How does corrosion occur at the least oxygenated areas?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Arceus74
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Areas Corrosion
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 2K views
Arceus74
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
I cannot conceptualize on how corrosion does not occur in more oxygenated areas. Consider a nail partially immersed underground. Why does the rust form where the iron which is exposed to the least oxygen and not the other way around?

Kindly explain. Thanks in advance.
Thanks
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Arceus74 said:
Summary:: I cannot conceptualize on how corrosion does not occur in more oxygenated areas. Consider a nail partially immersed underground. Why does the rust form where the iron which is exposed to the least oxygen and not the other way around?

Kindly explain. Thanks in advance.

Thanks
The rusting reaction in case of nail and ground do include groundwater in addition to oxygen.
4Fe+2H2O+3O2->4FeO(OH)
For noticeable corrosion of iron by dry oxygen, temperature of about 300C is required.
 
trurle said:
The rusting reaction in case of nail and ground do include groundwater in addition to oxygen.
4Fe+2H2O+3O2->4FeO(OH)
For noticeable corrosion of iron by dry oxygen, temperature of about 300C is required.

Hello,

Thanks for your insights.