It is moderately hard. Zinc is brittle at room temperatures and is a good conductor of electricity. The primary use of zinc is to coat iron or steel in a process called galvanization to prevent rust. Zinc protects steel and iron from rusting as long as contact is maintained because zinc is the stronger reducing agent of the two metals. Zinc Biology Zinc is an element that is essential in trace amounts.
Most bioactive zinc is present in red blood cells in the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
Zinc is necessary for the action of over 20 enzymes and in humans is required for normal vitamin A activity. Deficiencies of zinc are known to result in retardation of growth and dermatologic problems. Zinc serology is not uncommonly run on humans. Most human problems with zinc involve deficiencies. Zinc is being used today in lozenge form to aid in prevention of cold viruses.