M.Hagaman

Digital Marketing Manager

Precise Cast Prototypes and Engineering

Published: 25 Sep, 2022

Zinc Alloys vs Stainless Steel

6-minute read | Author: M.hagaman

The differences and benefits of Zinc Alloy vs Stainless Steel. What are the pros and cons of Zinc Alloy and Stainless Steel?

zinc alloy vs stainless steel

Zinc Alloys vs Stainless Steel. Why is one better than the other?

When comparing Zinc Alloys vs Stainless Steel, we realize both are two popular construction materials used in everyday products such as screwdrivers, knives, and mobile phones. These are also popular alloys for automotive, construction, and electronic industries.

But what is the difference between Zinc Alloys vs Stainless Steel? Here are the details you need to know about each one, and what type suits your applications best.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a metal alloy that includes at least 10.5% chromium. This addition forms a thin, invisible, and permanent protective layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the metal alloy. 

There are two main types of stainless steel: Austenitic and Ferritic. Austenitic has higher tensile strength and is more resistant to stress-corrosion cracking. This type works best in hot and cold environments.

Ferritic has a lower tensile strength but can withstand high temps. This type is often used in cooking utensils.

Top 5 Benefits of Stainless Steel

  1. Corrosion resistance – Making it great for kitchen appliances 
  2. High strength even with thin applications
  3. Impact resistance
  4. Long-lasting
  5. Aesthetics – With proper care, can keep its pleasing aesthetic appearance for many, many years. 

 

Does Stainless Steel Rust?

While zinc alloys are cheaper than stainless steel, they are also susceptible to more rust when exposed to moisture.

Stainless steel can rust from excessive, prolonged exposure to water,  but because it has much more resistance, this makes it a better alternative for most applications that may face exposure to water.

It is also used to make most surgical instruments because of its resistance to staining.

 

 

Stainless Steel vs Zinc Alloys

The cost of stainless steel can be the biggest determinant for many industries. Because stainless steel is made from Choronuim, it costs more to manufacture.

Another drawback of stainless steel is that it’s not as easy to work with as other metals, and you’ll need special tools to shape and finish them.

Zinc alloys cost less because they do not contain Chromium. However, this does make them more susceptible to corrosion and not the best choice for manufacturing items that come in contact with prolonged water usage.

Zinc alloys are easier to work with for most manufacturers. No-Bake Sand Castings and Plaster Mold Castings are great manufacturing processes for zinc alloys and help keep costs lower than Investment Casting or Die Castings.

 

zinc alloy vs stainless steel

Zinc

Zinc alloy is a combination of at least two metals, such as zinc and aluminum or zinc and copper. The resulting mixture has properties that are different from pure zinc or another component.

Zinc Alloy Benefits

The main benefits of zinc are that it has a relatively high melting point, good corrosion resistance, superior strength-to-weight ratio, low cost compared to other metals, and other characteristics that provide manufacturers with better ways to design products such as weight optimization.

Zinc alloys are very light and strong. According to Matmatch.com, zinc is the 4th most used metal in the world, behind aluminum, iron, and copper.  Zinc alloys are found to be stronger than carbon steels, particularly in shear strength. Additionally, zinc alloys have non-magnetic properties.

This makes them ideal as structural support and load-bearing components in machines where magnets may interfere such as in medical devices or computer equipment

 

zinc alloys vs stainless steel

So Which is better? Zinc Alloys vs Stainless Steel

The decision to use zinc alloys vs stainless steel will come down to the companies manufacturing needs, costs, and applications. Working with metal experts helps engineering teams make the best decisions.

Preicse Cast Prototpypes and Engineering

We are an American manufacturing company near Denver, CO. Our focus is Rapid Prototyping and Low-Volmue Manufacturing.

We specialize in aluminum, zinc, and magnesium metal castings. We also offer the newest technology in our in-house CNC machine shop.

Billet vs Cast

Billet vs Cast

Billet vs Cast 5 minute read | Dec. 2022|  Author: M. Hagaman Billet vs cast is a common topic of debate among performance enthusiasts. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, one may be better than the other for your specific...

read more
Low-Volume Casting

Low-Volume Casting

Low-Volume Castings 5 Minute Read | Author: M.Hagaman Low-volume castings are designed to ensure reliability and durability while offering low-volume production of metal parts.Metal castings are used for a variety of products. These include automotive, marine, and...

read more
Plaster Mold Castings

Plaster Mold Castings

Plaster Mold Castings 5-minute read | Author: M.Hagaman Plaster Mold Castings are one of the most popular methods for creating custom metal castings. Plaster mold castings offer a versatile and more cost-effective way to produce low-volume parts. Plaster mold casting...

read more
No-Bake Sand Castings

No-Bake Sand Castings

No-Bake Sand Castings Author: M.Hagaman | June 2022 | 5 minute read No-Bake sand castings are a popular method of casting for a wide range of industries. Learn more about No-Bake Sand Casting Processes and Quality. Share->No-Bake Sand Casting Contrary to common...

read more
Millennials in Manufacturing

Millennials in Manufacturing

Millennials in Manufacturing Dawn of New Age in Manufacturing Author: M.Hagaman | May 2022 | 5  minute read A closer look at manufacturing careers, labor statistics, millennials in manufacturing, and attracting younger generations to the manufacturing industry....

read more