ZA-27 vs Zamak 3: 53% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
ZA-27 vs Zamak 3
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ZA-27
Z35841
The strongest and lightest zinc casting alloy with 27% Al and 2.2% Cu. Highest strength (UTS ~425 MPa, YS ~380 MPa), highest melting point, and lowest density (5.0 g/cm³) of all zinc alloys. Cold chamber die casting only. Cannot be chrome plated. Excellent bearing properties and wear resistance. Used for high-strength structural castings, gear blanks, bearing housings, cam followers, and components replacing bronze or cast iron at lower cost. Also available as continuous cast bar for machining.
Zamak 3
Z33520
The world's most widely used zinc die casting alloy — nearly 70% of all zinc die castings in North America. 4% Al provides excellent castability, dimensional stability, and surface finish. No copper addition gives best long-term dimensional stability and ductility. Superb plating, painting, and chromating characteristics. Used for automotive hardware, door handles, zippers, toys, electrical components, decorative fittings, and consumer goods. The benchmark zinc alloy. Also known as ASTM AG40A, EN ZnAl4.
| ZA-27 | Zamak 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | Z35841 | Z33520 |
| Category | zinc | zinc |
| Standard | ASTM B86 | ASTM B86 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | ZA-27 | Zamak 3 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cu | 2–2.5% | ≤ 0.25% | No overlap |
| Al | 25–28% | 3.5–4.3% | No overlap |
| Mg | 0.01–0.02% | 0.02–0.05% | Partial |
| Fe | ≤ 0.075% | ≤ 0.1% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | ZA-27 | Zamak 3 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 420–430 | 280–285 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 370–380 | 220–225 | MPa |
| elongation | 2–4 | 10–14 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
ZA-27 and Zamak 3 have moderate differences (53% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ZA-27 the same as Zamak 3?
ZA-27 and Zamak 3 have a 53% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ZA-27 with Zamak 3?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (53% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ZA-27 and Zamak 3?
The main differences are in the following elements: Cu, Al, Mg. ZA-27 is a zinc grade, while Zamak 3 is a zinc grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.