Solder SAC305 vs. Steel AISI 1045

Compare Solder SAC305 vs. Steel AISI 1045 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	22MPasourcetypical	531MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Ultimate tensile strength	39.6MPasourcetypical	627MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Elongation at break	49%sourcetypical	12%sourcein 2 in (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	6.9GPasourcetypical, temperature and strain rate not stated	210GPasourcetypical
Density	7,350kg/m³sourcetypical	7,800kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	2.99kN·m/kg	68.1kN·m/kg22.7x higher
Stiffness to weight	0.939MN·m/kg	26.9MN·m/kg28.7x higher
Poisson's ratio	0.35sourcetypical	0.3sourcetypical
Shear modulus	2.56GPa	80.8GPa31.6x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	7.67GPa	175GPa
Speed of sound	969m/s	5,189m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	61W/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature not stated	40–45W/m·Ksourcetypical range, ambient
Thermal expansion	21.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-100 °C (MacDermid Alpha)	12µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	110µm growth	60µm growth1.82x less
Specific heat	232J/kg·Ksourcetypical (MacDermid Alpha)	460–480J/kg·Ksourcetypical range, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	35.8mm²/s3.09x faster	11.6mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	5,773W/m	6,269W/m9% more resistant
Melting point	217–220°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	not sourced
Values for	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).	AISI 1045 cold drawn bar (Niagara LaSalle) for mechanical; Ovako C45 (lists 'SAE 1045' as a similar designation) for physical constants

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 AISI 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 is stronger: its yield strength is 531 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (24.1x).

Which is lighter, Solder SAC305 or Steel AISI 1045?

Solder SAC305 is lighter: 7,350 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 1045.

Which is stiffer, Solder SAC305 or Steel AISI 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 is stiffer: Young's modulus 210 GPa against 6.9 GPa for Solder SAC305, so the same part in Steel AISI 1045 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Solder SAC305 or Steel AISI 1045?

For the same stiffness or strength: Steel AISI 1045 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 AISI 1045
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	28.7x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	5.2x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	2.94x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	22.7x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	7.87x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	4.63x 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 AISI 1045?

Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 42.5 W/m·K for Steel AISI 1045.

Which expands less with temperature?

Steel AISI 1045 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 21.9 µm/m·K for Solder SAC305.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density