Main types of Zamak
Zamak is a material that is formed by the alloy of different materials and has multiple properties.
At Funmak, we specialize in the manufacturing of this material, especially in the zamak die casting process.
If you’re interested in learning about the different types of zamak, we’ll explain them in this article.
What are the different types of Zamak?
In the market you can find different types of zamak, depending on its composition.
You should know that each country has its own regulations governing the chemical composition of zamak, and within them, you’ll also find a standard that sets the properties that cast pieces must have in the zamak die casting process.
The most commonly used alloy in Europe is zamak 5, but there are also zamak 2, zamak 3, zamak 7 and zamak 8.
Below we present the characteristics of each of them:
Zamak 2
Zamak 2 is the most resistant alloy in its category, thanks to its higher copper content. This composition gives it:
- High tensile strength: Ideal for parts that support high loads or stresses.
- Exceptional Durability: Resistant to wear and impact, extending the life of manufactured parts.
- Good dimensional stability: Maintains its properties under extreme conditions.
Applications: It is used for manufacturing molds for shoe parts and car bumpers. It is used in the automotive industry to manufacture components such as locks, gears, and handles. It is also common in mechanical tools and parts that require high structural strength.
Chemical properties
| DESIGNATION | ABBREV. | ALLOY | Weight | Aluminium (Al) | Magnesium (Mg) | Copper (Cu) | Lead (Pb) | Cadmium (Cd) | Tin (Sn) | Iron (Fe) | Nickel (Ni) | Silicium (Si) | Titanium (Ti) | Chromium (Cr) | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAMAK 2 | ZL2 | ZnAl4Cu3 | min. max. | 3,8 4,2 | 0,035 0,06 | 2,7 3,3 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- --- | --- --- | rest. rest. |
Physical properties
| Properties | ZAMAK 2 |
|---|---|
| Density (Kg/m^3) at 21 º C | 6,7 |
| Solidification shrinkage (%) | 1,25 |
| Casting shrinkage (%) | 0,6 |
| Freezing range (0) | 379 , 390 |
| Casting temperature | 420 , 425 |
| Specific heat capcity ( J/kg/C ) at 20 - 100 ™C | 418,7 |
| Thermal expansion ( 10E-6 linear per C at 20-100 C) | 27 |
| Thermal conductivity ( W/m/hr/m^2/ C at 70-140C ) | 104,7 |
| Electrical conductivity % ( IACS ) | 25 |
| Electrical resitivity ( µm O cm at 20C) | 6,3694 |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 2 | As cast | Aged | Sand Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength ( MPa ) | 360 | 331 | 251 |
| Shear Strength ( Mpa ) | 317 | 214 | 227 |
| Elongation ( % in 51 mm ) | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Hardness ( Brinell - 500 kg ) | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Impact strength ( Energy , Joules ) | 47 | 68 | 7,4 |
| Fatigue strengh 5x10E8 cycles ( Mpa ) | 58,6 | --- | 0 |
| Yield strength ( 0,2% offset ) ( Mpa ) | --- | --- | --- |
Zamak 3
Zamak 3 is the most popular and widely used type due to its balance between cost and performance.
- Good corrosion resistance: It is ideal for moderately humid environments or those exposed to non-aggressive chemicals.
- Excellent moldability: Allows you to create pieces with complex shapes without compromising their quality.
- Dimensional stability: It is reliable for applications where high precision is required.
Applications: This type of material is best used for creating pieces with intricate details and contours that are difficult to manufacture. This type of zamak is used in household appliances, electronic equipment casings, furniture, and decorative accessories such as door handles and frames.
Chemical properties
| DESIGNATION | ABBREV. | ALLOY | Weight | Aluminium (Al) | Magnesium (Mg) | Copper (Cu) | Lead (Pb) | Cadmium (Cd) | Tin (Sn) | Iron (Fe) | Nickel (Ni) | Silicium (Si) | Titanium (Ti) | Chromium (Cr) | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAMAK 3 | ZL3 | ZnAl4 | min. max. | 3,8 4,2 | 0,035 0,06 | 0,7 1,1 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- --- | --- --- | rest. rest. |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 3 | |
|---|---|
| Density (Kg/m^3) at 21 º C | 6,7 |
| Solidification shrinkage (%) | 1,17 |
| Casting shrinkage (%) | 0,6 |
| Freezing range (0) | 381 , 387 |
| Casting temperature | 400 , 420 |
| Specific heat capcity ( J/kg/C ) at 20 - 100 ™C | 418,7 |
| Thermal expansion ( 10E-6 linear per C at 20-100 C) | 27 |
| Thermal conductivity ( W/m/hr/m^2/ C at 70-140C ) | 113 |
| Electrical conductivity % ( IACS ) | 27 |
| Electrical resitivity ( µm O cm at 20C) | 6,3694 |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 3 | As cast | Aged | Sand Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength ( MPa ) | 252 | 283 | 241 |
| Shear Strength ( Mpa ) | 227 | 214 | --- |
| Elongation ( % in 51 mm ) | 3 | 10 | 16 |
| Hardness ( Brinell - 500 kg ) | 100 | 82 | 72 |
| Impact strength ( Energy , Joules ) | 7,4 | 58,3 | 55,6 |
| Fatigue strengh 5x10E8 cycles ( Mpa ) | 56,5 | --- | --- |
| Yield strength ( 0,2% offset ) ( Mpa ) | 0 | 47,6 | --- |
Zamak 5
Zamak 5 contains a higher percentage of copper than Zamak 3, which gives it extra hardness and strength. Its main characteristics include:
- Superior mechanical resistance: Perfect for parts subjected to constant stress or vibrations.
