Aluminum 1100-O vs. Zinc Zamak 3

Compare Aluminum 1100-O vs. Zinc Zamak 3 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	35MPasourcetypical, O, 0.0625 in specimen	221MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	90MPasourcetypical, O	283MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	35%sourcetypical, O, in 4D	10%sourcetypical, in 2 in.
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	85.5GPasourcetypical24% stiffer
Density	2,710kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	6,600kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	12.9kN·m/kg	33.5kN·m/kg2.59x higher
Stiffness to weight	25.5MN·m/kg1.97x higher	13MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast
Shear modulus	not sourced	33.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	62GPa
Speed of sound	5,046m/s	3,599m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	222W/m·Ksourcetypical, O, 20 °C	113W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth16% less	137µm growth
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcebase material: commercially pure aluminium EN AW-1050A (Hydro), 20 °C	419J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	90.9mm²/s2.22x faster	40.9mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	7,782W/m
Melting point	640–655°Csourcemelting range	381–387°Csourcemelting range
Values for	1100-O (annealed) commercially pure aluminium, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 1100 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from Hydro EN AW-1050A (99.5% Al) extruded-products datasheet (10/2018).	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 1100-O stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against 35 MPa for Aluminum 1100-O (6.31x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 1100-O or Zinc Zamak 3?

Aluminum 1100-O is lighter: 2,710 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 1100-O or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 1100-O, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 1100-O or Zinc Zamak 3?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 1100-O is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 1100-O	Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	1.97x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.19x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.27x heavier
Strong rod or tie	2.59x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	40% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	3% heavier	lighter

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 1100-O or Zinc Zamak 3?

Aluminum 1100-O conducts heat better: 222 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 1100-O expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density