Di cast Zink or Lead

When i sell my AL what I never want to hear is "thats Di cast " as my yard tells me to put it to mix .I guess if you have 100 # of the stuff you could get .20 cents lb . Still some Di cast gets past . Di cast is often a shiny metal found in use for decorative handles,low cost decorative trim around radios from the 1970's , being nonferrous some times it passes as AL - if you look close it has a mold line or words or symbols imprinted on the back side.
Bottom line the yards are not looking to pay .50 per # if possible.
Recently i had 3 thin plates used for awards to scribe names on they were square & would have been affixed to awards . When you held them though they were heavy and bendable. When i ask the yard man he simply called it Di cast , but I have found Di cast brittle & lite . I made a fire - put my cast iron kettle into the coals & waited to see what would happen with the award plates . They melted just like lead and after it dried it has the heft of lead . since i know these plates would be use on plaques or awards that people touch it cant be lead . Zinc melts like lead and has the same heft as lead . I have melted the classic Di cast and find it has little weight for its size. This thing I melted will easily pass as lead if mixed with lead in a bucket . I guess I have a idiosyncrasy that I want to know what metal I have some times . Sounds like Zinc to me ??

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Metal Melting Point

Centigrade Fahrenheit some of the metals listed are only in the first 2 sets of numbers Centigrade
copy and pasted from the NET
Admiralty Brass 900 - 940 1650 - 1720
Aluminum 660 1220
Aluminum Alloy 463 - 671 865 - 1240
Aluminum Bronze 600 - 655 1190 - 1215
Antimony 630 -1170
Babbitt 249 480
Beryllium 1285 -2345
Beryllium Copper 865 - 955 1587 - 1750
Bismuth 271.4 -520.5
Brass, Red 1000 1832
Brass, Yellow 930 1710
Cadmium 321 610
Cast Iron, gray 1175 - 1290 2150 - 2360
Chromium 1860 3380
Cobalt 1495 2723
Copper 1084 1983
Cupronickel 1170 - 1240 2140 - 2260
Gold, 24K Pure 1063 1945
Hastelloy C 1320 - 1350 2410 - 2460
Inconel 1390 - 1425 2540 - 2600
Incoloy 1390 - 1425 2540 - 2600
Iridium 2450 - 4440
Iron, Wrought 1482 - 1593 2700 - 2900
Iron, Gray Cast 1127 - 1204 2060 - 2200
Iron, Ductile 1149 - 2100
Lead 327.5 - 621
Magnesium 650 - 1200
Magnesium Alloy 349 - 649 660 - 1200
Manganese 1244 2271
Manganese bronze 865 - 890 1590 - 1630
Mercury -38.86 -37.95
Molybdenum 2620 4750
Monel 1300 - 1350 2370 - 2460
Nickel 1453 2647
Niobium (Columbium) 2470 4473
Osmium 3025 5477
Palladium 1555 2831
Phosphorus 44 111
Platinum 1770 3220
Plutonium 640 1180
Potassium 63.3 146
Red Brass 990 - 1025 1810 - 1880
Rhenium 3186 5767
Rhodium 1965 3569
Ruthenium 2482 4500
Selenium 217 423
Silicon 1411 2572
Silver, Coin 879 1615
Silver, Pure 961 1761
Silver, Sterling 893 1640
Sodium 97.83 208
Steel, Carbon 1425 - 1540 2600 - 2800
Steel, Stainless 1510 2750
Tantalum 2980 5400
Thorium 1750 3180
Tin 232 449.4
Titanium 1670 3040
Tungsten 3400 6150
Uranium 1132 2070
Vanadium 1900 3450
Yellow Brass 905 - 932 1660 - 1710
Zinc 419.5 787
Zirconium 1854 3369

ok..............

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Originally Posted by mikeinreco

ok..............

