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Zinc aluminum

Zinc-aluminum alloys, more commonly referred to as ZA, are named as such because the main constituents are zinc and aluminum. Other alloying elements include magnesium and copper. This type of alloy was originally developed for gravity casting. Noranda, New Jersey Zinc Co. Ltd., St. Joe Mineral Co. and ILZRO were the main companies that pioneered the ZA alloys between the 1950s and the 1970s. They were designed to compete with bronze, cast iron and aluminum using sand and permanent mold casting methods. Distinguishing features of ZA alloys include high as-cast strength, excellent bearing properties, as well as low energy (melting) requirements.^[1]

Additional recommended knowledge

Mechanical Properties

^[1]	ZA6		ZA12		ZA27
Mechanical Properties	Sand Cast	Permanent Mold	Sand Cast	Permanent Mold	Sand Cast	Permanent Mold
Ultimate Tensile Strength [psi x 10³ (MPa)]	38 (263)	32-37 (221-255)	40-46 (276-317)	45-50 (310-345)	58-64 (400-441)	45-47 (310-324)
Yield Strength - 0.2% Offset [psi x 10³ (MPa)]	29 (200)	30 (206)	31 (214)	39 (269)	54 (372)	37 (255)
Elongation [% in 2"]	1-2	1-2	1-3	1-3	3-6	8-11
Shear Strength [psi x 10³ (MPa)]	-	35 (241)	37 (255)	-	42 (290)	33 (228)
Hardness [Brinell]	85	85-90	89-105	89-105	110-120	90-110
Impact Strength [ft·lbf (J)]	156 (20)	-	193 (25)	-	353 (47)	433 (58)
Fatigue Strength Rotary Bend [5x10⁸ cycles: psi x 10³ (MPa)]	-	7.5 (52)	15 (103)	-	25 (172)	15 (103)
Compressive Yield Strength 0.1% Offset [psi x 10³ (MPa)]	29 (199)	31 (214)	33 (227)	34 (234)	48 (331)	37 (255)
Modulus of Elasticity [psi x 10⁶ (MPa x 10³)]	12.4 (85.5)	12.47 (85.5)	12.07 (82.7)	12.07 (82.7)	11.37 (77.9)	11.37 (77.9)
Poisson's Ratio	0.29	0.29	0.30	0.30	0.32	0.32