With good calenderability, abrasive resistance, corrosion resistance, castability, and room temperature mechanical properties, zinc can be made into various alloys with many other metals. Mainly in the form of galvanization, zinc-based alloys and zinc oxide, it has applications in the automobile, construction and shipbuilding industries, light industry, machinery, household electrical appliances, batteries and other industries. Currently, its consumption among non-ferrous metals is second only to aluminum and copper.
As in moist air, a protective layer is easily produced on the surface of zinc, which prevents further atmospheric corrosion. zinc is widely used in the galvanization industry. Galvanization is primarily used in steel and surface coatings on steel structures (eg. galvanized sheet) for automobiles, construction, shipbuilding, light and some other industries. Examples include: coatings containing zinc powder; zinc spelter, used in connections (eg. steel components connecting ships, bridges and offshore oil and gas derricks), roofing made of galvanized iron sheet; and steel strip hot-dip galvanization.
At present, galvanization accounts for half of all zinc consumption.
Currently, zinc alloy makes up around 20% of zinc applications. However, in western countries, they have realized that zinc alloy can be directly used as the covering material for roofs, extending the service life from 5-10 years to 120-140 years- what’s more, the material can be recycled. Thus, in the long run, when it comes to zinc consumption, the ratio of galvanization will decrease, while that of zinc alloy will gradually increase.
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