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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy In100 4N5

Grade

Pick when Pb/Cd/Tl impurities must be lower, e.g. ITO feedstock and electronics solders.

High cost $$$$

Values for the 4N5 condition

Other In100 tempers and conditions

In100 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at In100.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ultra-high-purity
Only where trace metals must be <1 ppm: epitaxial III-V precursors, research crystals.0.65255—21.2 % IACS
high-purity ingot / shot
Semiconductor-grade purity for compound-semiconductor (InP/InSb) and sputtering-target feedstock.0.7250—21 % IACS
4N5This page
refined ingot
Pick when Pb/Cd/Tl impurities must be lower, e.g. ITO feedstock and electronics solders.0.752451 HV20.8 % IACS

What is In100 4N5?

In100 4N5 is In100 in the 4N5 grade — pick when Pb/Cd/Tl impurities must be lower, e.g. ITO feedstock and electronics solders. In100 4N5 has a yield strength of 0.75 MPa (0.109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.348 ksi) — weaker than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi). In100 4N5 has a density of 7.31 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 157°C (314 °F).

Advantages

  • Conducts heat well — 82 W/m·K (47.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 20.8 % IACS, better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Readily welded — 80/100, better than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Lightweight — 7.31 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), better than 90% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 84% of solder & low-melting alloy grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 0.75 MPa (0.109 ksi), worse than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Hard to polish — 10/100, worse than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • High embodied carbon — 102 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Low stiffness — 11 GPa (1.6 Msi), worse than 96% of solder & low-melting alloy grades

In100 4N5 properties

Typical room-temperature values for In100 4N5; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are In100 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Physical3

In100 4N5 has a density of 7.31 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 157°C (314 °F).

Density7.31 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)157°C314 °F
Liquidus Temperature157°C314 °F

Mechanical9

In100 4N5 has a yield strength of 0.75 MPa (0.109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.348 ksi) — weaker than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus11 GPa1.6 Msi
Shear Modulus3.7 GPa0.54 Msi
Bulk Modulus41 GPa5.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.45
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2 MPa0.35 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)0.75 MPa0.11 ksi
Elongation at Break45%
Shear Strength3 MPa0.42 ksi
Hardness, Brinell1 HB

Thermal6

In100 4N5 is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 82 W/m·K (47.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 32.1 µm/m·K (17.8 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity82 W/m·K47.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity233 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)32.1 µm/m·K17.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion29 J/g12.3 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)80°C176 °F
Min Service Temperature-269°C-452 °F

Electrical3

In100 4N5 conducts electricity at 20.8 % IACS, better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity20.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity8.29×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.26 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic (diamagnetic; superconducting below 3.4 K)

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 SummaryStable in dry air and water, forms only a thin oxide; resists alkalis and most organics. Dissolved by mineral acids (HCl, HNO₃), attacked by halogens and by molten alkali; amalgamates/alloys readily with Hg, Ga and Sn.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of In100 4N5 takes about 1,720 MJ of energy and emits 102 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)1,720 MJ/kg739,468 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)102 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water2,500 L/kg300 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

In100 4N5's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability excellent (98/100).

MachinabilityPoor15/100
WeldabilityVery good80/100
Formability (cold)Excellent98/100
CastabilityExcellent90/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent98/100
PolishabilityNot recommended10/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — not an anodizable metal; native oxide is very thin and self-limiting

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

Working with In100 4N5

Is In100 easy to machine?

Effectively unmachinable by conventional cutting — it smears and loads tools; shear, die-cut or stamp foil, or turn chilled (dry ice/LN₂) with razor-sharp tooling.

Can In100 be welded?

Not fusion welded; joins by cold pressure welding, ultrasonic bonding or simple remelting above 157 °C — indium itself is the filler.

Can In100 be formed, bent or molded?

Rolls, extrudes and coins cold to almost any reduction without intermediate anneals since it recrystallizes at room temperature; keep handling clean and glove-only to avoid embedding particles.

What surface finishes work on In100?

No plating or anodizing practice; degrease and lightly abrade or acid-dip (dilute HCl) immediately before soldering to remove the oxide, and store sealed to limit tarnish and cold-flow deformation.

In100 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
Pb≤ 05×10⁻⁴
Sn≤ 03×10⁻⁴
Cd≤ 02×10⁻⁴
Zn≤ 02×10⁻⁴
Cu≤ 02×10⁻⁴
Fe≤ 05×10⁻⁴
Tl≤ 02×10⁻⁴
Al≤ 02×10⁻⁴
As≤ 5×10⁻⁴1×10⁻⁴
In4N grade per GB/T 1473 / ASTM B584-class refined indium≥ 99.99 (balance)—

In100 4N5 — frequently asked

What is In100 4N5 used for?

In100 4N5 is typically used for cryogenic vacuum seals, semiconductor die bonding, optical window sealing and thermal interface material. In short: softest metal in family; reusable cryogenic seal material; highest thermal conductivity here.

What is the yield strength of In100 4N5?

In100 4N5 has a typical yield strength of 0.75 MPa (0.109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.348 ksi) — weaker than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is In100 4N5 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Effectively unmachinable by conventional cutting — it smears and loads tools; shear, die-cut or stamp foil, or turn chilled (dry ice/LN₂) with razor-sharp tooling.

Can In100 4N5 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Not fusion welded; joins by cold pressure welding, ultrasonic bonding or simple remelting above 157 °C — indium itself is the filler.

What surface finishes work on In100 4N5?

No plating or anodizing practice; degrease and lightly abrade or acid-dip (dilute HCl) immediately before soldering to remove the oxide, and store sealed to limit tarnish and cold-flow deformation.

Can In100 4N5 be formed, bent or molded?

Rolls, extrudes and coins cold to almost any reduction without intermediate anneals since it recrystallizes at room temperature; keep handling clean and glove-only to avoid embedding particles.

What is the maximum service temperature of In100 4N5?

In100 4N5 is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (indium and indium alloys) — ASM International (1990)
  2. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th ed. — physical properties of the elements — CRC Press (2016)
  3. GB/T 1473 (Indium ingot) — SAC / (2021)
  4. Indium metal, foil, wire and preform technical data — Indium Corporation (2023)
  5. Life-cycle inventory / cumulative energy demand of 63 metals — Nuss & Eckelman, PLoS ONE (2014)

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.