hall89,
Rust is nothing more than iron oxide (Fe2O3). Three things are needed
to create rust: iron, water, and oxygen. Iron therefore rusts when
exposed to oxygen and water. When iron comes in contact with water,
carbonic acid is formed, thus dissolving the iron. As the iron is
broken down, hydrogen and oxygen are formed. The free oxygen and
broken down iron then form a bond,creating iron oxide, which we call
rust. Because rust flakes are brittle, they crumble and fall off,
allowing a new cycle of oxidation to begin, until eventually all the
iron is used up. Rust is more prone to occur in areas that have a high
humidity and warm temperatures. Regions that have “salty” air, like
coastal areas and areas that use salt on the roads for snow and ice
control tend to have more occurrences of rust than dry, cool,
salt-free areas.(Growing up in Virginia Beach, Virgina, I learned
early on how to use naval jelly to remove the constant layer of rust
on my bicycle handlebars! Many years later,in Arizona, I have yet to
have anything I own rust! )
One might wonder why sea-going vessels wouldn't just rust away? Iron
hulls of ships are protected against rusting by magnesium strips that
are attached to the underside of the vessel. An electric current is
generated, with magnesium and iron acting as electrodes and seawater
acting as an electrolyte. “Because magnesium is above iron in the
electromotive series, it serves as a “sacrificial anode” and is
oxidized in preference to the iron. This is called cathodic
protection, since the iron serves as the cathode and thus escapes
oxidation.”
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/c1/corrosio.asp
Some metals, such as aluminum, chromium, and zinc resist rust, by
forming a very tough oxide coating which helps prevent the surface
from further exposure to oxygen and corrosion.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question445.htm
(Several of the links found on this page were broken when I wrote this
answer)
For more on rust, visit these sites:
This site has a diagram explaining rust formation:
http://www.corrosioncontrol.biz/Rust.htm
Encyclopedia.com
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/c1/corrosio.asp
http://www.theory-of-evolution.org/Main/chap8/rust-1.htm
According to this site, rust costs the industrial world billions of
dollars a year!
http://www.liquideng.com.au/rustprob.html
Some of the best known “Rust-stoppers” are
Naval Jelly:
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/HOME/HOME/home14.html
Rust-Oleum products
http://www.rustoleum.com/default.asp?SBL=1
Magica Rust Remover
http://www.magicarustremover.com/
The name “rust” also refers to a parasitic fungal disease of plants:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/r1/rust.asp
If this did not completely satisfy your curiosity about rust, please
ask for an answer clarification before rating.
Regards,
crabcakes
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