ISO 9001-aligned quality system
Alloy certificates with every lot
Spectrometer chemistry check
Recycled and primary grades available
The Short Comparison
The five properties that decide the alloy before cost enters the conversation.
| Property | Aluminum | Zinc |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ~2.7 g/cm³ | ~6.6 g/cm³ |
| Minimum wall | 1.0 – 1.5 mm | 0.5 – 0.8 mm |
| Strength-to-weight | Better | Lower |
| As-cast detail | Good | Excellent |
| Machinability | Good | Excellent |
| Plating quality | Fair | Excellent |
| Relative cost per part | Lower for large parts | Lower for small, detailed parts |
A380, ADC12, A360, A413 and B390 — the five grades that cover most high-pressure die casting work.
Zamak 3, 5, 2 and ZA-8 — chosen for thin walls, fine detail and plating quality.
How to Decide
Start with the environment and the wall thickness. If the part must be light, aluminum wins immediately. If it must be thin, detailed or plated, zinc wins.
If both are acceptable, the tie-breaker is usually volume and finishing cost — and that is worth a five-minute conversation rather than a guess.
Ask Which Alloy Fits
Send the drawing and describe where the part is used. We will recommend an alloy and tell you what the alternative would cost.