Zine has a bluish-white color. Its malleability and ductility are confined to certain narrow limits of temperature, and it must be maintained at a temperature of about 240° F. when it is being rolled into sheets. It melts at about 800° F., and boils at about 1900° F. It is hard, brittle and highly crystalline in fracture, and if the fracture shows dull specks, an excess of iron is present. Boiled zinc is more dense than the cast metal, and can be bent to a moderate degree.

Commercial zinc is known as spelter, and its impurities are mostly lead and iron.