Zinc Alloy Zn99.99-O (Annealed)
Temper
ASTM B69
Pick for the most severe deep drawing, spinning or repeated bending (battery cans, bellows, collapsible parts).
Values for the O condition
Other Zn99.99 tempers and conditions
Zn99.99 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Zn99.99.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OThis page Annealed | Pick for the most severe deep drawing, spinning or repeated bending (battery cans, bellows, collapsible parts). | 30 | 115 | 60 | 30 HB | 28.5 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Choose for thicker plate, anode plate and roofing where maximum ductility and flatness matter more than strength. | 45 | 130 | 50 | 35 HB | 28.3 % IACS |
CRDefault Cold rolled | Default stock condition for pure zinc sheet and strip: good strength/formability balance for cans, blanks, engraving plate and flashing. | 65 | 145 | 40 | 40 HB | — |
Half Hard | Use where moderate stiffness and springback are needed but some bending is still required (roof standing seams, stampings). | 90 | 160 | 25 | 44 HB | 28 % IACS |
Hardened | Highest strength and stiffness for flat springs, blanking stock and thin strip; note that pure zinc partially recovers/softens at room temperature over weeks. | 125 | 190 | 12 | 50 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is Zn99.99-O?
Zn99.99-O is Zn99.99 in the O temper — pick for the most severe deep drawing, spinning or repeated bending (battery cans, bellows, collapsible parts). Zn99.99-O has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 86% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi). Zn99.99-O has a density of 7.14 g/cm³ (0.258 lb/in³), heavier than 82% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 420°C (787 °F). CR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 108% of zinc alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 60%, better than 107% of zinc alloy grades
- Readily welded — 32/100, better than 86% of zinc alloy grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 50/100, worse than 100% of zinc alloy grades
- Low strength — 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), worse than 86% of zinc alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 79% of zinc alloy grades
Zn99.99-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for Zn99.99-O; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Zn99.99 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among zinc alloy grades.
Physical3
Zn99.99-O has a density of 7.14 g/cm³ (0.258 lb/in³), heavier than 82% of zinc alloy grades. It melts at 420°C (787 °F).
Mechanical11
Zn99.99-O has a yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 86% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 60% and the elastic modulus is 96 GPa (13.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Zn99.99-O is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of zinc alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 30 µm/m·K (16.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Zn99.99-O conducts electricity at 28.5 % IACS, better than 100% of zinc alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), better than 71% of zinc alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Zn99.99-O takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 68% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
Zn99.99-O's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 100% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (32/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Zn99.99-O
Is Zn99.99 easy to machine?
Cuts easily but is soft and gummy — use sharp, high-rake HSS or carbide tools, generous top clearance, high speed and light feeds with a light lubricant; avoid built-up edge and burr-over on thin sheet.
Can Zn99.99 be welded?
Fusion welding is difficult (low melting point, rapid oxidation, ZnO fume); joining is normally by soldering with Sn-Zn/Zn-Al solders and acid flux, mechanical seaming, riveting or adhesive bonding — always with fume extraction.
Can Zn99.99 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent bending, drawing and spinning; grain direction matters, and severe draws are best done warm (about 60–150 °C) — never hot-work above ~250 °C or below ~10 °C, and expect room-temperature creep in loaded parts.
What surface finishes work on Zn99.99?
Not anodisable — degrease and use chromate/trivalent passivation, phosphating with powder or wet paint, or leave to weather to a natural grey patina; can be mechanically brushed or bright-rolled but does not hold a high polish.
Zn99.99 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| Pb | ≤ 0.01 |
| Cd | ≤ 0 |
| Fe | ≤ 0 |
| Cu | ≤ 0 |
| Sn | ≤ 0 |
| Al | ≤ 0 |
| total impuritiessum of listed impurities per GB/T 470 Zn99.99 / ASTM B6 SHG | ≤ 0.01 |
| ZnSpecial High Grade / 0# high-purity zinc | ≥ 99.99 (balance) |
Zn99.99-O — frequently asked
What is Zn99.99-O used for?
Zn99.99-O is typically used for battery cans, coinage blanks, gaskets and washers and die-stamped components. In short: most formable wrought zinc; high-purity battery-can stock; creeps at room temperature.
What is the yield strength of Zn99.99-O?
Zn99.99-O has a typical yield strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 86% of zinc alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Zn99.99-O easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 100% of zinc alloy grades). Cuts easily but is soft and gummy — use sharp, high-rake HSS or carbide tools, generous top clearance, high speed and light feeds with a light lubricant; avoid built-up edge and burr-over on thin sheet.
Can Zn99.99-O be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (32/100). Fusion welding is difficult (low melting point, rapid oxidation, ZnO fume); joining is normally by soldering with Sn-Zn/Zn-Al solders and acid flux, mechanical seaming, riveting or adhesive bonding — always with fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on Zn99.99-O?
Not anodisable — degrease and use chromate/trivalent passivation, phosphating with powder or wet paint, or leave to weather to a natural grey patina; can be mechanically brushed or bright-rolled but does not hold a high polish.
Can Zn99.99-O be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent bending, drawing and spinning; grain direction matters, and severe draws are best done warm (about 60–150 °C) — never hot-work above ~250 °C or below ~10 °C, and expect room-temperature creep in loaded parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of Zn99.99-O?
Zn99.99-O 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 Zn99.99-CR and Zn99.99-H?
CR is the default condition — default stock condition for pure zinc sheet and strip: good strength/formability balance for cans, blanks, engraving plate and flashing. H: highest strength and stiffness for flat springs, blanking stock and thin strip; note that pure zinc partially recovers/softens at room temperature over weeks. Yield strength is 65 MPa in CR versus 125 MPa in H.
Sources
- ASTM B69 – Standard Specification for Rolled Zinc — ASTM International (2016)
- ASTM B6 – Standard Specification for Zinc (SHG grade) — ASTM International (2018)
- GB/T 470 (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Zinc and Zinc Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- International Zinc Association — zinc LCA and property data — IZA (2023)
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.