Circular section rods of Zn-22Al-2Cu (weight %) alloy were prepared by rapid solidification (103 K/s); a semi-continuous vertical cast device with mould cooled with water was used. Rods microstructure consisted of two-phase dendritic cells surrounded by lamellar eutectic and, it is found that cell size depends on the growth rate. Starting from an overheated melt at 540°C and a rod growth rate of 0.23 cm sec^-1 a fine microstructure is obtained. From  X-Ray Diffraction and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy studies, alternating lamellas of α'_s and η'_s phases are conforming the cells and inter dendritic zone. Rod samples were prepared and tested in tension, offset yield strength of 395 MPa, modulus of elasticity of E = 197.5 GPa, tensile strength of 497 MPa and a percentage elongation of 20 to 28 % were measured. These values are higher than those obtained from pieces prepared by permanent mould casting using the same alloy.