Crude zinc oxide appears as yellow-grey granular solid which has no odour. He compound is insoluble in water. It occurs naturally as a mineral compound known as zincite, but can also be produced synthetically.
Some of the applications of zinc oxide include:
- It is applied as a pigment in white paints as a substitute for lead carbonate.
- It applied as an activator and accelerator during the vulcanization process in the rubber industry.
- It is applied in the production of opaque glass and some types of opaque glass.
- It is applied in the manufacture of enamels.
- It is used in the manufacture of white glue.
- It is used in the manufacture of white printing ink.
- It is used in the manufacture of porcelains.
- It is used as a flame retardant.
- It is applied in electronics as a semiconductor.
- It is applied as an inhibitor for old-growth in paints.
- It is applied as a photoconductor in office copying machines and colour photography.
- It is applied in the floor covering in floor tiles.
- It is used in the manufacture of lubricants, plastics, rayon, and fabrics.
- It is applied as a dusting powder.
- It is applied as a feed additive for dietary supplementation.
- It is applied in carbon black mixtures.
- It is applied as an anticaking agent.
- It is applied as an active ingredient in a lot of suntan lotions.
- It is applied in the preparation of dental cement.
- It is applied in the production of hydrogen.
- It is applied as a major additive in the production of lubricants for engines. Here it helps to reduce oxidation and engine corrosion and wear.
- Its varistors are applied to protect against low voltage surges in electronics applications such as computers. It is also used for high voltage surges in lighting arrestors.
- It is applied externally as a drug colourant.
- Its bed is applied in the removal of mercaptans, hydrogen sulfide and to some extent chlorine at a temperature of 350-400 degrees Celsius.
- It is applied as a phosphor powder in vacuum fluorescence displays.
- It is used in the preparation of zinc fluoride tetrahydrate through its reaction with hydrogen fluoride.
- It is applied as an industrial preservative for incorporation into nylon carpet fibres to aid in inhibiting bacterial and fungal spoilage.
- It is applied on walkways to prevent the growth of moss.
- It is applied as an ingredient in the pressure treatment of lumber.