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Zinc Alloy Kirksite REMELT

Grade

also Kirksite A

REMELT = recycled/re-poured tooling metal

Economical choice for non-critical fixtures and blocks poured from scrapped dies; expect slightly lower and more variable ductility.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the REMELT 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Stabilized
Use before final machining of precision dies to pre-empt natural-ageing shrinkage and residual-stress movement.175210495 HB27 % IACS
REMELTThis page
Recycled/re-poured tooling metal
Economical choice for non-critical fixtures and blocks poured from scrapped dies; expect slightly lower and more variable ductility.1802102100 HB25 % IACS
FDefault
As fabricated
Standard condition for poured tooling blocks and die models machined straight from the casting.1902273100 HB26 % IACS
Chill cast
Pick when a finer grain and 10–20 % higher strength/hardness are needed on punch noses and wear faces.2152604110 HB26 % IACS

What is Kirksite REMELT?

Kirksite REMELT is Kirksite in the REMELT grade — economical choice for non-critical fixtures and blocks poured from scrapped dies; expect slightly lower and more variable ductility. Kirksite REMELT has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 94 GPa (13.6 Msi). Kirksite REMELT 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). F is the default condition FabDigit quotes; REMELT is available on request or by drawing note.

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 100% of zinc alloy grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 93% of zinc alloy grades
  • Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 92% of zinc alloy grades

Kirksite REMELT properties

Typical room-temperature values for Kirksite REMELT; 22 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 REMELT 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).

Density6.7 g/cm³0.24 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)379°C714 °F
Liquidus Temperature390°C734 °F

Mechanical14

Kirksite REMELT has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 94 GPa (13.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus94 GPa13.6 Msi
Shear Modulus37 GPa5.4 Msi
Bulk Modulus70 GPa10.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)210 MPa30.5 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)180 MPa26.1 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Compressive Strength395 MPa57.3 ksi
Shear Strength170 MPa24.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)50 MPa7.3 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)4 J3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell100 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B55 HRB
Hardness, Vickers105 HV

Thermal6

Kirksite REMELT is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 27.4 µm/m·K (15.2 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity105 W/m·K60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity419 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)27.4 µm/m·K15.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion110 J/g47.3 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)100°C212 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

Kirksite REMELT conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, worse than 100% of zinc alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity25 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.72 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 93% of zinc alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-1 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryStable in dry air and in contact with oils, waxes and most lubricants; corrodes readily in acids, alkalis and salt spray, and suffers intergranular attack if Pb/Cd/Sn impurities exceed limits or in hot humid service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Kirksite REMELT takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 68% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 100%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content100%

Manufacturability8

Kirksite REMELT's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 89% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityExcellent85/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)75%
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
CastabilityExcellent92/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityGood65/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — zinc alloys are not anodized; use chromate conversion, plating or paint

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Kirksite REMELT

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Alprimary strengthener; controls fluidity and shrinkage3.5 – 4.54
Curaises strength, hardness and creep resistance2.5 – 3.53
Mgsuppresses intergranular corrosion0.02 – 0.10.05
Feimpurity max≤ 0.1—
Pbimpurity max — intergranular corrosion≤ 0.01—
Cdimpurity max≤ 0—
Snimpurity max≤ 0—
Znbalance, from Special High Grade zincbalance—

Kirksite REMELT — frequently asked

What is Kirksite REMELT used for?

Kirksite REMELT 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 REMELT?

Kirksite REMELT has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is Kirksite REMELT 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 REMELT be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). 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 REMELT?

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 REMELT 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 REMELT?

Kirksite REMELT 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

  1. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (zinc and zinc alloys) — ASM International (1990)
  2. ASTM B240 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloys in Ingot Form for Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2020)
  3. ASTM B86 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
  4. Zinc tooling alloy (Kirksite-type) technical data — Eastern Alloys / zinc alloy producers (2020)
  5. 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.