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Zinc: What is Zinc Used For?

Zinc is now the fourth-most widely consumed metal in the entire world. Nearly one half of all zinc produced is used in zinc galvanizing processes to protect steel and iron from rusting. This involves coating the surface of a metal with a thin layer of zinc to create a corrosion-resistant barrier. Alloying zinc with copper to produce brass remains a widespread practice, representing the second-most common form of zinc usage.

How Does Zinc Stop Corrosion?

Zinc has the inherent ability to form corrosion byproducts that can significantly reduce the corrosion rate of ferrous metals. These zinc corrosion products, which are commonly referred to as zinc patina, serve as a protective barrier on metal surfaces. They help keep out the moisture that can significantly speed up the corrosion process. Depending on environmental conditions, zinc can corrode at a rate of up to 100 times slower than other metals.

The Zinc Plating Process

The zinc plating process can vary depending on the preferences of the metal finishing company, as well as the specific zinc plating application at hand. In general, the process begins by cleaning the surface of the metal with an alkaline detergent solution to remove oil, other materials or debris. The item is then treated with an acidic solution to remove rust or surface scales.

After cleaning, the actual zinc plating process can commence. The item is immersed in an electrolyte solution containing dissolved zinc. A DC electric current is then introduced into the solution, which deposits the zinc onto the cathode — the less chemically active item, or part being plated. This procedure is known as electrodeposition. The zinc serves the role of the anode, or the more active component.