As the world's fourth largest base metal, zinc is consumed by more than 13 million tons per year,
penetrating every capillary of industrial civilization. From the steel structures of skyscrapers to
the battery packs of new energy vehicles, from medical disinfectants to the mirror coatings of
space telescopes, this blue-white metal is driving the modern industrial process in multiple
forms. This article will systematically analyze the application logic and technological evolution
of zinc in six core areas, revealing its irreplaceable industrial value.
Galvanized protection: the “invisible armor” of the Great Wall of
Iron and Steel
About 50% of the world's zinc is used for steel corrosion protection, which is the largest metal application
scenario in the industrialization process:
Hot dip galvanizing: steel is immersed in molten zinc at 450°C to form a 60-80μm alloy coating, extending
the corrosion-resistant life of ordinary carbon steel from 2 to 50 years. Outdoor facilities such as highway
guardrails and transmission pylons rely on this technology, which consumes 35-40kg of zinc per ton of steel.
Electro-galvanizing: A 5-15μm zinc layer is deposited on the surface of precision parts through electrolysis,
providing both corrosion resistance and decorative features. It is widely used for automotive fasteners,
electronic housings and other products, and the hardness of the coating can reach over 150HV.
Cold galvanized coating: Anti-corrosion coating containing 96% zinc powder, which can be used to repair
damaged coating on site. Cross-sea bridges and harbor machinery use this technology, and the salt spray
resistance is over 6,000 hours.
According to the International Zinc Association data, the global annual reduction of steel scrap due to
galvanization amounted to 120 million tons, equivalent to saving 280 million tons of iron ore mining.
Alloying: the “gene editor” of performance leapfrogging
Alloying zinc with other metals creates material systems with very different properties:
Brass (Cu-Zn alloy): containing zinc 5-45%, both the electrical conductivity of copper and zinc cutting. H62
brass (zinc 38%) for plumbing valves, tensile strength ≥ 370MPa; containing zinc 20% of the bullet brass,
can withstand 800 ℃ high temperature stamping.
Zinc-aluminum alloy (ZA series): ZA27 alloy (27% aluminum, copper 2%, residual zinc) strength of 400MPa,
alternative bronze manufacturing heavy bearings, cost reduction of 60%.
Die zinc alloy: Kirksite alloy containing 4% aluminum, 3% copper, thermal conductivity is three times that
of steel, used for automotive coverings stamping die, life expectancy of up to 100,000 times or more.
In the automotive industry, each car uses an average of 12kg zinc alloy parts, from the door lock
mechanism to the hood hinge, weight reduction effect of more than 40%.
Chemical production: the “mother of all elements” for
basic materials
Zinc compounds constitute an important cornerstone of the modern chemical industry:
Zinc oxide (ZnO): global annual output of 1.2 million tons, tire industry consumes 55%. Adding 3-5%
ZnO to radial tires can improve rubber abrasion resistance by 30%; ZnO nanoparticles (particle size
≤ 100nm) are used as sunscreen agents, with a UV shielding rate of >95%.
Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄): used as a feed additive to prevent zinc deficiency in animals, with an annual
dosage of 800,000 tons in the global agricultural sector. It is used in water treatment to inhibit the
growth of algae in circulating water systems, with a dosing concentration of 0.5-1ppm.
Zinc barium white (ZnS-BaSO₄): covering power is 80% of titanium dioxide, while the cost is only
1/3 of its annual consumption of 250,000 tons in the paint industry.
Fine chemical industry, methyl zinc (Zn(CH₃)₂) used in OLED display panel manufacturing,
deposition rate of 10nm/min, promote the screen thickness breakthrough 0.3mm.
Battery technology: the “potential stock” of the energy
storage revolution
Zinc-based batteries are opening up a new energy battlefield:
Zinc-manganese batteries: 1.5V dry batteries still occupy 65% of the global primary battery market,
the annual consumption of zinc particles 800,000 tons. Improved alkaline zinc-manganese battery
capacity increased by 40%, storage life of 10 years.
Zinc air battery: with air electrode as positive pole, energy density reaches 300Wh/kg, which is 2
times of lithium-ion battery. The annual output of button batteries for hearing aids exceeds 500
million, with an operating life of more than 200 hours.
Zinc ion battery: new aqueous energy storage battery, using zinc metal anode, the cost is 50%
lower than lithium battery. 2023 global R & D investment of more than 1.2 billion U.S. dollars,
the goal is to achieve the cycle life of > 5000 times in 3 years.
In the field of energy storage, zinc bromine liquid current battery has been applied in 20MW class
photovoltaic power station, electrolyte recycling rate> 99.8%, kWh cost down to 0.3 yuan
Healthcare: the “guardian” of life systems
Zinc's biocompatibility expands its unique medical value:
Medical dressings: zinc oxide-containing antibacterial gauze, killing rate of Staphylococcus aureus >
99.9%, wound healing speed increased by 25%.
Dental materials: zinc phosphate cementum with compressive strength ≥80MPa, used for crown
bonding, curing time can be controlled at 5-9 minutes.
Nutritional supplement: Zinc Gluconate Oral Liquid has a bioavailability of 60%, and the global children's
zinc supplement market size is growing at an average annual rate of 7.2%.
The latest research shows that zinc-containing nanoparticles can be targeted to inhibit the proliferation
of cancer cells, in the breast cancer treatment experiments to achieve a 58% reduction in tumor volume.
Emerging fields: the zinc promise of future technologies
Innovative applications of zinc continue to push the boundaries:
Flexible electronics: zinc and silver ink printed circuits, bending resistance > 100,000 times, the cost of
only 1/5 of silver ink;
Architectural photovoltaics: CdZnTe (cadmium zinc telluride) thin-film solar cells with conversion efficiencies
exceeding 22%, which can be integrated into building curtain walls;
Nuclear industry: zinc-bismuth alloy (Bi-32%Zn) is used as a nuclear reactor coolant, with a melting point
of 125°C and a boiling point of 1670°C, which is far safer than sodium-potassium alloys.
In the aerospace field, zinc coating is used for satellite aluminum alloy components to prevent space
oxidation, resistant to temperature -180 ℃ to +150 ℃ alternation.
Conclusion
From sphalerite in the earth's crust to a “multi-faceted player” in industrial society, zinc's value chain continues
to evolve. It guards the steel bones of thousand-year-old bridges and drives cutting-edge quantum-dot
luminescence technology; it provides the weak current of a No. 5 battery in remote mountainous areas and
accelerates the healing of life in the operating room. The unique endowment of this metal - excellent corrosion
resistance, rich compound forms, environmentally friendly properties - makes it more strategic in the carbon
neutral era. It is estimated that the global secondary recycling rate of zinc has increased from 20% to 35%,
and each ton of recycled zinc is 62% more energy-efficient than virgin zinc. When the circular economy
and technological innovation are combined, a new chapter will be written in the industrial saga of zinc.