Zinc oxide is a chemical compound with formula ZnO. It is nearly insoluble in water but soluble in acids or alkalis. It occurs as white hexagonal crystals or a white powder commonly known as zinc white.

It remains white when exposed to hydrogen sulfide or ultraviolet light. Crystalline zinc oxide exhibits the piezoelectric effect and is thermochromic (it will change colour from white to yellow when heated, and back again when cooled down).

Zinc oxide decomposes into zinc vapor and oxygen at around 1975°C. High-quality single-crystalline ZnO is almost transparent. Fumes of zinc oxide are generated when melting brass, because the melting point of brass is close to the boiling point of zinc. Exposure to zinc oxide in the air (also while welding) can result in a nervous malady called metal fume fever.

Uses of Zinc Oxide Powder.

• The powder is mainly used as the reinforcing agent and cure activating agent in rubber industry
  
  
• Applied for paint, coating, pigments, ceramics, printing and dying.
  
  
• Paper, plastics, medicine, forage, electric image tube, fax, oil-fining, electronic components.
  
  
• Magnetic material, desulfidation of natural gas and storage battery industries.