Scrap Wiki
A zinc alloy is a mixture formed by zinc and other metallic elements, with varying proportions of metals depending on the required applications and performance. The typical proportions of elements in common zinc alloys are approximately as follows:
Zinc (Zn): Serving as the base of zinc alloys, zinc generally comprises over 90% of the content. Zinc is characterized by strong corrosion resistance and a low melting point.
Aluminum (Al): Normally present in about 4%, aluminum significantly enhances the strength and hardness of zinc alloys, as well as the casting performance when used in casting.
Copper (Cu): Usually contained at 1%-3%, copper can increase the strength and hardness of the alloy, and improve its wear resistance and tensile strength. However, excessive copper content can make the alloy brittle.
Magnesium (Mg): Typically found in 0.03% - 0.06%. Magnesium can improve the corrosion resistance and fluidity of the alloy, and reduce grain size, making the alloy structure more uniform.
Iron (Fe), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb): These are trace elements commonly found in zinc alloys in extremely low quantities.
Common types of zinc alloys include ZAMAK alloys, named after the abbreviation of their primary components: Zinc (Zinc), Aluminum (Aluminum), Magnesium (MAGnesium), and KOPPER (Copper in German). ZAMAK alloys are widely used in die casting production due to their excellent mechanical properties, good fluidity, and low melting point, making them suitable for manufacturing complex-shaped components. Among these, ZAMAK 3 is the most common and widely used, with the best overall performance. Its typical composition is 96% zinc, 4% aluminum, and approximately 0.03% copper.
Zinc alloy scrap includes waste materials, trimmings, or rejects generated during the manufacture and use of zinc alloys, such as in the automotive, construction, electronics, and household goods industries. Additionally, there is a significant amount of zinc alloy scrap collected from civil recycling sources.
The following is an image of common zinc alloy scrap.
