Hot tensile and fatigue behaviour of zinc–aluminum alloys produced by gravity and squeeze casting

The tensile and fatigue properties of zinc–aluminum alloys (ZA-8, ZA-12 and ZA-27) in squeeze and gravity cast forms have been investigated. Tensile tests were conducted at ambient and elevated temperatures up to 150 °C. At low temperatures, the ultimate tensile strength and yielding strength of the squeeze cast alloys have been found to be superior those of the gravity-cast alloys, as the temperature increased they decreased. In the same way, Brinell hardness of the squeeze cast alloys were obtained at higher values than gravity castings. The fatigue tests were performed at a constant speed of 400 rev/min and under a number of stress levels ranging from 100 to 150 MPa. The fatigue behaviour results of the ZA alloys were similar to obtained from the tensile testing. The squeeze cast alloys exhibited good fatigue resistance in proportion to the gravity castings. Metallography examinations showed that the microstructure of the castings differed according to the method of casting used. It was considered that the mechanical properties of the alloys were affected from these micro-structural changes.