Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.
Industry News
Zinc Die Casting
Zinc die casting is a manufacturing process where molten zinc alloy is injected under high pressure into a steel mold to produce precise, complex metal parts.
Most Common Zinc Alloys
Alloy | Zinc % | Key Trait |
Zamak 2 | 96% | Highest strength & hardness |
Zamak 3 | 96% | Most widely used, best balance |
Zamak 5 | 95% | Better strength than Zamak 3 |
Zamak 7 | 96% | High ductility, thin walls |
ZA-8 | 83% | Higher aluminum, stronger |
Key Properties
Property | Value |
Tensile strength | 280–400 MPa |
Melting point | ~385°C (low — easy to cast) |
Density | 6.6 g/cm³ |
Hardness | 80–100 HB |
Advantages
✅ Excellent dimensional accuracy — very tight tolerances (±0.025mm)
✅ Thin walls possible — down to 0.4mm
✅ Long mold life — zinc's low melting point is gentle on molds (1 million+ shots)
✅ Fast cycle times — high productivity
✅ Good surface finish — ready for plating, painting, or coating
✅ Cost-effective for high volumes
✅ 100% recyclable
Disadvantages
❌ Heavier than aluminum — density ~2.5× higher
❌ Lower strength than steel
❌ Creep under sustained load at elevated temperatures
❌ Not suitable above 120°C — loses strength at higher temps
❌ Corrosion in harsh environments without surface treatment
Zinc vs Aluminum Die Cast
Property | Zinc | Aluminum |
Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
Strength | Slightly lower | Higher |
Mold life | Much longer | Shorter |
Wall thickness | Thinner possible | Slightly thicker |
Cost (tooling) | Lower | Higher |
Temperature resistance | Lower (~120°C) | Higher (~150°C+) |
Surface finish | Excellent | Good |
Common Applications
Automotive — door handles, locks, brackets, gears
Consumer electronics — connectors, housings, hinges
Hardware — padlocks, zippers, fasteners
Plumbing — faucet components, valves
Toys — die-cast model cars (Hot Wheels!)
Medical devices — instrument housings
When to Choose Zinc Die Cast
Use zinc when you need:
High volume production
Complex, thin-walled parts
Excellent surface finish for plating
Tight dimensional tolerances
Lower tooling cost than aluminum
It's one of the most cost-effective and precise metal casting methods available for small-to-medium sized parts.