This pigment contributes to anticorrosive properties through chromate ions as well as by a neutralizing effect through zinc ions.
Because of their yellow color, they are generally limited to use as primers. As they are versatile and highly efficient, zinc chromates are effective inhibitors even at relatively low pigment levels. As a result, they used to hold a major share of the anticorrosive pigment market for years, but due to toxicity associated with hexavalent chromium and related regulations, their commercial importance is declining.