Zinc Aluminum Alloys: Difference between revisions
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*[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''' ) | *[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]] | ||
Revision as of 14:22, 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 )
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!)