What is Zinc Alloy Die Casting?
Zinc alloy die casting is a manufacturing process in which molten zinc alloy is injected into a mold under high pressure. The advantages of this method include the ability to produce complex shapes with high precision and excellent surface finish. Die casting is particularly beneficial due to its efficiency in mass production, allowing manufacturers to create thousands of parts quickly and consistently.
The Zinc Alloy Die Casting Process
The die casting process typically involves the following steps:
- Molding: High-quality molds are created using precision engineering techniques to ensure accurate part dimensions and surface finishes.
- Melting and Injection: Molten zinc alloy is heated to a precise temperature and injected under high pressure into the mold cavity.
- Cooling and Ejection: The part cools rapidly within the mold, solidifying into the desired shape. Once cooled, the part is ejected from the mold.
- Post-casting Treatments: Additional processes like plating, painting, or finishing enhance the part’s functionality and aesthetics.
Properties of Zinc Alloys
Zinc alloys are composed primarily of zinc, mixed with other metals to enhance specific properties. In general, the most well-known zinc alloys used for die casting are Zamak 3, Zamak 5, and Zamak 7 alloy.
Zinc Alloy | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Corrosion Resistance | Casting Fluidity |
Zamak 3 | 310 | 12 | Excellent | High |
Zamak 5 | 270 | 10 | Very Good | Moderate |
Zamak 7 | 320 | 14 | Good | High |
Comparison with Other Die Casting Materials
One of the benefits of Zinc die casting is that it is easier to cast more detailed parts than with aluminum die casted parts. It offers several surface finishing options and is easy to polish and grind. Zinc has lower operating temperatures than aluminum die cast alloys. It retains high dimensional stability with thin walls and can be used in all industries
Material | Density | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Cost |
Zinc | Low | Moderate | High | Low |
Aluminum | Moderate | High | Moderate | Moderate |
Magnesium | Low | High | Low | High |