Zinc - ₃₀Zn: uses

The following uses for zinc are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I would be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses.

The alloy brass contains copper and anywhere from 20-45% of zinc, depending upon the type of brass. Brass is esy to work and is a good electrical conductor. Substitutes for brass are sometimes preferred because of the price of copper and these alloys also contain zinc. Zinc alloys with many other metals. Nickel silver, typewriter metal, commercial bronze, spring brass, soft solder, and aluminum solder all contain zinc.

A large proportion of all zinc, perhaps more than a third, is used used to galvanize metals such as iron so as to prevent corrosion. Typically this involves dipping the object to be coated in molten zinc for a short time but electroplating or paining methods are also used. Zinc protects any exposed iron sacrificially because of the relative positions of znc and iron in the electrochemical series.

Zinc metal is used for dry batteries, roof cladding, and to protect iron structures from corrosion by attaching zinc as sacrifical anodes. Zinc metal is also used in lightweight coins (for instance, USA and Canadian one cent coins are zinc coated with bronze plate)

The oxide (ZnO) is used in the manufacture of paints, rubber products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, floor coverings, plastics, printing inks, soap, textiles, electrical equipment, and other products. It is also used in ointments.

The sulphide (ZnS) is used in making luminous dials, X-ray and TV screens, paints (relkatively non-toxic) and fluorescent lights.