- Good impact resistance: Suitable for components that must withstand impacts or pressures.
- Moderate ductility: Although less malleable than Zamak 3, it is still easy to work in industrial processes.
Applications: This is the most common and widely used material. This is because it has great dimensional stability and is easy to die-cast, known as zamak die-casting. It is used in the manufacture of carburetors, water pumps, and gasoline pumps. It is widely used in industrial components, structural parts, electrical connectors, and some heavy machinery parts.
Chemical properties
| DESIGNATION | ABBREV. | ALLOY | Weight | Aluminium (Al) | Magnesium (Mg) | Copper (Cu) | Lead (Pb) | Cadmium (Cd) | Tin (Sn) | Iron (Fe) | Nickel (Ni) | Silicium (Si) | Titanium (Ti) | Chromium (Cr) | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAMAK 5 | ZL5 | ZnAl4Cu1 | min. max. | 3,8 4,2 | 0,035 0,06 | 0,7 1,1 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- --- | --- --- | rest. rest. |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 5 | |
|---|---|
| Density (Kg/m^3) at 21 º C | 6,7 |
| Solidification shrinkage (%) | 1,17 |
| Casting shrinkage (%) | 0,6 |
| Freezing range (0) | 379 , 388 |
| Casting temperature | 400 , 420 |
| Specific heat capcity ( J/kg/C ) at 20 - 100 ™C | 418,7 |
| Thermal expansion ( 10E-6 linear per C at 20-100 C) | 27 |
| Thermal conductivity ( W/m/hr/m^2/ C at 70-140C ) | 108,9 |
| Electrical conductivity % ( IACS ) | 26 |
| Electrical resitivity ( µm O cm at 20C) | 6,5359 |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 5 | As cast | Aged | Sand Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength ( MPa ) | 328 | 269 | --- |
| Shear Strength ( Mpa ) | 262 | --- | --- |
| Elongation ( % in 51 mm ) | 7 | 13 | --- |
| Hardness ( Brinell - 500 kg ) | 91 | 80 | --- |
| Impact strength ( Energy , Joules ) | 65,1 | 54,2 | --- |
| Fatigue strengh 5x10E8 cycles ( Mpa ) | 56,5 | --- | --- |
| Yield strength ( 0,2% offset ) ( Mpa ) | --- | --- | --- |
Zamak 7
Zamak 7 is an alloy very similar to Zamak 3, but with higher zinc purity and reduced impurity levels. This improves certain specific properties. Its main characteristics include:
- Excellent fluidity in casting: Ideal for parts with fine details or complex geometries, as it allows for more precise filling of the mold.
- Superior surface finish: Provides a smoother, shinier finish, ideal for aesthetic applications or those requiring subsequent coatings.
- Good corrosion resistance: Thanks to its greater purity, it improves resistance to oxidation and aggressive environments.
Applications: This variant is ideal for the manufacture of household appliances such as extractors, juicers and other rudimentary parts.
