Overview
ISO 301:2006 - "Zinc alloy ingots intended for castings" is an international standard that defines the designation, chemical composition, marking, manufacturing and inspection requirements for zinc alloy ingots (or liquid zinc alloys) produced for foundry use. It standardizes how alloys are named (symbol, numeric code, and colour code), what compositional limits apply for common casting alloys, and what information must accompany ingots, bundles and jumbos.
Keywords: ISO 301:2006, zinc alloy ingots, zinc alloys, foundry, chemical composition, ingot marking
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and designations
- Applies to zinc alloys for foundry purposes supplied as ingots or liquid.
- Alloys designated by symbol (e.g., ZnAl4, ZnAl4Cu1) or by a four‑digit ZL number; a two‑colour colour code is also defined for marking.
- Chemical composition
- Table 1 lists permitted compositions for principal casting alloys (examples include ZnAl4 ≈ 4% Al; ZnAl4Cu1 ≈ 4% Al, 1% Cu; ZnAl27Cu2 ≈ 25–28% Al, ~2% Cu).
- Ingot chemistry must meet the limits in Table 1 and be expressed using the standard rounding rules.
- Manufacture
- Feedstock may be zinc ingots/liquid zinc conforming to ISO 752 (ZN1/ZN2), identifiable casting returns, or rejected castings; contaminants must not be used.
- Sampling & analysis
- Sampling follows ISO 20081. Analysis methods include optical emission spectrometry for production control and wet‑chemical reference methods for commercial disputes; ISO methods are preferred where available.
- Marking, labelling & documentation
- Individual ingots, bundles and jumbos require minimum identification (manufacturer, alloy designation/colour code, batch reference, mass).
- On request, suppliers must provide inspection documents: either a certificate of chemical composition or a declaration of conformity.
Applications and who uses it
- Foundries and die‑casting shops specifying or melting zinc alloy ingots.
- Zinc alloy manufacturers and ingot suppliers ensuring compliant production and labelling.
- Procurement teams and quality inspectors verifying incoming materials against ISO 301:2006.
- Metallurgical laboratories performing composition analysis and certification.
- Product designers and standards writers referencing standardized alloy designations for component specification.
Related standards
- ISO 752 (Zinc ingots)
- ISO 20081 (Sampling of zinc and zinc alloys)
- EN 1774, ASTM B240, JIS H5301, AS 1881 (national/regional alloy specifications and analytical methods)
Using ISO 301:2006 ensures consistent alloy identification, reliable chemical quality for casting operations, and clear traceability in supply chains for zinc alloy castings.
