Zinc alloys have been used for centuries—brass pieces dated to 1500-1000 BC. C. have been found in Canaan and other objects with contents of up to 87% zinc have appeared in the ancient region of Transylvania; However, due to its low melting point and chemical reactivity, the metal tends to evaporate, so the true nature of the metal was not understood by the ancients.

It is known that the manufacture of brass was known by the Romans around 30 BC. C. Pliny and Dioscorides describe the obtaining of aurichalcum (brass) by the procedure of heating a mixture of cadmia (calamine) with copper in a crucible; The brass obtained later was cast or forged to make objects.

The smelting and extraction of impure zinc was carried out around the year 1000 in India - in the work Rasarnava (c. 1200) by an unknown author the procedure is described - and later in China and at the end of the century the Indians already knew of the existence of zinc as a metal different from the seven known in Antiquity, the eighth metal. In 1597 Andreas Libavius ​​described a "peculiar kind of tin" that had been prepared in India and came into his hands in small quantities through a friend; From his descriptions it is deduced that it was zinc, although he did not recognize it as the metal from calamine.

In the West, around 1248, Albert the Great describes the manufacture of brass in Europe, and in the century the existence of the metal was already known. Georgius Agricola (1490-1555) observed in 1546 that a condensed white metal could be scraped off the walls of furnaces in which zinc ores were smelted; adding in his notes that a similar metal called zincum was produced in Silesia.[6] Paracelsus was the first to suggest that zincum was a new metal and that its properties differed from those of known metals without, however, giving any indication of its origin; Mentions of zincum are also found in the writings of Basil Valentino. Despite this, in later treatises the frequent references to zinc, with its different names, generally refer to the mineral, not the free metal, and it is sometimes confused with bismuth.

Johann Kunkel") in 1677 and a little later Stahl in 1702 indicate that when preparing brass with copper and calamine the latter is previously reduced to the state of free metal, zinc, which was isolated by the chemist Anton von Swab") in 1742 and by Andreas Marggraf in 1746, whose exhaustive and methodical work On the method of extraction of zinc from its true mineral, calamine founded zinc metallurgy. and his reputation as a discoverer of metal.

In 1743, the first establishment for metal smelting on an industrial scale was founded in Bristol, but its procedure remained secret, so we had to wait 70 years until Daniel Dony developed an industrial procedure for metal extraction and the first factory was established on the European continent.

After the development of the zinc sulfide flotation technique, calamine was replaced as the main ore. The flotation method is today used to obtain various metals.

The main application of zinc—about 50% of annual consumption—is galvanizing steel to protect it from corrosion, effective protection even when the coating cracks since zinc acts as a sacrificial anode. Other uses are these:

Contenido

El zinc es un elemento químico esencial para los seres humanos, animales y plantas. El humano contiene alrededor de 40 mg de zinc por kg de peso corporal que es absorbido al igual que en los restantes mamíferos y aves por diversos transportadores de zinc, principalmente el ZIP4 intestinal, y muchas enzimas funcionan con su concurso como cofactor, ya que estimula la actividad de aproximadamente 300 enzimas diferentes, interviene en el metabolismo de proteínas y ácidos nucleicos,[8]​ colabora en el buen funcionamiento del sistema inmunitario, es necesario para la cicatrización de las heridas, interviene en las percepciones del gusto y el olfato y en la síntesis del ADN. El metal se encuentra en la insulina, las proteínas dedo de zinc (zinc finger) y diversas enzimas como la superóxido dismutasa.

Hay 2-4 gramos de zinc[9]​ distribuidos en todo el cuerpo humano. La mayoría del zinc se encuentra en los músculos (57 %), los huesos (29 %),[9]​ la piel (6 %), el hígado (5 %), el cerebro (1,5 %), y el 1,5 % restante en otros tejidos biológicos y fluidos corporales, con las concentraciones más altas en la próstata y la retina del ojo.[10]​ El semen es particularmente rico en zinc, siendo un factor clave en la correcta función de la glándula prostática y en el crecimiento de los órganos reproductivos.[11]​.

