Overview
ABSTRACT
Zinc has become the third most used non-ferrous metal. An ancient material, iron ore long contributed to the manufacture of bronze and brass alloys, before being used for its protective properties and then for manufacturing roofs, gutters and urban furniture. After the war, due to the development of the automobile, it was used for galvanizing car bodies. Presently, the industrialization of the modern world has encouraged the increase in the consumption of zinc (transport, infrastructure, building and industrial equipment) which is greatly appreciated for its chemical characteristics and in particular its good reducing property.
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Read the articleAUTHOR
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Jean Michel HAU : Engineer ESEM Orléans
INTRODUCTION
Zinc is an ancient material, known since antiquity. Before it was identified in its metal form, zinc ore was used with copper and tin ores to make bronze and brass alloys.
Zinc metallurgy really took off in the 18th century. In 1742, Malouin discovered the protective properties of zinc on iron, and in 1743, William Champion set up the first plant to produce zinc metal from calamine in Bristol, England.
During the Second Empire, zinc rapidly took off, proving to be a material of choice for construction. Zinc came into widespread use in France, notably as a result of Baron Hausmann's modernization of the city of Paris: zinc was used for roofs, gutters and street furniture.
The second major step came after the war, with the development of the automobile: the use of thin galvanized sheet metal by coachbuilders helped to remedy the rust epidemic that was rampant in Europe as a result of winter road salting.
Today, zinc ranks third among non-ferrous metals, after aluminum and copper.
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Zinc metallurgy
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