Zinc Alloy Prime Western Zinc vs SHG Zinc
Zinc Alloy · grade comparison
Zinc Alloy Prime Western Zinc and SHG Zinc are both zinc alloy grades. Prime Western Zinc is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for SHG Zinc, about 17% more. In exchange, SHG Zinc is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 5% for Prime Western Zinc, and Prime Western Zinc is harder (32 HB vs 30 HB). On the shop floor, Prime Western Zinc machines more easily (very good vs good) and SHG Zinc welds better (fair vs poor).
Prime Western ZincChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
SHG ZincChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Prime Western Zinc vs SHG Zinc: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all zinc alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all zinc alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 96 GPa13.9 Msi · Shear Modulus 38 GPa5.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.25 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 20 MPa2.9 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Density 7.14 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Liquidus Temperature 420°C787 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 112 J/g48.2 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -1.03 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 70%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 13.4 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 2 kJ/m³ · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 1
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every zinc alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Prime Western Zinc | SHG Zinc |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 1 finish: Copper Plating.
Prime Western Zinc vs SHG Zinc — frequently asked
Is Prime Western Zinc stronger than SHG Zinc?
Yes. Prime Western Zinc has a typical tensile strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for SHG Zinc — about 17% more.
Which is cheaper, Prime Western Zinc or SHG Zinc?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Prime Western Zinc or SHG Zinc?
Prime Western Zinc. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (60/100) for SHG Zinc; for welding the order is SHG Zinc first (fair, 40/100) then Prime Western Zinc (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Prime Western Zinc and SHG Zinc side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.