What is Rusting: Definition and 18 Discussions

Rust is an iron oxide, a usually reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air moisture. Rust consists of hydrous iron(III) oxides (Fe2O3·nH2O) and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH), Fe(OH)3), and is typically associated with the corrosion of refined iron.
Given sufficient time, any iron mass, in the presence of water and oxygen, could eventually convert entirely to rust. Surface rust is commonly flaky and friable, and provides no passivational protection to the underlying iron, unlike the formation of patina on copper surfaces. Rusting is the common term for corrosion of elemental iron and its alloys such as steel. Many other metals undergo similar corrosion, but the resulting oxides are not commonly called "rust".Several forms of rust are distinguishable both visually and by spectroscopy, and form under different circumstances. Other forms of rust include the result of reactions between iron and chloride in an environment deprived of oxygen. Rebar used in underwater concrete pillars, which generates green rust, is an example. Although rusting is generally a negative aspect of iron, a particular form of rusting, known as stable rust, causes the object to have a thin coating of rust over the top, and if kept in low relative humidity, makes the "stable" layer protective to the iron below, but not to the extent of other oxides such as aluminium oxide on aluminium.

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  1. F

    Removing Dissolved Oxygen from Water

    Hello, I am working with an artist to build enclosures that would hold magnetite sculptures in water filled test tubes... and they are rusting. One of the specifications I was given is it has to be chemical free water, so that rules out oxygen scavengers. Seeing as it is the dissolved oxygen I...
  2. H

    Is Salt Water Really Effective in Neutralizing Rust on Fabric?

    I am a textile artist. I transfer rust from rusty objects onto cotton fabric by spritzing the fabric with vinegar and water, then laying or wrapping the rusty object on the fabric, cover loosely and wait for the process to happen. There is a lot of 'advice' on the net about how to 'neutralize'...
  3. Lee power

    Chemical reaction metal underwater

    Hi guys I was wondering of someone on here could briefly enlighten me on the chemical reactions that would occur with a Teflon Coated high carbon steel hook and a lead sinker while underwater? I am looking into the signals that may or may not be given off by these items both separately and with...
  4. M

    How do you stop rusting if an iron object is already underwater?

    I have a bit of basic knowledge on rusting and corrosion of iron but I am trying to find ways to stop rusting. The problem is what if an object was already submerged in water? Is it still possible to stop it from rusting? I know there are 3 ways of preventing corrosion but I am not sure if there...
  5. S

    How can I speed up RUSTING STEEL?

    I want to make a sheet of 1/4" steel rust through completely in a short amount of time (2-3 weeks). What is the best way to accomplish this, if possible?
  6. D

    Rusting of Nails in Salt Solutions

    Three tests were conducted where a nail was placed in water, 10%salt saturated, 20% salt saturated, 30% salt saturated etc to 100% a Nail + Cu placed in water (same solutions above^) and A Nail + zinc in water.. (same solutions) All left over the same amount of days The results are...
  7. D

    Rusting: Is it Exponential Growth? Best Protection Methods

    Sorry if this might be in the wrong section, but I wanted someone's opinion on the formation of rust. Do you think that the rate of formation of rust on iron/steel is an exponential growth?... --- Also, some extra. I'm doing an EEI on rusting - basically, I'm trying to find the best...
  8. G

    Prevent rusting by connecting to electricity?

    My textbook says that we may prevent a water pipe from rusting by connecting a more reactive metal to it with a wire... so i was thinking that can we prevent it from rusting by just simply connecting it to an electric source since electricity is a running electron flow...
  9. T

    Is Rusting Iron a Physical Change?

    This is a quick question. Is it correct to say that the change in color of iron to a reddish-brown color when the iron rusts is a physical change?
  10. G

    The reaction of rusting iron and the heat produced

    Homework Statement 4Fe+3O2=2Fe2O3 deltaH=-1.65 x 10^3kJ If there are 15.7 grams of iron and 7.99 grams of oxygen, how much heat will be produced? Homework Equations Since Iron is the limiting reagent do I use that to determine the heat released? The Attempt at a...
  11. M

    Testing Effects of Nail Rusting: Homework Assignment

    Homework Statement Testing what effects nail rusting Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution hey guys sorry if i havnt done this propperly first time here so yea if you could please help me with this assinment i have to do it would be great thnx
  12. J

    Question about rusting on iron nails.

    Homework Statement For my science assignment coming up i need to know more about rusting on iron nails, like how and why it occurs, what conditions help the process, what conditions don't and any other information would be very helpful. I will be setting up my own experiment so help solve...
  13. D

    Will Iron Rust in 0.1M Sodium Dichromate?

    If i take a piece of iron, and put it into a 0.1 mol/L solution of sodium dichromate, will rusting occur? If the solution was 1 mol/L, i could use my table of standard reduction potentials, and find the emf of the reaction, but 0.1 mol/L isn't standard conditions. How should i go about...
  14. I

    Rusting in the fermentation room. Explanations?

    Hello all, Recently I have come across a problem that I cannot seem to understand. A fermentation room was built out of an insulated wall system provided by a company called BONDOR, started to rust at the corners of the joints between the walls and ceiling. The rivets started rusting as well...
  15. N

    Ions and Rusting: Examining the Role of Ions in the Oxidation of Metals

    how does ions affect rusting
  16. J

    How the coating of steel wool affects its rusting rate

    I'm doing a science experiment on how the coating of steel wool affects its rusting rate. I'm doing the background information right now. What I need help with is how to make sense of the chemical reaction of rust. Can someone give me examples of these things so it makes sense?? Corrosion is...
  17. T

    Rusting of Magnesium: Equation & Experiment

    Hi I was wondering what would be the equation for the rusting of magnesium? I did an experiment where an iron nail was covered by a strip of magnesium and was put into diluted NaOCl (diluted sodium hypochlorite solution). Apparently the magnesium protects the iron from rusting and hence rusts...
  18. T

    Exploring the Iron Rusting Reaction with KMnO4

    Hi everyone, I'm not sure what would happen in the following reaction (it has something to do with the rusting of iron): Fe (s) + KMnO4 (aq) ----> ? KMnO4 is potassium permanganate and I know it is a very strong oxidizer. So I am assuming one of the products may be Fe2O3, which is...
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