Solder & Low-Melting Alloy B560 Type III Extruded
Grade
ASTM B560 Type III
Extruded stock for stems, rims, wire trim and turned components.
Values for the Extruded condition
Other B560 Type III tempers and conditions
B560 Type III is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at B560 Type III.
- F-Cast
- Extruded
- Cold Rolled
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 |
ExtrudedThis page 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 |
What is B560 Type III Extruded?
B560 Type III Extruded is B560 Type III in the Extruded grade — extruded stock for stems, rims, wire trim and turned components. B560 Type III Extruded has a yield strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 55% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi). B560 Type III Extruded 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).
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
- Conducts heat well — 57 W/m·K (32.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
B560 Type III Extruded properties
Typical room-temperature values for B560 Type III Extruded; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are B560 Type III reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
B560 Type III Extruded 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 Extruded has a yield strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 55% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal6
B560 Type III Extruded 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 Extruded 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 Extruded 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 Extruded's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with B560 Type III Extruded
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.
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.
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) | — |
B560 Type III Extruded — frequently asked
What is B560 Type III Extruded used for?
B560 Type III Extruded 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 Extruded?
B560 Type III Extruded has a typical yield strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 55% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is B560 Type III Extruded 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 Extruded 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 Extruded?
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 Extruded 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 Extruded?
B560 Type III Extruded 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.