ZAMAK INGOT
Zamak alloys were developed for the first time in the United States in 1929. The word Zamak comes from the German acronym and represents the elements it is made of: Z for Zink, zinc, A for Aluminum, aluminum, MA for Magnesium, magnesium, and K for Kupfer, copper. At its very beginning, Zamak was used just for decorative applications; later, the strength of this material determined its success in many other productions.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
Alloy |
Al |
Mg |
Cu |
Fe |
Pb |
Cd |
Sn |
Ni |
Zn |
Zamak 2 |
3.9-4.3 |
0.025-0.050 |
2.6-2.9 |
0.075 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
- |
BAL |
Zamak 3 |
3.9-4.3 |
0.025-0.050 |
0.10 Max |
0.075 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
- |
BAL |
Zamak 5 |
3.9-4.3 |
0.03-0.06 |
0.75-1.25 |
0.075 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
- |
BAL |
Zamak 7 |
3.9-4.3 |
0.01-0.02 |
0.1 Max |
0.075 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
0.001 Max |
0.005-0.020 |
BAL |
ZA 8 |
8.0-8.8 |
0.015-0.030 |
0.8-1.3 |
0.1 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
- |
BAL |
ZA 12 |
10.5-11.5 |
0.015-0.030 |
0.5-1.25 |
0.075 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
- |
BAL |
ZA 27 |
25.0-28.0 |
0.010-0.020 |
2.0-2.5 |
0.1 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.003 Max |
0.002 Max |
- |
BAL |
ADVANTAGES:
We provide personal casting design assistance to the end-user or die caster.
Product Designers specify zinc castings for several important reasons
APPLICATIONS:
Zamak 2
A predecessor of the more widely used ZA 2, it has the highest strength and hardness in the Zinc - 4% aluminium die casting alloy family. Because of its relatively high copper content, it is about 25% stronger as cast than ZA 3, and almost 10% stronger than ZA 5, with higher hardness than either. The high copper content, however necessitates segregation of trim scrap.
After aging, the alloy retains tensile strength better than the other alloys in the group and becomes more dimensionally stable, but it gives up impact strength and loses hardness. Because of these limitations, ZA 2 is used only when the strength or hardness of ZA 3 or ZA 5 are not sufficient for the end use. This alloy is recommended only where casting design cannot provide enough strength with ZA 5 or where increased hardness is required.
Zamak 3
Of all the Zinc casting alloys, ZA 3 is the most widely used, accounting for some 85% of all zinc casting tonnage. Its excellent physical and mechanical properties, excellent castibility and long-term dimensional stability provide the basis for its broad usage. The ease with which it can be electroplated adds to the popularity of this alloy. Where properties comparable to or better than those of aluminum alloys are required, Alloy ZA-8, ZA-12, or ZA-27 should be considered.
Zamak 5
Most often, through casting design procedures, an ZA 3 pressure die-casting can be made to meet service or functional requirements. When this is not the case, especially where strength is concerned, ZA 5 is the logical choice. Except for a nominal 1% copper addition the chemistry of ZA 5 is comparable to that of ZA 3. This composition modification results in higher tensile strength and increased hardness, with a sacrifice in elongation. ZA 5 also has significantly better creep resistance than the other alloys in the conventional group.
Zamak 7
oThe third most popular alloy is a high purity, low magnesium alloy called No. 7. This alloy has improved fluidity (because of the lower magnesium content) allowing it to be cast at lower temperatures for better as-cast surface finish and higher production rates. ZA 7 is mostly used in decorative hardware applications. Since it possesses slightly more ductility than other zinc alloys. No. 7 is also used where castings require severe deformation in assembly operations.
Zamak 8
Of all the zinc alloys that can be cast in hot-chamber machines, ZA-8 is the most creep resistant (three times that of ZA 3) and is the strongest and hardest. It is used principally in structural or highly stressed applications. In spite of its relatively high aluminium content, it can be electroplated using conventional 0' plating techniques.