Chemical properties
| DESIGNATION | ABBREV. | ALLOY | Weight | Aluminium (Al) | Magnesium (Mg) | Copper (Cu) | Lead (Pb) | Cadmium (Cd) | Tin (Sn) | Iron (Fe) | Nickel (Ni) | Silicium (Si) | Titanium (Ti) | Chromium (Cr) | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAMAK 7 | ZL7 | ZnAl4 | min. max. | 3,8 4,3 | 0,03 0,06 | --- 0,25 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- --- | --- --- | rest. rest. |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 5 | |
|---|---|
| Density (Kg/m^3) at 21 º C | 6,6 |
| Solidification shrinkage (%) | 1,2 |
| Casting shrinkage (%) | 0,7 |
| Freezing range (0) | 381 , 386 |
| Casting temperature | 398 , 425 |
| Specific heat capcity ( J/kg/C ) at 20 - 100 ™C | 418 |
| Thermal expansion ( 10E-6 linear per C at 20-100 C) | 27 |
| Thermal conductivity ( W/m/hr/m^2/ C at 70-140C ) | 110 |
| Electrical conductivity % ( IACS ) | 27 |
| Electrical resitivity ( µm O cm at 20C) | 6,3 |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 5 | As cast | Aged | Sand Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength ( MPa ) | 331 | 270 | --- |
| Shear Strength ( Mpa ) | 225 | --- | --- |
| Elongation ( % in 51 mm ) | 10 | 13 | --- |
| Hardness ( Brinell - 500 kg ) | 85 | 80 | --- |
| Impact strength ( Energy , Joules ) | 66 | 55 | --- |
| Fatigue strengh 5x10E8 cycles ( Mpa ) | 56 | --- | --- |
| Yield strength ( 0,2% offset ) ( Mpa ) | --- | --- | --- |
Zamak 8
Zamak 8 is a zinc alloy with a unique composition that makes it an ideal choice for applications requiring a combination of strength, durability, and outstanding mechanical properties. Its key features include:
High corrosion resistance: Thanks to its low copper content, it offers excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for applications in humid environments or exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Good fluidity in molds: Its ability to flow easily during the casting process makes it perfect for the manufacture of detailed, high-precision parts.
Balanced mechanical strength: Although not as strong as Zamak 5, it still offers good mechanical strength for general applications and is not subject to extreme stress.
Moderate ductility: Provides a good combination of malleability and strength, making it easy to manipulate in industrial processes.
Applications: Zamak 8 is mainly used in the manufacture of parts for the automotive industry, household appliances, light machinery components and decorative elements. It is the only alloy that can be die-cast in a hot chamber.
Chemical properties
| DESIGNATION | ABBREV. | ALLOY | Weight | Aluminium (Al) | Magnesium (Mg) | Copper (Cu) | Lead (Pb) | Cadmium (Cd) | Tin (Sn) | Iron (Fe) | Nickel (Ni) | Silicium (Si) | Titanium (Ti) | Chromium (Cr) | Zinc (Zn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAMAK 5 | ZL5 | ZnAl4Cu1 | min. max. | 3,8 4,2 | 0,035 0,06 | 0,7 1,1 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,003 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- 0,001 | --- 0,02 | --- --- | --- --- | rest. rest. |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 8 | |
|---|---|
| Density (Kg/m^3) at 21 º C | 6,3 |
| Solidification shrinkage (%) | 1,1 |
| Casting shrinkage (%) | 0,7 |
| Freezing range (0) | 375 , 404 |
| Casting temperature | 415 , 430 |
| Specific heat capcity ( J/kg/C ) at 20 - 100 ™C | 435,4 |
| Thermal expansion ( 10E-6 linear per C at 20-100 C) | 23,3 |
| Thermal conductivity ( W/m/hr/m^2/ C at 70-140C ) | 114,7 |
| Electrical conductivity % ( IACS ) | 27,7 |
| Electrical resitivity ( µm O cm at 20C) | 6,2 |
Physical properties
| ZAMAK 5 | As cast | Aged | Sand Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength ( MPa ) | 375 | 300 | 220+225 |
| Shear Strength ( Mpa ) | 275 | 227 | 241 |
| Elongation ( % in 51 mm ) | 6+10 | 20 | 1+2 |
| Hardness ( Brinell - 500 kg ) | 100+106 | 91 | 85+90 |
| Impact strength ( Energy , Joules ) | 42 | 17 | --- |
| Fatigue strengh 5x10E8 cycles ( Mpa ) | 103 | --- | 52 |
| Yield strength ( 0,2% offset ) ( Mpa ) | 240 | 240 | 210 |
What are the benefits of using zamak in your business?
Below, we provide a list of the benefits of using zamak in your business:
- Items made from zamak do not deteriorate. This alloy, unlike silver, does not tend to wear as much.
- By using this material, you'll save resources, meaning you'll have to invest less money. This way, you'll save energy, time, and other resources thanks to its rapid melting.
- It's a quality material that, in addition to being more affordable—and not necessarily worse—allows you to create high-quality, hard, and resistant pieces at a very competitive price.
- Zamak is a reliable material that allows you to use finishing techniques to achieve a more attractive result.
- Zamak is an anti-allergenic material, which is why it is increasingly used in the manufacture of toys, jewelry, and fashion.
- Injection molds have great durability and this is due to the mix of metals used.
- It is easy to clean.
The different types of zamak you can find
At Funmak, we manufacture different types of parts made from different types of zamak, and we also produce high-quality parts on the market.
We also, offer products made from Zamak material and their effectiveness will impress you.
If you want to know more about our product catalogue, contact us and we will help you.
See you in the next article!
