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Zinc

Zinc was introduced at the London Metals Exchange, LME, in 1915.
Zinc is a very corrosion-resistant metal, is mainly used in shipbuilding, automobile and aviation.

Specific characteristics of zinc futures contract

Contract: The zinc 99995 with reference to BS EN 1179
Lot Size: 25 tons (with a tolerance of +/-2)
Margin per Lot: $5,425
Forms: Ingots
Quote: USD

The zinc is the chemical element with atomic number 30. Its symbol is Zn.

Features

Is a moderately reactive metal, which combines with oxygen and other non-metals; reacts with dilute acids generating hydrogen. The only zinc oxidation state is +2.
Zinc, like taste and smell, reminiscent of the stool: If you put a piece of zinc next to a dog, they will smell it and think another dog tried to mark its territory. Zinc is solid at room temperature.

Applications

Zinc is the fourth most common metal in use of technology after iron, aluminum and copper, for tons of metal produced annually.

  • Zinc is used to galvanize steel metals to prevent corrosion.
  • Zinc is used in alloys such as brass, the nichelargento, the metal for typewriters, various solders, the German silver etc.
  • Brass has many applications for its mechanical strength and corrosion-proof.
  • Zinc is used in die castings, especially in the automotive industry.
  • Rolled zinc sheets are part of battery containers.
  • Zinc oxide is used as a white pigment in paints and varnishes, water and as activator in the rubber industry. In the form of ointments, zinc oxide is applied in a thin layer on the skin of the nose and cheeks to prevent dehydration, and then protect it from summer sun and frost in winter. By applying it to the perineal area of newborns at every turn, protects from irritations. As verified by clinical studies on vision loss in the elderly, zinc oxide is an important part of an effective treatment for some cases of age-related macular degeneration.
  • Zinc chloride is used as a deodorant and wood preservative.
  • Zinc Sulfide is used in luminescent pigments to make dark luminous clock hands and other objects.
  • Zinc methyl (Zn (CH3)2) is used in a number of reactions in organic synthesis.

Zinc is used in alloys for the production of jewellery and silverware.

History

Zinc alloys have been used for centuries: brass is without doubt the oldest, and artifacts can be found in this League in Palestine starting from 1000 to 1400 BC. Pure zinc objects to 87% were found in the prehistoric Tansilvania. Because of the low boiling point and Chemical reactivity of this metal (zinc pure tends to evaporate rather than gather in liquid form) the true nature of this element was not recognized by the ancients.
The manufacture of brass was known to the Romans circa 30 AD onwards, a technique involving heating copper and calamine in a melting pot. The heat reduced zinc oxides of calamine and zinc free was captured by copper, forming the brass, which was then poured into moulds or forged.
The extraction and use of impure zinc forms was practised as early as 1000 B.C. in China and India; by the end of the 14th Hindus were aware of the existence of zinc as a separate metal different from seven metals, known to the ancients.
Zinc is the twenty-third most abundant element in the Earth's crust; the most exploited zinc ore bodies contain usually 10% of iron and 40% -50% of zinc. The minerals from which zinc is extracted include sphalerite, the zinc blende, the smithsonite, the calamine.
There are zinc mines throughout the world, but the major producers are Canada, Australia, and China, Peru and the us. In Europe, the two most important mines are the Vieille Montagne in Belgium and the Zinkgruvan in Sweden.

Compounds

Zinc oxide is probably the zinc compound better known and more widely used: is an excellent base for white pigments and is found in many paints. Is also used in the rubber industry, and it sells like sunscreen. A wide variety of other compounds find application in many sectors of industry. Zinc chloride is used in deodorants; in zinc sulfide phosphorescent paint, and zinc methyl is used as a reagent in organic chemistry. About a quarter of the entire global production of zinc is used in the form of zinc compounds.

Precautions

Metallic zinc is non-toxic, but there is a syndrome called chills from zinc, which may occur by inhalation of freshly formed zinc oxide. Excessive zinc intake in the diet can cause deficiencies of other oligominerals.