Remember sacrificial protection that we talked about earlier? That is not the only way to protect iron from corrosion. Zinc, a bluish-white, lustrous metal is also used for protecting iron. Want to know how?
Coating thin layers of zinc on iron or steel can prevent corrosion. This method is known as galvanization. Iron or steel objects are either dipped in molten zinc or electroplated with zinc. Zinc is a reasonable conductor of electricity, and burns in air at high red heat.
The zinc corrodes forming a layer of zinc oxide on the surface of iron which stops air and water reaching the surface of the iron and this is how it prevents rusting. The iron or steel remains rust free while the zinc itself rusts away.
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