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the quickest answer is Google "Metal Oxide Passivation" or "Passivation"

The better question is why zinc corrodes faster than iron but does not rust like iron. To understand that one has to understand what the words "rusting", "oxidation/reduction" and "corrosion" really mean.

Look them up first to understand the reason why.

And to answer your question, in the most simple and primitive way possible:

zinc does "rust" (aka "oxidizes" just like iron do). BUT zinc oxidizes in a very different fashion. Due to some special reactions with the air (first with oxygen then with CO2) zinc can create a very special protective layer around its surface. (almost like aluminium). And because zinc creates this protective layer extremely fast, and because this layer is virtually "air-tight" there is no time for the metal to "rust" and the "rusting" of zinc stops almost instantaneously.

Iron on the other hand, can not create a uniform and "air-tight" oxide layer around its surface. (you can see how "rust" on the iron always "chips off" off its surface) So once a tiny piece of rusty layer is gone, the oxidation continues underneath it.

The bottom line is:

the iron's "rust" can not protect the metal from further rusting.

the zinc's "rust" can.

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Kaylah Ward

Lvl 13
2y ago

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