Industrial uses: This compound is used in the manufacture of many materials in industry such as plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, rubber (car tires), softeners, paints, waxes, adhesives, foods, batteries, etc. Zinc oxide powder has many applications Its main applications are summarized. Most applications use the zinc oxide reaction as a constituent of other zinc components. Its application in materials science includes high refractive index, high thermal conductivity, antibiotics and UV protection materials. It is similarly used to materials such as plastics, ceramics, glass, wood, cement, paints, greases, ointments, adhesives, seals, pigments, batteries, fire extinguishing circuits, and many others.
Medicinal uses
In medicine and health, this compound called zinc oxide is used in baby powder, skin ointments, sunscreen, anti-dandruff shampoo, etc. Zinc oxide ointment in the treatment of skin lesions prone to infection such as burns, eczema, baby foot burns, scratches and insect bites. It is used for mild skin inflammation as well as in combination with calamine as an anti-itch. . Zinc oxide is one of the components of face powder, lipstick and creams used in the cosmetics industry.
It is also used as an additive to oils, adhesives, drying agents, opaque agents and as a catalyst in the synthesis of methanol. Zinc oxide has moisturizing, antibiotic and deodorant properties. It is also used in the composition of sunscreens due to its anti-sebum and UV reflecting effects.
Production: In industrial use, 105 tons of zinc oxide per year is produced in three main ways, which are mentioned below.
Indirect method: Zinc (Zn) is liquefied in a special graphite smelting vessel and converted to steam at a temperature above 907 ° C. Zinc vapor reacts with oxygen in the air to form zinc oxide (ZnO). The formed zinc oxide is cooled and collected. This method was discovered in 1844 by the French LeClaire. The result of this method is compressed zinc oxide. It measures 0.1 to a few microns, and most of the zinc oxide produced in the world is from this method.
Zinc sulfate dust and zinc chloride dust are in the next categories in terms of importance and quantity. Other zinc compounds are of minor importance. Global consumption of zinc oxide and dust has remained stable for years, although demand for zinc sulfate and zinc chloride is increasing. The growth rate of consumption of zinc thiocarbonate and zinc stearate corresponds to the production of abrasives (the largest consumption of these compounds). The most in-demand zinc oxide can be produced by a variety of processes. The purity and quality of zinc oxide depends on the method of production.
