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Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged

Precip hard

Highest-strength commercial condition — rolled wrought structure plus Ca/Sn precipitation; best creep and grid-growth resistance.

Standard cost $$

Values for the Rolled-Aged condition

Other Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy tempers and conditions

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
As fabricated
Freshly gravity-cast grids straight off the machine — soft and easily damaged; strength develops only after ageing.2038259 HB6.4 % 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.30451515 HB7.4 % IACS
Rolled strip, as-rolled
Cast slab rolled to grid strip; ductile immediately after rolling, used when grids are expanded straight from the mill.32523014 HB6.8 % 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.35551218 HB6.8 % 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.42621021 HB6.2 % 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.46661222 HB6.1 % IACS
Rolled-AgedThis page
Rolled strip + age hardened
Highest-strength commercial condition — rolled wrought structure plus Ca/Sn precipitation; best creep and grid-growth resistance.50722224 HB6.8 % IACS

What is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged?

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy in the Rolled-Aged condition — highest-strength commercial condition — rolled wrought structure plus Ca/Sn precipitation; best creep and grid-growth resistance. Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — stronger than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 16 GPa (2.32 Msi). Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged 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). CAST-AGED is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Rolled-Aged is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 50 MPa (7.25 ksi), better than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • 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
  • Good corrosion resistance — 56/100, better than 85% 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
  • Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Limited service temperature — 85°C (185 °F), worse than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
  • Limited ductility — 22%, worse than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged properties

Typical room-temperature values for Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Physical3

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged 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).

Density11.28 g/cm³0.41 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)318°C604 °F
Liquidus Temperature327°C621 °F

Mechanical13

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — stronger than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 16 GPa (2.32 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus16 GPa2.3 Msi
Shear Modulus5.6 GPa0.81 Msi
Bulk Modulus45 GPa6.5 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.44
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)72 MPa10.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)50 MPa7.3 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area35%
Compressive Strength68 MPa9.9 ksi
Shear Strength45 MPa6.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)15 MPa2.2 ksi
Hardness, Brinell24 HB
Hardness, Vickers25 HV

Thermal6

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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).

Thermal Conductivity33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity130 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)29 µm/m·K16.1 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion23 J/g9.9 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)85°C185 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged conducts electricity at 6.8 % IACS, worse than 80% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity6.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (56/100), better than 85% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.55 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood56/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryOutstanding in sulfuric acid (protective PbSO4/PbO2 film) and in most sulfates and phosphoric acid; attacked by nitric, acetic and other organic acids, nitrates, and by soft/distilled water; toxic — restricted for potable-water and food contact.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)22 MJ/kg9,458 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content85%

Manufacturability8

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged's machinability is fair (48/100, better than 73% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (70/100).

MachinabilityFair48/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)58%
WeldabilityGood60/100
Formability (cold)Very good70/100
CastabilityExcellent85/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityExcellent90/100
PolishabilityPoor20/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — not an anodizable metal; surface protection is the in-service PbSO4/PbO2 film

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

Working with Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Caage-hardening addition; ~0.06–0.08 % typical for positive grids0.06 – 0.120.09
Snlow end for negative grids, 0.8–1.5 % for positive/expanded grids0.3 – 1.50.8
Almelt-surface protection against Ca oxidation loss0.01 – 0.030.02
Agoptional, creep/high-temperature variant only0 – 0.040
Sbimpurity limit — antimony causes gassing/water loss≤ 0—
Biimpurity limit≤ 0.03—
Feimpurity limit≤ 0—
Cuimpurity limit≤ 0.01—
Pbbalance—

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged — frequently asked

What is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged used for?

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged 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 Rolled-Aged?

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) — stronger than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, better than 73% 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 Rolled-Aged 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 Rolled-Aged?

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 Rolled-Aged 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 Rolled-Aged?

Pb-Ca-Sn Battery Grid Alloy Rolled-Aged is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °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.

Sources

  1. ASTM B29 — Refined Lead — ASTM International (2020)
  2. GB/T 469 (2018)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Lead and Lead Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
  4. Lead-Acid Batteries: Science and Technology (grid alloy chapters) — Elsevier (2011)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.