El zinc aumenta la testosterona en sangre indirectamente, funcionando como coenzima en el metabolismo de las hormonas masculinas por medio de su formación a través de la hormona luteinizante (LH), que estimula las células de Leydig.[12]​[13]​ También previene que la testosterona se transforme en dihidrotestosterona que es tres veces más activa, inhibiendo la enzima 5-alfa reductasa, ni tampoco en estrógeno por medio de la inhibición de la enzima aromatasa.[14]​.

En el cerebro, el zinc se almacena en determinadas vesículas sinápticas mediante neuronas glutamatérgicas[15]​ y puede "modular la excitabilidad del cerebro".[16]​ Desempeña un papel clave en la plasticidad sináptica y por lo tanto en el aprendizaje.[17]​ Sin embargo, ha sido llamado el "caballo oscuro del cerebro" (“the brain's dark horse”)[15]​ ya que también puede comportarse como una neurotoxina, lo que sugiere que la adecuada homeostasis del zinc desempeña un papel fundamental en el funcionamiento normal del cerebro y del sistema nervioso central.[15]​.

Deficiency

Zinc deficiency harms the immune system, causes growth retardation and can cause hair loss, diarrhea, impotence, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite, weight loss, delayed wound healing and abnormalities in the sense of smell and taste. 50% less than meat—or due to its excessive elimination due to digestive disorders.

Zinc deficiency during periods of rapid growth negatively affects cognitive, brain and sexual development.[13]​.

According to the CSIC, this element has a very important role in the functions mediated by neurotransmitters, acting as a modulator of neuronal excitability. In this sense, zinc deficiency can cause mood disorders and neurodegeneration, such as depression and Alzheimer's.[19]​.

Decreased levels of circulating LH and testosterone due to zinc deficiency negatively affect Leydig cell activity.

Excess

Excess zinc, called hypercincaemia, has been associated with low copper levels, alterations in iron function, decreased immune function and good cholesterol (HDL) levels, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage and mental depression.[20][21]​.

Zinc in the diet

Zinc is found in various foods, especially those rich in proteins, since zinc is retained between them, such as oysters, red meat, pork, lamb, poultry, and some fish and shellfish. Other rich sources of zinc are beans, nuts, whole grains and yeast. Fruits and vegetables are not usually good sources, because the zinc in plant proteins is not as bioavailable to humans as the zinc in animal proteins.

Whole grains, legumes and nuts are rich in phytates, which are known zinc blockers. The bioavailability of zinc in leavened bread is greater than in unleavened products, since the leavening process activates phytase, which breaks down phytic acid. The result is that it improves the bioavailability of zinc.

The recommended daily intake of zinc is around 11-20 mg for adult men, lower for babies, children, adolescents and adult women (due to their lower body weight) and somewhat higher for pregnant and breastfeeding women.[18]​ Zinc absorption is highly variable (between 20 and 30%), and increases when consumption is low or when needs increase.

Although adult vegetarians often have a lower intake than omnivores, they appear to generally have an adequate level of zinc, as reflected in blood zinc levels and studies on zinc balance.[22]​ It has been seen that adaptation to a vegetarian diet occurs over time, resulting in better utilization of this element.[23]​ Vegetarian and non-vegetarian men have similar zinc intake[24]​ while vegetarian women They have significantly lower consumption. Even though the latter consume less zinc, their levels are similar to the levels of omnivorous women. Older people, regardless of their diet, are at increased risk of zinc deficiency.

Because zinc is generally less effectively absorbed from a vegetarian diet than from an omnivorous diet, it is important for vegetarians to select foods rich in zinc.[25]​.

Global zinc production during 2011 reached a total of 12.40 million metric tons. The main producing country is China, followed by Peru and Australia.[26]​.

Zinc is the 23rd most abundant element in the Earth's crust. The richest "Ore (mining)") ores contain about 10% iron and 40 to 50% zinc. The minerals from which it is extracted are zinc sulfide, known as sphalerite (and also as blende, a term that is currently considered obsolete), smithsonite (carbonate) and hemimorphite (silicate), which together receive the industrial name "calamines", and franklinite (oxide).

