Zinc Alloy Zamak 3
ASTM Zamak 3 · UNS Z33520
Zamak 3 is the base zinc-aluminum die-casting alloy of the Zamak family (Z33520, AG40A, Mazak 3) and the most widely used zinc casting grade, with no deliberate copper addition.
Values for the As Cast condition
Zamak 3 tempers and conditions
Zamak 3 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. As Cast is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
sand / permanent-mould / spin cast | Use for prototypes, low-volume parts and short-run tooling/fixtures where die casting is not justified; coarser grain gives lower strength and ductility than die cast. | 150 | 200 | 3 | 75 HB | 26 % IACS |
thermally aged (e.g. 3–6 h at 95–100 °C) for dimensional stability | Choose when long-term dimensional stability matters (precision gauges, optical/mechanism housings); trades a little strength for stability and higher ductility. | 205 | 255 | 15 | 78 HB | 27 % IACS |
As CastDefault hot-chamber die cast, no heat treatment | Default condition for virtually all Zamak 3 parts: as-ejected hot-chamber die castings, trimmed and optionally plated. | 221 | 283 | 10 | 82 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is Zamak 3?
Zamak 3 is the base zinc-aluminum die-casting alloy of the Zamak family (Z33520, AG40A, Mazak 3) and the most widely used zinc casting grade, with no deliberate copper addition. As-cast properties are about 221 MPa yield, 283 MPa tensile, 10% elongation and 82 HB, with 113 W/m·K thermal conductivity and 27% IACS electrical conductivity; it is offered as hot-chamber die castings, stabilized parts, gravity castings and machined stock (machinability rating 90). Engineers choose it for castability, dimensional stability and easy plating. It is limited to about 100 °C service and is not fusion weldable; step up to Zamak 5 or Zamak 2 for higher strength and hardness. Zamak 3 has a density of 6.6 g/cm³ (0.238 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 381°C (718 °F). Zamak 3 has a yield strength of 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 283 MPa (41 ksi) — stronger than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
What is Zamak 3 used for?
- Toys
- Cosmetic cases
- Decorative hardware
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 100% of zinc alloy grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 89% of zinc alloy grades
Zamak 3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Zamak 3-As Cast; bars are the position among zinc alloy grades.
Physical3
Zamak 3 has a density of 6.6 g/cm³ (0.238 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 381°C (718 °F).
Mechanical12
Zamak 3 has a yield strength of 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 283 MPa (41 ksi) — stronger than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Zamak 3 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 113 W/m·K (65.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 27.4 µm/m·K (15.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Zamak 3 conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, worse than 57% of zinc alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), better than 50% of zinc alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Zamak 3 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 68% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
Zamak 3's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 100% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. Zamak 3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Zamak 3
Is Zamak 3 easy to machine?
Very easy: high speeds, sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, light feeds; long free-machining chips and excellent surface finish, minimal tool wear.
Can Zamak 3 be welded?
Fusion welding is impractical; use soft soldering with zinc-suitable flux, mechanical fasteners/heat staking or adhesives; repair by filling/plating.
Can Zamak 3 be formed, bent or molded?
Ideal hot-chamber die-casting alloy — 380–390 °C metal, thin walls down to ~0.5 mm, fine detail, long die life; keep Fe low and hold Mg to avoid hot cracking and inter-granular corrosion.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to Zamak 3. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent90 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | — / — |
| Minimum wall | — |
| Minimum internal radius | — |
| Drill depth limit | |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra — / — |
| Hardenable after machining | — |
Zamak 3 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 | 3.5 – 4.3 | 4 |
| Mg | 0.02 – 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Cutypically held below 0.10 % in Zamak 3 | ≤ 0.25 | 0.03 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Cd | ≤ 0 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0 | |
| Nimax (informational) | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Znspecial high grade zinc (99.99 %) base | balance |
What surface finishes work on Zamak 3?
Not anodizable; standard route is Cu/Ni/Cr bright plating, or chromate/passivate plus powder coat or paint; polishes and buffs well but avoid deep grinding into porosity.
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).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Zinc Alloy Zamak 3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- Z33520
- ASTM
- AG40A
- Trade names
- Mazak 3
How much does Zamak 3 cost?
Zamak 3 is a budget-cost zinc alloy ($), cheaper than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Zamak 3 — frequently asked
What is Zamak 3 used for?
Zamak 3 is typically used for toys, cosmetic cases and decorative hardware. In short: workhorse die-cast zinc.
What is the yield strength of Zamak 3?
Zamak 3 has a typical yield strength of 221 MPa (32.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 283 MPa (41 ksi) — stronger than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Zamak 3 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 100% of zinc alloy grades). Very easy: high speeds, sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS, light feeds; long free-machining chips and excellent surface finish, minimal tool wear.
Can Zamak 3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding is impractical; use soft soldering with zinc-suitable flux, mechanical fasteners/heat staking or adhesives; repair by filling/plating.
What surface finishes work on Zamak 3?
Not anodizable; standard route is Cu/Ni/Cr bright plating, or chromate/passivate plus powder coat or paint; polishes and buffs well but avoid deep grinding into porosity.
Can Zamak 3 be formed, bent or molded?
Ideal hot-chamber die-casting alloy — 380–390 °C metal, thin walls down to ~0.5 mm, fine detail, long die life; keep Fe low and hold Mg to avoid hot cracking and inter-granular corrosion.
What is the maximum service temperature of Zamak 3?
Zamak 3 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Zamak 3 cost?
Zamak 3 is a budget-cost zinc alloy ($), cheaper than about 98% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Zamak 3?
Yes — Zamak 3 is available for CNC machining and casting & forging with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B86 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Foundry and Die Castings (Alloy AG40A / UNS Z33520) — ASTM (2018)
- JIS H 5301 — Zinc alloy die castings (ZDC2) — JIS (2009)
- EN 12844 / EN 1774 — Zinc and zinc alloys, castings and alloys for casting (ZL0400) — CEN (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Zinc and Zinc Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- NADCA Product Specification Standards for Die Castings — zinc alloy property tables — NADCA (2018)
- Zinc die-casting alloy property sheets (ILZRO / Eastern Alloys Zamak 3) — ILZRO / Eastern Alloys (2020)
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.