Solder & Low-Melting Alloy In100 6N
Heat-treated state
Only where trace metals must be <1 ppm: epitaxial III-V precursors, research crystals.
Values for the 6N 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6NThis page ultra-high-purity | Only where trace metals must be <1 ppm: epitaxial III-V precursors, research crystals. | 0.65 | 2 | 55 | — | 21.2 % IACS |
high-purity ingot / shot | Semiconductor-grade purity for compound-semiconductor (InP/InSb) and sputtering-target feedstock. | 0.7 | 2 | 50 | — | 21 % IACS |
refined ingot | Pick when Pb/Cd/Tl impurities must be lower, e.g. ITO feedstock and electronics solders. | 0.75 | 2 | 45 | 1 HV | 20.8 % IACS |
What is In100 6N?
In100 6N is In100 heat treated to 6N — only where trace metals must be <1 ppm: epitaxial III-V precursors, research crystals. In100 6N has a yield strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) — weaker than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi). In100 6N 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 — 83.7 W/m·K (48.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 21.2 % IACS, better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Readily welded — 83/100, better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 96% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Lightweight — 7.31 g/cm³ (0.264 lb/in³), better than 90% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 0.65 MPa (0.0943 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 — 13/100, 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 6N properties
Typical room-temperature values for In100 6N; 13 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 6N 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).
Mechanical9
In100 6N has a yield strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) — weaker than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
Thermal6
In100 6N is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 83.7 W/m·K (48.4 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).
Electrical3
In100 6N conducts electricity at 21.2 % IACS, better than 101% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (48/100), better than 68% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of In100 6N 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%.
Manufacturability7
In100 6N's machinability is not recommended (13/100, worse than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability very good (83/100); formability excellent (99/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with In100 6N
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Pb | ≤ 0 | 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Sn | ≤ 0 | 3×10⁻⁴ |
| Cd | ≤ 0 | 2×10⁻⁴ |
| Zn | ≤ 0 | 2×10⁻⁴ |
| Cu | ≤ 0 | 2×10⁻⁴ |
| Fe | ≤ 0 | 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Tl | ≤ 0 | 2×10⁻⁴ |
| Al | ≤ 0 | 2×10⁻⁴ |
| As | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | 1×10⁻⁴ |
| In4N grade per GB/T 1473 / ASTM B584-class refined indium | ≥ 99.99 (balance) | — |
In100 6N — frequently asked
What is In100 6N used for?
In100 6N 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 6N?
In100 6N has a typical yield strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.29 ksi) — weaker than 100% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is In100 6N easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (13/100, 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 6N be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (83/100). 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 6N?
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 6N 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 6N?
In100 6N 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
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (indium and indium alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th ed. — physical properties of the elements — CRC Press (2016)
- GB/T 1473 (Indium ingot) — SAC / (2021)
- Indium metal, foil, wire and preform technical data — Indium Corporation (2023)
- 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.