Materials / Compare
Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Zinc Zamak 3
Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Zinc Zamak 3 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 469MPasourcetypical1.66x stronger | 283MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 19%sourcetypical, in 4D | 10%sourcetypical, in 2 in. |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 73.1GPasourcetypical | 85.5GPasourcetypical17% stiffer |
| Density | 2,770kg/m³sourcenominal | 6,600kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 117kN·m/kg3.49x higher | 33.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.4MN·m/kg2.04x higher | 13MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers | 0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast |
| Shear modulus | 27.5GPa | 33.7GPa22% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 71.7GPa | 62GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,137m/s | 3,599m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 113W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 115µm growth20% less | 137µm growth |
| Specific heat | 875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 419J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 49.5mm²/s21% faster | 40.9mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 15,561W/m2x more resistant | 7,782W/m |
| Melting point | 502–638°Csourcemelting range | 381–387°Csourcemelting range |
| Values for | 2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | Zamak 3 (ASTM B86 die cast), Nathan Trotter (zinc alloy producer) technical data sheet, typical values |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Aluminum 2024-T351 stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against 221 MPa for Zinc Zamak 3 (47%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter: 2,770 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 73.1 GPa for Aluminum 2024-T351, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Zinc Zamak 3?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 2024-T351 | Zinc Zamak 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2.04x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.2x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.26x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 3.49x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 3.07x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.88x heavier |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum 2024-T351 conducts heat better: 120 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 2024-T351 expands less: 22.9 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.