According to the information collected in the annual report of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), estimates indicate that economically exploitable reserves of zinc in 2011 worldwide would reach 250 million metric tons, distributed among China, the United States, Peru and Kazakhstan.[28]​.

The known reserves (including those whose exploitation today is not profitable) are close to 2 billion tons.

Zinc production begins with the extraction of the mineral, which can be carried out both in the open pit and in underground deposits. The extracted minerals are subsequently crushed and subjected to a flotation process to obtain the concentrate.

Minerals with high iron content are treated dry: first the concentrate is roasted "Toasted (metallurgy)" to transform the sulfide into oxide, which is called calcine, and then this is reduced with the carbon contained in the coal, obtaining the metal (the reducing agent is in practice the carbon monoxide formed). The reactions in both stages are:

Another simpler and cheaper way to reduce zinc oxide is with charcoal. The two moles of zinc oxide (ZnO), and one mole of carbon (C), are placed in a vacuum container to prevent the metal from catching fire with the air at the time of purification, again resulting in zinc oxide. In this stage, the reduction of zinc oxide is expressed as follows:

Using the wet method, roasting is first carried out, obtaining the oxide that is leached with diluted sulfuric acid; The lyes obtained are purified by separating the different phases present. The zinc sulfate is subsequently subjected to electrolysis with a lead anode and aluminum cathode on which the zinc is deposited, forming plates a few millimeters thick that are removed from time to time. The cathodes obtained are melted and the metal is strained for marketing.

As by-products, different metals are obtained such as mercury "Mercury (element)"), germanium oxide, cadmium, gold, silver, copper and lead, depending on the composition of the minerals. The sulfur dioxide obtained from the roasting of the mineral is used to produce sulfuric acid that is reused in the leachate, marketing the surplus produced.

The types of zinc obtained are classified according to the ASTM standard depending on their purity:

The EN 1179 standard considers five grades Z1 to Z5 with zinc contents between 99.995% and 98.5% and equivalent standards exist in Japan and Australia. To harmonize all of them, the International Organization for Standardization published in 2004 the ISO 752 standard on classification and requirements for primary zinc.

A widely used zinc alloy is brass, in which the copper is alloyed with between 3% and 45% zinc, depending on the type of brass.[29]​ Brass is generally more ductile and stronger than copper, but is more resistant to corrosion.[29]​ These properties make it useful in communications equipment, hardware, musical instruments, and water valves.[29]​.

Other widely used zinc alloys include nickel silver, typewriter metal, soft solder and aluminum, and some commercial types of bronze. Zinc is also used in contemporary organ pipes as a substitute for the traditional lead-tin alloy. Alloys of 85 to 88% zinc, 4 to 10% copper, and 2 to 8% aluminum have limited use. in certain types of machine bearings. Since 1982, zinc has been the primary metal in the US Lincoln cent coin.[32] The zinc core is coated with a thin layer of copper to give the appearance of a copper coin. In 1994, 33,200 tons (36,596.7 ST) of zinc were used to produce 13.6 billion pennies in the United States.[33]​.

Zinc alloys with small amounts of copper, aluminum, and magnesium are useful in both die casting and spin molding, especially in the automotive, electrical, and hardware industries. cast products, which can be assembled in a very short time.[30]​[35]​ Another alloy, marketed under the brand name Prestal, contains 78% zinc and 22% aluminum, and is reported to be almost as strong as steel but as malleable as plastic.[30]​[36]​ This superplasticity of the alloy allows it to be shaped using ceramic and cement pressure molds.[30]​.

Similar alloys with the addition of a small amount of lead can be cold rolled. An alloy of 96% zinc and 4% aluminum is used to make stamping dies for low-volume production applications, for which ferrous metal dies would be too expensive.[37]​ For the construction of facades, roofs and other applications of sheets formed by drawing, profiling or bending, zinc alloys with titanium and copper are used.[38]​ Unalloyed zinc is too brittle for these processes. manufacturing.[38]​.

