Zinc Oxide (Full range)

Description

Zinc oxide is a chemical compound with formula ZnO. It is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in acids or alkalis. It occurs as white hexagonal crystals or a white powder. Zinc oxide decomposes into zinc vapor and oxygen at around 1975°C. Zinc oxide occurs in nature as the mineral zincite.

Three different processes are used for its manufacture - two thermal processes and a wet chemical process. One thermal process starts from metallic zinc, the other from oxidic zinc residues or ores. In both processes, zinc vapour is generated and burned to zinc oxide. In the wet process, zinc is leached from zinc containing raw materials and then precipitated as zinc hydroxide/-carbonate.

The precipitate is calcinated to ZnO. The main uses of zinc oxide are in rubber, ceramics, optical glass and paints. Also as a component of anticorrosive and antifouling paints. Further industrial applications are the production of lubricant additives, various zinc organic and anorganic compounds, steel galvanizing, adhesives, batteries and electronic components such as varistors and ferrites.

High purity grades are used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries for manufacture of ointments, baby and skin cream, tooth pastes, dental cement and deodorants. Zinc oxide catalysts are used for removing hydrogen sulphide from gases and liquids. ZnO is also added to animal food and fertilizers.

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