Zinc Alloy Kirksite STAB
Heat-treated state
also Kirksite A
STAB = stabilized
Use before final machining of precision dies to pre-empt natural-ageing shrinkage and residual-stress movement.
Values for the STAB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STABThis page 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 |
FDefault 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 STAB?
Kirksite STAB is Kirksite heat treated to STAB — use before final machining of precision dies to pre-empt natural-ageing shrinkage and residual-stress movement. Kirksite STAB has a yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi). Kirksite STAB 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; STAB is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 32/100, better than 86% of zinc alloy grades
Kirksite STAB properties
Typical room-temperature values for Kirksite STAB; 21 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 STAB 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 STAB has a yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) — stronger than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Kirksite STAB is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 112 W/m·K (64.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 50% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 27.4 µm/m·K (15.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Kirksite STAB conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, worse than 57% of zinc alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 71% of zinc alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Kirksite STAB 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 STAB's machinability is excellent (87/100, better than 100% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (32/100); formability poor (18/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Kirksite STAB
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 STAB — frequently asked
What is Kirksite STAB used for?
Kirksite STAB 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 STAB?
Kirksite STAB has a typical yield strength of 175 MPa (25.4 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 STAB easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (87/100, better than 100% 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 STAB be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (32/100). 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 STAB?
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 STAB 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 STAB?
Kirksite STAB is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °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.