Before opting for zinc die casting Zamak 5, you should know the properties, features, uses and benefits of this alloy.
That’s exactly what this guide is all about – it explores everything you need to know about Zamak 5 alloy.
Let’s dive right in.
Chemical Composition Of Zamak 5
This is a family of alloys that compromise base metal of zinc and alloying components of copper, aluminum and magnesium.
Zamack 5
Zamak 5 contains elements of aluminum, copper, magnesium, iron, lead cadmium, tin and zinc
The following table shows the chemical composition of Zamak 5 elements with their composition.
Aluminium | 3.5 – 4.3 |
Copper | 0.75 – 1.25 |
Magnesium | 0.03 – 0.08 |
Iron (max) | 0.1 |
Lead (max) | 0.005 |
Cadmium (max) | 0.004 |
Tin (max) | 0.003 |
Zinc | Balance |
Benefits Of Zamak 5
Zamak 5 has lots of benefits, some of the benefits include;
Strength, Toughness And Safety
Zamak 5 is an extremely hard material which can withstand great efforts that can be exerted on it for whatever reason.
Therefore, it is highly considered for security matters due to its toughness and undisputed strength.
Additionally, its safe for use unlike metals like magnesium which can cause fire, we also avoid water absorption of plastic.
Moreover, Zamak 5 does not cause any types of allergies and that is why it is widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics.
Therefore, Zamak 5 being tough, strong and safe, it gives it a priority to be widely used compared to other alloys.
Perfection On Zamak Injected Parts
Using Zamak 5 allows a complete and defect free die casting thus producing perfect virtually finished parts.
The perfect finished look makes it to become more attractive hence it is widely preferred to be used.
It also saves lots of time and costs since other operations of processing are reduced to minimum.
Also, Zamak 5 is a type of metal that is beautiful hence it can be painted or chromed to improve its look.
Since it can be painted, the final product can be customized to any color specification that is preferred by the customers.
Lastly, it always remains clean, it does not get dirty like other metals such as silver.
Therefore, its perfection makes it to be used frequently in furniture as an embellishment, used in wall lights, knobs, handle and much more.
Zamak 5 Is Easy To Use And Assemble
The products that are made using Zamak 5 castings are always easy to assemble and machined because zinc is much ductile.
The desired shape can be achieved because the ductility of zinc in the alloy can be can be deformed.
The deformation takes place in a controlled manner until a desired shape is achieved.
When it comes joining to of Zamak 5 with other components by riveting, bending and casting, is more comfortable because of its ductility.
Saving
In terms of the cost used producing Zamak 5, it is less expensive compared to the other types of alloys.
It saves costs and energy, hours of working and machinery amortization.
It Can Be Recycled
Items that are made with the Zamak 5 alloys can be re-used over and over again.
It Has A Production Cycle That Has Low Environmental Effects
Being an alloy of zinc, the process does not produce harmful substances to the surrounding environment which can cause pollution.
The process is environmental friendly unlike other processes that might pollute the environment.
Limitations Of Zamak 5
Some of the limitations of Zamak 5 include the following;
Zamak 5 Is A Poor Resistant To Humidity
Zamak 5 does not have the ability to resist humidity which makes it to show corrosion.
When exposed to a wet environment for some time, the alloy shows corrosion since it cannot stand humidity.
Products made of Zamak 5 need to be handled with care away from humidity as they will corrode due to the wetness.
It Does Not Resist High Temperatures
It should be taken into account that the material cannot resist higher degrees of torsion.
The material cannot withstand a temperature of above 80 degrees.
When subjected to higher temperatures, its tensile strength is decreased hence making its parts to be more fragile.
Therefore the alloy should-not be subjected to higher temperatures because its strength and toughness are going to reduce.
Unsuitable for lightweight applications; it yields much heavier parts than most of the non-ferrous alloys.
Corrosion resistance, when mixed with other metals like lead or tin, it compromises its resistance to corrosion.
Low temperatures; if the temperatures are too low, the impact properties fall remarkably.
Where To Use Zamak 5
The alloy has numerous uses that include fixtures in the bathroom, fire arm manufacture, die casting toys and making of handles.
Furthermore, it is also used in the making of locks, blenders, staplers, ceiling fans, wheel balancing weights and much more.
How Zamak 5 Compare To Other Zamak Alloys
It has a higher content of copper than the other alloys thus giving higher strength.
Furthermore, it has less ductility than the other types of alloys.
It is preferred to the other Zamak alloys when a tensile measure of performance is required.
The alloy is more readily finished, plated and machined than the other types of Zamak alloys.
Zamak alloy
Standard Specifications For Zamak 5
Properties | Metric | Imperial |
Tensile strength | 331MPa | 48000psi |
Yield strength | 295MPa | 43000psi |
Modulus of elasticity | 96GPa | 14000000psi |
Elongation at break | 7% | 7% |
Brinell hardness | 91 | 91 |
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