In contact with an electrolyte such as sea water or even rain water, zinc protects the adjacent bare iron sacrificially and prevents the spreading of rust from breaks in a zinc coating.

• 在与电解质如海水甚至雨水接触时，锌以自身的腐蚀来保护相邻的裸露的铁，从而防止锈蚀从镀锌层的裂痕处扩展开来。