What Zamak alloy is best for furniture handles and hinges?
What Zamak Alloy Is Best for Furniture Handles and Hinges?
Optimal Zamak Alloy for Furniture Hardware Applications
Zamak 5 is the most suitable alloy for die cast furniture handles and hinges due to its excellent combination of strength, ductility, and surface finish quality. Compared to Zamak 3, Zamak 5 contains a higher copper content (~1.0%), which enhances strength and wear resistance—essential for load-bearing and high-use components like drawer pulls, door handles, and hinges.
Mechanical Performance and Surface Finish
Zamak 5 offers superior mechanical performance critical to furniture hardware durability:
Tensile Strength: ~331 MPa
Yield Strength: ~270 MPa
Hardness: ~91 Brinell
Excellent plating response: Suitable for chrome, nickel, and antique finishes.
These properties ensure that handles and hinges resist bending, wear, and long-term fatigue even under frequent use.
Advantages of Using Zamak 5
Enhanced Strength and Ductility: Resists cracking or distortion during mechanical stress or installation.
Superior Corrosion Resistance: Ideal for humid environments or kitchens and bathrooms.
Decorative Finishing Compatibility: Supports a wide range of finishes including powder coating, painting, and electroplating for high-end aesthetics.
Comparison With Other Zamak Alloys
Alloy | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Hardness (HB) | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
Zamak 3 | ~290 | ~82 | Excellent castability, lower cost |
Zamak 5 | ~331 | ~91 | Stronger, better for functional hardware |
Zamak 2 | ~400 | ~120 | Highest strength, but less ductile—less ideal for handles |
Applicable Standards
Zamak 5 die casting conforms to:
ASTM B86 – Standard for Zinc Alloy Die Castings
ISO 301 – Zinc and zinc alloy die castings specification
These standards ensure consistent performance, dimensional control, and plating compatibility.
Customer-Oriented Furniture Hardware Solutions
Neway Die Casting delivers end-to-end services for high-performance furniture hardware components:
Zinc Die Casting Services: Ideal for producing precise and durable handles, hinges, knobs, and structural fittings.
Post-Processing and Finishing: Finishes include decorative plating, powder coating, and polishing to match luxury furniture designs.
Tool and Die Creation: High-precision molds ensure sharp details and consistent part quality across batches.
