Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is a bluish-white metal that is widely used in various industrial and commercial applications.
Sources of zinc:
Zinc is primarily found in minerals such as sphalerite, willemite, and smithsonite.
It is also found in smaller amounts in other minerals, such as hemimorphite, franklinite, and wurtzite.
Production of zinc:
Zinc is extracted from its ores through a series of processes, including mining, crushing, and benefication.
The zinc-bearing ore is then roasted or smelted to produce zinc oxides, which are then further processed to produce pure zinc metal.
Properties of zinc:
Zinc is a dense, bluish-white metal with a melting point of 419°C and a boiling point of 907°C.
It is a relatively soft metal that is highly reactive, and must be stored in a protective atmosphere to prevent oxidation.
Zinc is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has a low thermal expansion coefficient.
Uses of zinc:
Zinc is widely used in the production of galvanized steel, where it provides a protective coating to prevent corrosion.
It is also used in the production of alloys, such as brass, bronze, and nickel silver, where it provides strength, hardness, and conductivity.
Zinc is used as a component in a variety of industrial and commercial products, including batteries, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
It is also used in the production of zinc compounds, which are used as pigments, fungicides, and in the electronics industry.
Zinc is used in the production of zinc-based die casting alloys, where it provides high strength and hardness.
It is also used in the production of zinc oxides, which are used as UV-blocking agents in sunscreens and other cosmetics.