Rust
(→What is rust?) |
(→What is rust?) |
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==What is rust?== | ==What is rust?== | ||
Rust is a kind of corrosion. Corrosion is the decay or breakdown of a material in reaction to its environment. | Rust is a kind of corrosion. Corrosion is the decay or breakdown of a material in reaction to its environment. | ||
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Rust is an electro-chemical corrosion that occurs in the presence of iron, oxygen, and water. Oxygen and water are available in the open air, and iron is the principal ingredient in steel. Rust happens more quickly with salt in the air, because salted air is a better electrolyte, speeding up the electro-chemical corrosion of iron. | Rust is an electro-chemical corrosion that occurs in the presence of iron, oxygen, and water. Oxygen and water are available in the open air, and iron is the principal ingredient in steel. Rust happens more quickly with salt in the air, because salted air is a better electrolyte, speeding up the electro-chemical corrosion of iron. | ||
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| + | For rust to occur it needs an anode (a piece of metal that gives up electrons), an electrolyte (a liquid that helps transport electrons), and a cathode (a piece of metal that accepts electrons). | ||
Iron, with the chemical symbol of Fe, combines with oxygen, O, to form Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, the chemical formula for common reddish-brown rust. In its mineral form, Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> is known as hematite. | Iron, with the chemical symbol of Fe, combines with oxygen, O, to form Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, the chemical formula for common reddish-brown rust. In its mineral form, Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> is known as hematite. | ||
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