Zinc

The predominant end use of zinc in recent years has been galvanic protection of steel and currently represents 47% of zinc consumption.

Zinc is used widely in the construction and automotive industries for corrosion protection and remains the most cost-effective means of protecting steel against corrosion. Zinc coatings act as a physical barrier and as an oxidant. The oxide, in turn, acts as a further barrier to corrosion. The desire to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency has led to constant increases of the use of galvanized steel in the automotive industry to protect the thinner gauges of steel from corrosion.

In North America, the consumer trend towards all-purpose or sport utility vehicles (SUV) has increased the utilization of zinc-coated automotive sheet. Both hot-dipped and electro-galvanized steel are used, the thicker coating of hot-dipped steel gives more corrosion protection to unexposed surfaces and the thinner coating of electro-galvanized steel provides a smoother finish for exposed painted surfaces. Galvanized steel is also used in construction for structural components, roofing, siding and reinforcement bars. Nails and other building materials are often hot dip galvanized. Zinc and zinc-aluminum thermally sprayed coatings are used for the long-term corrosion protection of large steel structures such as bridges and hydroelectric transmission towers.

The manufacture of bronze and brass is the second most important use of zinc, accounting for 19% of consumption. The consumption of brass and bronze is highly dependent on the performance of the construction industry as these alloys are used in plumbing fit-tings, heating and air conditioning components, and other products. The addition of zinc to copper alloys improves their strength and resistance to corrosion.

The third most important use of zinc, accounting for 14% of consumption, is in zinc-based alloys for the creation of die-cast products such as builders' hardware and automobile fittings.

The remainder of zinc consumption is for oxides and other chemicals and zinc dust. Zinc oxide has a variety of applications, the most important of which is as an accelerator in the curing of rubber.
High-purity zinc oxide is used in the pharmaceutical industry, and zinc oxide-based salves and ointments have long been known for their healing properties. Other grades are used in the zinc plating industry, as an anti-corrosion agent in lubricants, and in paints, animal feeds and a variety of chemicals.