Zinc-Aluminum(ZA) Alloys and Zamak alloys are blong to two kinds of zinc alloys in one of family of zinc, Depends on their composition, properties and applications, different zinc alloys will be used for casting desired zinc die castings to meet the right requirement in different industries. ZA alloys contain higher aluminum content, and soft, higher melting points and cost, But Zamak alloys are common zinc alloys, which contain lower aluminum content and other metal elements, and harder, lower melting points and cost. So they also have their different application respectively. Now Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloys vs. Zamak Alloys, And Different Applications will have a comparison of the two, along with their typical uses.
The Difference between Zin-Aluminum Alloys and Zamak Alloys
| Zinc -aluminum Alloys | Zamak Alloys | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Zn (~80-90%), Al (~8-28%), Cu (~1-3%), Mg (~0.01-0.03%), Higher aluminum content | Zn (~95%), Al (~4%), Mg (~0.03-0.06%), Cu (trace), Lower aluminum content |
| Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength: 300-440 MPa, Hardness: 90-120 BHN, Impact Resistance: Higher, Wear Resistance: Excellent, Melting Point: 375-485°C | Tensile Strength: 200-350 MPa, Hardness: 80-100 BHN, Impact Resistance: Moderate, Wear Resistance: Good, Melting Point: 380-390°C |
| Casting Characteristics | Require higher pressure/temperature for casting, Better for gravity/sand casting, hot cracking ealier. | Easier to die-cast (better fluidity), Lower melting point, energy-efficient, More common in thin-walled parts |
| Corrosion Resistance | require additional coatings in harsh conditions. | performs slightly better in humid environments due to its lower aluminum content. |
| Cost & Availability | more expensive but offer superior strength | cheaper and more widely used in die-casting |
| Applications | ZA-8 (easiest to die-cast): Small gears, bushings, low-medium load parts ZA-12 (balanced strength & castability): Automotive components (brackets, pulleys) Industrial machinery parts ZA-27 (highest strength, hardest to cast): Bearings, sliding parts (replaces bronze in some cases) Heavy-duty industrial applications | Consumer Electronics (hinges, housings) Automotive (door handles, carburetor parts) Hardware (zippers, buckles, locks) Toys & Miniatures (die-cast models) |
From the above the comparation between both zinc alloys, different zinc alloys can be used in different industrial applications. Depends on the specific demand in various industries, we can select Zamak for high-volume, thin-walled die-cast parts where cost and ease of casting matter, but ZA alloys for stronger, wear-resistant components, especially in bearing and structural applications.
Zinc-Aluminum Alloys And Zamak Alloys Die Casting Study Cases
Zinc-aluminum Alloys Die Casting Study Case
Car Key Case Cover-Zamak Alloys Die Casting Study Case
A professional automotive parts manufacturer needed a cost-effective, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant material for mass-producing car key case covers. These zinc die casting parts must be high dimensional accuracy, Smooth surface finish (for plating/painting), Good wear resistance (to withstand frequent use) and good mechanical properties.
Choose The Right Zinc Alloy
After evaluating options between aluminum and ZA alloys, we chose Zamak 3 (Zn-4Al-0.03Mg) for its excellent castability, strength, and flexiable geometries available. It has these features as the below:
High Fluidity
Low melting point (~385°C) ensures smooth filling of thin-walled handle design
Surface Finish
Produces near-net-shape parts with minimal porosity, reducing post-machining
Cost Efficiency
Cheaper than aluminum or ZA alloys for high-volume production
Goog Ductility
The zinc alloy can create the small size intricate die casting part with thin walls.
 Die Casting Process
Step 1: Mold Design And Manufacturing
Tool Steel Mold (H13) is selected, our engineers and designers design the precisoin steel casting die with Auto-CAD software. Depends on the principle of hot chamber die casting process, setting cooling channels for rapid solidification. Using EMD machining, process high precision cores and cavities of the casting die, come with appopriate ejection mechanism, finish the mold design and manufacturing.
Step 2: Melting & Casting
Using integrated furnace to melt Zamak 3 ,Melting Temp: ~390°C, maintain the steady temperature zinc alloy molten in melting pool, and preheat the casting die, equal to the temperature of melting zinc alloy. Injecting the molten zinc into the casting die under injection Pressure: ~800-1,200 bar. Then cools the casting die and solidifies the zinc inside the die in a fews seconds. The die is opened, the shaped cast part is ejected out from the die.
Step 3: Post-Processing
Although these zinc alloy die casting parts have a fine surface finish, but the burrs and sharp edges should be trimmed. They accept trimming: Removal of flash via automated trimming. Sometime they need Plating on the surface of them and enhance their apperance and durability, chrome electroplating for corrosion resistance & aesthetics. Conduct Strict Quality Check: X-ray inspection for internal defects.
Conclusion
Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloys vs. Zamak Alloys, Mainly Shown in different sector applications in one industry. Because different composition zinc alloy has different metal properties. Zinc-aluminum alloys have a strong strength mechanical properties, and suitable for precision industrial equipment and automotive parts,but Zamak alloys are common easier to cast, and for electronic consumer goods, hardware, gifts and cloth accessories.
