Rust
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=What causes rust?= | =What causes rust?= | ||
| + | Rust needs iron, water, and oxygen to form. Here's how: | ||
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Start with this article: http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/rust/rust.html . | Start with this article: http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/rust/rust.html . | ||
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| + | ==What is rust?== | ||
| + | Rust is also known as iron oxide. An oxide is a chemical compound which contains an oxygen atom and other elements. Steel is mostly iron, with some carbon. | ||
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| + | Iron is FE, although it rarely exists in pure form. Oxygen is O2. They combine to form FE2O3: iron oxide. | ||
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| + | Rust is an example of corrosion -- deterioration of a material from reaction with its environment. Rust is electrochemical corrosion. For it 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). | ||
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| + | Water combines with air to form carbonic acid, a good electrolyte. | ||
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| + | Seawater and salt spray make better electrolytes, so they increase rust. | ||
=Rust assessment= | =Rust assessment= | ||
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