Zamak ZL5 - properties and applications
A zinc alloy with aluminium, copper and magnesium. It melts at 380°C, fills a mould well and holds its dimensions - which is why it goes wherever small, precise parts are cast.
What Zamak ZL5 is
Zamak is a family of zinc alloys with aluminium, magnesium and copper. The name comes from the first letters of the German names of these metals - Zink, Aluminium, Magnesium, Kupfer. ZL5 is one variant of that family, notable for its high strength and excellent casting properties.
Chemical composition
| Zinc (Zn) | approx. 95% |
|---|---|
| Aluminium (Al) | 4% |
| Copper (Cu) | 1% |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.03% |
The names it goes by
Across the European Union the same alloy is designated in several ways - worth remembering when reading documentation or an enquiry.
- ZnAl4Cu1 - the international designation by chemical composition
- ZL0410 - the British standard and some other European standards
- ZAMAK 5 - the common name, used in Germany and across the EU
Properties
- High mechanical strength - better tensile strength and higher hardness than the other zamak alloys, so it suits parts under load
- Excellent casting properties - a low melting point, around 380°C, and excellent fluidity allow complex shapes and thin walls to be cast
- Corrosion resistance - it performs well where parts are exposed to the weather
- Dimensional stability - low shrinkage on solidification, which matters in the production of precision components
Where it is used
- Automotive - locks, handles, window mechanisms, trim and decorative parts
- Electronics - housings and connector parts, where repeatable dimensions count
- Appliances - handles, hinges and decorative detail on household equipment
- Construction - fixings and fittings that need strength and corrosion resistance
- Models and toys - casting of small parts to a high accuracy
What we supply
We sell Zamak ZL5 as 10 kg ingots. For larger orders we adapt the batch size and packing to the buyer's needs - please contact us with your expected consumption.
Need the material, or some advice?
We will match the thickness and form of the material to the Pb equivalent in your design, cut it to size and ship it across Europe. For non-standard shapes a drawing or a .dxf file is all we need.
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