Other Applications

Flame Retardant

Fire retardants are substances that are added to materials to improve their resistance to flame, reduce its spread, and delay burning.

Zinc chloride has flame-retarding properties. Though its use is less as it degrades various polymers, for instance, it leads to severe discoloration and strength loss in some materials.

Zinc dichloride acts as a fire retardant by giving out water vapour when it comes into contact with heat. This water vapour dilutes the gases that burn and cools the material, thereby delaying the risk of ignition and slowing down the fire’s spread.

Zinc dichloride is effective in decreasing the ability to burn materials with cellulose. It can reduce the ignition time and spread of the flame, thereby giving more time for leaving and firefighting.

Paper and Printing Industry

Zinc chloride is used in the paper sizing process. It is the process by which paper is treated with sizing agents to improve its water absorption ability.

Zinc (II) chloride is used as a mordant, acid, or astringent in the dyeing and colouring of paper. It is used in the making of print inks. It is used as an electrolyte in the initial stages of electrostatic copying or printing processes.

Zinc (II) chloride can be used as an antifungal treatment for paper and as a bleaching agent in the paper industry.

Textile Industry

Zinc chloride was used to treat cotton fabrics under different conditions to give them antibacterial properties. Both the treated and untreated cotton fabric samples were dyed with reactive dye and silicone softeners using the exhaustion technique. The treated fabrics were washed 10 times to control their antibacterial properties.

Wood Preservative

Zinc chloride is known for its use in decay prevention and protecting wood from insects. It is especially useful when wood is exposed to moisture and decay.

Various methods like pressure treatment, brushing, or dipping are used to apply Zinc dichloride to the wood. Pressure treatment involves putting the wood through a vacuum and then applying the Zinc dichloride under pressure to make sure it is thoroughly applied.

Personal Care

Deodorant: Zinc chloride is an important component in deodorants for its antimicrobial property and odor controlling ability.

Shampoos and Conditioners: Zinc Butter is used in antidandruff shampoos as it could help reduce and control dandruff. It helps stop hair loss by restoring and strengthening the roots, which leads to visibly thicker, stronger, and healthier-nourished hair.

Disinfectant and Anti-septic: Zinc Butter is used to clean cuts and wounds. It is also used to treat skin diseases like athlete’s foot or fungal infections.

Dental Care

Dental Cement: Zinc chloride is used in dental preparations, such as dental cement (magnesia), as it can control bacterial growth in the oral cavity during dental procedures.

Mouthwash and Gargles: ZnCl₂is an important ingredient in mouthwash and gargles. It kills bacteria in the mouth and throat, giving it antiseptic advantages.

Click here to view Zinc Chloride Dental Grade

Rubber Vulcanization

Rubber vulcanization uses Zinc chloride as an accelerator.

Petroleum Industry

Due to its high specific gravity, Zinc chloride is used as a potential packer fluid in oil and gas wells. It is a powerful emulsion breaker for separating water from oil.

Agriculture

Zinc (II) chloride is employed as an important micronutrient. It is a source of Zinc and can be further combined with chelating agents to form water-soluble solutions that are readily bioavailable for animals and plants.

Resins

In the production of Ion-Exchange resins, Zinc chloride acts as an important catalyst.

Algal Infestation Prevention or Minimization

Zinc dichloride blended with water-soluble alkali metal silicate is employed to coat algal-infested substrates such as concrete roofing tiles and other silicate-containing building materials. It is carried out to prevent or reduce an algal infection that has a dark, unsightly appearance.