Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is a low-antimony to antimony-free lead alloy strengthened by small calcium and tin additions and by ageing, and it is the standard grid alloy for maintenance-free lead-acid batteries.
Reference datasheet — Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy 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.
Values for the CAST-AGED condition
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy tempers and conditions
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. CAST-AGED is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Freshly gravity-cast grids straight off the machine — soft and easily damaged; strength develops only after ageing. | 20 | 38 | 25 | 9 HB | 6.4 % IACS |
Low-tin negative-grid composition (≈0.2–0.4 % Sn, aged) | Cheapest variant for negative grids where tin is not needed to keep the corrosion layer conductive. | 30 | 45 | 15 | 15 HB | 7.4 % IACS |
Rolled strip, as-rolled | Cast slab rolled to grid strip; ductile immediately after rolling, used when grids are expanded straight from the mill. | 32 | 52 | 30 | 14 HB | 6.8 % IACS |
CAST-AGEDDefault Cast + age hardened (natural or 60–100 °C artificial ageing) | The standard supplied condition for gravity-cast SLI and stationary grids: aged to stable Ca/Sn precipitation strength before pasting. | 35 | 55 | 12 | 18 HB | 6.8 % IACS |
High-tin positive-grid composition (≈0.8–1.5 % Sn, aged) | Tin-rich version for positive grids — suppresses the passivating barrier layer (PCL-1) and improves mould filling of thin grids. | 42 | 62 | 10 | 21 HB | 6.2 % IACS |
Silver-bearing variant (0.01–0.04 % Ag, aged) | Silver micro-addition for deep-cycle and high-temperature (under-hood, telecom) positive grids — better creep and grid-growth resistance. | 46 | 66 | 12 | 22 HB | 6.1 % IACS |
Rolled strip + age hardened | Highest-strength commercial condition — rolled wrought structure plus Ca/Sn precipitation; best creep and grid-growth resistance. | 50 | 72 | 22 | 24 HB | 6.8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CC | Continuous cast strip | Surface finish |
Expanded | Expanded-metal grid | Surface finish |
Punched | Punched strip grid | Surface finish |
What is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy?
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is a low-antimony to antimony-free lead alloy strengthened by small calcium and tin additions and by ageing, and it is the standard grid alloy for maintenance-free lead-acid batteries. It is produced as book-mould castings, continuous-cast and rolled strip, and expanded or punched grids, including low-Sn negative, high-Sn positive and Pb-Ca-Sn-Ag variants, with 55 MPa tensile, 35 MPa yield, 12% elongation and 18 HB. Service is limited to about 80 °C, and calcium burns off during remelting and overheated welding. Antimonial lead remains the alternative where the antimony-free chemistry is not required. Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy has a density of 11.28 g/cm³ (0.408 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 318°C (604 °F). Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 16 GPa (2.32 Msi).
What is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy used for?
- Maintenance-free battery grids
- VRLA battery plates
- Continuous-cast grid strip
- Expanded-metal negative grids
- Punched positive grids
- Cast-on-strap battery connectors
- Battery terminal posts
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Readily welded — 60/100, better than 92% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- High strength — 35 MPa (5.08 ksi), better than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 55/100, better than 78% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 11.28 g/cm³ (0.408 lb/in³), worse than 94% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 16 GPa (2.32 Msi), worse than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 80°C (176 °F), worse than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy-CAST-AGED; bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy has a density of 11.28 g/cm³ (0.408 lb/in³), heavier than 94% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 318°C (604 °F).
Mechanical13
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 16 GPa (2.32 Msi).
Thermal6
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 29 µm/m·K (16.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy conducts electricity at 6.8 % IACS, worse than 80% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), better than 78% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy takes about 22 MJ of energy and emits 1.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 69% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy
Is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy easy to machine?
Machines very easily but smears and loads tools — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed, light cuts, and full lead-dust/fume containment.
Can Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy be welded?
Joined by lead burning (oxy-fuel or TIG with matching Pb-Sn filler) and by cast-on-strap; avoid excessive heat which burns off calcium.
Can Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy be formed, bent or molded?
Book-mould gravity casting, drum/belt continuous casting, or rolling to strip followed by expanding or punching; grids must be aged before pasting to avoid handling damage.
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Caage-hardening addition; ~0.06–0.08 % typical for positive grids | 0.06 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Snlow end for negative grids, 0.8–1.5 % for positive/expanded grids | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Almelt-surface protection against Ca oxidation loss | 0.01 – 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Agoptional, creep/high-temperature variant only | 0 – 0.04 | 0 |
| Sbimpurity limit — antimony causes gassing/water loss | ≤ 0 | |
| Biimpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0 | |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Pb | balance |
What surface finishes work on Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy?
No plating or anodizing — service protection is the electrochemically formed PbSO4/PbO2 layer; keep surfaces oxide-free before pasting and strap welding.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Pb-Ca-Sn
How much does Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy cost?
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is a standard-cost solder & low-melting alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy — frequently asked
What is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy used for?
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is typically used for maintenance-free battery grids, VRLA battery plates, continuous-cast grid strip, expanded-metal negative grids, punched positive grids and cast-on-strap battery connectors. In short: antimony-free grid alloy; age-hardening lead alloy; standard for maintenance-free batteries.
What is the yield strength of Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy?
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy has a typical yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — stronger than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 69% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Machines very easily but smears and loads tools — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed, light cuts, and full lead-dust/fume containment.
Can Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Joined by lead burning (oxy-fuel or TIG with matching Pb-Sn filler) and by cast-on-strap; avoid excessive heat which burns off calcium.
What surface finishes work on Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy?
No plating or anodizing — service protection is the electrochemically formed PbSO4/PbO2 layer; keep surfaces oxide-free before pasting and strap welding.
Can Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy be formed, bent or molded?
Book-mould gravity casting, drum/belt continuous casting, or rolling to strip followed by expanding or punching; grids must be aged before pasting to avoid handling damage.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy?
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy 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.
What is the difference between Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy CAST-AGED and Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy-F?
CAST-AGED is the default condition — the standard supplied condition for gravity-cast SLI and stationary grids: aged to stable Ca/Sn precipitation strength before pasting. F: freshly gravity-cast grids straight off the machine — soft and easily damaged; strength develops only after ageing. Yield strength is 35 MPa in CAST-AGED versus 20 MPa in F.
How much does Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy cost?
Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is a standard-cost solder & low-melting alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 B29 — Refined Lead — ASTM International (2020)
- GB/T 469 (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Lead and Lead Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Lead-Acid Batteries: Science and Technology (grid alloy chapters) — Elsevier (2011)
- Lead grid alloy ingot and strip datasheets (secondary lead smelters) — various (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.