Zinc Aluminum Alloys: Difference between revisions
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*Zinc Aluminum Alloys are alloys that melt at low temperature (431C) [https://www.dynacast.com/za-27---zinc-aluminum] and have 60ksi tensile strength. They display the low melting point slightly smaller than that of zinc, with strength significantly greater than that of aluminum (45 ksi). [https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&hs=K2a&ei=tC2eXMDoMMOWtQXr84LoCg&q=tensile+strength+of+aluminum&oq=tensile+strength+of+aluminum&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l10.32433.37210..37366...0.0..0.120.2675.20j8......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i67j0i131i67j0i131.CMPldCbJo1o]. | *Zinc Aluminum Alloys are alloys that melt at low temperature (431C) [https://www.dynacast.com/za-27---zinc-aluminum] and have 60ksi tensile strength. They display the low melting point slightly smaller than that of zinc, with strength significantly greater than that of aluminum (45 ksi). [https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&hs=K2a&ei=tC2eXMDoMMOWtQXr84LoCg&q=tensile+strength+of+aluminum&oq=tensile+strength+of+aluminum&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l10.32433.37210..37366...0.0..0.120.2675.20j8......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i67j0i131i67j0i131.CMPldCbJo1o]. | ||
*Sometimes Referred to by the Brand Name "Zamak" | *Sometimes Referred to by the Brand Name "Zamak" | ||
*Majority of composition is Zinc - commonly - 8, 12, 27% | *Majority of composition is Zinc - commonly - 8, 12, 27% Aluminum (Hence ZA-12) | ||
*ZA alloys not only show the best melt/strength properties of each component metal. They show IMPROVED melt point (430 compared to 660C for Aluminum) - strength (30% stronger)properties compared to their components. | *ZA alloys not only show the best melt/strength properties of each component metal. They show IMPROVED melt point (430 compared to 660C for Aluminum) - strength (30% stronger)properties compared to their components. | ||
*As such, ZA are magical ingredients for the [[Desktop Foundry]]. | *As such, ZA are magical ingredients for the [[Desktop Foundry]]. | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
=Sourcing= | =Sourcing= | ||
*$5/lb [https://www.google.com/search?q=za+alloy&sxsrf=ALeKk02-WIgzrGcAnfyKcU5UxQUmNESx0w:1613446937028&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAkq6cvu3uAhXLKs0KHTucB5UQ_AUoAnoECBgQBA&biw=2133&bih=1013#spd=9465205602568804628] | *$5/lb [https://www.google.com/search?q=za+alloy&sxsrf=ALeKk02-WIgzrGcAnfyKcU5UxQUmNESx0w:1613446937028&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAkq6cvu3uAhXLKs0KHTucB5UQ_AUoAnoECBgQBA&biw=2133&bih=1013#spd=9465205602568804628] | ||
*[[RotoMetals]] $21.99 Per 4 lb Ingot, ~5.5 USD per Pound | |||
*[https://www.rotometals.com/zamak-za-12-ingot-aluminum-10-5-11-5-copper-0-5-1-2-zinc-balance/ Link to the 4 Pound ZA-12 Ingot RotoMetals Source] | |||
=Safety= | |||
*Re: | |||
**[[Metal Casting Safety]] | |||
**[[Metal Fume Fever]] / [[Zinc Fume Safety]] (Same issues as [[Welding Galvanized Metal]] ) | |||
*[https://www.teck.com/media/Zinc_Metal_SDS.pdf A SDS by [[Teck Metals]] titled “ Zinc Metal (including aluminum alloys)” ] | |||
**Main section of interest was Section 5. [[Fire-fighting Measures]] | |||
**Morphology of the metal is important, giant sheet (which is VERY stable) vs powder (akin to a [[Magnesium Firestarter]] or [[Flameless Ration Heater]] etc) | |||
***Important to know though with things like [[Scrapyards]] and [[SLM]] / [[EBM]] [[3D Printing]] etc | |||
=3D Printing and Housing Applications= | =3D Printing and Housing Applications= | ||
| Line 27: | Line 38: | ||
=External Links= | =External Links= | ||
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_aluminium The Wikipedia Page on Zinc Aluminum Alloys] | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_aluminium The Wikipedia Page on Zinc Aluminum Alloys] | ||
