Aluminum ADC12 vs. Zinc Zamak 3

Compare Aluminum ADC12 vs. Zinc Zamak 3 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	149MPasourceone test result, 0.2% proof stress, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	221MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	283MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	10%sourcetypical, in 2 in.
Young's modulus (stiffness)	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)	85.5GPasourcetypical
Density	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)	6,600kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	55.6kN·m/kg1.66x higher	33.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	29.8MN·m/kg2.3x 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	5,457m/s	3,599m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)	113W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)	27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	105µm growth30% less	137µm growth
Specific heat	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)	419J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	51.2mm²/s25% faster	40.9mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	7,782W/m
Melting point	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)	381–387°Csourcemelting range
Values for	JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard values.	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 ADC12 stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against 149 MPa for Aluminum ADC12 (48%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Aluminum ADC12 is lighter: 2,680 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 79.8 GPa for Aluminum ADC12, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Zinc Zamak 3?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 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 ADC12	Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.3x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.38x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.41x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.66x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.89x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.02x 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 ADC12 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum ADC12 expands less: 21 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density