WHAT IS ZAMAK

Zamak is a non-ferrous alloy with a high zinc content, combined with small percentages of aluminum, magnesium and copper, which vary according to the types of use. The name Zamak originates from the initials of the four components (Z-zinc + A-Aluminum + MA-Magnesium + K-copper).

This alloy is characterized by high hardness and resistance, good ductility and production processes that are decidedly cheaper than other metals such as brass and aluminum, all the characteristics that make it an ideal solution for its use in the most varied applications.

Furthermore, choosing it means relying on an environmentally friendly material. The zamak die casting, in fact, produces negligible emission levels in air and water. Furthermore, production waste is recyclable and energy consumption is very low.

But there are many other advantages that zamak brings to production processes.

Zamak is a low-melting alloy, its melting point is about 400 ° C. This is an advantage, as less energy is required to work this alloy compared to other metals that can be processed with similar technologies. This characteristic has a positive impact on processing costs, the price of which will be less dependent on the energy costs incurred compared to other metals during processing.

Thanks to the great qualities of thermal dissipation, as soon as it is injected into the mold, the zamak solidifies in a very short time. The production rates are therefore very high, even double those obtainable with aluminum die casting or plastic injection molding.

In the liquid state, zamak has an extremely high fluidity and castability. These features offer to the designer the possibility of respecting very small dimensional developments and engineering components with very complex shapes. It is possible to create areas with undercuts, straight or inclined holes, external threads, etc. directly from casting.

Among the die-casting alloys, zinc alloys are those that have the highest values ​​in almost all mechanical characteristics. The elongation% and the yield strength are about double that of aluminum. The impact resistance is about 10 times that available with aluminum and magnesium, and is comparable to that of brass. The breaking strength and hardness are comparable to those of other die-casting alloys and brass.

Zamak can therefore be an alternative material in all cases in which other die-casting metals are used.