Zinc Aluminum Alloys

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

• ZA Alloy Bushings
• Aluminum Alloys
• Alloys

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Zinc Aluminum Alloys
• The Wikipedia Page on Zamak
  • It is supposedly not current in standards/terminology used however
• 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)