SAC305 (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).
Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (17.5x).
Which is lighter, Solder SAC305 or Steel?
Solder SAC305 is lighter: 7,350 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, Solder SAC305 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 6.9 GPa for Solder SAC305, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Solder SAC305 or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: Steel 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 be
Solder SAC305
Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
27.1x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
5.04x heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
2.88x heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
16.4x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
6.31x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
3.92x heavier
lighter
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 Steel?
Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 21.9 µm/m·K for Solder SAC305.