Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Zinc Zamak 3
Compare Aluminum 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 | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 283MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 10%sourcetypical, in 2 in. |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 85.5GPasourcetypical25% stiffer |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 6,600kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg3.05x higher | 33.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg1.95x higher | 13MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 33.7GPa31% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 62GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 3,599m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 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 | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 419J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.69x faster | 40.9mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m2.46x more resistant | 7,782W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 381–387°Csourcemelting range |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate 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 stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 221 MPa for Zinc Zamak 3 (25%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Zinc Zamak 3?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 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 | Zinc Zamak 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 1.95x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.18x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.27x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 3.05x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.83x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.73x 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 or Zinc Zamak 3?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 113 W/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.