Use of scrap of technical parts produced in Zamac Z5 for the preparation of parts for shoes and accessories by pressure casting

ABSTRACT

Zamak supplier companies recycle scraps of technical parts from the production process of zamak injected under pressure and coated with electrodeposition. However, only 35% of the scrap sent for processing is recycled and returns to the production process as raw material. Taking into account that raw material is one of the main costs of companies, the reuse of scrap represents an opportunity to save the manufacturing process. With that, the objective of this work was to verify the viability of casting scraps of technical parts as raw material for the manufacture of parts for the fashion market. The scrap was analyzed for chemical composition, microstructure and thermal characteristics. The scrap was melted under pressure to produce components for shoes and accessories (aesthetic elements such as buckles and ornaments). For comparison, ornaments and buckles were obtained from virgin raw material. The ornaments and buckles were analyzed for microstructure, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. Samples cast using scrap responded satisfactorily to all tests and, in some cases, better than control parts, which were cast with virgin raw material. Thus, it was found that scrap from technical parts can be used as raw material for the production of parts and accessories for the fashion sector and, in this context, it represents a possibility of reducing manufacturing costs.

Keywords
Scraps; Cost reduction; Zamac; Squeeze Casting; Shoes and accessories