*[The | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak The Wikipedia Page on Zamak] | ||
**[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Zamak#ASTM_8240_Standards_Not_Current It is supposedly not current in standards/terminology used however] | |||
*[https://youtu.be/8IBWICVNfz4 A Video by the YouTube Channel "Paul's Garage" Titled "The BEST Metal Casting Alloy That Everyone Ignores" ] ( '''~9 Minute Watch''' ) | |||
*[http://www.gizmology.net/stovetop.htm Gizmology - Stovetop production of ZA alloy] (Dead Link) | *[http://www.gizmology.net/stovetop.htm Gizmology - Stovetop production of ZA alloy] (Dead Link) | ||
*[https://trends.google.com/explore?q=Zinc-aluminum%2520alloy%2Czinc%2520aluminum%2520alloy&date=all&geo=US [[Google Trends]] search for Zinc Aluminum Alloys vs Zinc-Aluminum Alloys] | |||
**Zinc Aluminum is more common than Zinc-Aluminum, at least in google searches, therefore is probably the better form to use. | |||
**Granted if anyone in industry etc knows more (for instance in actual literature/internal documents if Zinc-Aluminum is used for clarity etc switching to that may indeed make sense!) | |||
[[Category: Alloys]] [[Category: Aluminum]] [[Category: Metalwork]] [[Category: Metal Casting]] [[Category: Dead Links]] | [[Category: Alloys]] [[Category: Aluminum]] [[Category: Metalwork]] [[Category: Metal Casting]] [[Category: Dead Links]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:27, 20 April 2026
Basics
- Zinc Aluminum Alloys are alloys that melt at low temperature (431C) [1] and have 60ksi tensile strength. They display the low melting point slightly smaller than that of zinc, with strength significantly greater than that of aluminum (45 ksi). [2].
- Sometimes Referred to by the Brand Name "Zamak"
- Majority of composition is Zinc - commonly - 8, 12, 27% Aluminum (Hence ZA-12)
- ZA alloys not only show the best melt/strength properties of each component metal. They show IMPROVED melt point (430 compared to 660C for Aluminum) - strength (30% stronger)properties compared to their components.
- As such, ZA are magical ingredients for the Desktop Foundry.
Machinability
- ZA 12 is machinable and 120 Brinell Hardness, same as mild steel
- Melting temperatures, hardness, and other properties - [3]
Sourcing
- $5/lb [4]
- RotoMetals $21.99 Per 4 lb Ingot, ~5.5 USD per Pound
- Link to the 4 Pound ZA-12 Ingot RotoMetals Source
Safety
- Re:
- Metal Casting Safety
- Metal Fume Fever / Zinc Fume Safety (Same issues as Welding Galvanized Metal )
- A SDS by Teck Metals titled “ Zinc Metal (including aluminum alloys)”
- Main section of interest was Section 5. Fire-fighting Measures
- Morphology of the metal is important, giant sheet (which is VERY stable) vs powder (akin to a Magnesium Firestarter or Flameless Ration Heater etc)
- Important to know though with things like Scrapyards and SLM / EBM 3D Printing etc
3D Printing and Housing Applications
- Zinc and ZA alloys melt readily at around 420C, as low as 375C - and can possibly be 3D printed through a melting nozzle.
- Zinc is also the materials of galvanizing - a critical ingredient of lifetime design with metals.
For Hot Dip Galvanizing
- ZA alloy with a very small concentration of aluminum is used in galvanizing to reduce the thickness of the intermetallic alloy layer [5]
Internal Links
External Links
- The Wikipedia Page on Zinc Aluminum Alloys
- The Wikipedia Page on Zamak
- A Video by the YouTube Channel "Paul's Garage" Titled "The BEST Metal Casting Alloy That Everyone Ignores" ( ~9 Minute Watch )
- Gizmology - Stovetop production of ZA alloy (Dead Link)
- Google Trends search for Zinc Aluminum Alloys vs Zinc-Aluminum Alloys
- Zinc Aluminum is more common than Zinc-Aluminum, at least in google searches, therefore is probably the better form to use.
- Granted if anyone in industry etc knows more (for instance in actual literature/internal documents if Zinc-Aluminum is used for clarity etc switching to that may indeed make sense!)