Zinc Alloy Prime Western Zinc vs Slush Metal
Zinc Alloy · grade comparison
Zinc Alloy Prime Western Zinc and Slush Metal are both zinc alloy grades. Slush Metal is the stronger of the two: yield strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for Prime Western Zinc, about 6.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) vs 35 MPa (5.08 ksi). In exchange, Prime Western Zinc is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 3% for Slush Metal, and Slush Metal is harder (70 HB vs 32 HB). Slush Metal is lighter (6.6 g/cm³ vs 7.14 g/cm³ for Prime Western Zinc) and Prime Western Zinc is stiffer (96 GPa vs 85 GPa).
Prime Western ZincChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Slush MetalChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Prime Western Zinc vs Slush Metal: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Reduction in Area
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 27 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.4×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.52 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
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 Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | Slush Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | As Cast |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 1 finish: Copper Plating.
Prime Western Zinc vs Slush Metal — frequently asked
Is Slush Metal stronger than Prime Western Zinc?
Yes. Slush Metal has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for Prime Western Zinc — about 6.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) vs 35 MPa (5.08 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Prime Western Zinc or Slush Metal?
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 welds better, Prime Western Zinc or Slush Metal?
Prime Western Zinc. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against poor (15/100) for Slush Metal.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Prime Western Zinc and Slush Metal 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.