Zinc Alloy Prime Western Zinc
UNS Z19001
Prime Western Zinc is a lower-purity primary zinc grade to ASTM B6 (UNS Z19001, also designated Zn97.5), running around 98 % Zn with residual lead and cadmium.
Reference datasheet — Prime Western Zinc is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
What is Prime Western Zinc?
Prime Western Zinc is a lower-purity primary zinc grade to ASTM B6 (UNS Z19001, also designated Zn97.5), running around 98 % Zn with residual lead and cadmium. It is supplied as ingot, cast anode and slush-casting stock for general galvanizing, non-critical alloying and sacrificial coatings. Strength is minimal (20 MPa yield, 35 MPa tensile, 5 % elongation, 32 HB) with a 100 °C service limit, and the Pb/Cd content rules it out of pressure die casting because of intergranular corrosion swelling. Use SHG zinc where impurity control matters. Prime Western Zinc has a density of 7.14 g/cm³ (0.258 lb/in³), heavier than 82% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 418°C (784 °F). Prime Western Zinc has a yield strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) — weaker than 96% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
What is Prime Western Zinc used for?
- general hot-dip galvanizing
- general zinc alloying
- sacrificial coatings
Limitations
- Low strength — 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), worse than 96% of zinc alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 93% of zinc alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 93% of zinc alloy grades
Prime Western Zinc properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among zinc alloy grades.
Physical3
Prime Western Zinc has a density of 7.14 g/cm³ (0.258 lb/in³), heavier than 82% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 418°C (784 °F).
Mechanical11
Prime Western Zinc has a yield strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) — weaker than 96% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Prime Western Zinc is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 31 µm/m·K (17.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Prime Western Zinc conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, worse than 57% of zinc alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 93% of zinc alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Prime Western Zinc takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 68% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Prime Western Zinc's machinability is very good (75/100, worse than 79% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the zinc alloy family
Yield strength against density for every zinc alloy grade FabDigit runs. Prime Western Zinc is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Prime Western Zinc
Is Prime Western Zinc easy to machine?
Cuts very easily with sharp, high-rake, polished tools and light feeds; use flood coolant to avoid smearing and built-up edge — no cutting oil needed on the surface if the part will be plated.
Can Prime Western Zinc be welded?
Not a welding grade — join by soldering or mechanical means; any torch work must have local fume extraction because of zinc oxide fume fever.
Can Prime Western Zinc be formed, bent or molded?
Cast (gravity/slush) rather than wrought; melt at 430–470 °C under a flux cover, avoid iron tooling contact above 480 °C and never use PW for pressure die casting (Pb/Cd cause intergranular corrosion swelling).
Prime Western Zinc 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pbprincipal impurity; causes kettle dross and dull spangle | ≤ 1.4 | 0.9 |
| Cd | ≤ 0.2 | 0.07 |
| Fedrives hard-zinc (dross) formation in galvanizing baths | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Alnot specified in B6; typically trace only | ≤ 0.01 | |
| ZnASTM B6 Prime Western, 98.0 % Zn min by difference | ≥ 98 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Prime Western Zinc?
Chromate or trivalent passivation, phosphating and paint adhere well after alkaline degreasing; anodising is not applicable, and Pb-rich surfaces can bloom or cause plating pits.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on zinc alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Zinc Alloy Prime Western Zinc in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- Z19001
How much does Prime Western Zinc cost?
Prime Western Zinc is a standard-cost zinc alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Prime Western Zinc — frequently asked
What is Prime Western Zinc used for?
Prime Western Zinc is typically used for general hot-dip galvanizing, general zinc alloying and sacrificial coatings. In short: lowest-cost primary zinc; general galvanizing feedstock; not for die casting.
What is the yield strength of Prime Western Zinc?
Prime Western Zinc has a typical yield strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) — weaker than 96% of zinc alloy grades.
Is Prime Western Zinc easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, worse than 79% of zinc alloy grades). Cuts very easily with sharp, high-rake, polished tools and light feeds; use flood coolant to avoid smearing and built-up edge — no cutting oil needed on the surface if the part will be plated.
Can Prime Western Zinc be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not a welding grade — join by soldering or mechanical means; any torch work must have local fume extraction because of zinc oxide fume fever.
What surface finishes work on Prime Western Zinc?
Chromate or trivalent passivation, phosphating and paint adhere well after alkaline degreasing; anodising is not applicable, and Pb-rich surfaces can bloom or cause plating pits.
Can Prime Western Zinc be formed, bent or molded?
Cast (gravity/slush) rather than wrought; melt at 430–470 °C under a flux cover, avoid iron tooling contact above 480 °C and never use PW for pressure die casting (Pb/Cd cause intergranular corrosion swelling).
What is the maximum service temperature of Prime Western Zinc?
Prime Western Zinc 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.
How much does Prime Western Zinc cost?
Prime Western Zinc is a standard-cost zinc alloy ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM B6 — Standard Specification for Zinc — ASTM International (2018)
- GB/T 470 (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Zinc and Zinc Alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- UNS Z19001 alloy record — SAE/ASTM UNS (2017)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.