How long does it take for a nail to rust?

Answer 1

Most nails are made from Ferrous Metal (FM)

FM is that metal that contains the chemical element (CE) Iron

The chemical symbol (CS) for Iron is Fe

The CS for the CE Oxygen is O

Rust is the combination of the chemical combination (CC) of the CE O with the CE Fe

The most common CC of Fe with O is FeO

FeO is commonly known as 'Rust'

The CE O is abundant in our atmosphere

The onset of the CC of Fe with O is almost instantaneous

Unprotected FM will show the presence of Rust almost instantaneously

The Amount of Rust (AR) is determined by the length of the exposure of the FM to the

CE O

When you determine that the AR is large then you say that it is 'Rusty'

That determination is subjective

Objects that contain FM become Rusty almost instantaneously depending on the criteria of the observer

Most nails are made from FM

Most nails have a coating of some substance to inhibit the rate the Chemical Reaction (CR) resulting in the CC known as Rust

The integrity of that coating is of most importance as to the inhibition of the CR forming Rust

Unfortunately the integrity of that coating is compromised quite easily

Most nails will rust almost instantaneously depending on the criteria of the observer

Answer 2

When you ask "rust" you must be implying that the nail is made of iron; not steel, aluminum, zinc, or other metals. It would depend on exposure of the nail to the environment, more specifically surface area exposure and what environment the nail is in.

Answer 3

I presume you ask about steel nails and to answer this question we need first to determine whether the nails will be exposed to water or condensation or high humidity. If the nails are so exposed then the rust will begin immediately. Rust is the result of a chemical reaction and is iron oxide. The rust itself, in fact, will serve as a bit of a barrier slowing the rusting process.

If you wish to prevent rusting nails use galvanized nails which are coated with zinc to form a barrier to the air and water. Aluminum nails will work well in many situations not requiring strength but hammer them carefully or they will bend.

Answer 4

A steel nail that has been cleaned of all oil and coatings wil rust immediately in a warm, damp air situation. /Brian W

Answer 5

This depends on many factors: temperature, pressure, oxygen concentration, impurities in water, mass of the nail, contact area.