As a dense, inexpensive and easy-to-work material, zinc is used as a substitute for lead. Due to the toxicity of lead, zinc is used to make weights for various applications, ranging from fishing[39]​ to balancing wheels and steering wheels.[40]​.

Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) is a semiconducting alloy that can be arranged in a series of small sensing devices.[41]​ These devices are similar to an integrated circuit and can detect the energy of incident gamma-ray photons.[41]​ When behind an absorbing screen, the CZT sensor array can determine the direction of the rays.[41]​.

Zinc oxide is the best known and used industrially, especially as a base for white pigments for paint "Paint (material)"), but also in the rubber industry and in sun creams. Other important compounds are: zinc sulfate (agricultural nutrient and use in mining), zinc chloride (deodorants) and zinc sulfide (luminescent paints).

Naturally occurring zinc is made up of four stable isotopes, Zn-64 (48.6%), Zn-66, Zn-67, and Zn-68. 22 radioisotopes have been characterized, of which the most stable are Zn-65 and Zn-72 with half-life periods of 244.26 days and 46.5 hours respectively; The rest of the radioactive isotopes have half-lives of less than 14 hours and most of them less than one second. Zinc has four metastable states.

The metal zinc is not considered toxic, but some of its compounds such as oxide and sulfur are.

In the 1940s it was observed that "zinc whiskers" form on the surface of galvanized steel over time and can be released into the environment, causing short circuits and failures in electronic components. These whiskers are formed after an incubation period that can last days or years and grow at a rate of around 1 mm per year. The problem caused by these mustaches has worsened over time because the computer and IT equipment rooms have been built on raised floors, to facilitate wiring, in which the use of galvanized steel was common, both in the supporting structure and on the back of the tiles. The ages of these rooms, in many cases 20 or 30 years, lead to the existence of hairs in dangerous quantities and lengths that could cause computer failures. Furthermore, the progressive miniaturization of equipment reduces the length necessary to cause failure and the small operating voltages prevent the metal's fusion temperature from being reached, causing chronic failures that may even be intermittent.

Zinc alloys have been used for centuries—brass pieces dated to 1500-1000 BC. C. have been found in Canaan and other objects with contents of up to 87% zinc have appeared in the ancient region of Transylvania; However, due to its low melting point and chemical reactivity, the metal tends to evaporate, so the true nature of the metal was not understood by the ancients.

It is known that the manufacture of brass was known by the Romans around 30 BC. C. Pliny and Dioscorides describe the obtaining of aurichalcum (brass) by the procedure of heating a mixture of cadmia (calamine) with copper in a crucible; The brass obtained later was cast or forged to make objects.

The smelting and extraction of impure zinc was carried out around the year 1000 in India - in the work Rasarnava (c. 1200) by an unknown author the procedure is described - and later in China and at the end of the century the Indians already knew of the existence of zinc as a metal different from the seven known in Antiquity, the eighth metal. In 1597 Andreas Libavius ​​described a "peculiar kind of tin" that had been prepared in India and came into his hands in small quantities through a friend; From his descriptions it is deduced that it was zinc, although he did not recognize it as the metal from calamine.

In the West, around 1248, Albert the Great describes the manufacture of brass in Europe, and in the century the existence of the metal was already known. Georgius Agricola (1490-1555) observed in 1546 that a condensed white metal could be scraped off the walls of furnaces in which zinc ores were smelted; adding in his notes that a similar metal called zincum was produced in Silesia.[6] Paracelsus was the first to suggest that zincum was a new metal and that its properties differed from those of known metals without, however, giving any indication of its origin; Mentions of zincum are also found in the writings of Basil Valentino. Despite this, in later treatises the frequent references to zinc, with its different names, generally refer to the mineral, not the free metal, and it is sometimes confused with bismuth.

Johann Kunkel") in 1677 and a little later Stahl in 1702 indicate that when preparing brass with copper and calamine the latter is previously reduced to the state of free metal, zinc, which was isolated by the chemist Anton von Swab") in 1742 and by Andreas Marggraf in 1746, whose exhaustive and methodical work On the method of extraction of zinc from its true mineral, calamine founded zinc metallurgy. and his reputation as a discoverer of metal.

