Which Acid is Best for Cleaning Rusty Iron ?

[Panthera Leo]

Which Acid is Best for Cleaning Rusty Iron ?

Hi,

What is the best acid/solution which can clean the rusty surface of Iron metal...?

Is Nitric acid good enough? or hydrofluoric Acid?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Borek]

I would try either phosphoric or hydrochloric - they both create complexes with iron, which facilitates rust dissolution.

But there are some ready mixes on the market, I would start looking for them. Perhaps our engineers will know something - I can move the thread to general engineering later.

 

[Panthera Leo]

Thanks borek... I will try hydrochloric today :)

 

[chemisttree]

Naval Jelly rust remover is thickened phosphoric acid. HCl will promote rust while the phosphoric acid will help prevent it.

 

[Ouabache]

As Borek points out, there are some ready mixes that promote rust dissolution on the market. I have also used the product Naval Jelly (containing phosphoric acid, available in the US) with success. As I understand this product is more difficult to find outside the US. There may be similar mixes on the market in your location. Something you could try for fun. Cola fizzy drinks contain phosphoric acid. You may want to try an experiment.