ASTM B240 - 09 Standard Specification for Zinc and Zinc Aluminum (ZA) Alloys in Ingot Form for Foundry and Die Castings

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers commercial zinc and zinc-aluminum (ZA) alloys in ingot form for remelting for the manufacture of pressure die castings, foundry castings and continuous cast bar stock as designated and specified in Table 1. Seven alloy compositions are specified, designated as follows:

Common	Traditional	ASTM^A	UNS^A

Alloy 3	Zamak 3	AG 40A	Z33521
Alloy 7	Zamak 7	AG 40B	Z33522
Alloy 5	Zamak 5	AC 41A	Z35530
Alloy 2	Zamak 2	AC 43A	Z35540
ZA-8	ZA-8	...	Z35635
ZA-12	ZA-12	...	Z35630
ZA-27	ZA-27	...	Z35840
__________

^A See Table 1, footnote B.

1.2 Zinc alloys Z33521, Z33522, Z35530, and Z35540 are used primarily for remelting in the manufacture of pressure die castings. Zinc-aluminum alloys Z35635, Z35630, and Z35840 are used for remelting in the manufacture of both foundry and pressure die castings. Castings made from these ingots are specified in Specification B86, Standard Specification for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloys for Foundry and Die Castings.

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard.

1.4 Systems of nomenclature used to designate zinc and zinc-aluminum (ZA) alloys used for casting are described in Appendix X1.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

TABLE 1 Chemical and North American Color Code Requirements

	Alloy 3 ^A^, ^B^, ^C^, ^D	Alloy 7 ^A^, ^B^, ^C^, ^D	Alloy 5 ^A^,^B ^,^C ^,^D	Alloy 2 ^A^,^B ^,^C^,^D	ZA-8 ^B^, ^C^, ^E	ZA-12 ^B^, ^C^, ^E	ZA-27 ^B^, ^C^, ^E
	Zamak 3	Zamak 7	Zamak 5	Zamak 2	ZA-8	ZA-12	ZA-27
	(AG40A)	(AG40B)	(AC41A)	(AC43A)
	Z33521	Z33522	Z35530	Z35540	Z35635	Z35630	Z35840
Color Code^F	None	Brown	Black	Green	Blue	Orange	Purple
Element
Aluminum	3.9-4.3	3.9-4.3	3.9-4.3	3.9-4.3	8.2-8.8	10.8-11.5	25.5-28.0
Magnesium	0.03-0.06	0.010-0.020	0.03-0.06	0.025-0.05	0.02-0.03	0.02-0.03	0.012-0.020
Copper	0.10 max	0.10 max	0.7-1.1	2.7-3.3	0.9-1.3	0.5-1.2	2.0-2.5
Iron, Max	0.035	0.075	0.035	0.035	0.035	0.05	0.07
Lead, Max	0.0040	0.0030	0.0040	0.0040	0.005	0.005	0.005
Cadmium, Max	0.0030	0.0020	0.0030	0.0030	0.005	0.005	0.005
Tin, Max	0.0015	0.0010	0.0015	0.0015	0.002	0.002	0.002
Nickel	- - -	0.005-0.020	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -
Zinc^G	Remainder	Remainder	Remainder	Remainder	Remainder	Remainder	Remainder

^A Zinc alloy ingot for die casting may contain nickel, chromium, silicon, and manganese in amounts of up to 0.02, 0.02, 0.035 and 0.05 %, respectively. No harmful effects have ever been noted due to the presence of these elements in up to these concentrations and, therefore, analyses are not required for these elements, except that nickel analysis is required for Z33522.

^B ASTM alloy designations were established in accordance with Practice B275. UNS assignations were established in accordance with Practice E527. The last digit of a UNS number differentiates between alloys of similar composition. UNS designations for ingot and casting versions of an alloy were not assigned in the same sequence for all alloys.

^C For purposes of acceptance and rejection, the observed value or calculated value obtained from analysis should be rounded to the nearest unit in the last right-hand place of figures, used in expressing the specified limit, in accordance with the rounding procedure prescribed in Practice E29.

^D When this material is required to conform to ISO Standard 301, the chemical limits for thallium and indium each shall not exceed 0.001 %.

^E Zinc-aluminum ingot for foundry and pressure die casting may contain nickel, chromium, and manganese in amounts of up to 0.01 % each or 0.03 % total. No harmful effects have ever been noted due to the presence of these elements in up to these concentrations and, therefore, analyses are not required for these elements.

^F Refer to Practice B908. (Note: Colors indicated are for North American applications.)

^G Determined arithmetically by difference.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ISO Standards

ISO3815–2 Zinc and zinc alloys -- Part 2: Analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

ASTM Standards

B86 Specification for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloy Foundry and Die Castings
B275 Practice for Codification of Certain Nonferrous Metals and Alloys, Cast and Wrought
B897 Specification for Configuration of Zinc and Zinc Alloy Jumbo Block and Half Block Ingot
B899 Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Alloys
B908 Practice for the Use of Color Codes for Zinc Casting Alloy Ingot
B949 Specification for General Requirements for Zinc and Zinc Alloy Products
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)
E536 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Zinc and Zinc Alloys

Keywords

bar stock; castings; concast; continuous cast bar stock; die castings; foundry castings; permanent mold castings; pressure die castings; prototyping; sand castings; ZA alloys; Zamak; zinc; zinc-aluminum alloys; zinc metal; Zinc alloys--specifications; Zinc die casting alloy; Die casting zinc alloys--specifications; Ingots; Pressure die castings; UNS Z33521 (Zn alloy AG40A); UNS Z33522 (Zn alloy); UNS Z33530 (Zn alloy AC41A); UNS Z35540 (Zn alloy, AC43A); Zinc--specifications; Zinc alloy ingots

ICS Code

DOI: 10.1520/B0240-09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

Citing ASTM Standards

[Back to Top]

ASTM B240-09

Historical Standard: ASTM B240-09 Standard Specification for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloys in Ingot Form for Foundry and Die Castings