In 1743, the first establishment for metal smelting on an industrial scale was founded in Bristol, but its procedure remained secret, so we had to wait 70 years until Daniel Dony developed an industrial procedure for metal extraction and the first factory was established on the European continent.

After the development of the zinc sulfide flotation technique, calamine was replaced as the main ore. The flotation method is today used to obtain various metals.

The main application of zinc—about 50% of annual consumption—is galvanizing steel to protect it from corrosion, effective protection even when the coating cracks since zinc acts as a sacrificial anode. Other uses are these:

Contenido

El zinc es un elemento químico esencial para los seres humanos, animales y plantas. El humano contiene alrededor de 40 mg de zinc por kg de peso corporal que es absorbido al igual que en los restantes mamíferos y aves por diversos transportadores de zinc, principalmente el ZIP4 intestinal, y muchas enzimas funcionan con su concurso como cofactor, ya que estimula la actividad de aproximadamente 300 enzimas diferentes, interviene en el metabolismo de proteínas y ácidos nucleicos,[8]​ colabora en el buen funcionamiento del sistema inmunitario, es necesario para la cicatrización de las heridas, interviene en las percepciones del gusto y el olfato y en la síntesis del ADN. El metal se encuentra en la insulina, las proteínas dedo de zinc (zinc finger) y diversas enzimas como la superóxido dismutasa.

Hay 2-4 gramos de zinc[9]​ distribuidos en todo el cuerpo humano. La mayoría del zinc se encuentra en los músculos (57 %), los huesos (29 %),[9]​ la piel (6 %), el hígado (5 %), el cerebro (1,5 %), y el 1,5 % restante en otros tejidos biológicos y fluidos corporales, con las concentraciones más altas en la próstata y la retina del ojo.[10]​ El semen es particularmente rico en zinc, siendo un factor clave en la correcta función de la glándula prostática y en el crecimiento de los órganos reproductivos.[11]​.

El zinc aumenta la testosterona en sangre indirectamente, funcionando como coenzima en el metabolismo de las hormonas masculinas por medio de su formación a través de la hormona luteinizante (LH), que estimula las células de Leydig.[12]​[13]​ También previene que la testosterona se transforme en dihidrotestosterona que es tres veces más activa, inhibiendo la enzima 5-alfa reductasa, ni tampoco en estrógeno por medio de la inhibición de la enzima aromatasa.[14]​.

En el cerebro, el zinc se almacena en determinadas vesículas sinápticas mediante neuronas glutamatérgicas[15]​ y puede "modular la excitabilidad del cerebro".[16]​ Desempeña un papel clave en la plasticidad sináptica y por lo tanto en el aprendizaje.[17]​ Sin embargo, ha sido llamado el "caballo oscuro del cerebro" (“the brain's dark horse”)[15]​ ya que también puede comportarse como una neurotoxina, lo que sugiere que la adecuada homeostasis del zinc desempeña un papel fundamental en el funcionamiento normal del cerebro y del sistema nervioso central.[15]​.

Deficiency

Zinc deficiency harms the immune system, causes growth retardation and can cause hair loss, diarrhea, impotence, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite, weight loss, delayed wound healing and abnormalities in the sense of smell and taste. 50% less than meat—or due to its excessive elimination due to digestive disorders.

Zinc deficiency during periods of rapid growth negatively affects cognitive, brain and sexual development.[13]​.

According to the CSIC, this element has a very important role in the functions mediated by neurotransmitters, acting as a modulator of neuronal excitability. In this sense, zinc deficiency can cause mood disorders and neurodegeneration, such as depression and Alzheimer's.[19]​.

Decreased levels of circulating LH and testosterone due to zinc deficiency negatively affect Leydig cell activity.

Excess

Excess zinc, called hypercincaemia, has been associated with low copper levels, alterations in iron function, decreased immune function and good cholesterol (HDL) levels, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage and mental depression.[20][21]​.

