Zinc is something that most of us will see every day. Outlined below are some interesting facts about this element.
Zinc has been used for many centuries
Zinc has been used for various purposes since around the 3rd millennium BC. Initially, it was used in the form of an alloy together with copper. It was, however, “officially” discovered as a pure element in 1746, by German chemist, Andreas Sigismund Marggraf, who isolated the metal by heating carbon and calamine.
Zinc is a post-transition metal
Zinc is the first element in Group 12 of the periodic table. It has the chemical symbol Zn, and its atomic number is 30.
Although sharing many characteristics with the group known as transition metals, zinc’s electron configuration is different to these, which means it is technically not part of this group. As it is very similar, however, it is often classified as a “post-transition” metal.
Zinc is important for your health
Zinc is regarded as a crucial mineral for human health. Many enzymatic processes rely on zinc, including protein metabolism and DNA and RNA synthesis.
Zinc is key to bone formation, immunity, skin health, wound healing, body growth and development, and our senses of taste and smell.
The amount of zinc in our body varies but is around 1.5 g in women and 2.5 g in men. For adults, the typical recommended dietary allowance is around 11 mg per day for men, and 8mg for women.
Surface coating experts
Surface coatings are an effective way of adding desirable attributes to an object’s surface. Zinc nickel plating is a popular method for doing this. Specialists such as https://www.swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/zinc-nickel-alloy-plating/ offer a range of options when it comes to surface treatments, including zinc nickel plating.
Too much zinc can be harmful
Despite its importance outlined above, excess amounts of zinc can cause problems. It can suppress the body’s ability to absorb copper and iron, and excessive exposure to zinc has been known to cause permanent loss of smell and/or taste. Ingesting too much zinc can also cause corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract.
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