Issue 2 - December 2009

Mark your calendar !
International Zinc Diecasting Conference

The International Zinc Association (IZA) is pleased to announce the second International Zinc Diecasting conference, which will take place in Vienna from 22 to 24 September 2010 .
This conference will more specifically focus on the evolution and opportunities provided by the main end-use markets and draw attention of designers, specifiers and engineers of using  zinc diecasting alloys in applications such as: automotive, building, electric/electronic and advanced applications (medical, space, etc…).

Call for papers, more information and pre-registration will be posted soon on the events section of our main website: www.zinc-diecasting.info .

Thanks to the coordination provided throughout the whole project by Artur Monse GmbH & Co. KG, it has been possible to optimize the manufacturing of a new 'on-line banking USB stick'. 
High reproducibility (precision)  and productivity (cost savings) could be achieved without compromising functionality and design requirements. For instance, the assembling of the upper and bottom casted parts was greatly facilitated by replacing the earlier complex connecting split pins by integrating them in the casting itself with the precise form, size and tolerance, enabling the die cast part to perform the desired function on its own.

The completely new USB device allows for the first time high security in the banking transactions and operations in a very easy way. The stick being simply plugged in the USB port of the computer, transactions can be directly followed on the screen and confirmed by just pressing the indicated key. Thanks to its small size it fits in every trouser pocket, while its luxurious casing gives it the design of a high quality product. 

More case stories can be found from our e-Casebook

Die Casting Highlights
Zinc Alloy Properties for Market Development Support

During the first half of this year, work was completed at MPM Tech­nologies, Inc. on production of highly instrumented notched impact data for zinc die casting Alloy 2. A de­tailed report was prepared that shows, to a greater degree of de­tail then ever achieved before, the nature of fracture in this alloy and possibly means of im­proving fracture behavior. Insights were provided that could open higher toughness possibilities for zinc die casting alloys . 

Our work at the U.S. Department of Energy laboratory in Albany, Oregon on creep testing was also completed. A final report is expected by end 2009 and will be presented at the 2010 NADCA congress and at our International Diecasting conference in Vienna, Austria. In the new cooperative program with the Ger­man die casting industry at the University of Aalen, casting trials resulted in production of all samples for this program, which is investigating the effects of different process variables and section thicknesses on the mechanical properties of the hot chamber die casting alloys. In each of the above three projects, data are delivered in computer-readable form, com­patible with computer aided design. Additional information can be obtained from IZA 

News from members

ZINCOPOR in High Pressure Diecasting .

Actually, zinc diecasting alloys show very good properties like strength, toughness and consistency. But with a density of (average) 6.7, zinc alloys are for some applications quite heavy.
With ZINCOPOR, a technology developed by Havelländische Zink-Drukguss GmbH & Co. KG, the die cast parts are made lighter without increasing production costs significantly. 
Density of 4.5 are easily achieved while maintaining the mechanical and finishing properties of zinc alloys unchanged. Production of door knobs, steering roll,.. are practical example already on the market place. More information can be found on the following links: Zincopor abstract  and PPT presentation .

We hope you will find this newsletter informative.
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