Zinc Alloy Slush Metal · grade
Zinc Alloy Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)
Properties of the As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) condition, compared with the other Slush Metal tempers.
Cheapest and most stable option; narrow freezing range means thicker, less uniform slush shells but excellent platability.
What is Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)?
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) is Slush Metal in the As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) grade — cheapest and most stable option; narrow freezing range means thicker, less uniform slush shells but excellent platability. Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 85 GPa (12.3 Msi). Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) 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). As Cast is the default condition FabDigit quotes; As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 107% of zinc alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 96% of zinc alloy grades
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) properties
Typical room-temperature values for Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Slush Metal temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the zinc alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) 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
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) has a yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 85 GPa (12.3 Msi).
Thermal6
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) 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
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) 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 Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 71% of zinc alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)'s machinability is very good (78/100, worse than 61% of zinc alloy grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Slush Metal tempers and conditions
Slush Metal is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Slush Metal overview.
- As CastDefaultDefault condition for hollow ornamental slush castings; use as poured after trimming and polishing.130 MPa yield · 70 HB
- As Cast (ZA-12 Base)Longest freezing range and highest strength of the common slush bases; chosen for large or semi-structural hollow castings.210 MPa yield · 95 HB
- As Cast (ZA-8 Base)Wider freezing range gives better shell control on large hollow parts and noticeably higher strength/hardness.200 MPa yield · 90 HB
- As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)Cheapest and most stable option; narrow freezing range means thicker, less uniform slush shells but excellent platability.120 MPa yield · 65 HB
Working with Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)
Is Slush Metal easy to machine?
Cuts very easily with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools at high speed and light feed; thin slush walls need gentle clamping to avoid collapse.
Can Slush Metal be welded?
Effectively unweldable by fusion; join by soft soldering (Zn/Sn-Zn alloys with active flux) or adhesives, or cast integral features.
Can Slush Metal be formed, bent or molded?
Pour at ~430–470 °C into a cool steel or bronze mold, hold seconds to build the shell, then invert to drain the liquid core; wall thickness is set by pour temperature, mold temperature and dwell time.
What surface finishes work on Slush Metal?
Buffs to a bright surface and takes copper/nickel/chromium plating or antique lacquer readily; no anodizing, and chromate/lacquer is recommended for humid or outdoor exposure.
Slush Metal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alraised to 8–12 % when ZA-8/ZA-12 base is used for a wider freezing range | 3.5 – 6 | 5 |
| Curaises strength and hardness; too much promotes ageing growth | 0 – 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Mgsuppresses intergranular corrosion from impurities | 0.01 – 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Pbimpurity limit — critical for long-term dimensional stability | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cd | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| Sn | ≤ 0 | 0 |
| Zn | balance | — |
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) — frequently asked
What is Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) used for?
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) is typically used for decorative castings and ornaments, lamp bases and lighting bodies, figurines, statuettes and trophies, candlesticks and holloware, furniture and cabinet hardware and mirror and clock frames. In short: decorative slush-cast zinc.
What is the yield strength of Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)?
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) has a typical yield strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 64% of zinc alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, worse than 61% of zinc alloy grades). Cuts very easily with sharp positive-rake carbide or HSS tools at high speed and light feed; thin slush walls need gentle clamping to avoid collapse.
Can Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Effectively unweldable by fusion; join by soft soldering (Zn/Sn-Zn alloys with active flux) or adhesives, or cast integral features.
What surface finishes work on Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)?
Buffs to a bright surface and takes copper/nickel/chromium plating or antique lacquer readily; no anodizing, and chromate/lacquer is recommended for humid or outdoor exposure.
Can Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) be formed, bent or molded?
Pour at ~430–470 °C into a cool steel or bronze mold, hold seconds to build the shell, then invert to drain the liquid core; wall thickness is set by pour temperature, mold temperature and dwell time.
What is the maximum service temperature of Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)?
Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base)?
Yes — Slush Metal As Cast (Zamak 3 Base) is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.15: Casting — Slush Casting and Zinc Casting Alloys — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (Zinc and Zinc Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B240 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloys in Ingot Form for Castings — ASTM International (2016)
- ASTM B86 — Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Foundry and Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ILZRO / Eastern Alloys zinc alloy property data (Zamak 3, ZA-8, ZA-12) — International Lead Zinc Research Organization (2019)
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.