Zinc’s uses are many given its effectiveness as a protective agent, whether as part of an alloy or as a passivating protection. Zinc is not used as a metal industrially, due to comparatively poorer physical properties than steel. However, once alloyed, zinc can add significant corrosion resistance, high impact strength at an affordable price.
Particularly for high-volume products like nuts, bolts and simple low-strength-requirement steel products, the lower price point offered by zinc stands it in good stead despite the relative lower performance in both corrosion resistance and strength compared to stainless steel.
Primary Uses
Zinc use is largely focused around galvanising of steel and alloying, whether
as a part of a complex alloy or simpler materials like brass and bronze. Galvanising
consumes over 50% of worldwide zinc metal production, as a highly desirable protective
element at an affordable price. All kinds of galvanised steels are used widely in
several of the world’s largest markets, including infrastructure, construction,
and automobiles.
Alloys of zinc comprise most of the remaining fraction of zinc’s
final usage. Bronze
and brass represent roughly 17% of the total use of zinc, with other metallic alloys
representing another 17%. The majority of the remainder is use as zinc compounds
across a variety of industries, whether that be paints, rubbers, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals,
plastics, soaps, or electrical equipment and batteries.