about 59% of zinc is used for corrosion prevention, which includes galvanizing. 47% of the world's zinc is used for galvanizing. this is used to protect another metal, usually iron, from rusting. the zinc coating corrodes instead of the iron. the zinc coating can be placed on the metal in two ways. the metal can be dipped into a pot of melted zinc. the zinc can also be electroplated on to the metal. dipping lasts longer but has a patchy surface that some do not think looks nice. it is also used in motorboats and pipelines to slow rusting. the motor of a motorboat often has a "bullet" of zinc, that will corrode easily, but will help other metal parts of the motor to stay rust free.