Zinc
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Zinc: the history of metal production and use

Zinc ore was known to mankind long before pure zinc was first isolated, and the metal got its modern name zincum. It was zinc ore that became one of the main components of brass (alloy) copper with zinc), from which jewelry, coins, dishes, figurines and other decorative items were made. The first brass items found in the north of modern Iraq date back to the 3rd millennium BC, while the later ones discovered by archaeologists in Palestine date back to the end of the 2nd millennium BC.

Metallic zinc in human history

Pure zinc was first produced in India around the end of the 12th century. The production process was similar to smelting tin: zinc ore was heated together with charcoal in closed fireproof tanks, as a result of which zinc vapors were released, which, when cooled, condensed in a special vessel. In 1374, zinc became a new metal in India (the 8th in a row at that time), which gave impetus to the development of its production and sale. Until the end of the 18th century, India remained the main importer of metal and kept zinc prices quite high.

In the 17th century, China began to produce metallic zinc. Like their colleagues from India, Chinese scientists mixed zinc ore with charcoal in closed vessels, but did not collect zinc vapor. The tanks with ore and charcoal were folded in the shape of a pyramid and heated red hot, after which they were cooled. As a result, pure zinc was collected inside the tank in the form of whole ingots.

In Europe, successful experiments with zinc began only in the 13th century. The German scientist Albertus Magnus, not familiar with zincum as a metal, found a way to increase the zinc content in brass. During the production of the alloy, the hot mass was sprinkled with broken glass, which prevented the formation of zinc vapors and thus increased its content in the final product.

Zinc was designated as a new metal in Europe in the 16th century by the Swiss alchemist and naturalist Theophrastus Paracelsus. But European scientists were able to obtain zincum in its pure form only in the 18th century. In 1743, British metallurgist William Champion opened Europe's first zinc metal smelter. After he got acquainted with metal production technology in China, the scientist improved it by changing the design of the vertical melting furnace. His method made it possible to smelt up to 400 kg of pure zinc in less than 72 hours.

By the end of the 18th century, a new method for producing pure zinc was developed that did not require metal cooling and saved a significant amount of charcoal. Smithsonite, zinc carbonate, was first used as a raw material, then sphalerite, zinc sulfate, which had previously been one of their wastes in the extraction of silver minerals. It was the use of sphalerite that prompted the expansion of zinc production. The main drawback of this method was the release of sulfur gases, which were formed when sulfate was heated. But later they learned how to convert them into sulfuric acid, which allowed zinc plants to reduce environmental pollution.

The use of zinc in industry

As the availability of metallic zinc increased, so did its commercial use. By the beginning of the 19th century, production had begun cold-rolled zinc sheets (at a temperature of 100-150°C), which made it possible for industrial enterprises to mass produce zinc roof elements, drainpipes and even garbage cans.

At the same time, extensive research was carried out in the field of galvanizing various metals. The first patent in this area was obtained in 1837 by French engineer Stanislav Sorel, who developed a method for using molten zinc for protection gland from corrosion.

Today, more than 50% of the zinc produced is used specifically for galvanizing, protecting various parts and metal structures from corrosion that are not exposed to strong mechanical effects during operation.

In addition, pure zinc is used in production alloys to reduce their melting point, as well as as as the main material for the manufacture of negatively charged battery electrodes and batteries. Zinc oxide is a part of some paints, including zinc white, and is used in the production of artificial leather, rubber products, glass and ceramics, as well as in pharmaceuticals as an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant.

Published by:
11.06.2025
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