Zinc Alloy Zn99.5 vs Zn99.99
Zinc Alloy · grade comparison
Zinc Alloy Zn99.5 and Zn99.99 are both zinc alloy grades. Zn99.5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) against 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) for Zn99.99, about 46% more. Zn99.99 is harder — 40 HB against 38 HB for Zn99.5 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, Zn99.5 machines more easily (very good vs good) and Zn99.5 welds better (fair vs poor).
Zn99.5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Zn99.99Choose it when surface hardness matters.
Zn99.5 vs Zn99.99: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 70 GPa10.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.25 · Elongation at Break 40% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 35 MPa5.1 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.14 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 420°C787 °F · Liquidus Temperature 420°C787 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 390 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 30 µm/m·K16.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 112 J/g48.2 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 100°C212 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 5.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.32 µΩ·in
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 20 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 6
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 | Zn99.5 | Zn99.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 1 finish: Copper Plating.
Zn99.5 vs Zn99.99 — frequently asked
Is Zn99.5 stronger than Zn99.99?
Yes. Zn99.5 has a typical yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) against 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) for Zn99.99 — about 46% more. Tensile strength is 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) vs 145 MPa (21 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Zn99.5 or Zn99.99?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Zn99.5 or Zn99.99?
Zn99.5. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (60/100) for Zn99.99; for welding the order is Zn99.5 first (fair, 40/100) then Zn99.99 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Zn99.5 and Zn99.99 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.