Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)
Terne Metal is a lead-tin low-melting alloy, nominally 80% Pb / 20% Sn, historically hot-dip applied to steel sheet to produce "terne plate".
Reference datasheet — Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) 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.
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) tempers and conditions
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As cast | Pick for cast weights, seals, linings or laboratory anodes where only bulk shape and corrosion resistance matter. | 16 | 30 | 30 | 10 HB | 8.7 % IACS |
Rolled Sheet / Foil | Choose rolled sheet or foil for cladding, gaskets and radiation/sound damping; work hardening is lost by room-temperature recrystallization. | 20 | 35 | 45 | 10 HB | 8.7 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
IngotDefault | Ingot / Pig | Supply form |
HOTDIP | Hot-Dip Terne Coating on steel sheet | Surface finish |
SOLDER-Sn20 | Solder wire/bar | Supply option |
What is Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Terne Metal is a lead-tin low-melting alloy, nominally 80% Pb / 20% Sn, historically hot-dip applied to steel sheet to produce "terne plate". Engineers used it as a corrosion-resistant coating for roofing and fuel tanks, and it is held as ingot, cast, rolled, hot-dip and Sn20 solder stock. Strength is minimal at 32 MPa tensile, 18 MPa yield and 11 HB with service limited to about 100 °C, and the lead content brings RoHS/REACH restrictions and workplace hygiene controls. Tin-based solders and Zn-Al or aluminized coated steel are the modern substitutes. Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) has a density of 10.2 g/cm³ (0.368 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 183°C (361 °F). Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) — weaker than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 23 GPa (3.34 Msi).
What is Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) used for?
- Terne-coated roofing sheet
- Fuel tank coating
- Gasketing stock
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 58/100, better than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Readily welded — 30/100, better than 83% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low embodied carbon — 4.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 76% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 10.2 g/cm³ (0.368 lb/in³), worse than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 23 GPa (3.34 Msi), worse than 75% of solder & low-melting alloy grades
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Physical3
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) has a density of 10.2 g/cm³ (0.368 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. It melts at 183°C (361 °F).
Mechanical10
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) — weaker than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 23 GPa (3.34 Msi).
Thermal6
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 57% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 26.5 µm/m·K (14.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) conducts electricity at 8.7 % IACS, worse than 59% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 86% of solder & low-melting alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) takes about 66 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability6
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)'s machinability is fair (45/100, better than 69% of solder & low-melting alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability excellent (90/100).
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. Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)
Is Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) easy to machine?
Cuts with almost no force but smears badly — use sharp high-rake tools, high speed, light feed and wax/soap lubricant; capture chips and dust for lead hygiene control.
Can Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) be welded?
Not fusion welded in the normal sense; joined by soldering, wiping or lead burning with an oxy-fuel torch and matching filler.
Can Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) be formed, bent or molded?
Extremely formable — bends, spins, roll-forms and deep-draws cold, but recrystallizes at room temperature so it cannot be work-hardened or spring-back tuned.
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Snhistorical terne ranged 8–25 % Sn; ASTM B32 Sn20 basis | 19.5 – 20.5 | 20 |
| Sbmax 0.20 for low-antimony Sn20A | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Bi | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.02 | |
| As | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cd | ≤ 0 | |
| Pbbalance, nominally 80 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Self-passivating dull grey oxide; usually left as-dipped or painted after phosphate/wash-primer treatment — do not anodize or use for potable-water or food-contact surfaces.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Solder & Low-Melting Alloy Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Terne Metal
How much does Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) cost?
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) 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.
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) — frequently asked
What is Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) used for?
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) is typically used for terne-coated roofing sheet, fuel tank coating and gasketing stock. In short: historic terne-plate coating; very low melting point; lead-restricted legacy alloy.
What is the yield strength of Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) — weaker than 77% of solder & low-melting alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 69% of solder & low-melting alloy grades). Cuts with almost no force but smears badly — use sharp high-rake tools, high speed, light feed and wax/soap lubricant; capture chips and dust for lead hygiene control.
Can Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Not fusion welded in the normal sense; joined by soldering, wiping or lead burning with an oxy-fuel torch and matching filler.
What surface finishes work on Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Self-passivating dull grey oxide; usually left as-dipped or painted after phosphate/wash-primer treatment — do not anodize or use for potable-water or food-contact surfaces.
Can Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) be formed, bent or molded?
Extremely formable — bends, spins, roll-forms and deep-draws cold, but recrystallizes at room temperature so it cannot be work-hardened or spring-back tuned.
What is the maximum service temperature of Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn)?
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) 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 Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) cost?
Terne Metal (80Pb-20Sn) 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 (alloy Sn20) — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM A308 Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Terne (Lead-Tin Alloy) Coated by the Hot-Dip Process — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (Lead and Lead Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 3: Alloy Phase Diagrams (Pb-Sn system) — ASM International (1992)
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.