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SO ...... is zinc similar to lead in uses -- You are a Metal guru

The metal is most commonly used as an anti-corrosion agent.[90] Galvanization, which is the coating of iron or steel to protect the metals against corrosion, is the most familiar form of using zinc in this way. In 2009 in the United States, 55% or 893 thousand tonnes of the zinc metal was used for galvanization.[89]

Zinc is more reactive than iron or steel and thus will attract almost all local oxidation until it completely corrodes away.[91] A protective surface layer of oxide and carbonate (Zn5(OH)6(CO3)2) forms as the zinc corrodes.[92] This protection lasts even after the zinc layer is scratched but degrades through time as the zinc corrodes away.[92] The zinc is applied electrochemically or as molten zinc by hot-dip galvanizing or spraying. Galvanization is used on chain-link fencing, guard rails, suspension bridges, lightposts, metal roofs, heat exchangers, and car bodies.[10]

The relative reactivity of zinc and its ability to attract oxidation to itself makes it an efficient sacrificial anode in cathodic protection (CP). For example, cathodic protection of a buried pipeline can be achieved by connecting anodes made from zinc to the pipe.[92] Zinc acts as the anode (negative terminus) by slowly corroding away as it passes electric current to the steel pipeline.[92][note 2] Zinc is also used to cathodically protect metals that are exposed to sea water from corrosion.[93] A zinc disc attached to a ship's iron rudder will slowly corrode while the rudder stays unattacked.[91] Other similar uses include a plug of zinc attached to a propeller or the metal protective guard for the keel of the ship.

With a standard electrode potential (SEP) of −0.76 volts, zinc is used as an anode material for batteries. (More reactive lithium (SEP −3.04 V) is used for anodes in lithium batteries ). Powdered zinc is used in this way in alkaline batteries and sheets of zinc metal form the cases for and act as anodes in zinc–carbon batteries.[94][95] Zinc is used as the anode or fuel of the zinc-air battery/fuel cell.[96][97][98]

not my word just googled it

zink wheel weights - Bing Images
What I have must be zinc as now a days they use zinc instead of lead
Zinc must have very similar weight to size as lead. Priced a bit lower then lead by .10 spot

If you want to test it put a small amount in some Hydrochloric acid. Zinc will react and dissolve in the solution lead will not. Aluminum will also react with the solution.

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Originally Posted by BarrenRealms007

If you want to test it put a small amount in some Hydrochloric acid. Zinc will react and dissolve in the solution lead will not. Aluminum will also react with the solution.

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I can get my hands on muriatic acid , If I mix salt with muriatic will it be like a weak version Hydrochloric acid.
muriatic acid, and spirits of salt = Hydrochloric acid.
Bottom line using any acid I guess lead will not be reactive
so next question : is Zinc more reactive then AL ? (faster to dissolve)

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Originally Posted by Copper Head

I can get my hands on muriatic acid , If I mix salt with muriatic will it be like a weak version Hydrochloric acid.
muriatic acid, and spirits of salt = Hydrochloric acid.
Bottom line using any acid I guess lead will not be reactive
so next question : is Zinc more reactive then AL ? (faster to dissolve)

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Hydrochloric and Muriatic Acid are the same thing just some times in different strenghts but usuasly and the most concentrated is 32%.

Aluminum is more reactive than zinc, especialy if the solution is heated you can count on a boil over from your reaction vessel with aluminum because of the volume increase from the reaction.

in server hard drive rails the dark light weight ones are die cast. the heavy bright ones are mostly zink. (what I have been told).

the thing to remember: unfortunately all yards are not here on the forum and do not have access to the info we all do. ewaste is relitivly new and in many cases you will know more about it then they do. the same mentality exists as with pawn brokers, they are not going to lose money so they will buy for as little as they can,when it comes to something they don't know or understand .08 or .10 seems to be the norm.

this can present a great buy opertunity for you. but they are going to be hard to deal with, in most cases, just like a pawn shop they have a hyper sencitivity to losing a penney or two per lb either on the buy or the sale of any material.

Also because they are much bigger then you they have a propencity to believe they know more then you do. in some cases they do in some they don't but you will never convince most of them of that. just my .02

i need zinc for a casting project what wil you sale it for per lb an ship in a medium flat rate box any takers e mail me at grady_Mitchell2002@yahoo.com

One thing i see - the curiosity to experiment opens doors to learn

I was always told that die cast and zink were the same thing,I might be wrong but die cast is just cast zink. Mikeinreco, are you sure that what you have isn't Pewter? Pewter is soft and has a consistaincy of lead and is alot heavyer than zink or aluminum.

