Materials / Compare
Aluminum 7075-T6 vs. Zinc Zamak 3
Compare Aluminum 7075-T6 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 | 503MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 572MPasourcetypical2.02x stronger | 283MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 11%sourcetypical, in 4D | 10%sourcetypical, in 2 in. |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 71GPasourcetypical | 85.5GPasourcetypical20% stiffer |
| Density | 2,800kg/m³sourcenominal | 6,600kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 180kN·m/kg5.36x higher | 33.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.4MN·m/kg1.96x higher | 13MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast |
| Shear modulus | 26.7GPa | 33.7GPa26% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 69.6GPa | 62GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,036m/s | 3,599m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 130W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, T651 | 113W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 117µm growth17% less | 137µm growth |
| Specific heat | 960J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 419J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 48.4mm²/s18% faster | 40.9mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 26,370W/m3.39x more resistant | 7,782W/m |
| Melting point | 532–635°Csourcemelting range | 381–387°Csourcemelting range |
| Values for | 7075-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum rod & bar (mechanical) and sheet/coil/plate (physical) typical datasheets; 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 7075-T6 stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum 7075-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 503 MPa against 221 MPa for Zinc Zamak 3 (2.28x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum 7075-T6 is lighter: 2,800 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 71 GPa for Aluminum 7075-T6, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Zinc Zamak 3?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7075-T6 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 7075-T6 | Zinc Zamak 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 1.96x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.15x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.22x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 5.36x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 4.08x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3.56x 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 7075-T6 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum 7075-T6 conducts heat better: 130 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 7075-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.