How long does it take for steel to decompose?

Answer 1

Copper does not rust. It will, on contact with the air, form a greenish "verdigris" of copper sulphate on it's surface - but that is not rust.

OOps - that should be copper carbonate. Copper sulphate is highly soluble and would not produce a patina. Maybe some copper oxide as well.

Answer 2

Steel does not decompose in the same way that organic materials do. Steel can corrode over time when exposed to certain environmental conditions, but the process can take a very long time depending on the specific circumstances. Properly maintained steel structures can last for decades or even centuries without significant decomposition.

Answer 3

Technically copper never decomposes by nature/environment (in respect to earth's current surface environment),,, copper is producted as a biproduct in nature or by human beings and only accummulates,,,, it can be recycled or altered to a different states by high temperature or exposure to chemicals........ In respect to copper, exposed to normal ranges of our current environment will not decompose....... glass may take millions of years to decompose in our current natural environment.... copper will not decompose....

Answer 4

Technically steel or any other metal does not decompose. If you are referring to corrosion, it will eventually turn into Iron Oxide (rust) over time, but that is largely dependent on atmospheric conditions. The more humidity, the quicker. Less oxygen, slower. In the ocean with the salt water, VERY fast. The Titanic at the bottom of ocean cannot be raised due to this. The Titanic is no longer made of steel, but almost entirely of pure rust.

The company I work for built half inch thick horses formed from corten (a high quality grade of steel). These figures are expected to still be standing over Vantage, Washington (on I-90) 50,000 years from now.

On the other hand, a thin sheet of regular (non stainless) steel agitated in vinegar can entirely rust away within a couple of days.

Answer 5

IT CAN TAKE A REALY LONG TIME FOR MEATAL TO DECOMPOES(15-18 YEARS)

Acutally, the above is wrong.

No, metals rust. However, rust can be considered metal decomposition (kind of).

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Does_all_metals_decompose#ixzz18JWocEu0

Answer 6

It depends on the type, location, and size of the plant.

Answer 7

Copper is an element. It is not manufactured.

Answer 8

it takes over a year for it to decompose

Answer 9

well, it depends on what type of metal.

Answer 10

Copper is an element; it doesn't "form".