There’s no denying aluminium is the go-to metal for die casting. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other options available that can work just as well – sometimes even better!

In our latest blog, we focus on zinc. What it is, how it can be used and what its benefits are. Let’s get started…

What is zinc?

An abundant metal, zinc – Zn – is found in the Earth’s crust.

Sat at number 30 on the periodic table, zinc is frequently used to galvanise steel to help protect against corrosion, or as an alloy.

A common alloy of zinc is brass, and this is often used for creating musical instrument parts or marine equipment, because of its resistance to corrosion.

Kept in its natural state and at room temperature, it is a bluey white colour and relatively brittle.

What are the benefits of zinc die casting?

Used as an alloy zinc offers an abundance of excellent qualities for die casting. Done well – and used for the right applications – it is a highly efficient way of producing strong, precise and detailed metal components.

Benefits of using zinc for die casting:

Speed – production rates for die cast zinc parts are fast, often quicker than for aluminium.

High impact strength – parts die cast from zinc, have a higher impact strength than other metal alloys.

Cost-effective – zinc is a relatively cheap raw material, helping to keep production costs down. It also requires lower pressure and temperatures, which helps to extend the life of the die significantly compared to aluminium or magnesium.

Machinability – characteristics of zinc alloys – particularly ZL3 – make it great for tooling and machining. So if your part is likely to require substantial finishing, then this is worth considering.

Thermal and electrical conductivity – zinc is a good conductor of heat and electricity.

Highly resistant to corrosion – a zinc die cast can be used in a harsh environment with full confidence that it possesses excellent resistance to corrosion.

Fully recyclable – all businesses should assess products in terms of their impact on the environment and sustainability. Being fully recyclable, using zinc is a great way to do this.

Typical uses for zinc die casting

Zinc is a great contender for use across all manner of parts but is typically favoured for use in the industrial, building and the automotive sector.

Common applications include:

Brake components
Interior automotive parts
Power steering systems
Air conditioning systems
Electronic devices

Zinc die casting Vs aluminium die casting – which is better?

Without question, aluminium is the most widely used option, with aluminium die casting used across so many industries. Be sure to read our blog, ‘Up close with aluminium’ to find out more but parts are commonly created for use in electronics, cars, communications equipment, power tools, the list goes on.

Zinc die casting is typically favoured for smaller parts and in cases where particularly thin sections are needed.

The truth of the matter is that the right die casting method is dependent upon numerous factors, not least the desired features and characteristics of the part produced. So it’s important to have a clear focus of what it is that’s most required from the part.

Find out more with the die casting experts

Unsure which metal will be best for your die casting project? Talk to our experienced team here at Lupton and Place.

Vastly experienced in all die casting processes, we can offer help and guidance on the most efficient and cost-effective method for your business.

Get in touch today by calling 01282 422361, email info@lupton-place.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we’ll be in touch.