Zinc Alloy Kirksite-F (As fabricated)
Temper · default condition
also Kirksite A
Standard condition for poured tooling blocks and die models machined straight from the casting.
Values for the F condition
Other Kirksite tempers and conditions
Kirksite is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Kirksite.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stabilized | Use before final machining of precision dies to pre-empt natural-ageing shrinkage and residual-stress movement. | 175 | 210 | 4 | 95 HB | 27 % IACS |
Recycled/re-poured tooling metal | Economical choice for non-critical fixtures and blocks poured from scrapped dies; expect slightly lower and more variable ductility. | 180 | 210 | 2 | 100 HB | 25 % IACS |
FDefaultThis page As fabricated | Standard condition for poured tooling blocks and die models machined straight from the casting. | 190 | 227 | 3 | 100 HB | 26 % IACS |
Chill cast | Pick when a finer grain and 10–20 % higher strength/hardness are needed on punch noses and wear faces. | 215 | 260 | 4 | 110 HB | 26 % IACS |
What is Kirksite-F?
Kirksite-F is Kirksite in the F temper — standard condition for poured tooling blocks and die models machined straight from the casting. Kirksite-F has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 227 MPa (32.9 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi). Kirksite-F has a density of 6.7 g/cm³ (0.242 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 379°C (714 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 30/100, better than 75% of zinc alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 86% of zinc alloy grades
Kirksite-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for Kirksite-F; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Kirksite reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among zinc alloy grades.
Physical3
Kirksite-F has a density of 6.7 g/cm³ (0.242 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 379°C (714 °F).
Mechanical14
Kirksite-F has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 227 MPa (32.9 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Kirksite-F is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 109 W/m·K (63 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 27.4 µm/m·K (15.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Kirksite-F conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 86% of zinc alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 82% of zinc alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Kirksite-F takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 68% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
Kirksite-F's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 89% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Kirksite-F
Is Kirksite easy to machine?
Cuts very freely with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS at high speed and light feed; use flood coolant or air blast to avoid smearing, and take a light finishing pass after stabilizing.
Can Kirksite be welded?
No arc welding practice — repair worn or damaged die faces by torch flow-welding with matching zinc alloy filler, or simply cut out and re-pour.
Can Kirksite be formed, bent or molded?
Poured at roughly 430–480 °C into plaster, sand, ceramic or steel moulds directly off a master pattern; allow for ~1.2 % solidification shrinkage plus slow natural ageing contraction.
What surface finishes work on Kirksite?
Cannot be anodized; hand-stone and polish the working face, then chromate, electroless-nickel plate or paint non-working surfaces for storage protection.
Kirksite chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Alprimary strengthener; controls fluidity and shrinkage | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Curaises strength, hardness and creep resistance | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Mgsuppresses intergranular corrosion | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Feimpurity max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Pbimpurity max — intergranular corrosion | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cdimpurity max | ≤ 0 | — |
| Snimpurity max | ≤ 0 | — |
| Znbalance, from Special High Grade zinc | balance | — |
Kirksite-F — frequently asked
What is Kirksite-F used for?
Kirksite-F is typically used for prototype stamping dies, die models, low-volume production tooling and jigs and fixtures. In short: fast low-cost prototype tooling; free-machining zinc tooling alloy; remeltable and re-pourable.
What is the yield strength of Kirksite-F?
Kirksite-F has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 227 MPa (32.9 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Kirksite-F easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 89% of zinc alloy grades). Cuts very freely with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS at high speed and light feed; use flood coolant or air blast to avoid smearing, and take a light finishing pass after stabilizing.
Can Kirksite-F be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). No arc welding practice — repair worn or damaged die faces by torch flow-welding with matching zinc alloy filler, or simply cut out and re-pour.
What surface finishes work on Kirksite-F?
Cannot be anodized; hand-stone and polish the working face, then chromate, electroless-nickel plate or paint non-working surfaces for storage protection.
Can Kirksite-F be formed, bent or molded?
Poured at roughly 430–480 °C into plaster, sand, ceramic or steel moulds directly off a master pattern; allow for ~1.2 % solidification shrinkage plus slow natural ageing contraction.
What is the maximum service temperature of Kirksite-F?
Kirksite-F is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Kirksite-F and Kirksite CHILL?
F is the default condition — standard condition for poured tooling blocks and die models machined straight from the casting. CHILL: pick when a finer grain and 10–20 % higher strength/hardness are needed on punch noses and wear faces. Yield strength is 190 MPa in F versus 215 MPa in CHILL.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (zinc and zinc alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B240 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloys in Ingot Form for Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B86 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- Zinc tooling alloy (Kirksite-type) technical data — Eastern Alloys / zinc alloy producers (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (zinc alloys) — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.