How long dose it take for something to rust?

Answer 1

It depends on a variety of factors. It depends on the size and shape of the iron (how much surface area it has), if the iron is an alloy such as steel, or pure iron metal, if the iron is coated or treated with anything. It also depends a great deal on the environment the iron is in. Is the iron in contact with water or water moisture? Is the iron in contact with salt water? Is the iron in contact with oxygen from air? At what temperature is the iron?

Some guidelines:

-- the larger the exposed surface area, the faster it will rust (iron powder will rust much faster than a solid block of iron

-- most iron alloys, such as steel, resist rusting more than pure iron does

-- painting or other treatments to the iron surface will prevent rusting to a large extent

-- exposure to the combination of salt (from the ocean or due to salting of icy roads) will greatly increase the rate of rusting

-- if the iron is not in contact with any oxygen, it cannot rust at all

-- the hotter the temperature, the faster it will rust

Without knowing each of these aspects, it is impossible to predict how fast something will rust (and even if you know them, it is still difficult!).

See the Related Questions to the left for more information about the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions.

Answer 2

It depends on the metal and local conditions. Gold doesn't rust at all. Iron rusts in the presence of water. In vinegar, steel rusts very fast. It will develop a patina overnight. In a desert, stainless steel would rest very slowly. Bronze (zinc & tin) also doesn't rust. Rust, of course, is iron oxide, which comes from the oxidation of iron, steel, or other iron alloys. Oxygen dissolved in water readily reacts with iron to form iron oxide, FeO.

Answer 3

Since rust is the oxidation of metal, it would depend on what type of metal it is. More oxygen as well as salt would make a metal rust faster. Some metal can start to rust in as fast as a week if left out in the elements.

Answer 4

It depends. Gold doesn't rust at all. Iron rusts in the presence of water. In vinegar, steel rusts very fast. In a desert, stainless steel would rest very slowly. Bronze also doesn't rust. Rust, of course, is iron oxide, which comes from iron, steel, or other iron alloys.

Answer 5

It really does depend on the metal, the temperature and the atmospheric composition. For example in the splash zone of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, rusting of steel is extremely rapid and is slowed down by coatings and cathodic protection.

Answer 6

Steel does rust. If it is in water continuously for 3-5 hours, the rust will appear on the surface. But as soon as some water makes contact with it, it will start rusting.

Answer 7

Depends on the composition of the steel ... anywhere from instantly to hundreds of years.

Answer 8

Well, it depends on the circumstances (nature of the material, exposed surface, treatment of the surface, humidity, etc.).

Answer 9

a week or about 10 days a week ofcourse is 7 days