---
title: "Tin-lead solder (60/40) — density, melting point and propertie"
description: "Tin-lead solder (60/40) has a density of 8,520 kg/m³. Melting point, strength, conductivity, what it is used for, and whether it floats, rusts or is magnetic."
url: https://atoneplace.net/material/solder-60-40/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Tin-lead solder (60/40)

**Density of tin-lead solder (60/40): 8,520 kg/m³**

8.52 g/cm³ · 531.9 lb/ft³

The classic 60% tin, 40% lead alloy, which starts melting at 183 °C and is fully liquid by 190 °C — a mushy zone of only 7 °C, narrow enough to behave almost like the true eutectic 63/37. That narrow range is why it makes shiny, reliable joints and why experienced hands still prefer it for rework. Lead-free replacements melt 35 °C hotter and look dull even when perfect, which trips up people used to judging joints by shine.

## Properties

- **Density:** 8,520 kg/m³ — 8.52 g/cm³
- **Melting range:** 183–190 °C
- **Tensile strength:** 40–55 MPa
- **Young's modulus:** 30 GPa
- **Thermal conductivity:** 50 W/(m·K)
- **Thermal expansion:** 24 µm/(m·K)
- **Floats in water:** No
- **Magnetic:** No

## What it is used for

- Hand soldering of electronics
- Repair and rework of older boards
- Stained glass leading
- Plumbing joints (historically, now banned for potable water)

## How it compares

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a shorter bar than water floats in it.*

- air: 1.2 kg/m³
- expanded polystyrene foam: 20 kg/m³
- rigid polyurethane foam: 40 kg/m³
- Water — the float line: 1,000 kg/m³
- tin-lead solder (60/40): 8,520 kg/m³
- tungsten: 19,250 kg/m³
- gold: 19,300 kg/m³
- platinum: 21,450 kg/m³

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything below that floats.*

| Material | Density | Relative to water |
| --- | --- | --- |
| rigid polyurethane foam | 40 kg/m³ | 0.04× |
| expanded polystyrene foam | 20 kg/m³ | 0.02× |
| air | 1.2 kg/m³ | 0.00× |
| tin-lead solder (60/40) ← | 8,520 kg/m³ | 8.52× |
| platinum | 21,450 kg/m³ | 21.45× |
| gold | 19,300 kg/m³ | 19.30× |
| tungsten | 19,250 kg/m³ | 19.25× |

## Does it rust?

Tin-lead solder (60/40) does not rust — rust is iron oxide specifically — but it does corrode, forming its own oxide or salts over time.

## Is it magnetic?

Tin-lead solder (60/40) is not ferromagnetic. It is often assumed to be because it is a metal, but most metals are not — only iron, nickel, cobalt and a few alloys are attracted to an ordinary magnet.

## Common questions

### What is the density of tin-lead solder (60/40)?

8,520 kg/m³, or 8.52 g/cm³.

### Does tin-lead solder (60/40) float?

No. At 8,520 kg/m³ it is denser than water.

### Is tin-lead solder (60/40) magnetic?

Tin-lead solder (60/40) is not ferromagnetic. It is often assumed to be because it is a metal, but most metals are not — only iron, nickel, cobalt and a few alloys are attracted to an ordinary magnet.

## Related pages

- [Does tin-lead solder (60/40) float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/solder-60-40/)
- [Mild steel](https://atoneplace.net/material/mild-steel/)
- [Stainless steel 304](https://atoneplace.net/material/stainless-304/)
- [Brass](https://atoneplace.net/material/brass/)
- [Gray cast iron](https://atoneplace.net/material/cast-iron/)
- [High-carbon steel](https://atoneplace.net/material/carbon-steel/)
- [Stainless steel 316](https://atoneplace.net/material/stainless-316/)
- [Aluminum 6061](https://atoneplace.net/material/aluminum-6061/)
- [Bronze](https://atoneplace.net/material/bronze/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)