Zinc Aluminum Alloys

Intro

• Alloys that met 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].
• Majority of composition is Zinc - commonly - 8, 12, 27%
• 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

Links

• Stovetop production of ZA alloy - [3]
• Wikipedia - [4]]
• ZA Alloy Bushings
• Melting temperatures, hardness, and other properties - [5]

Sourcing

• $5/lb [6]

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 [7]