Sheet, rolled and annealed | Supply form |
SPUN | Spun / formed | Surface finish |
What is B560 Type III?
ASTM B560 Type III is a tin-antimony-copper pewter formulated for metal spinning and ornamental work, supplied as annealed sheet, cold-rolled strip, extrusion and castings. Its ductility is the reason engineers pick it: 45% elongation, 42 MPa tensile, 24 MPa yield, 17 HB, with a formability score of 95 and machinability of 75. It is soft and creeps under load, and the solidus near 235 °C means low service temperature and careful heat control during joining. For cast hollowware where hardness matters more than formability, ASTM B560 Type I is the nearer choice. B560 Type III has a density of 7.3 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 235°C (455 °F). B560 Type III has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 66% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is B560 Type III used for?
- spun pewter vases
- lamp bases
- ornamental trim
- candlesticks
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Lightweight — 7.3 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), better than 93% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Readily welded — 40/100, better than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 58/100, better than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 84% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
B560 Type III properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
B560 Type III has a density of 7.3 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 235°C (455 °F).
Mechanical10
B560 Type III has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 66% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
B560 Type III is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 57 W/m·K (32.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
B560 Type III conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 60% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of B560 Type III takes about 260 MJ of energy and emits 17 kg of CO₂ — more than 61% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
B560 Type III's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the solder & low-melting alloy family
Yield strength against density for every solder & low-melting alloy grade FabDigit runs. B560 Type III is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with B560 Type III
Is B560 Type III easy to machine?
Cuts very easily but is gummy — use sharp high-rake HSS tools, high speed, light feed and generous lubricant to avoid smearing and built-up edge.
Can B560 Type III be welded?
Not fusion welded; joined by soft soldering with tin-base solder or by 'burning-in' with a torch and filler of the same alloy — keep heat low, solidus is near 235 °C.
Can B560 Type III be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent for lathe spinning, deep drawing, bending and repoussé at room temperature; no intermediate anneal usually needed, and the alloy casts well in gravity or rubber-plaster moulds.
B560 Type III 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Sbsolid-solution strengthener; kept low for spinning ductility | 1 – 3 | 2 |
| Cuforms Cu6Sn5 dispersion, refines grain | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Pbimpurity limit — lead-free pewter for food contact | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Asimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Biimpurity limit | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cdimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Alimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Snbalance tin | ≥ 95 (balance) | — |
What surface finishes work on B560 Type III?
Finished by scraping, burnishing and polishing to a bright silvery lustre or oxidised/patinated for an antique grey; no anodizing, and lacquer or wax is used to keep the bright finish.
How much does B560 Type III cost?
B560 Type III is a high-cost solder & low-melting alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
B560 Type III — frequently asked
What is B560 Type III used for?
B560 Type III is typically used for spun pewter vases, lamp bases, ornamental trim and candlesticks. In short: best-forming pewter grade; spins and deep-draws cold; softer than casting pewter.
What is the yield strength of B560 Type III?
B560 Type III has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — weaker than 66% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is B560 Type III easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Cuts very easily but is gummy — use sharp high-rake HSS tools, high speed, light feed and generous lubricant to avoid smearing and built-up edge.
Can B560 Type III be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Not fusion welded; joined by soft soldering with tin-base solder or by 'burning-in' with a torch and filler of the same alloy — keep heat low, solidus is near 235 °C.
What surface finishes work on B560 Type III?
Finished by scraping, burnishing and polishing to a bright silvery lustre or oxidised/patinated for an antique grey; no anodizing, and lacquer or wax is used to keep the bright finish.
Can B560 Type III be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent for lathe spinning, deep drawing, bending and repoussé at room temperature; no intermediate anneal usually needed, and the alloy casts well in gravity or rubber-plaster moulds.
What is the maximum service temperature of B560 Type III?
B560 Type III is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does B560 Type III cost?
B560 Type III is a high-cost solder & low-melting alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B560 Standard Specification for Modern Pewter Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Tin and Tin Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Tin and Tin Alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- Pewter sheet and casting alloy technical data — specialty pewter/tin alloy producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.