Zinc in the diet

Zinc is found in various foods, especially those rich in proteins, since zinc is retained between them, such as oysters, red meat, pork, lamb, poultry, and some fish and shellfish. Other rich sources of zinc are beans, nuts, whole grains and yeast. Fruits and vegetables are not usually good sources, because the zinc in plant proteins is not as bioavailable to humans as the zinc in animal proteins.

Whole grains, legumes and nuts are rich in phytates, which are known zinc blockers. The bioavailability of zinc in leavened bread is greater than in unleavened products, since the leavening process activates phytase, which breaks down phytic acid. The result is that it improves the bioavailability of zinc.

The recommended daily intake of zinc is around 11-20 mg for adult men, lower for babies, children, adolescents and adult women (due to their lower body weight) and somewhat higher for pregnant and breastfeeding women.[18]​ Zinc absorption is highly variable (between 20 and 30%), and increases when consumption is low or when needs increase.

Although adult vegetarians often have a lower intake than omnivores, they appear to generally have an adequate level of zinc, as reflected in blood zinc levels and studies on zinc balance.[22]​ It has been seen that adaptation to a vegetarian diet occurs over time, resulting in better utilization of this element.[23]​ Vegetarian and non-vegetarian men have similar zinc intake[24]​ while vegetarian women They have significantly lower consumption. Even though the latter consume less zinc, their levels are similar to the levels of omnivorous women. Older people, regardless of their diet, are at increased risk of zinc deficiency.

Because zinc is generally less effectively absorbed from a vegetarian diet than from an omnivorous diet, it is important for vegetarians to select foods rich in zinc.[25]​.

Global zinc production during 2011 reached a total of 12.40 million metric tons. The main producing country is China, followed by Peru and Australia.[26]​.

Zinc is the 23rd most abundant element in the Earth's crust. The richest "Ore (mining)") ores contain about 10% iron and 40 to 50% zinc. The minerals from which it is extracted are zinc sulfide, known as sphalerite (and also as blende, a term that is currently considered obsolete), smithsonite (carbonate) and hemimorphite (silicate), which together receive the industrial name "calamines", and franklinite (oxide).

According to the information collected in the annual report of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), estimates indicate that economically exploitable reserves of zinc in 2011 worldwide would reach 250 million metric tons, distributed among China, the United States, Peru and Kazakhstan.[28]​.

The known reserves (including those whose exploitation today is not profitable) are close to 2 billion tons.

Zinc production begins with the extraction of the mineral, which can be carried out both in the open pit and in underground deposits. The extracted minerals are subsequently crushed and subjected to a flotation process to obtain the concentrate.

Minerals with high iron content are treated dry: first the concentrate is roasted "Toasted (metallurgy)" to transform the sulfide into oxide, which is called calcine, and then this is reduced with the carbon contained in the coal, obtaining the metal (the reducing agent is in practice the carbon monoxide formed). The reactions in both stages are:

Another simpler and cheaper way to reduce zinc oxide is with charcoal. The two moles of zinc oxide (ZnO), and one mole of carbon (C), are placed in a vacuum container to prevent the metal from catching fire with the air at the time of purification, again resulting in zinc oxide. In this stage, the reduction of zinc oxide is expressed as follows:

Using the wet method, roasting is first carried out, obtaining the oxide that is leached with diluted sulfuric acid; The lyes obtained are purified by separating the different phases present. The zinc sulfate is subsequently subjected to electrolysis with a lead anode and aluminum cathode on which the zinc is deposited, forming plates a few millimeters thick that are removed from time to time. The cathodes obtained are melted and the metal is strained for marketing.

As by-products, different metals are obtained such as mercury "Mercury (element)"), germanium oxide, cadmium, gold, silver, copper and lead, depending on the composition of the minerals. The sulfur dioxide obtained from the roasting of the mineral is used to produce sulfuric acid that is reused in the leachate, marketing the surplus produced.

The types of zinc obtained are classified according to the ASTM standard depending on their purity:

The EN 1179 standard considers five grades Z1 to Z5 with zinc contents between 99.995% and 98.5% and equivalent standards exist in Japan and Australia. To harmonize all of them, the International Organization for Standardization published in 2004 the ISO 752 standard on classification and requirements for primary zinc.

