APPLICATION AND USES OF ZINC OXIDE

August 11, 2022 · ASSOCIATED RUBBER CHEMICALS (KOCHI) PVT LTD

Zinc oxide is a white, inert inorganic compound. It is used as an activator, bulking agent or filler or as a white pigment in various industries such as rubber, ceramics, chemicals, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics & personal care. Check out one of the top Zinc Oxide Manufacturers in India

Uses of Zinc Oxide:

The applications of zinc oxide powder are numerous, and the principal ones are summarized below.

Rubber Manufacture: Between 50% and 60% of ZnO use is in the rubber industry. Zinc oxide along with stearic acid is used in the vulcanization of rubber. ZnO additive also protect rubber from fungi and UV light.
Ceramic Industry: Ceramic industry consumes a significant amount of zinc oxide, in particular in ceramic glaze and frit compositions. The relatively high heat capacity, thermal conductivity and high temperature stability of ZnO coupled with a comparatively low coefficient of expansion are desirable properties in the production of ceramics. ZnO affects the melting point and optical properties of the glazes, enamels, and ceramic formulations. Zinc oxide as a low expansion, secondary flux improves the elasticity of glazes by reducing the change in viscosity as a function of temperature and helps prevent crazing and shivering. By substituting ZnO for BaO and PbO, the heat capacity is decreased and the thermal conductivity is increased. Zinc in small amounts improves the development of glossy and brilliant surfaces. However, in moderate to high amounts, it produces matte and crystalline surfaces. With regard to color, zinc has a complicated influence.
Medicine: Zinc oxide is widely used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including dermatitis, itching due to eczema, diaper rash and acne. It is used in products such as baby powder and barrier creams to treat diaper rashes, calamine cream, anti-dandruff shampoos, and antiseptic ointments. It is also a component in tape (called "zinc oxide tape") used by athletes as a bandage to prevent soft tissue damage during workouts. Zinc oxide can be used in ointments, creams, and lotions to protect against sunburn and other damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light
Food Additive: Zinc oxide is added to many food products, including breakfast cereals, as a source of zinc, a necessary nutrient.(Zinc sulphate is also used for the same purpose.) Some pre-packaged foods also include trace amounts of ZnO.
Pigment: Zinc white is used as a pigment in paints and is more opaque than lithopone, but less opaque than titanium dioxide
UV Absorber: Micronized and nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide strong protection against UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation, and are used in suntan lotion, and also in UV-blocking sunglasses for use in space and for protection when welding.
Coatings:Paints containing zinc oxide powder have long been utilized as anticorrosive coatings for metals. They are especially effective for galvanized iron. Iron is difficult to protect because its reactivity with organic coatings leads to brittleness and lack of adhesion. Zinc oxide paints retain their flexibility and adherence on such surfaces for many years.
Corrosion prevention in nuclear reactors: Zinc oxide depleted in 64Zn (the zinc isotope with atomic mass 64) is used in corrosion prevention in nuclear pressurized water reactors. The depletion is necessary, because 64Zn is transformed into radioactive 65Zn under irradiation by the reactor neutrons
Methane Reforming : Zinc oxide (ZnO) is used as a pretreatment step to remove hydrogen sulphide from natural gas following hydrogenation of any sulfur compounds prior to a methane reformer. At temperatures between about 230–430 °C (446–806 °F), H2S is converted to water by the following reaction:

H2S + ZnO → H2O + ZnS

The zinc sulfide (ZnS) is replaced with fresh zinc oxide when the zinc oxide has been consumed.