Zinc alloys align well for the for die casting process. Leading the way is a common alloy called ZAMAK. This family of alloys consists of aluminum, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Despite containing copper, you may wonder why this zinc alloy family is spelled with a K. This is because the acronym ZAMAK uses the German spelling: Zink, Magnesium, Aluminum, and Kupfer.
You may see it spelled ZAMAC with an English spelling instead of the common ZAMAK spelling. ZAMAK alloys are a separate family from the zinc aluminum (ZA) alloys. Although they both maintain a consistent composition of 4% aluminum.
Brief History of ZAMAK
In the 1920s, developers first introduced ZAMAK for high-pressure die casting. This development paved the way for zinc die casting.
Explore this blog post ‘From Pot Metal to Precision Zinc Alloys‘ for more insights.
The Most Common Zinc Alloys
At Deco Products, the most common zinc alloys are #3, #5, #2, and #7. Typically, #3 is the first choice with our customers when considering alloys for a zinc die casting project.
The most popular of the alloys with over 70% of all zinc die casting in alloy #3. The reason is its excellent balance of physical and mechanical properties.
Choosing The Right Zinc Alloys
Design engineers will consider all zinc alloys for a die casting design. ZAMAK and ZA alloy families have similar compositions and are better in different applications. Understanding the end use of the part is essential to selecting the correct alloy.
View our zinc alloys page to learn more about zinc alloy use at Deco Products.
Why Zinc for Casting Parts?
Several reasons design engineers take advantage of the benefits of a part cast in zinc.
Here are a few frequently asked questions on the benefits of ZAMAK.
- Does casting in zinc require costly machining?
- Zinc fluidity allows for casting to tight tolerances and dimensional accuracy. The casting to final shape or “Net Shape” manufacturing to reduce or eliminate costly machining. Listen to this podcast to learn more on zinc alloy fluidity.
- Are you able to apply a finish to ZAMAK alloys to achieve an attractive appearance?
- ZAMAK alloys allow for several finishes such as paint, plated, or powder coating providing an appealing look and texture.
- How strong is zinc compared to other materials?
- Zinc alloys are stronger than other materials that are die cast or injection molded.
- What can we expect for a tool life with a zinc die cast mold?
- A reason to select zinc is longer tool life. A typical zinc mold can last up to a million shots and 10 times longer than other materials such as aluminum.
Discover additional benefits to zinc in casting by reading this blog post. Why Zinc for Casting Parts – Deco Products | Zinc Die Casting
In Conclusion
The introduction of ZAMAK, a zinc alloy for die casting changed high-pressure die casting in the 1920s.
ZAMAK alloys, such as #3, offer diverse finishes, enhancing appearance and texture. While zinc’s superior strength-to-weight ratio and prolonged tool life, with molds lasting up to a million shots, make it a preferred choice.
Deco Products has been a reliable “Made in USA” zinc die casting manufacturer since 1960. Deco Products provides exceptional service and quality products for a multitude of industries. A few services Deco Products provides are custom precision engineered zinc die-casting, powder coating, assembly, CNC Machining, and DFM-Part Design. Deco has been a stable and reliable supplier to the industry and continuously strives for being the best value for its key partner/customers.
Visit our About Us page to learn more.
The Zinc Advantages
Michele Duwe
Michele Duwe is the Sales and Marketing Manager with Deco Products. She has eight plus years as a digital marketing manager and over a decade of sales and marketing experience.
