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Pot Metal Zinc Parts
Pot metal zinc parts were components made from a class of low-melting, zinc-based alloys commonly known as pot metal. The term originated from the practice of melting mixed scrap metals together in a single pot, though modern pot metal is far more controlled in composition. Today, these alloys are primarily based on zinc, often combined with small amounts of aluminum, copper, and magnesium to improve strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance.
"Pot Metal" is not a controlled metal
One of the defining characteristics of pot metal zinc alloys was their low melting point, typically between 380°C and 420°C (716°F–788°F). This property makes them especially well suited for die casting, a manufacturing process in which molten metal is injected into a precision mold under high pressure. As a result, pot metal zinc parts can be produced with excellent dimensional accuracy, smooth surface finishes, and intricate details that would be difficult or costly to achieve with other metals.
Pot metal zinc parts are widely used in industries where metal conformance was not necessary. Mostly in toys and cheap consumer products, etc.
While pot metal zinc alloys offer many advantages, they also have limitations. They are generally not as strong or heat-resistant as proper zinc alloys or aluminum alloys and may become brittle over time if exposed to moisture, impurities, or temperature extremes. This can lead to issues such as cracking, warping, or surface corrosion, particularly in older or lower-quality castings.
Despite these drawbacks, pot metal zinc parts were popular due to their affordability (cheap), ease of manufacturing, and versatility.
Pot metal parts are not made in the USA
Because of the strict materials compliance for metal alloys like LEAD, TIN, etc. Pot "Pot Metal" castings are not likely to come from a USA castings supplier. Most US companies provide a metal certification as to tne material type with their casting shipments.
Die Casting and Manufacturing Die Cast metal Parts. The term die casting basically pertains to the process of forcing metal into mold cavities,
also known as die casting dies, molten metal that is placed under high pressure. Manufacturing die cast parts is a popular choice among companies
in the metalworking industry these days, thanks in part to the wide array of options that die casting offer in terms of material, machining, tooling,
and product variety.
Zinc Castings and Zinc Parts
Die castings in these modern times are made mainly with the use of non-ferrous metals, particularly zinc, copper, zinc-aluminum, tin, aluminum, and
magnesium, but ferrous metals are also used by some manufacturers. Die casting is a process that is more compatible and preferred in applications
that require large quantities of small to medium-sized metal parts, so companies engaged in the manufacturing die cast parts target businesses that
require such metal part applications.
Die cast metal parts are known in the metalworking industry as high quality products carrying fine surface texture, very good detail, and commendable
dimensional consistency.
Zinc Pot Metal Castings - Pot Metal Parts
Because of the number of positive characteristics that die cast metal parts generally have, many companies engaged in businesses that rely on metal part
applications are now keener than ever to employ the die casting method instead of the other casting methods around. In fact, most companies that were
using plastic injection-molded parts, which are produced with low pressure, are now using metal die cast parts.
Manufacturing die casting metal parts is a serious decision because the products are going to be used in important settings for both commercial and
industrial purposes. For example, die cast parts are largely present among automobile parts, kitchen appliances, electrical facilities, toy parts,
and many more.
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