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When steel "rusts," it is because of corrosion. NACE International (formerly National Association of Corrosion Engineers) generally defines corrosion as the deterioration of a substance (usually a metal) due to a reaction with it's environment. For corrosion to occur, four things have to be present:
-an anode (point where corrosion occurs)
-a cathode (protected area)
-an electrolyte (i.e; water with ionic content)
-a metallic pathway
Corrosion can be prevented by eliminating any of these four elements. A corrosion cell is best illustrated by a galvanic corrosion cell where two different metals are in physical contact (creating a difference in electropotential) and exposed to an electrolyte. A classic example would be a zinc or magnesium anode protecting carbon steel.
However, corrosion or "rust" can still occur on an unprotected sheet of a single metal, such as carbon steel, due to variations within the steel or steel surface. Differences in electropotential within a single metal can be created by many things, including steel composition, mil scale, metalworking, discontinuities in coatings or other protective films, welding, etc. In this case, the area that corrodes is acting as the anode (often manifest as pitting), the areas not corroding (protected) would be the cathode, the electrolyte could simply be the moisture and salts within the surrounding air, and the metal itself would act as the metallic pathway for current to flow between anodic and cathodic sites.
A few things that you can do to prevent rust are:
* Apply a protective coating (i.e; paint)
* Select an alternate material that is corrosion resistant
* Utilize an inhibitor
* Install cathodic protection (impressed current or galvanic) for applications where the metal is immersed, buried in soil, or encased in concrete.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agobecause if the metal the things is made out of doesnt have something to protect it e.g paint,plastic then the metal its made out of goes rusty, and that's why things go rusty.
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Rust is formed when oxygen from atmospheric air reacts with metals to create a metalic oxide, such as iron (II) oxide (chemical formula: FeO). This metalic oxide is rust.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoSteel only rusts if it is iron.
it does rust because of carrots
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoProducts containing Iron , as steel does, are prone to rusting. Rusting is the oxidation, assisted by moisture, of iron to brown iron oxide.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoYes, water contains oxygen. Rust is oxidization.
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How do you prevent rust on paper clips?
A paperclip cannot rust because rust is the oxidation of iron or steel as a result with interaction with water or air. Therefore a paperclip cannot rust because it is made out of iron or steel. It is made out of aluminum.
How do you stop rust in a steel water tank?
don't put water in a tank
Will bright steel rust?
YES!!! Especially if it is exposed to a combination of air(oxygen) and water.
Does water with high iron content cause stainless steel fittings to rust?
Good quality stainless steel should never rust. I have noticed that the high iron content in our water causes red particles of iron oxide to remain on stainless steel vessels - and it looks exactly like rust but its just the iron in the water drying out on the stainless steel.
What is the best solution to rust a nail?
it would have to be salt water or vinegar or both to rust a steel nail
Will steel rust in water?
Yes it will
When does steel rod hollow section rust?
Hollow section steel rod rust when in contact with water.
Will stainless steel rust in a pool?
Stainless Steel and PoolsEventually, yes, stainless steel will rust if left in a pool. *Yes - bleach will cause stainless steel to rust and chlorine is found in pools. Ergo, pool water will cause rust on stainless steel items.
Does steel rust in saltwater?
Yes, it actually rust's faster than in normal water.
What will rust first in water a steel wool pad or a steel wool pad cut into eights?
They will both rust at the same time.
What makes metal rust?
steel will rust because of ether a water and salt mixture or a water and air mixture. for the water and salt the steel will just rust. steel will also rust in plain water. and the science for the water and air. when steel water and oxygen come all together in contact they create Iron Oxide. that is what rust is. by the way Iron Oxide is what gives mars it's red color.
What is the difference when you put water on steel wool and salt on steel wool?
the wool does not rust
How can steel rust?
The iron part of steel combines with oxygen in the air, or dissolved in water. This is a chemical reaction, which produces iron oxide- rust.
Do a steel nail rust faster in tap water or salt water?
salt water
Why can steel not be used to make the hot water tank?
You can't use steel to make a hot water tank because steel can rust.
What is the use of coating steel with tin?
It stops the steel from rusting by not letting oxygen or water touch the steel, as oxygen and water need to present for steel to rust.
How do you stop rust in a steel water tank?
don't put water in a tank
