Why is rusting important

Chlorides may, therefore, be a greater immediate problem than sulphates. There are many rust prevention methods. An important step within the process is to ensure good surface preparation has taken place before application of the protective system.

Galvanizing is an effective corrosion prevention method as when clean steel is immersed into molten zinc, a metallurgical reaction between the iron and zinc creates a series of zinc-iron alloy layers, providing a robust coating which is an integral part of the steel.

Hot dip galvanizing has been used for a very long time to protect steel structures in various environments and it is proven to last between 34 to years. Galvanizing is a great for corrosion protection , as it is cost effective, honest and sustainable.

Our campaign aims to highlight the extensive amount of corroding steelwork across the UK and Ireland. Protecting steelwork correctly on day one can help to save money spent on replacement or maintenance, which can be much more expensive than the initial cost of protection.

An even more important aspect of correct corrosion protection is the contribution it can make to a more sustainable built environment. Find out how you can stop rust. It is not, therefore, surprising that the terms corrosion and rust are almost synonymous. The Romans must have been vexed by the susceptibility of iron to rust, for, in true scientific fashion, Pliny asked himself the question: why should iron corrode more easily than other metals?

In other words, Pliny considered the rusting of iron to be a punishment of the gods, as the metal allows itself to be used for swords an other war purposes. Iron has chemical and physical properties which some of it react with oxygen and water to produce rust and which enable it to be useful for many purposes. As iron is the most widely. The terms is applied to red oxides, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture.

Rusting can be prevented by keeping oxygen or water away from the iron or steel:. A desiccant is a substance that absorbs water vapour, so it keeps the metal dry. Many methods of rust prevention rely on creating a physical barrier to oxygen and water.

These include:. Different methods are used depending on the situation. Explain why a bike chain is protected from rusting by oiling it, rather than by painting it.

The oil also lubricates the chain, helping it to move smoothly. Paint just flakes off when the bike is ridden, exposing the steel chain to air and water again. Electroplating involves using electrolysis to put a thin layer of a metal on the object:. For example, steel cutlery can be electroplated with silver using a silver anode and silver nitrate solution. Electroplating improves the corrosion resistance of metal objects.