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Zinc Alloy SHG Zinc vs Zinc Anode Alloy

Zinc Alloy · grade comparison

Zinc Alloy SHG Zinc and Zinc Anode Alloy are both zinc alloy grades. Zinc Anode Alloy is the stronger of the two: yield strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for SHG Zinc, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi). In exchange, SHG Zinc is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 8% for Zinc Anode Alloy, and Zinc Anode Alloy is harder (38 HB vs 30 HB). SHG Zinc runs hotter in service (100°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, Zinc Anode Alloy machines more easily (very good vs good), SHG Zinc welds better (fair vs poor), and SHG Zinc sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Zinc Anode Alloy (premium, $$$).

SHG ZincChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Zinc Anode AlloyChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

SHG Zinc vs Zinc Anode Alloy: properties

SHG ZincZinc Anode Alloy

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

96 GPa13.9 Msi
100 GPa14.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

38 GPa5.5 Msi
40 GPa5.8 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
8%

Compressive Strength

60 MPa8.7 ksi
—

Shear Strength

25 MPa3.6 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

20 MPa2.9 ksi
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

30 HB
38 HB

Hardness, Vickers

33 HV
—

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.25

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.14 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
7.13 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

420°C787 °F
419°C786 °F

Liquidus Temperature

420°C787 °F
420°C788 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

116 W/m·K67 BTU/hr·ft·°F
110 W/m·K63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

388 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
390 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

30.2 µm/m·K16.8 µin/in·°F
30.5 µm/m·K16.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
50°C122 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 112 J/g48.2 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

28.3 % IACS
26 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.32 µΩ·in
6.6×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

35 / 100
18 / 100

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

60 / 100
80 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

85 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 70% · Castability 90 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.7 kg CO₂/kg
3.4 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
8%

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)

4 kN·m/kg
11 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

13.4 MN·m/kg
14 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2 kJ/m³
13 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

41.9 mm²/s
39.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

1
3

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.

205010020055.566.57Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleZinc Anode AlloySHG Zinc

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilitySHG ZincZinc Anode Alloy
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 1 finish: Copper Plating.

SHG Zinc vs Zinc Anode Alloy — frequently asked

Is Zinc Anode Alloy stronger than SHG Zinc?

Yes. Zinc Anode Alloy has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) for SHG Zinc — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi).

Which is cheaper, SHG Zinc or Zinc Anode Alloy?

SHG Zinc is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Zinc Anode Alloy is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, SHG Zinc or Zinc Anode Alloy?

Zinc Anode Alloy. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against good (60/100) for SHG Zinc; for welding the order is SHG Zinc first (fair, 40/100) then Zinc Anode Alloy (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SHG Zinc and Zinc Anode Alloy 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.