Zinc Aluminum Alloys
(Redirected from ZA Alloys)
Contents
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]
