ASTM B240-22

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

ABSTRACT
This specification covers commercial zinc and zinc-aluminum alloys in ingot form for remelting for the manufacture of pressure die castings, foundry castings and continuous cast bar stock. Seven alloy compositions are specified, which includes Z33521, Z33522, Z35530, Z35540, for zinc alloys and Z35635, Z35630, Z35840, for zinc-aluminum alloys. The material shall be of uniform quality and reasonably free from dross, adhering foreign matter, and surafce oxide. The determination of chemical composition shall be made in accordance with suitable analytical methods.
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  
ASTMA  
UNSA  
Alloy 3  
Zamak 3  
AG 40A  
Z33524  
Alloy 7  
Zamak 7  
AG 40B  
Z33526  
Alloy 5  
Zamak 5  
AC 41A  
Z35532  
Alloy 2  
Zamak 2  
AC 43A  
Z35544  
ZA-8  
ZA-8  
...  
Z35637  
ZA-12  
ZA-12  
...  
Z35632  
ZA-27  
ZA-27  
...  
Z35842  
ACuZinc52  
ACuZinc5  
...  
Z46540    
1.2 Zinc alloys Z33524, Z33526, Z35532, Z46540, and Z35544 are used primarily for remelting in the manufacture of pressure die castings. Zinc-aluminum alloys Z35637, Z35632, and Z35842 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. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2022
• ICS: 77.150.60 - Lead, zinc and tin products
• Technical Committee: B02 - Nonferrous Metals and Alloys
• Drafting Committee: B02.04 - Zinc and Cadmium

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: B240 −22
Standard Specification for
Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloys in Ingot Form for
1
Foundry and Die Castings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B240; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar
with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate
1.1 This specification covers commercial zinc and zinc-
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product/material as provided
aluminum (ZA) alloys in ingot form for remelting for the
by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety, health,
manufacture of pressure die castings, foundry castings and
and environmental practices, and determine the applicability
continuous cast bar stock as designated and specified in Table
of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1. Seven alloy compositions are specified, designated as
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
follows:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
A A
Common Traditional ASTM UNS
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Alloy 3 Zamak 3 AG 40A Z33524 Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Alloy 7 Zamak 7 AG 40B Z33526
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Alloy 5 Zamak 5 AC 41A Z35532
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Alloy 2 Zamak 2 AC 43A Z35544
ZA-8 ZA-8 . Z35637
ZA-12 ZA-12 . Z35632
2. Referenced Documents
ZA-27 ZA-27 . Z35842
2
ACuZinc5 ACuZinc5 . Z46540
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on data
of order acceptance form a part of this specification to the
A
See Table 1, footnote B.
extent referenced herein:
1.2 Zinc alloys Z33524, Z33526, Z35532, Z46540, and 3
2.2 ASTM Standards:
Z35544 are used primarily for remelting in the manufacture of
B86 Specification for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloy
pressure die castings. Zinc-aluminum alloys Z35637, Z35632,
Foundry and Die Castings
and Z35842 are used for remelting in the manufacture of both
B275 PracticeforCodificationofCertainZinc,TinandLead
foundry and pressure die castings. Castings made from these 4
Die Castings (Withdrawn 2020)
ingots are specified in Specification B86, Standard Specifica-
B897 Specification for Configuration of Zinc and ZincAlloy
tion for Zinc and Zinc-AluminumAlloys for Foundry and Die
Jumbo, Block, Half Block, and Slab Ingot
Castings.
B899 Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Al-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded loys
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
B908 Practice for the Use of Color Codes for Zinc Casting
standard. Alloy Ingot
B949 Specification for General Requirements for Zinc and
1.4 Systems of nomenclature used to designate zinc and
Zinc Alloy Products
zinc-aluminum (ZA) alloys used for casting are described in
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Appendix X1.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E527 Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Unified Numbering System (UNS)
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on
Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3
B02.04 on Zinc and Cadmium. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2022. Published April 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as B240 – 21. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/B0240-22. the ASTM website.
4
2
ACuZinc and ACuZinc5 are registered trade names of the General Motors The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Corporation. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B240 − 22
TABLE 1 Chemical and North American Color Code Requirements
Composition, %
A,B,C,D,G A,B,C,D,G A,B,C,D,G A,B,C,D,G B,C,E,G B,C,E,G B,C,E,G B,C,G
Alloy 3 Alloy 7 Alloy 5 Alloy 2 ZA-8 Z
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: B240 − 21 B240 − 22
Standard Specification for
Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloys in Ingot Form for
1
Foundry and Die Castings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B240; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
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:
A A
Common Traditional ASTM UNS
Alloy 3 Zamak 3 AG 40A Z33524
Alloy 7 Zamak 7 AG 40B Z33526
Alloy 5 Zamak 5 AC 41A Z35532
Alloy 2 Zamak 2 AC 43A Z35544
ZA-8 ZA-8 . Z35637
ZA-12 ZA-12 . Z35632
ZA-27 ZA-27 . Z35842
2
ACuZinc5 ACuZinc5 . Z46540
A
See Table 1, footnote B.
1.2 Zinc alloys Z33524, Z33526, Z35532, Z46540, and Z35544 are used primarily for remelting in the manufacture of pressure
die castings. Zinc-aluminum alloys Z35637, Z35632, and Z35842 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. No other units of measurement are included in this
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 Safety Data Sheet
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B02 on Nonferrous Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B02.04 on Zinc
and Cadmium.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021April 1, 2022. Published December 2021April 2022. Originally approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 20172021 as
B240 – 17.B240 – 21. DOI: 10.1520/B0240-21.10.1520/B0240-22.
2
ACuZinc and ACuZinc5 are registered trade names of the General Motors Corporation.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
B240 − 22
TABLE 1 Chemical and North American Color Code Requirements
Composition, %
A,B,C,D,G A,B,C,D,G A,B,C,D,G A,B,C,D,G B,C,E,G B,C,E,G B,C,E,G B,C,G
Alloy 3 Alloy 7 Alloy 5 Alloy 2 ZA-8 ZA-12 ZA-27 ACuZinc5
Zamak 3 Zamak 7 Zamak 5 Zamak 2 ZA-8 ZA-12 ZA-27 ACuZinc5
(AG40A) (AG40B) (AC41A) (AC43A)
(Z33524) (Z33526) (Z35532) (Z35544) (Z35637) (Z35632) (Z35842) (Z46540)
F
Color Code None Brown Black Green Blue Orange Purple Red
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 2.8-3.3
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 0.035-0.050
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 5.2-6.0
Iron, Max 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.05 0.07 0.05
Lead, Max 0.0040 0.0030 0.0040 0.0040 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.004
Cadmium, Max 0.0030 0.0020 0.0030 0.0030 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.003
Tin, Max 0.0015 0.0010 0.0015 0.0015 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002
Nickel - - - 0.005-0.020 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
G
Zinc Remainder 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 detrimental
effects on alloy performance 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 Z33526.
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 des
...