Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Rose's Metal Cast
Grade
Cast = as cast
Poured in place as tube-bending filler, lens-blocking alloy or workholding chuck; remelted after use.
Values for the Cast condition
What is Rose's Metal Cast?
Rose's Metal Cast is Rose's Metal in the Cast grade — poured in place as tube-bending filler, lens-blocking alloy or workholding chuck; remelted after use. Rose's Metal Cast has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 25 GPa (3.63 Msi). Rose's Metal Cast has a density of 9.7 g/cm³ (0.35 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 98°C (208 °F).
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 99% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Poor heat conductor — 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 45°C (113 °F), worse than 94% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Limited ductility — 25%, worse than 76% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Rose's Metal Cast properties
Typical room-temperature values for Rose's Metal Cast; 4 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Rose's Metal reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
Rose's Metal Cast has a density of 9.7 g/cm³ (0.35 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 98°C (208 °F).
Mechanical10
Rose's Metal Cast has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 25 GPa (3.63 Msi).
Thermal6
Rose's Metal Cast is rated for continuous service to 45°C (113 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 20 µm/m·K (11.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Rose's Metal Cast conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 99% 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 Rose's Metal Cast takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — less than 65% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
Rose's Metal Cast's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 60% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Rose's Metal Cast
Is Rose's Metal easy to machine?
Cuts easily but smears and loads tools — use very sharp high-rake tools, high speed, light cuts and coolant/chilling to avoid frictional melting.
Can Rose's Metal be welded?
Not welded; joints are made by remelting or by soldering with the alloy itself — the melt pot must stay below ~200 °C to limit oxidation and lead fume.
Can Rose's Metal be formed, bent or molded?
Gravity casts into steel, silicone or plaster molds with near-zero shrinkage; melts in a hot-water or low-temperature pot and can be extruded to wire at room temperature.
What surface finishes work on Rose's Metal?
Too soft for polishing or plating; surfaces dull quickly to a grey oxide — leave as-cast, and handle as a lead-bearing material (RoHS-restricted, no food or potable-water contact).
Rose's Metal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Biprincipal fusible constituent | 48 – 52 | 50 |
| Pb | 25 – 28 | 25 |
| Snbalance in most commercial mixes | 22 – 25 | 25 |
| Cdnot intentionally added; Rose's metal is cadmium-free | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Other impurities (Sb, Cu, Fe, Zn, As)total, typical commercial purity | ≤ 0.5 |
Rose's Metal Cast — frequently asked
What is Rose's Metal Cast used for?
Rose's Metal Cast is typically used for fusible safety plugs, low-temperature soldering and historical metallurgical demonstrations. In short: 98 °C fusible alloy; lead-bearing legacy grade; near-zero casting shrinkage.
What is the yield strength of Rose's Metal Cast?
Rose's Metal Cast has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Is Rose's Metal Cast easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 60% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Cuts easily but smears and loads tools — use very sharp high-rake tools, high speed, light cuts and coolant/chilling to avoid frictional melting.
Can Rose's Metal Cast be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not welded; joints are made by remelting or by soldering with the alloy itself — the melt pot must stay below ~200 °C to limit oxidation and lead fume.
What surface finishes work on Rose's Metal Cast?
Too soft for polishing or plating; surfaces dull quickly to a grey oxide — leave as-cast, and handle as a lead-bearing material (RoHS-restricted, no food or potable-water contact).
Can Rose's Metal Cast be formed, bent or molded?
Gravity casts into steel, silicone or plaster molds with near-zero shrinkage; melts in a hot-water or low-temperature pot and can be extruded to wire at room temperature.
What is the maximum service temperature of Rose's Metal Cast?
Rose's Metal Cast is rated for continuous use to about 45°C (113 °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 (Low-Melting/Fusible Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Lead, Tin and Their Alloys — solder and fusible alloy data — ASM International (1994)
- Low-melting-point fusible alloy series datasheets (Bi-Pb-Sn, 95–120 °C) — specialty fusible alloy producers (2023)
- GB/T 3131 / ASTM B32 — solder metal composition and impurity limits (reference for Sn-Pb-Bi melts) — SAC / ASTM (2020)
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.