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Uhm, well, not to be sarcastic, but, I suppose put it on a scale and find out. In all seriousness, I'll (hate to use the word) assume you're wondering how much weight is metal vs. rust? That's a variable that would depend on many factors: exact composition of the metal; it's thickness; any coatings (or lack of); and most important of all, environmental exposure. Each and every one of those things will affect the rate of corrosion/oxidation/rust.
Take a nice clean piece of typical construction steel for instance. De-grease it properly, apply a good primer then a heavy epoxy coating (we'll say 3mm thickness), and put it in the middle of Arizona. It'll be a looooooong time before you see any rust (assuming a perfect world and the coating had no gaps)due to the lack of moisture and the protective coating. Take a piece of the same steel, no coating, expose it to pollution and salt water, and you'll be looking at rust cakes in no time (like weeks/months). Of course, "stainless" steel (which is NOT 'truly' stainless/rustproof', it just has less carbon and a higher chrome content) will last longer in most situations, but it will eventually rust as well. Other things can be done to hinder rusting, as with water heaters and steel ships. Ships use 'sacrificial' plates made of (typically) magnesium along the hull, as the magnesium will corrode before the steel hull, not only due to the salt water, but the electricity generated from the hull moving through the water. Your water heater also uses a sacrificial anode for the same reason, it will corrode before the inside of the tank. It also sinter's off magnesium into your hot water, enjoy, there's a lot worse in the water that I could write volumes on.
Remember this, rust is just oxidation of the metal. Eventually, rust will work right through any metal like a cancer, rendering it brittle and useless. Corrosion, in my experience, does slow the deeper it gets into the metal, as oxygen is needed for the metal to oxidize, funny how that works, no? The outer rust acts like a shield to the air, slowing, but not stopping the corrosion. In fact, you can treat surface rust with ospho and turn it into a black primer.
I guess the best answer to your question would be to weigh the metal, sand blast it clean, then re-weigh whats left to see how much was lost to rust. I've never had a scrap yard dock me for rusted metal (they screw us pretty good to start with and can afford it) , and I'm not really sure what they end up with when it's all melted down. I would assume a lot of 'slag', which just gets poured off the top along with all the other impurities.
Sorry for the winded reply to a seemingly 'simple' question, but I've been working with metal for about 36 years now..... my knowledge tends to be extensive. :-) In a nutshell though, it all depends on the original weight of the metal vs the weight after cleaning off any rust. Other than than, I really can't elaborate much more. Technically, due to how molecules bond and such, rusted metal does gain a slight amount of weight from taking on oxygen molecules. How all that happens will have to wait for another thread, or there's probably one here already. Gotta love Answers.Com!
Hope this doesn't leave you scratching a hole in your head.......
Gonzo
What else can I help you with?
Can fiberglass be used to repair rusted metal?
Yes but with poor results. How about cutting the rusted metal out and replacing it?
Does rusted metal attract a magnet the same as normal metal?
yes
Can rusted metal hurt a dog?
yes
How can I achieve a rusted look on galvanized metal?
To achieve a rusted look on galvanized metal, you can use a combination of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and salt to create a rusting solution. Apply the solution to the metal and let it sit for a few hours or overnight to develop the desired rusted effect.
When a part rusts does it become Heavier or lighter in weight?
When a part rusts, it typically becomes heavier in weight because rust is formed when iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of moisture, adding weight to the original material.
How can metal be rusted without using hydrogen peroxide?
Metal can be rusted through a process called oxidation, which occurs when the metal comes into contact with oxygen and moisture in the air. This causes the metal to corrode and form rust, even without the use of hydrogen peroxide.
Is rusted a verb?
Yes, it is a form of the verb "to rust" (oxidize, crumble). It is the past tense and past participle,and can be used as an adjective (rusted metal).
How can metal be quickly rusted?
Metal can quickly rust when it is exposed to water and oxygen, which causes a chemical reaction that forms rust on the surface of the metal.
HOW TO Remove a rusted broken off piece of metal from inside plastic part?
A magnet
What music video takes place in a metal scrapyard?
Billy Talent "Rusted from the Rain"
Is rusted pots and pans a physical change?
Yes, rusted pots and pans are a result of a chemical change. This occurs when the metal reacts with oxygen and water to form iron oxide (rust), which is a different substance than the original metal.
Are a frozen pipe or a rusted metal bike a chemical energy?
A frozen pipe is a physical change, as it is just water changing state from liquid to solid (ice). However, a rusted metal bike is a chemical reaction as it is caused by the metal reacting with the oxygen in the air, in what is called an oxidation reaction.
