Development of Zinc Die Casting Alloys with Improved Fluidity
– Progress in Thin Section Zinc Die Casting Technology

New zinc die casting alloys developed in the Department of Energy Cast Metals Consortium program displayed much improved fluidity in laboratory tests.  Such improvement in fluidity has been further confirmed in a die casting trial at Brillcast, Inc.  At similar die casting conditions, a newly developed alloy demonstrated enhanced cavity fill capability and resulted in noticeable increases in sample weights in comparison to Alloy 7.  Mechanical tests revealed that samples made of the new alloy exhibited higher tensile strength and lower elongation than the reported values for Alloy 7.  Samples cast at more favorable cavity filling conditions, hotter die and shorter fill time, showed increased tensile strength, impact energy and elongation.  Overall, however, the microstructures and mechanical properties of samples made of Alloy 7 and the new alloy were comparable.

An update of this research project was given by Dr. Frank Goodwin in a recent paper presented at the NADCA 111th Metal Casting Congress.

View NADCA paper

View accompanying PowerPoint presentation