Melting Point of Zinc: Tout ce qu'il faut savoir

Zinc is an important metal in manufacturing. It is used to coat steel, make alloys, and create metal parts through casting. One key property you need to know is the melting point of zinc.

In this blog, you will learn what’s the melting point of zinc and the factors that may affect this property.

Properties of Zinc

Zinc is a bluish-white metal with unique properties that make it useful in different applications.

It is brittle at room temperature but becomes soft and malleable when heated.  That’s why it is easier to shape and work with.

Here are some key properties of zinc:

Atomic number: 30

Melting point: 419.5°C (787°F)

Boiling Point: 907°C (1665°F)

Densité : 7.14 g/cm³

When mixed with other metals, zinc forms alloys with different properties and melting points.

Thermal Properties of Zinc

Like all metals, zinc reacts to heat in different ways. It conducts heat, expands when heated, and melts at a specific temperature.

Conductivité thermique

This property refers to how well zinc can transfer heat. Zinc has moderate thermal conductivity. It spreads heat efficiently but not as well as metals like copper or aluminum.

Zinc is useful in applications where controlled heat transfer is needed, like in roofing and heat exchangers.

Dilatation thermique

When zinc is heated, it expands. Compared to other metals, zinc expands more when exposed to heat. This is important in manufacturing because temperature changes can affect the size and fit of zinc parts.

What’s the Melting Point of Zinc?

As mentioned earlier, the melting point of zinc is 419.5°C (787°F). This means that when zinc reaches this temperature, it changes from a solid to a liquid.

Zinc’s low melting point is preferred in die casting, where molten metal is poured into molds to create parts for cars, appliances, and tools.

Melting Point Ranges of Common Zinc Alloys

Zinc is often combined with other metals to form alloys, which have different properties and melting points. Let’s look at the two common zinc alloys and their melting point ranges:

Zinc-Aluminum (Zn-Al)

Zinc-aluminum alloys are commonly used in die casting and other applications where strength and corrosion resistance are needed.

The melting point range of these alloys typically falls between 380-460°C (716-860°F). The exact melting point can vary based on the specific ratio of zinc to aluminum in the alloy.

Zinc-Copper (Zn-Cu)​​

Zinc-copper alloys are widely used, particularly in the automotive and electronics industries.

These alloys have a melting point range of 385-470°C (725-878°F). Copper strengthens zinc and improves its corrosion resistance.

Summary Table of Melting Point Ranges of Common Zinc Alloys

Factors Affecting the Melting Point of Zinc

Several factors can influence the melting point of zinc. Let’s explore these factors in more detail.

Purity of Zinc

Impurities can lower or raise the melting point of pure zinc. This happens because the impurities disrupt the crystal structure of zinc.

Éléments d'alliage

When zinc is mixed with other metals, it usually has a lower melting point than pure zinc. The extra metals create breaks in the crystal structure that make zinc easier to melt.

Pressure and Environmental Conditions

Pressure and environmental conditions can also affect the melting point of zinc. If you’re working at higher altitudes or in places with lower pressure, zinc will melt at a slightly lower temperature.

Lower pressure makes it easier for zinc to change from solid to liquid. But this effect is very small under normal conditions, so it’s not something you need to worry about unless you’re in a very different environment.

Importance of Knowing Zinc’s Melting Point

Knowing the melting point of zinc is important for several specific reasons.

For example, when making zinc oxide nanostructures, zinc is melted at temperatures between 1000-1400°C. This is crucial for creating high-quality materials like ZnO nanoparticles or nanorods with specific properties.

If you are working with electrogalvanizing, understanding zinc’s melting point helps you control the coating thickness on steel strips and improve the quality of the final product.

Additionally, zinc alloys, with their low melting points, are used in construction and roofing, and knowing the melting point helps in how they should be manufactured.

So, knowing zinc’s melting point can ensure that the metal is used effectively in various processes and industries.

Industrial Applications of Zinc

Let’s look at how zinc is used in different industrial applications and why it’s so important.

Galvanisation

This is when zinc is added as a protective coating to steel or iron. Because zinc melts at a low temperature, it sticks well to these metals.

Zinc coating helps protect metals from rust and corrosion. This is why zinc is used in steel structures, car parts, and construction materials.

It helps these products last longer and stay in good condition.

Moulage sous pression

This is a process where zinc is melted and poured into molds to make precise, complex shapes. This is common in the automotive, electronics, and household appliance industries.

Zinc die casting is great because it is cost-effective and helps make parts with high accuracy. It also produces durable and strong components that are used in many products you use every day.

Alliage

One of the most popular zinc alloys is brass– which is made by combining zinc and copper. Adding zinc to copper makes the metal easier to work with and also stronger and more resistant to rust.

Brass is used in things like musical instruments, plumbing, fittings, and decorations. Thanks to zinc, brass is more durable and long-lasting.

Industrie chimique

Zinc is used to make zinc oxide, which is used in products like rubber, cosmetics, and medicines.

Another product made from zinc is zinc sulfate, which is used in fertilizers and animal feed to help plants and animals grow strong and healthy.

Zinc helps make many of the things you use daily, like personal care products and products used in farming.

Batteries

Zinc is used in batteries, too. It is an important part of alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries. Zinc acts as the anode that helps store energy and power in your devices.

Zinc’s low melting point makes it easy and cheap to use in batteries.

Zinc Melting Point Comparison with Other Metals

Here’s a comparison table of zinc melting point compared to the melting point of other common metals:

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing zinc’s melting point is important for many industries to help you use zinc effectively in processes to make strong, durable products.

For top-quality zinc products, contacter DEK. Get expert guidance and ensure your products perform at their best.