What causes steel to rust?
Rust is the result of the reaction of iron with the environment or fluid to which Steel is exposed.
As an example steel can rust when exposed to the atmosphere due to the reaction with rainwater or humidity or it can corrode if immersed in water.
From a theoretical point electrochemical corrosion is the most important
mechanism that causes Rust on Steel.
Four conditions must exist before electrochemical corrosion can proceed:
(1) there must be something that rusts ,
the metal anode, where the oxidation reaction takes place
(2) there must be a cathode, where the reduction reaction takes
place
(3) there must be continuous conductive liquid path (electrolyte, usually
condensate and salt or other contaminations), for example:
water, seawater, condensing water, humidity..
(4) there must be a conductor to carry the flow of electrons from the anode to
the cathode.
This conductor is usually in the form of metal-to-metal contact such as in
bolted or riveted joints.
The elimination of any one of the four conditions will remove
the conditions that causes rust on steel.
see also:
If you need to remove or stop rust on Iron or Steel use this products:
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