It could be Pewter as that would be safe for touch . But the new car weights are Zinc and heavy like the lead weights.
The confusion for me is most likely because the metal yard puts words out incorrectly - there coin names - The term Tin pile for the longest time had me believe tin was any low cost metal . But Tin is a coating metal of high value @ about $10.00 a LB.
The metals i have been told are di cast like i said are brittle and AL in appearance I have not experienced a bendable di cast yet .
But since i see that many metals do melt at same temp. Alloy mix s can be what they really are

I am completely confused here. What are y'all talking about, "it's die cast"?

Die casting is a process, not a metal.

Die casting is mostly done with zinc (no k in zinc, unless you are in Germany) mixed with a small percentage of aluminum, generally 4%. Sometimes the percentage of aluminum is quite high. Depends on the product, and the die caster.

Die casting is also done with aluminum, usually mixed with a small percentage of zinc.
Die casting is furthermore done with copper, tin, magnesium, blah blah blah, the list of materials goes on and on. Very rarely will a die cast product be 100% of one material.

So what is this "die cast" that they tell you to throw in with shred? Years ago there were products die cast of a blend of zinc/aluminum/magnesium/copper (zamac) but it's rare these days.

Is it possible they're referring to "pot metal"? Pot metal has no standard, it is usually low-grade zinc plus whatever hodgepodge the caster has on hand.

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Originally Posted by happyscraper

I was always told that die cast and zink were the same thing,I might be wrong but die cast is just cast zink. Mikeinreco, are you sure that what you have isn't Pewter? Pewter is soft and has a consistaincy of lead and is alot heavyer than zink or aluminum.

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I don't have any zinc....The info I listed was what come up when I googled zinc.....Good discussion though thanks

FAQ About Die Casting More info! Lot's of it!!!

Each of the metal alloys available for die casting offer particular advantages for the completed part..

Zinc - The easiest alloy to cast, it offers high ductility, high impact strength and is easily plated. Zinc is economical for small parts, has a low melting point and promotes long die life..

Aluminum - This alloy is lightweight, while possessing high dimensional stability for complex shapes and thin walls. Aluminum has good corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, high thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as strength at high temperatures..

Magnesium - The easiest alloy to machine, magnesium has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and is the lightest alloy commonly die cast..

Copper - This alloy possesses high hardness, high corrosion resistance and the highest mechanical properties of alloys cast. It offers excellent wear resistance and dimensional stability, with strength approaching that of steel parts..

Lead and Tin - These alloys offer high density and are capable of producing parts with extremely close dimensions. They are also used for special forms of corrosion resistance..

Yes I forgot about the pot metal one .
I guess I started this thread (remember I am just seat of the pants knowledge) Cause I except Pot metal , Di-cast procedures of metals that wile non ferris, the yard guys if they spot it will keep it out of Aluminum . I was just not excepting the 3 plates that i melted into a small pancake disk and weighs 4 lbs I have melted chunks of AL and other alloys that to hit 4 lbs are larger
Old Proverb If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it must be a duck. If and when i sell some lead to the yard the small pancake disk will pass off a lead due to heft.

WOW some good stuff in this thread guys thanks for the good read. BTW i put my cast in with my aluminum and never have a problem. Usually the cast I come across is a greyish color, non magnetic and very light so I assume that it is mostly alum.

BC i guess each yard is different and yes on visits to Long Island I could see those yards are less finicky - but for what it is worth by me they want the Aluminum as AL or cast AL (like barbeque's) a lot of times I'll have a nice 60 lbs of AL and they pull out a few pieces and call it di cast & they will not take it. What ever the composition is I think the melting point is lower when one considers how important AL is in so many applications (precision) the weeding out of the Hodge podge no ferris has to start some place

Just another 2 cents while we're on metals here :)

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Originally Posted by hobo finds

Magnesium - The easiest alloy to machine

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...that is a bit misleading. As an alloy, yes, usually. But don't go trying to machine any magnesium plate or bar stock without some serious experience. tough to get a good finish, and there's that pesky fire that seems to pop up from time to time!

I found a bbq grill that had cast Magnesium sides. Found out they had been recalled due to fire risk!