Applications of Zn

Metallic zinc is widely used to GALVANISE iron and steel structures -- coating them in a thin protective layer of zinc -- specifically to protect the underlying iron/steel from rusting and corrosion, since zinc corrodes preferentially and sacrificially in place of the iron beneath it. Zinc is also used to produce die-castings for the automobile, electrical and hardware industries. Zinc's compounds have their own major uses: zinc oxide is used in the manufacture of paints, rubber, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, inks, batteries, textiles and electrical equipment, while zinc sulphide is used in making luminous paints, fluorescent lights and X-ray screens. Finally, brass -- an allo …