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Solder SAC305 vs. Stainless Steel 304

Compare Solder SAC305 vs. Stainless Steel 304 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Solder SAC305Cast
Stainless Steel 304Wrought
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Mechanical
Yield strength22MPasourcetypical241MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C)
Ultimate tensile strength39.6MPasourcetypical586MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C)
Elongation at break49%sourcetypical55%sourcetypical, annealed, in 2 in. (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)6.9GPasourcetypical, temperature and strain rate not stated193GPasourcetypical, in tension
Density7,350kg/m³sourcetypical8,030kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight2.99kN·m/kg30kN·m/kg10x higher
Stiffness to weight0.939MN·m/kg24MN·m/kg25.6x higher
Poisson's ratio0.35sourcetypical0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels)
Shear modulus2.56GPa74.2GPa29x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus7.67GPa161GPa
Speed of sound969m/s4,903m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity61W/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature not stated16.2W/m·Ksourceat 100 °C
Thermal expansion21.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-100 °C (MacDermid Alpha)16.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing110µm growth84.5µm growth30% less
Specific heat232J/kg·Ksourcetypical (MacDermid Alpha)500J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)35.8mm²/s8.87x faster4.03mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance5,773W/m6.89x more resistant838W/m
Melting point217–220°Csourcesolidus-liquidus1,399–1,454°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperaturenot sourced899°Csourcecontinuous, oxidation (scaling) limit in air
Values forSAC305 (Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5) solder alloy, bulk; Indium Corporation Indalloy 256 (SAC305) for Preforms product data sheet (Form No. 100346 R0, 2024), selected properties, test temperature not stated; expansion and specific heat from MacDermid Alpha VACULOY SAC TDS (06 September 2023).Type 304, annealed flat-rolled (Cleveland-Cliffs 304/304L Product Data Bulletin, May 2021); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

Questions

Is Solder SAC305 stronger than Stainless Steel 304?

Stainless Steel 304 is stronger: its yield strength is 241 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (11x).

Which is lighter, Solder SAC305 or Stainless Steel 304?

Solder SAC305 is lighter: 7,350 kg/m³ against 8,030 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 304.

Which is stiffer, Solder SAC305 or Stainless Steel 304?

Stainless Steel 304 is stiffer: Young's modulus 193 GPa against 6.9 GPa for Solder SAC305, so the same part in Stainless Steel 304 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Solder SAC305 or Stainless Steel 304?

For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless Steel 304 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beSolder SAC305Stainless Steel 304
Stiff rod or tie (tension)25.6x heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)4.84x heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plate2.78x heavierlighter
Strong rod or tie10x heavierlighter
Strong beam4.51x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate3.03x heavierlighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Solder SAC305 or Stainless Steel 304?

Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 304.

Which expands less with temperature?

Stainless Steel 304 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 21.9 µm/m·K for Solder SAC305.

Among 72 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DPlastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Solder SAC305Stainless Steel 304
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DPlastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Solder SAC305Stainless Steel 304
Strength against density

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