In the industrial world, zinc dust uses have been involved in many different sectors with an increasingly essential role. Zinc dust itself is a metal powder material resulting from zinc processing. Instead of being limited to only one field, this material has very diverse applications. Below are the various uses of zinc dust.
Metallurgical Industry
The metallurgical industry uses zinc dust as a material in the process of metal separation. This material contributes to the cyanidation process, in which it is used to precipitate gold and other valuable metals from cyanide solutions. This process has been a common technique to extract precious metals from the ore.
Pharmaceutical Industry
The next use of zinc dust is in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry uses zinc dust in a number of medicine formulations. Zinc comes with antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial for topical creams or ointments to treat skin infections. Moreover, some research also found that zinc has a role in some metabolic processes in the human body. This is the reason why some health supplements also contain zinc in their formulations.
Rubber and Plastic Industry
The rubber and plastic industry use zinc dust mainly as a strengthening material. It’s because zinc dust has the ability to improve the ductility and strength of plastic and rubber products, enhancing their mechanical properties. Moreover, this powdered material can also be applied as a filler to boost the dimensional stability and density of the plastic and rubber product.
Electronics Industry
Zinc dust also plays a crucial role in the electronics industry because it’s a great heat conductor material. This industry uses it in the making of thermal paste that is helpful for overcoming the overheating issue in electronic components. For example, chipsets and processors. The quality of thermal conductivity made from zinc dust makes it an effective option for increasing the thermal performance of complex electronic devices.
Paint and Coating Industry
One of the major uses of zinc dust is in the paint and coatings industry. This industry involves zinc dust as a binding material and protective coating on metal surfaces. Zinc dust is a great material for protecting metal materials against corrosion and rust because it comes with anti-corrosive properties. It’s a top choice in the manufacture of paints for bridges, ships, and other metal structures.
Its ability to form a protective layer on metal surfaces makes it an essential component in increasing the life span of metal products.
As you can see, there are various zinc dust uses in several different industries.