There is a confusion between Zinc Powder and Zinc Dust. Though both of them have similar origins, their functions are different. This is primarily due to the difference between their particle size. Paint manufacturers sometimes interchange the names of these items and end up with the wrong product. It is important to know where zinc dust is used and how zinc powder is used.
What is Zinc Dust?
Zinc dust is essentially nothing else but minute physical particles of zinc (between 2.5µ to 9.0µ). It can be used for a variety of purposes, most of them are those where zinc is used. Some of the purposes are:
- In paints: – We know metals like zinc and aluminium do not rust so easily as iron does. Hence it is zinc dust is used in cheap paints and colours to avoid corrosion and rusting of the material on which it is put. Zinc-rich paint can prevent steel surfaces from rusting and corroding and has many industrial applications, according to the Umicore Group. The paint can provide a heavy-duty coating for large-scale structures such as offshore oil rigs, sea containers and other marine equipment. Paint containing zinc powder can also be used on bridges.
- In electrometallurgy :- We know, that in the Electrochemical or EC Series, Zinc is higher than metals like copper, mercury, iron, etc. Hence it is used to remove the cations of these metals from solutions.
- In explosives:- Zinc dust has a slightly explosive nature. Hence, it is somehow used in cheap explosives. See this video to watch an experiment that proves zinc dust is explosive:
- In zinc dust distillation:- Organic compounds on ozonolysis gives an organic ozonide. This organic ozonide undergoing zinc dust distilllation will give various compounds.
How to activate Zinc Dust:
it can be activated by stirring with dilute HCl, then washing with distilled water, ethanol, and absolute diethyl ether before rigorous drying. This procedure removes oxides from the surface of zinc, which form slowly upon standing in air. There are no known toxic properties associated with zinc or organometallics thereof.
What is Zinc Powder
Zinc powder also known as zinc granules is a bluish-gray colored, pure metal powder with particle sizes above 9.0µ. It is produced when purified vapors of zinc are condensed. Some of its characteristics are consistent quality, improved yields and quick reaction time. Zinc powder is utilized for many different purposes in various fields. It’s mainly used in galvanizing as an anti-corrosion substance in steel; in die casting of precision components; in making brass; in making paints; in medicine and cosmetics; and as micro nutrients for animals, plants and humans.
When should you use Zinc Dust or Zinc Powder?
The products remain the same-zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Zn + 2HCl = ZnCl2 + H2
As the particles become finer, more surface of the metal instantly gets exposed for attack by the acid. As a result, the displacement reaction becomes vigorous and much faster with zinc dust.
With the zinc powder, the reaction will proceed in a smooth and somewhat controlled manner. If the main purpose of the reaction is to prepare hydrogen gas, it is better to use granules of the metal than its powder.
Find the TDS for Zinc Dust: Click Here
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