Main Applications
(1) Galvanizing
Zinc has excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion and is therefore primarily used for surface coatings on steel and steel structures (such as galvanized sheet). It is widely used in the automotive, construction, shipbuilding, and light industrial sectors. In recent years, Western countries have begun experimenting with using zinc alloy sheets directly as roofing materials. These sheets can last up to 120-140 years and are recyclable, compared to the typical lifespan of galvanized iron sheets for roofing materials of 5-10 years.
(2) Manufacturing Copper Alloys (such as Brass)
This is used in the automotive and machinery industries. Zinc possesses suitable mechanical properties. While zinc itself possesses low strength and hardness, the addition of alloying elements such as aluminum and copper significantly enhances these properties. The emergence of zinc-copper-titanium alloys in particular has brought their overall mechanical properties close to or even approach those of aluminum alloys, brass, and gray cast iron, while significantly improving their creep resistance. Consequently, zinc-copper-titanium alloys have become widely used in the production of small hardware.
(3) Casting of Zinc Alloys
Primarily die-castings, used in the automotive and light industrial sectors. Many zinc alloys have excellent machinability, with pass processing rates reaching 60%-80%. They offer superior medium-pressure performance, enabling deep drawing. They are self-lubricating, extending die life, and can be brazed, resistively welded, or arc welded . The surface can be electroplated and painted, and they exhibit excellent machinability. Under certain conditions, they exhibit superior superplastic properties.
Zinc also exhibits excellent resistance to electromagnetic fields. Its conductivity is 29% that of standard electrical copper, making zinc sheet a very effective shielding material in areas subject to radio frequency interference. Furthermore, because zinc is non-magnetic, it is suitable for instrument components, instrument housings, and coins. Furthermore, zinc does not produce sparks when it collides with itself or other metals, making it suitable for underground explosion-proof equipment.
(IV) Used in the manufacture of zinc oxide, accounting for approximately 11% of the total. Widely used in the rubber, coatings, enamel, pharmaceutical, printing, and fiber industries.
(V) Used in the manufacture of dry-cell batteries, in the form of zinc cakes and zinc sheets, accounting for approximately 13%.
Zinc has suitable chemical properties. Zinc reacts with NH₄Cl₂ to release H₆ positive ions. Zinc-manganese dioxide batteries utilize this characteristic of zinc. The battery casing, made of a zinc alloy, serves as both a container for the electrolyte and participates in the battery reaction, forming the anode. This property is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.