Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Pb90Sn10-Sn10A
Grade
ASTM B32 Sn10 · GB HLSnPb10-90 · ISO 9453-122
Sn10A = antimony-restricted chemistry (Sb ≤ 0.12 %) per ASTM B32
Pick where antimony is restricted (cryogenic service, zinc/galvanised contact, some medical/food specs).
Values for the Sn10A condition
Other Pb90Sn10 tempers and conditions
Pb90Sn10 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Pb90Sn10.
- Sn10A
- Sn10B
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sn10AThis page Antimony-restricted chemistry (Sb ≤ 0.12 %) per ASTM B32 | Pick where antimony is restricted (cryogenic service, zinc/galvanised contact, some medical/food specs). | 14 | 25 | 28 | 10 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
Antimony-bearing chemistry (Sb 0.20–0.50 %) per ASTM B32 | Pick for slightly higher strength and creep resistance where antimony is permitted. | 17 | 29 | 22 | 12 HB | 8.2 % IACS |
What is Pb90Sn10-Sn10A?
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A is Pb90Sn10 in the Sn10A grade — pick where antimony is restricted (cryogenic service, zinc/galvanised contact, some medical/food specs). Pb90Sn10-Sn10A has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 85% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 22 GPa (3.19 Msi). Pb90Sn10-Sn10A has a density of 10.75 g/cm³ (0.388 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 268°C (514 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 88% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Heavy — 10.75 g/cm³ (0.388 lb/in³), worse than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low strength — 14 MPa (2.03 ksi), worse than 85% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 22 GPa (3.19 Msi), worse than 79% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pb90Sn10-Sn10A; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Pb90Sn10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A has a density of 10.75 g/cm³ (0.388 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 268°C (514 °F).
Mechanical10
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A has a yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 85% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 22 GPa (3.19 Msi).
Thermal6
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 29.5 µm/m·K (16.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, worse than 64% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 82% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pb90Sn10-Sn10A takes about 49 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 60% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Pb90Sn10-Sn10A
Is Pb90Sn10 easy to machine?
Cuts easily but smears badly — use very sharp positive-rake tools, high rake angles, kerosene/soluble oil lubricant and expect poor dimensional stability from creep.
Can Pb90Sn10 be welded?
Not fusion-welded; joints are made by soldering/dipping at 320–360 °C, and the alloy itself is used as a filler for step-soldering ahead of lower-melting Sn-Pb.
Can Pb90Sn10 be formed, bent or molded?
Cast, extruded or cold-rolled with essentially unlimited ductility; work at room temperature since it recrystallises immediately and cannot be work-hardened.
What surface finishes work on Pb90Sn10?
Reflowed surfaces self-dull to a matte grey oxide; clean rosin/RA residues with IPA or saponified wash, avoid acidic cleaners, and never polish or machine dry because of lead-dust exposure limits.
Pb90Sn10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SnASTM B32 / J-STD-006 Sn10 range | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Sb≤0.12 % for the A chemistry; 0.20–0.50 % for the B (antimonial) chemistry | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Bi | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Ag | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| As | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cd | ≤ 0 | — |
| Pbbalance, nominally ~90 % | balance | — |
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A — frequently asked
What is Pb90Sn10-Sn10A used for?
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A is typically used for step soldering in electronics assembly, battery terminal soldering and sealing applications. In short: high-solidus step-solder alloy; lowest tin cost driver; weak, low-temperature service only.
What is the yield strength of Pb90Sn10-Sn10A?
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A has a typical yield strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 85% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Pb90Sn10-Sn10A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 60% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Cuts easily but smears badly — use very sharp positive-rake tools, high rake angles, kerosene/soluble oil lubricant and expect poor dimensional stability from creep.
Can Pb90Sn10-Sn10A be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not fusion-welded; joints are made by soldering/dipping at 320–360 °C, and the alloy itself is used as a filler for step-soldering ahead of lower-melting Sn-Pb.
What surface finishes work on Pb90Sn10-Sn10A?
Reflowed surfaces self-dull to a matte grey oxide; clean rosin/RA residues with IPA or saponified wash, avoid acidic cleaners, and never polish or machine dry because of lead-dust exposure limits.
Can Pb90Sn10-Sn10A be formed, bent or molded?
Cast, extruded or cold-rolled with essentially unlimited ductility; work at room temperature since it recrystallises immediately and cannot be work-hardened.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pb90Sn10-Sn10A?
Pb90Sn10-Sn10A 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 B32 — Standard Specification for Solder Metal — ASTM International (2020)
- J-STD-006 — Requirements for Electronic Grade Solder Alloys and Fluxed/Non-Fluxed Solid Solders — IPC/JEDEC (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 3: Alloy Phase Diagrams / Sn-Pb solder property tables — ASM International (1992)
- NIST Database of Solder Properties with Emphasis on New Lead-Free Solders — NIST/Colorado School of Mines (2002)
- Sn10Pb90 high-temperature solder bar/wire technical data — Kester / AIM / Indium Corporation (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.