Zamak 3 vs Zamak 5: 79% composition overlap. Some similarities but notable differences in alloying elements.
Zamak 3 vs Zamak 5
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
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.
Zamak 5
Z35531
Copper-containing zinc die casting alloy with higher strength and creep resistance than Zamak 3. The 1% Cu addition improves hardness and wear resistance at the expense of some long-term dimensional stability. Preferred in Europe over Zamak 3. Used for automotive die castings, lock housings, power tool components, industrial hardware, and applications requiring higher creep resistance under sustained load. Also known as ASTM AC41A, EN ZnAl4Cu1.
| Zamak 3 | Zamak 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | Z33520 | Z35531 |
| Category | zinc | zinc |
| Standard | ASTM B86 | ASTM B86 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | Zamak 3 | Zamak 5 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cu | ≤ 0.25% | 0.75–1.25% | No overlap |
| Al | 3.5–4.3% | 3.5–4.3% | OK |
| Mg | 0.02–0.05% | 0.03–0.08% | Partial |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1% | ≤ 0.1% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | Zamak 3 | Zamak 5 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 280–285 | 328–335 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 220–225 | 225–232 | MPa |
| elongation | 10–14 | 7–11 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
Zamak 3 and Zamak 5 share some characteristics (79% overlap) but have notable differences. They may be substitutable in some applications but not all. Verify suitability carefully.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zamak 3 the same as Zamak 5?
Zamak 3 and Zamak 5 have a 79% composition overlap. For most purposes, they can be considered similar.
Can I replace Zamak 3 with Zamak 5?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (79%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between Zamak 3 and Zamak 5?
The main differences are in the following elements: Cu, Mg. Zamak 3 is a zinc grade, while Zamak 5 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.