How many metals rust

Visually, rust appears in a color spectrum that can range from yellow to red to black. Conditions that lead to rust formation also run the spectrum, but most can be attributed to one of three general factors:. Whether it is the cleaning process, the metal fabrication process such as cold working, heat treating or machining or the handling process, this aspect of producing a metal part is a primary contributor of corrosion.

With so many variables inside of a manufacturing setting, maintaining tight control of your processes is critical to preventing rust. The type of materials used to package metal parts is important.

Acidic materials such as corrugated and non-treated paper can actually trap or hold moisture and cause corrosion. While the weather temperature and humidity can certainly be the most obvious environmental factor, other things such as contaminants in the air pose equal areas of concern.

Identifying the type of rust you are experiencing can provide valuable insight as to what may be its root cause. To help, ARMOR developed a roster of the types of rust that are frequently found in the manufacturing or outbound shipping setting — complete with photos and the key attributes and contributors of each type of rust.

Corrosion Presents in Different Types of Rust They are different in how they look and different in the circumstances that led to their formation. Process Related Whether it is the cleaning process, the metal fabrication process such as cold working, heat treating or machining or the handling process, this aspect of producing a metal part is a primary contributor of corrosion. Packaging Related The type of materials used to package metal parts is important. Environmental While the weather temperature and humidity can certainly be the most obvious environmental factor, other things such as contaminants in the air pose equal areas of concern.

Red rust is the result of heavy exposure to air and moisture, combined many times with a contaminate salt. With red rust, there is uniform corrosion, most often from a very corrosive environment. Ready to get rid of your rust? Electrolytic reduction which creates the actual aluminum.

Aluminum comes from a mineral called bauxite. Bauxite is most commonly found in sub-tropical places like Africa, the West Indies, South America, and Australia — although there are some small deposits in other places like Europe. This bauxite is then processed into aluminum oxide, which just consists of atoms of aluminum and oxygen bonded together.

The aluminum oxide then has an electrical current run through it, which separates the different components from each other. Oxygen bubbles form at one end, and pure molten aluminum droplets collect at the other end.

About tons of bauxite is processed into 2 tons of aluminum oxide, which creates 1 ton of pure aluminum. Aluminum corrodes much more slowly than other metals like iron. Normally, when water comes into contact with metal it encourages the metal to give up its electrons even faster to the oxygen around it.

Aluminum has a special reaction to water though. When water touches aluminum, the aluminum and the oxygen atoms contained in the metal — not the oxygen in the air surrounding it move further apart from each other.

Rust is a naturally occurring chemical reaction. There are many ways you can prevent your metals from rusting, such as metal paints and coatings , sacrificial barriers, barrier films as well as numerous anti-rust solutions and tin plating. Each method utilizes different compounds and materials to create a protective barrier between the metal and the elements that cause rust and corrosion.

Our trained staff can help you choose the best metal for your next project. Contact us today for all of your steel needs. What is Rust? What is Corrosion? What is Reduction? What is Oxidation? Do Copper, Iron and Aluminum Rust? Here are a few of the most common metals and how they stand up against rust and corrosion. Does Copper Rust? Does Iron Rust? Remember that technically only iron and alloys that contain iron can rust. Does Aluminum Rust?