Can I remove rust by applying current?

[fysik]

hello
let's say we have a rusted piece of metal
if I apply the correct current
can I force the oxygen in the metal oxide to be removed and leave only the metal intact?
thanks

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Applying the proper potential can retard corrosion, and the opposite potential can greatly speed up corrosion.

But the oxides are not great conductors, and even if you get the unozidized metal atoms back, they will no longer be part of the substrate in the sense of adding mechanical strength - more of a powder on top.

 

[tech99]

Applying the proper potential can retard corrosion, and the opposite potential can greatly speed up corrosion.

But the oxides are not great conductors, and even if you get the unozidized metal atoms back, they will no longer be part of the substrate in the sense of adding mechanical strength - more of a powder on top.

There is a website giving a method of removing rust using electrolysis, http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm.
I have tried it on a small scale and it will often work, but it does not re-incorporate the rust into the base metal, as has been stated.