Zinc chloride is a chemical compound with the formula ZnCl2. It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water and has a wide range of industrial applications. Here are some common uses and applications of zinc chloride:

1. **Galvanizing**: Zinc chloride is used in the galvanizing process to protect steel and iron from corrosion. It is a key component in flux formulations used to prepare metal surfaces before hot-dip galvanizing. Zinc chloride helps remove oxides and contaminants from the metal surface, ensuring a clean and uniform coating of zinc.

2. **Batteries**: Zinc chloride is used in the production of zinc-carbon batteries and zinc-chloride batteries. In batteries, it serves as an electrolyte, facilitating the flow of ions between the electrodes to generate electrical energy.

3. **Chemical Synthesis**: Zinc chloride is used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, such as the Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation reactions in organic synthesis. It is also used in the production of some organic compounds and pharmaceuticals.

4. **Deodorants and Antiperspirants**: Zinc chloride is used in some deodorant and antiperspirant formulations for its antibacterial properties. It helps to control body odor by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the skin.

5. **Wood Preservation**: Zinc chloride is used in wood preservation treatments to protect wood against decay, fungi, and insects. It is applied as a wood preservative in pressure-treated lumber used in outdoor applications.

6. **Textile Industry**: Zinc chloride is used in the textile industry for mercerizing cotton fibers. Mercerization is a process that improves the strength, luster, and dye affinity of cotton fibers, and zinc chloride plays a role in this process.

7. **Fluxes**: Zinc chloride is used as a flux in soldering and welding applications. It helps remove metal oxides from the surfaces being joined, ensuring clean and strong bonds between the metals.

8. **Oil and Gas Industry**: Zinc chloride is used in the oil and gas industry as a drilling fluid additive. It helps control viscosity, prevent clay swelling, and stabilize boreholes during drilling operations.

9. **Chemical Etching**: Zinc chloride is used in chemical etching processes to create intricate designs or patterns on metal surfaces. It selectively dissolves the metal to achieve the desired etched design.

These are some of the common applications of zinc chloride across various industries. Its properties make it a valuable compound in processes ranging from metal finishing and battery production to wood preservation and chemical synthesis.