From the ceramic to medicine and cosmetics, zinc oxide is a highly versatile compound that is extremely needed by different industries to make various products. If you’re currently looking for a zinc oxide producer for a variety of needs, then here’s everything you need to know about this versatile material.

Zinc Oxide Various Production Techniques

In order to get the desirable zinc oxide with its specific properties and characteristics, there are several methods to produce zinc oxide. The first one is called the direct process or also known worldwide as the French process. In this traditional process, a furnace capable of temperatures as high as 1200 degree Celsius is needed.

Zinc metal would be inserted into the furnace and then get melted and vaporized by the extreme heat. This process would create zinc vapor which would form zinc oxide particles after it reacts with the oxygen in the air around it. The zinc oxide particles then would be collected and then get further processed.

The next method to create zinc oxide is the indirect process or American process. This process involves the combustion of zinc vapor after thermal decomposition of raw materials like zinc ores. Zinc fumes then would be produced and then create zinc oxide particles after the cooling process.

The next process known by zinc oxide producer is called wet chemical process. Soluble zinc salt would be dissolved in water, and then added with an alkaline solution which is usually sodium hydroxide. This process would produce zinc hydroxide and then would be calcined or heated in order to get zinc oxide.

Zinc Oxide Various Applications

There are so many industries that need zinc oxide to manufacture their products. The first one is the rubber industry since zinc oxide is an amazing material to use as a vulcanizing activator. Zinc oxide would enhance the abrasion resistance and thermal conductivity, making it essential to producing great and long-lasting tires.

Zinc oxide is also important for cosmetic industries. Zinc oxide is an excellent UV absorber and is crucial to make various cosmetic products such as hand creams, lip products and various ointments. This is because zinc oxide adheres easier to the skin, and has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Most zinc oxide producer typically rely on the indirect process since it would create zinc oxide with high purity and excellent chemical reactivity.