ASTM B908-09 - 1.10.2009
 
Significance and Use

The purpose of these color codes is to allow for quick identification of ingot bundles or jumbo ingots of zinc casting alloys. Other than jumbo ingots, this standard is not intended to imply that each ingot will be color-coded but only that each ingot bundle be color coded.

Each ingot bundle or jumbo ingot shall be identified with the appropriate color code listed in Table 1.

The color will be applied as a stripe, or stripes, on two adjacent sides of the ingot bundle or jumbo ingot. The color stripes will be applied to include the ingot bundle foot.

When using multiple stripes, the colored stripes will be applied from left to right as indicated in Table 1.

In the absence of a written agreement to the contrary between the supplier and end user, the North American color code will be the standard for all North American transactions; for all other transactions the International Color Code will be used.

TABLE 1 Color Codes

CommonUNSAASTM
Standard
ASTM
Alloy
TraditionalColor Code
North AmericaBInternational
Alloy 3Z33521B240AG 40ACZamak 3NoneWhite/YellowD
Alloy 7Z33522B240AG 40BCZamak 7BrownWhite/BrownE
Alloy 5Z35530B240AC 41ACZamak 5BlackWhite/BlackD
Alloy 2Z35540B240AC 43ACZamak 2GreenWhite/GreenD
ZA-8Z35635B240ZA-8ZA-8BlueWhite/BlueD
ZA-12Z35630B240ZA-12ZA-12OrangeWhite/OrangeD
ZA-27Z35840B240ZA-27ZA-27PurpleWhite/PurpleD
ACuZinc 5Z46540B892Zn-Cu5-AI3ACuZinc5FRedWhite/RedE
V12Z33730B327V12V12PinkWhite/PinkE
V12-5B327V12-5V12-5Pink/BlackWhite/Pink/Black
Slush Casting Alloy AZ34510B792Slush Casting Alloy ASlush Casting Alloy ABlack/RedWhite/Black/RedE
Slush Casting Alloy BZ30500B792Slush Casting Alloy BSlush Casting Alloy BBlack/OrangeWhite/Black/OrangeE
Zinc Casting Alloy for Dies and Molds - AZ35543B793Die & Mold Alloy AKirksite AGreen/RedWhite/Green/RedE
Zinc Casting Alloy for Dies and Molds - BZ35542B793Die & Mold Alloy BKirksite BGreen/BlackWhite/Green/BlackE

A UNS assignations were established in accordance with Practice E527. The last digit of a UNS number differentiates between alloys of similar composition.

B The North American system is design to be a simplified version of the International system by eliminating the leading white stripe and in the case of Alloy 3 eliminating all stripes.

C ASTM alloy designations established in accordance with Practice B275.

D The color codes for these alloys are adapted from European standard (CEN) specification EN 1774. No color coding currently exists in International standard ISO 301.

E These alloys are not currently included in European standard EN 1774 nor International standard ISO 301 and no color codes have previously been assigned.

F ACuZinc and ACuZinc5 are registered names of the General Motors Corporation.

 
1. Scope

1.1 This standard is published with the following objectives:

1.2 To establish standard color codes for the Zinc Die Casting and Foundry industry, and

1.3 To standardize the use and application of these color codes.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

B240-22(2026)

Standard Specification for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum (ZA) Alloys in Ingot Form for Foundry and Die Castings

B275-14

Standard Practice for Codification of Certain Zinc, Tin and Lead Die Castings (Withdrawn 2020)

B327-21(2026)

Standard Specification for Master Alloys Used in Making Zinc Die Casting Alloys

B792-16(2026)

Standard Specification for Zinc Alloys in Ingot Form for Slush Casting

B793-16(2026)

Standard Specification for Zinc Casting Alloy Ingot for Sheet Metal Forming Dies and Plastic Injection Molds

B899-25

Standard Terminology Relating to Non-ferrous Metals and Alloys

B952-08

Standard Specification for Zinc Alloys in Ingot Form for Spin Casting

E527-23

Standard Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS)

ISO 301

Zinc alloy ingots intended for casting, 1981-05-15 English Version available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

EN 1774

Zinc and zinc alloys--Alloys for foundry purposes--Ingot and liquid, September 1997 English Version available from Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way, East Englewood, CO 80112-5704, http://global.ihs.com.

B892-10

Standard Specification for ACuZinc5 (Zinc-Copper-Aluminum) Alloy in Ingot Form for Die Castings