Applications
The Utility Chart of Zinc Oxide in Various Industries
Rubber
The Optical, Physical and Chemical properties of Zinc Oxide make it one of the indispensable element of Rubber Industry. The prominent characteristic of Zinc Oxide, being the most effective activator to speed up the rate of cure with new accelerators has proved to be highly beneficial.
Activation
Zinc Oxide plays a vital role in the process of curing natural rubber and most types of synthetic rubber. Its chemical reactivity activates the organic accelerator.
Acceleration
In the vulcanization process Zinc Oxide acts as an effective co-accelerator.
Bio Chemical Activity
The property of reacting with the enzyme responsible for the decomposition makes Zinc Oxide highly useful in the preservation of plantation latex.
Dielectric Strength
With regard to high voltage wire and cable insulation, Zinc Oxide's Dielectric strength helps in improving the resistance to corona effect. In case of the elevated operating temperature it contributes to maintain the physical property of the rubber compound.
Heat Stabilization
Zinc Oxide contributes in retarding the devulcanization of many types of rubber compounds at elevated temperature.
Latex Gelation
Zinc Oxide is effective in gelation of the foam with sufficient stability.
Light Stabilization
Zinc Oxide acts as an effective stabilizer of white and tinted rubber compounds due to its outstanding characteristic of absorbing ultra violet rays.
Pigmentation
The features of Zinc Oxide like high brightness, refractive index, and optimum particular size, helps in providing a high degree whiteness and tinting strength for rubber products like tire sidewalls, sheeting and surgical gloves.
Reinforcement
Zinc Oxide provides reinforcement in natural rubber, and in some synthetic elastomers such as polysulfides and chloroprenes.
Rubber - Metal Bonding
The reaction of Zinc Oxide with Copper Oxide helps in forming the tightly adhering Zinc copper salt.
Tack Retention
Zinc Oxide has the ability to retain over many months of shelf- storage, the tack of uncured rubber compounds for adhesive tapes.
Plastics
Zinc provides a variety of properties in the plastic field like the dyeability of polyester fibres is improved by Zinc Oxide.
Ceramics
Zinc Oxide imparts a unique combination when used in ceramic products.
Pharmaceutical Industry
In the Pharmaceutical Industry Zinc Oxide is one of the prominent and
indispensable element.
Cosmetics
Zinc Oxide takes care of the skin by its ability to absorb the ultraviolet
sunburn rays. In case of burnt skin it acts as an active healer.
Adhesives, Mastics, Sealants
Due to its outstanding ability to retain tack during self aging, Zinc Oxide
has been regarded as a major constituent of surgical and Industrial tapes.
Photocopying
Commercial Zinc Oxide for photocopying is generally produced from metallic
zinc, rather than ore, to obtain a product of higher purity.
Lubricants
Zinc Oxide has been found to contribute special properties in many types of
lubricants, such as extreme pressure lubricants, seizure pressure lubricants
and greases.
Paints
The properties of Zinc Oxide have been widely used in the paint industry
for the perpetual development of improved products.
Metal- Protective Coating
Zinc Oxide paints provide excellent protection to steel structures under normal atmospheric conditions, and also to steel surfaces in such under-water conditions as dam faces and the interior of fresh water tanks.
Cigarette Filters
Zinc Oxide helps in removing selected ingredients from tobacco smoke.
Sulfur Removal
Zinc Oxide is effective in removal of Sulfur and Sulfur compounds from a variety of fluids and gases, particularly industrial flue gases.
Food and Food Packaging Materials
Zinc Oxide has been used in the varnish linings of the metal containers to prevent formation of black sulfides which discolor the food.
Fir Retardants
Zinc Oxide was extensively used in the World War II as an effective ingredient in fire retardation.
Ferrites
Numerous electronic instruments for the consumer market utilize ferrites to impart specific functions.
Batteries, Fuel Cells, Photocells
Zinc Oxide is used in Zinc Carbon dry cell. In Fuel cell it is used as an electrode material and in Solar energy cell it acts as a photocatalyst.
Thermoelements
Zinc Oxide plays an important role in semiconductor ceramic elements for operation at elevated temperatures or high voltages.
Silicate Compositions
Zinc Oxide's reaction with aqueous solution forms Zinc Silicate, which is useful as a binder in paints.
Fungicides
Zinc Oxide and its derivatives contribute effectively to the control of fungi in many different types of applications.
Portland Cement
Zinc Oxide reduces the rate of heat evolution and helps in improving whiteness and final strength.
