Zinc Alloy ZA-12 · finish state
Zinc Alloy ZA-12-DC
Properties of the DC condition, compared with the other ZA-12 tempers.
Highest strength and thinnest walls for high-volume parts; requires cold-chamber machines because of the 11% Al content.
What is ZA-12-DC?
ZA-12-DC is ZA-12 supplied in the DC condition — highest strength and thinnest walls for high-volume parts; requires cold-chamber machines because of the 11% Al content. ZA-12-DC has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 100% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 83 GPa (12 Msi). ZA-12-DC has a density of 6.03 g/cm³ (0.218 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 377°C (711 °F). As Cast is the default condition FabDigit quotes; DC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), better than 107% of zinc alloy grades
- High strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), better than 100% of zinc alloy grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 83 GPa (12 Msi), worse than 93% of zinc alloy grades
ZA-12-DC properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZA-12-DC — 30 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ZA-12 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the zinc alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
ZA-12-DC has a density of 6.03 g/cm³ (0.218 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 377°C (711 °F).
Mechanical12
ZA-12-DC has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 100% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 83 GPa (12 Msi).
Thermal6
ZA-12-DC is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 24.2 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZA-12-DC conducts electricity at 28.3 % IACS, better than 89% of zinc alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), better than 82% of zinc alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ZA-12-DC takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
ZA-12-DC's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 64% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other ZA-12 tempers and conditions
ZA-12 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the ZA-12 overview.
- As CastDefaultDefault stocked/quoted condition for ZA-12 castings and ingot; covers typical sand/permanent-mould gravity casting without post-cast heat treatment.240 MPa yield · 95 HB
- DCHighest strength and thinnest walls for high-volume parts; requires cold-chamber machines because of the 11% Al content.320 MPa yield · 89 HB
- PMMedium-volume gravity casting with finer structure than sand: higher yield strength and better surface, moderate tooling cost.214 MPa yield · 94 HB
- SCChoose for large, low-volume or thick-wall parts and bronze-replacement bushings where tooling cost must stay low.207 MPa yield · 94 HB
Working with ZA-12-DC
Is ZA-12 easy to machine?
Machines very freely with sharp carbide or HSS tooling, high speeds, light rake and minimal lubricant; excellent surface finish and long tool life.
Can ZA-12 be welded?
Essentially not fusion-welded in production; repairs are made by zinc-based filler/soldering or adhesive bonding, with low heat input to avoid melting the 377 °C solidus.
Can ZA-12 be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy — sand, permanent-mould and cold-chamber die casting (pour ~450–500 °C); good fluidity and thin-wall fill, allow for solidification shrinkage and avoid hot-chamber machines.
What surface finishes work on ZA-12?
Not anodizable; use chromate/phosphate conversion coats, Cu-Ni-Cr electroplate, powder or wet paint; polishes to a bright finish but needs a protective topcoat outdoors.
ZA-12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 10.5 – 11.5 | 11 |
| Cu | 0.5 – 1.25 | 0.9 |
| Mg | 0.02 – 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Femax (0.05 max for ingot) | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cd | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Sn | ≤ 0 | — |
| Znbalance, high-grade zinc | balance | — |
ZA-12-DC — frequently asked
What is ZA-12-DC used for?
ZA-12-DC is typically used for conveyor components, industrial bushings, gear and sprocket blanks, machine frames and brackets, pump and valve housings and wear plates and guide rails. In short: high-strength ZA casting.
What is the yield strength of ZA-12-DC?
ZA-12-DC has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 100% of zinc alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is ZA-12-DC easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 64% of zinc alloy grades). Machines very freely with sharp carbide or HSS tooling, high speeds, light rake and minimal lubricant; excellent surface finish and long tool life.
Can ZA-12-DC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Essentially not fusion-welded in production; repairs are made by zinc-based filler/soldering or adhesive bonding, with low heat input to avoid melting the 377 °C solidus.
What surface finishes work on ZA-12-DC?
Not anodizable; use chromate/phosphate conversion coats, Cu-Ni-Cr electroplate, powder or wet paint; polishes to a bright finish but needs a protective topcoat outdoors.
Can ZA-12-DC be formed, bent or molded?
Foundry alloy — sand, permanent-mould and cold-chamber die casting (pour ~450–500 °C); good fluidity and thin-wall fill, allow for solidification shrinkage and avoid hot-chamber machines.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZA-12-DC?
ZA-12-DC is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ZA-12 As Cast and ZA-12-DC?
As Cast is the default condition — default stocked/quoted condition for ZA-12 castings and ingot; covers typical sand/permanent-mould gravity casting without post-cast heat treatment. DC: highest strength and thinnest walls for high-volume parts; requires cold-chamber machines because of the 11% Al content. Yield strength is 240 MPa in As Cast versus 320 MPa in DC.
Can FabDigit make parts in ZA-12-DC?
Yes — ZA-12-DC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B791 — Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloy Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B669 — Zinc-Aluminum Alloy in Ingot Form for Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Zinc and Zinc Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ZA-12 alloy data sheet — Eastern Alloys (2020)
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.