How and why zinc is used in household items and manufacturing

Zinc is one of the most commonly mined and used metals in the world alongside iron, aluminium and copper.

Much like we use zinc cream on our skin to protect us from the sun, zinc is widely used commercially as a protective coating to prevent rust and corrosion.

This versatile metal is also commonly alloyed (mixed) with other metals to create brass, nickel silver and aluminium solder.

The characteristics of zinc

Zinc is a blueish-white metal which has a hexagonal, crystal structure and often appears silvery when freshly cut or cast.

When exposed to air or the atmosphere, it develops an impenetrable coating of oxide film, giving it a greyer duller finish. This film inhibits corrosion giving zinc considerable commercial value as an anti-corrosive coating and sacrificial protectant.

Unalloyed zinc is relatively unusable but is used extensively when alloyed with other metals, particularly when alloyed with copper to produce brass.

The relatively low melting point of zinc, at just 419.5 degrees Celsius, enables die-casting to a fine detail and provides easier workability for hobbyists.

How zinc is mined and processed

Australia is the third-largest global producer of zinc behind China, [NH1] . Zinc is rarely ever found in its pure form, but with other elements such as copper, lead, iron or silver. Most zinc is mined from underground sulphide ore deposits. A small amount of zinc is produced from recycling secondary zinc.

The most common extraction method occurs through the process of furnace blasting the ore, crushing and fine grinding, followed by a flotation process to separate the zinc from other minerals.

Common household items that use zinc

Zinc is an extremely versatile metal and is present in many areas of our daily lives.

When alloyed with copper it creates brass. This shiny gold-like material is widely used in domestic items from door handles to taps, pipe fittings, hooks and hinges, to electrical plugs and sockets, and even musical instruments.

Sacrificial anodes used by the marine, boating and shipping industries is another highly effective use of zinc. An anode is attached to your outboard motor, sterndrive, propeller or other metal equipment. This anode then corrodes in place of your highly valuable and expensive metals or machinery.

Zinc is also an ideal energy source in the production of carbon-zinc batteries such as AA, AAA or 9v. Used in sheet form it creates the battery casing and the negative terminal of the battery. These batteries are particularly effective in low energy consumption appliances such as clocks, torches and remote controls.

Other industrial uses

More than half of the worlds zinc production is used for zinc galvanising, the process whereby iron or steel is hot-dipped in a bath of molten zinc to form a protective barrier. This barrier can protect against corrosion for up to 30 years or more. Typically, galvanised steel or iron is used in car manufacturing, building frameworks or bridges, gates and agricultural machinery.

Zinc plating is another anti-corrosion agent. Also called electro-galvanising, zinc plating is applied by using an electrical current rather than submersion in molten zinc. This means the coating is thinner than that of galvanisation but still provides protection.

Alloy production is also a common industrial use for zinc to create solder or Nickel silver. Solder is created by an alloy of lead and tin and is used in many electrical components and fittings. Nickel silver uses a range of alloys including zinc, copper and nickels and is used for jewellery, silverware and ornamental metalwork.

Our zinc and it’s uses

At Billing Metals we sell 100% Australian zinc primarily sourced from Broken Hill, one of Australia’s oldest mining regions in outback NSW.

Our ultra-high purity zinc provides a minimum purity of 99.995% making it ideal for sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection of your boat, alloy creation and metal casting, or simply as samples for element collectors or chemistry projects.

Browse our zinc ingot products, order online and receive free shipping with some items.