Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn40Pb60
ASTM Sn40 · JIS H40A · GB HLSnPb40-60
Sn40Pb60 (H40A, HLSnPb40-60) is a lead-rich Sn-Pb solder with a wide 183–238 °C pasty range, historically the standard automotive body solder and wiping alloy.
Reference datasheet — Sn40Pb60 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.
Sn40Pb60 tempers and conditions
Sn40Pb60 is supplied in one standard condition, SN40B.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Sn40Pb60 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
BARDefault | Bar / Ingot (as-cast) | Supply form |
FOIL | Foil / ribbon / stamped preform | Supply form |
WIRE | Solid wire | Supply form |
WIRE-RC | Flux-cored wire | Supply form |
PASTE | Solder paste | Printing process |
What is Sn40Pb60?
Sn40Pb60 (H40A, HLSnPb40-60) is a lead-rich Sn-Pb solder with a wide 183–238 °C pasty range, historically the standard automotive body solder and wiping alloy. The long plastic stage lets it be paddled and shaped while semi-molten, and it is supplied as bar, solid and rosin-cored wire, foil and paste. It is soft and weak (38 MPa tensile, 22 MPa yield, 55 % elongation, 12 HB) with service limited to about 100 °C, and the lead content bars it from RoHS, potable-water and food-contact use. Sn50Pb50 is the nearest alternative for wiping, SAC solders where lead-free is required. Sn40Pb60 has a density of 9.29 g/cm³ (0.336 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 183°C (361 °F). Sn40Pb60 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) — weaker than 70% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 25 GPa (3.63 Msi).
What is Sn40Pb60 used for?
- automotive body filler solder
- wiped plumbing joints
- general metal joining
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 96% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Sn40Pb60 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
Sn40Pb60 has a density of 9.29 g/cm³ (0.336 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 183°C (361 °F).
Mechanical12
Sn40Pb60 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) — weaker than 70% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 25 GPa (3.63 Msi).
Thermal6
Sn40Pb60 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 24.5 µm/m·K (13.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Sn40Pb60 conducts electricity at 10.1 % IACS, better than 57% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 52% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Sn40Pb60 takes about 115 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability6
Sn40Pb60's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 58% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); formability excellent (95/100).
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. Sn40Pb60 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Sn40Pb60
Is Sn40Pb60 easy to machine?
Extremely soft and prone to smearing on the tool — use sharp, large positive-rake tools, low speed and generous lubricant. Parts are normally cast, extruded or scraped to shape rather than cut.
Can Sn40Pb60 be welded?
Not fusion welded; the alloy is itself the filler. Join with iron, wave or dip soldering using activated rosin or organic-acid flux — it wets copper, brass and tin-plated steel, while aluminium requires a dedicated flux.
Can Sn40Pb60 be formed, bent or molded?
The wide 183–238 °C pasty region allows the alloy to be paddled and smoothed with a wooden float in the semi-molten state; at room temperature it extrudes into wire and rolls into foil with little effort.
Sn40Pb60 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 Sn40 / GB/T 3131 HLSnPb40-60 | 39.5 – 40.5 | 40 |
| SbSn40A grade; Sn40B grade is 1.8–2.4% | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Bi | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Ag | ≤ 0.02 | |
| As | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cd | ≤ 0 | |
| Pbbalance, about 59.5–60.5% | balance |
What surface finishes work on Sn40Pb60?
Flux residues must be removed after soldering (IPA or water wash) to prevent corrosion. The surface can be painted or tin-lead plated for appearance; polishing gains little, and lead-bearing dust requires respiratory protection.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Sn40Pb60 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- Sn40
- GB (China)
- HLSnPb40-60
- JIS
- H40A
How much does Sn40Pb60 cost?
Sn40Pb60 is a high-cost solder & low-melting alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sn40Pb60 — frequently asked
What is Sn40Pb60 used for?
Sn40Pb60 is typically used for automotive body filler solder, wiped plumbing joints and general metal joining. In short: lead-rich body solder; very wide pasty range; shaped while semi-molten.
What is the yield strength of Sn40Pb60?
Sn40Pb60 has a typical yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) — weaker than 70% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Is Sn40Pb60 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 58% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Extremely soft and prone to smearing on the tool — use sharp, large positive-rake tools, low speed and generous lubricant. Parts are normally cast, extruded or scraped to shape rather than cut.
Can Sn40Pb60 be welded?
Not fusion welded; the alloy is itself the filler. Join with iron, wave or dip soldering using activated rosin or organic-acid flux — it wets copper, brass and tin-plated steel, while aluminium requires a dedicated flux.
What surface finishes work on Sn40Pb60?
Flux residues must be removed after soldering (IPA or water wash) to prevent corrosion. The surface can be painted or tin-lead plated for appearance; polishing gains little, and lead-bearing dust requires respiratory protection.
Can Sn40Pb60 be formed, bent or molded?
The wide 183–238 °C pasty region allows the alloy to be paddled and smoothed with a wooden float in the semi-molten state; at room temperature it extrudes into wire and rolls into foil with little effort.
What is the maximum service temperature of Sn40Pb60?
Sn40Pb60 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.
How much does Sn40Pb60 cost?
Sn40Pb60 is a high-cost solder & low-melting alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 B32 Standard Specification for Solder Metal — ASTM International (2020)
- J-STD-006 Requirements for Electronic Grade Solder Alloys — IPC/JEDEC (2013)
- GB/T 3131 (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.3 Alloy Phase Diagrams / Vol.6 Welding, Brazing and Soldering — Solder Alloy Properties — ASM International (1993)
- Properties of Tin-Lead Solder Alloys, NIST/ITRI compilations — NIST / International Tin Research Institute (2002)
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.