A widely used zinc alloy is brass, in which the copper is alloyed with between 3% and 45% zinc, depending on the type of brass.[29]​ Brass is generally more ductile and stronger than copper, but is more resistant to corrosion.[29]​ These properties make it useful in communications equipment, hardware, musical instruments, and water valves.[29]​.

Other widely used zinc alloys include nickel silver, typewriter metal, soft solder and aluminum, and some commercial types of bronze. Zinc is also used in contemporary organ pipes as a substitute for the traditional lead-tin alloy. Alloys of 85 to 88% zinc, 4 to 10% copper, and 2 to 8% aluminum have limited use. in certain types of machine bearings. Since 1982, zinc has been the primary metal in the US Lincoln cent coin.[32] The zinc core is coated with a thin layer of copper to give the appearance of a copper coin. In 1994, 33,200 tons (36,596.7 ST) of zinc were used to produce 13.6 billion pennies in the United States.[33]​.

Zinc alloys with small amounts of copper, aluminum, and magnesium are useful in both die casting and spin molding, especially in the automotive, electrical, and hardware industries. cast products, which can be assembled in a very short time.[30]​[35]​ Another alloy, marketed under the brand name Prestal, contains 78% zinc and 22% aluminum, and is reported to be almost as strong as steel but as malleable as plastic.[30]​[36]​ This superplasticity of the alloy allows it to be shaped using ceramic and cement pressure molds.[30]​.

Similar alloys with the addition of a small amount of lead can be cold rolled. An alloy of 96% zinc and 4% aluminum is used to make stamping dies for low-volume production applications, for which ferrous metal dies would be too expensive.[37]​ For the construction of facades, roofs and other applications of sheets formed by drawing, profiling or bending, zinc alloys with titanium and copper are used.[38]​ Unalloyed zinc is too brittle for these processes. manufacturing.[38]​.

As a dense, inexpensive and easy-to-work material, zinc is used as a substitute for lead. Due to the toxicity of lead, zinc is used to make weights for various applications, ranging from fishing[39]​ to balancing wheels and steering wheels.[40]​.

Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) is a semiconducting alloy that can be arranged in a series of small sensing devices.[41]​ These devices are similar to an integrated circuit and can detect the energy of incident gamma-ray photons.[41]​ When behind an absorbing screen, the CZT sensor array can determine the direction of the rays.[41]​.

Zinc oxide is the best known and used industrially, especially as a base for white pigments for paint "Paint (material)"), but also in the rubber industry and in sun creams. Other important compounds are: zinc sulfate (agricultural nutrient and use in mining), zinc chloride (deodorants) and zinc sulfide (luminescent paints).

Naturally occurring zinc is made up of four stable isotopes, Zn-64 (48.6%), Zn-66, Zn-67, and Zn-68. 22 radioisotopes have been characterized, of which the most stable are Zn-65 and Zn-72 with half-life periods of 244.26 days and 46.5 hours respectively; The rest of the radioactive isotopes have half-lives of less than 14 hours and most of them less than one second. Zinc has four metastable states.

The metal zinc is not considered toxic, but some of its compounds such as oxide and sulfur are.

In the 1940s it was observed that "zinc whiskers" form on the surface of galvanized steel over time and can be released into the environment, causing short circuits and failures in electronic components. These whiskers are formed after an incubation period that can last days or years and grow at a rate of around 1 mm per year. The problem caused by these mustaches has worsened over time because the computer and IT equipment rooms have been built on raised floors, to facilitate wiring, in which the use of galvanized steel was common, both in the supporting structure and on the back of the tiles. The ages of these rooms, in many cases 20 or 30 years, lead to the existence of hairs in dangerous quantities and lengths that could cause computer failures. Furthermore, the progressive miniaturization of equipment reduces the length necessary to cause failure and the small operating voltages prevent the metal's fusion temperature from being reached, causing chronic failures that may even be intermittent.