Comparison of ZAMAK 2 and ZAMAK 3 Alloys Produced by Powder Metallurgy Process

The predominant method to produce ZAMAK alloys is casting. But this process is not without flaws. Factors such as low melting temperature, creep stresses, aging, and dimension change over time are the main problems in ZAMAK’s casting process. We embarked on this research to investigate the new production routes. In this regard, the powder metallurgy can be highlighted because of the non-occurrence of melting and non-solid-liquid phase changes. ZAMAK 2 and 3 are the most commonly used ZAMAK alloys. In this way, we study the comparison of ZAMAK 2 and 3 produced by powder metallurgy. The powder was prepared by the mechanical method. As we proceed, the effect of particle size, pressure, and sintering temperature will be investigated. The comparison was done in consideration of mechanical properties such as density, tensile strength, and hardness. The density of ZAMAK 2 obtained by the powder metallurgy method increases with increasing working pressure up to 400 MPa, but after this pressure, little change in density is observed. While in ZAMAK 3 the density increases with increasing pressure. The maximum ultimate stress obtained in ZAMAK 2 is approximately equal to 300 MPa, while, it is equal to 230 MPa for ZAMAK 3. In ZAMAK 2, we will see a 16.7% increase in density by selecting fine grains, but in Zamak 3, this enhancement is only equal to 7%, which indicates the intensive effect of particle size on the density obtained in ZAMAK 2.