Automotive Manufacturing Processes to boost Zinc’s Demand
The exploration of the StrategX in highly mineralized areas of Canada, specifically Northwest Territories and Nunavut, leads to the discovery of different transition elements, mainly cobalt. But along with this, the abundance of zinc is expected to be observed as the occurrence of this metal is known to be correlated with cobalt.
With its appealing low price to the decorative and automotive industry, zinc undeniably tops the market due to its inherent and superior anti-corrosive properties, as it is mainly used in galvanization. This process involves its addition as a coating on steel or iron to prevent premature rusting. Its application provides strong corrosion defense that can able to withstand up to 1,000 hours of salt spray testing that is especially beneficial in harsh winter climates where the road is applied for the safety of the travels of the motorists. Additionally, it is also used as a barrier coating and also as a sacrificial coating that conserves the integrity of the underlying metal surface by attracting oxidation until it is fully consumed.
To fully enhance its already superb anti-corrosion properties, it is famously alloyed with nickel, another transitional element that occurs with cobalt. The addition of nickel in its component system improves its aesthetics as the surface becomes more lustrous, as often used in automotive manufacturing.
Reference:
"Zinc Plays A Prominent Role In Today's Automotive Manufacturing Processes - Sharretts Plating Company". 2022. Sharretts Plating Company. https://bit.ly/3Ja8te3.