How to Get Zinc Metal

Zinc is everywhere; from industrial alloys to minerals in our bodies, this element is no doubt a common material in all our lives. However, pure zinc metal can be a challenge to find sometimes — this article will guide you on how to obtain this metal, whether it's for your amateur science experiments, projects, or an addition to your element collection!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting Zinc from a Penny

Download Article

You'll be working with hot objects in an indoor environment. Wear clothing that can cover your bare skin, tie back long hair, and put on safety goggles and thick gloves if you have any. In addition, move any food, drinks, and potentially flammable objects away from your workspace.
2
Gather the materials. You will essentially need the following:
- United States pennies (minted after 1982)
- pliers
- a heat-proof container (such as a crucible)
- a gas stove.
Advertisement
You want to make sure that the stove is producing a hot enough temperature to ensure your yield of zinc.
With the pliers, place the penny on the tip of the flames (which is the hottest part). The penny will soon start to deform and soften. Be ready to get your container out!
As the penny starts to crumple, the inner layer will start to liquify. Once you're at that stage, carefully hold the penny above the container, and rock it slightly to coax the liquid metal out; this is the zinc metal. You may still have a thin sheet of metal on your pliers; this is the outer copper layer. (It doesn't melt due to the higher melting point.) Keep in mind: the zinc metal is going to be very hot initially.
This experiment works because current US pennies contain an inner layer of zinc. Zinc has a low melting point, which means that heating up a penny as such can liquefy the metal, allowing for its extraction.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Zinc from a Zinc-Carbon Lantern Battery

Download Article

The main thing you'll need is the zinc-carbon lantern battery. You may also need pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, utility knives, and other similar implements to assist you in dismantling the battery. It is recommended that you wear gloves for the whole procedure.
You will notice a rim at the top of the battery; using a knife or a screwdriver, cut/pry off the top.
Inside the opened battery, you'll find four smaller batteries, all connected by wires. Cut off the wires, and you'll have the four batteries to work with.
For each of the four batteries, pull the protruding end with a pair of pliers. You should be able to pull out the carbon rod. Then, dig out the remaining contents in the battery; the black powder you'll find is a mixture of manganese dioxide and carbon. This, along with the carbon rod, can be disposed, or stored for potential experimenting. (These chemicals are not hazardous, so you do not need to worry too much about handling/disposing them.)
Avoid washing it, especially at a sink, as the manganese dioxide-carbon residue is not water-soluble. Instead, try wiping it clean, cutting open the battery if you need to. Once that's done, you'll have your zinc metal!

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Zinc can be used for a variety of experiments, such as for electroplating, galvanising, or making alloys.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful0
Only US pennies work for the first method. (Canadian pennies minted from 97 to 99 are of the same construction.)
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

As always, know the risks of working with hot objects.
Thanks
Helpful4 Not Helpful0
Manganese dioxide can stain skin and clothing, so avoid getting it on them.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful1
Although the contents of a carbon-zinc battery are not entirely toxic, it should be noted that they should not be ingested whatsoever.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful3