Zinc alloys have excellent physical and mechanical properties. They are resistant to corrosion and wear and tear, durable, as well as rigid. Their properties make them suitable for die casting, but some alloys are more suitable than others. Here are the best ones foundries use to make die cast components, including those with intricate geometric patterns.
Zinc Alloy 2
Alloy 2 is surely the most resistant one among zinc alloys. The aluminum percentage in it is equal to that of Alloy 5, whereas the copper quantity is relatively higher. It is this higher share of copper which makes Alloy 2 more resistant to wear and tear. However, a high amount of copper in the alloy can cause alteration of specific characteristics: in the course of metal aging, it is likely that you would see some dimension-related issues, such as slight dimensional variation. What’s more, because of aging, the zinc alloy can be subject to decreased performance, which can reach similar levels to those of many aluminum alloys. In fact, the main downside to using the alloy is that its ductility would almost surely reduce, albeit gradually. Despite this aging-induced performance loss, alloy 2 is still an excellent material for making die-cast parts, owing to its outstanding castability, creep performance, and ability to retain high hardness and resistance standards during long-term aging as well.
Zinc Alloy 3
This zinc alloy is the most popular one in North America. It is the most commonly used thanks to its exceptional castability as well as dimensional stability. As opposed to the other Zinc alloys, alloy 3 has better dimensional stability, but that is only important when extremely narrow tolerances are the need of the hour in that particular die casting session.
It is characterized by low copper content, which suggests that its resistance is not as good as that of other alloys. However, it reduces the possibility of alternation due to aging, thereby avoiding dimensional shrinkage as well as maintaining consistent performance over time. This alloy is perfect for the making of parts which require surface treatments like painting, chroming, or plating.
Zinc Alloy 5
This is the most commonly employed alloy in Europe. It has exceptional castability properties and, as opposed to the above-mentioned ones, has a slightly higher copper quantity which gives it a better resistance, hardness, and creep performance. Since it contains higher copper percentage, this alloy’s ductility is inferior, which can affect its processability during secondary operations like bending, crimping, riveting, and pressing. Similarly to the aforementioned alloys, this one too is an excellent option for components that necessitate surface treatments.