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Die casting in Zinc Zamak 3
Zinc Zamak 3 is one of the most economical choices for die casting: hot-chamber cycles several times faster than aluminum die casting. On a representative housing at 5,000 pieces it estimates at about $3.22 per part plus $18,550 tooling, with a lead time of 8–12 weeks. Typical tolerance is ±0.002–0.010 in (±0.05–0.25 mm) on the first inch, plus about ±0.001 in per added inch (NADCA precision to standard).
- Per part
- $3.22
- Tooling
- $18,550
- Lead time
- 8–12 weeks
Price it in Zamak 3
Housing · Die casting
Order total $35,268
- Tooling
- $18,550
- one-time, spread over the order
- Piece price
- $3.22
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 8–12 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity50005000 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
Zamak 3 vs other die casting materials
The same housing at 5,000 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. A380 is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum A380 (die cast) | $2.33 | $6.81 | 196 g | 324 MPa |
| Zinc Zamak 3 | $3.22 | $7.05 | 478 g | 283 MPa |
| Zinc Zamak 5 | $3.35 | $7.18 | 478 g | 331 MPa |
Zamak 3 at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 283 MPa47th pct
- Yield strength
- 221 MPa25th pct
- Density
- 6.6 g/cm³57th pct
- Max service temp
- 100 °C10th pct
- Elongation
- 10 %14th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Hot-chamber cycles several times faster than aluminum die casting
- Walls down to about 0.030 in (0.75 mm) and tight tolerances with little or no machining
- The best plating base of the die cast alloys for chrome, nickel and brass finishes
- Best long-term dimensional stability of the Zamak alloys
- Die life often above 1 million shots
Watch for
- Creeps under sustained load, more so above 120 °F (50 °C); test clamped joints and preloaded bosses
- About 2.4× the density of aluminum, so parts are heavy
- Lower strength than Zamak 5 and ZA alloys
- Not for continuous service above about 212 °F (100 °C)
Finishes for this combination
Die casting design rules
Aluminum 0.060–0.150 in (1.5–3.8 mm); zinc 0.040–0.100 in (1.0–2.5 mm)
Keep walls uniform
Aluminum about 1° outside and 2° inside; zinc about 0.5° outside and 1° inside
Add draft
Inside radius at least 0.040 in (1 mm)
Radius corners and fillets
Rib base about equal to nominal wall
Stiffen with ribs, not mass
Leave 0.010–0.030 in (0.25–0.75 mm) on machined surfaces
Minimize machining stock
Zinc at least 0.040 in (1 mm) diameter; aluminum at least 0.100 in (2.5 mm); depth no more than about 4× diameter
Size cored holes
Questions
How much does die casting in Zamak 3 cost?
For a representative part (open housing 140 mm × 90 mm × 36 mm, 2.2 mm wall, 1° draft, 4 bosses, 2 ribs), SSG's estimator gives about $3.22 per part at 5,000 pieces, plus about $18,550 one-time tooling. All-in with tooling and setup that is $7.05 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is Zamak 3 a good material for die casting?
It is when you need hot-chamber cycles several times faster than aluminum die casting and walls down to about 0.030 in (0.75 mm) and tight tolerances with little or no machining. Watch for creeps under sustained load, more so above 120 °f (50 °c); test clamped joints and preloaded bosses. Of 3 materials run in die casting, it ranks 2 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on Zamak 3 die casting parts?
Common options are vibratory deburr (tumbling), powder coat, e-coat (electrocoat), wet paint (liquid coating), chrome plating. The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can die casting hold in Zamak 3?
Typical capability is ±0.002–0.010 in (±0.05–0.25 mm) on the first inch, plus about ±0.001 in per added inch (NADCA precision to standard). Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote die casting in Zamak 3.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.