The Process Of Rusting

The red brown powdery flakes on the surface of metal are not merely an eyesore but reduce its structural strength. If not reversed in time, rusting and corrosion will reduce the metal to a chunk of useless scrap. How does this actually take place?

Rust – Is the corrosion of iron and steel a common name for Iron oxide or ferrous oxide. Iron readily combines with oxygen and moisture to form this oxide. This happens even though atmospheric oxygen is not a very pure form of gas. Moisture in the air acts as a catalyst to speed up the rusting reaction.

Corrosion is an electrochemical process that involves the anode and cathode of metal along with an electrolyte. When a piece of metal starts to corrode, the electrolyte (liquid that helps electrons to move, in this case water) helps in providing oxygen to the anode of the metal. As oxygen comes in contact with the metal, electrons become free. When they float through the electrolyte to the cathode, the metal of the anode becomes thinner, swept away by the electrical flow or conversion into metal cations in the form of rust.

The oxide of a metal is weaker in comparison to pure metal - this explains why rusted metal becomes useless in a short period of time. Use of a safe and effective rust and corrosion inhibitor goes a long way in keeping metal rust free.

How To Identify A Good Rust Inhibitor

Rust or corrosion inhibitors are products which are especially developed to address the problem of rusting. All rust inhibitors work differently. Their ability to prevent the process of corrosion depends largely on the method and core ingredients present in them. Certain Rust Corrosion inhibitors contain large amounts of toxic and environmentally degrading compounds like lead, acids, and heavy metals, and are harmful to use. It is important to use rust inhibitors that are free of such compounds and are VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) compliant.

A good rust inhibitor will guarantee long term protection from corrosion. Another distinguishing feature of good rust inhibitors is that they do not require extensive surface preparation. Most rust inhibitors will require you to apply additional products for UV protection, however, with a good rust inhibitor the need for additional products for UV protection and etching primers over. A good rust inhibitor should be versatile i.e. it should be able to provide rust protection to different metals. Furthermore, it should be able to protect the material from harsh climatic conditions and chemicals.

Importance of Rust Inhibitors

Rusting or corrosion of metals occurs when moisture is present in the air and reacts with the metal surface to form metal oxides, commonly known as rust. Rusting or corrosion leads to the degradation of the metal. Metals especially iron and steel are used for building boilers, aircrafts, automobiles, ships and for a whole lot of other purposes, because of their high tensile strength. Corrosion of metals leads to the breakdown of the structural integrity of the machines and equipment, and this may cause hazards in the long run. Since, no other material has been invented or discovered that is stronger and resistant to corrosion when compared to the commonly used metals, the need for good quality rust inhibitors becomes crucial.

Traditional methods like coating metals with oil or grease, applying paint, electroplating and galvanizing help prevent corrosion but fail as long term solutions. Thus, conventional methods of preventing corrosion are not very reliable. Rust or corrosion inhibitors are compounds which greatly reduce the rate of corrosion. A good rust inhibitor should have characteristics like smooth finish, ability to provide protection from chemical attacks and should do away with the need for time consuming surface preparation.

Rust Free Metals

Rusting is truly a nuisance for metals. This electrochemical process converts a metal to its oxide whenever it comes in contact with oxygen in the presence of water or moisture. Parts of your car are prone to rusting even in the protective custody of a garage. But certainly you cannot let this lethal enemy of metals affect your precious vehicle. The chemical process that begins by creating ugly red brown powdery flakes on the surface of your car (or any of its metal parts) does create a lot of damage. If not checked on time, it reduces strong metals like iron and steel to weak and useless scraps. What you need therefore is a strong and effective rust inhibitor – a solution that can be practically used to eliminate all rust and prevent corrosion of the treated metal for a long time.

Powder coating and other industrial processes for rust removal are complex and very elaborate – these cannot be used by amateurs who seek an easy and handy solution for rust prevention. An easy to apply brush on or spray on rust inhibitor is the right choice in such a scenario. The inhibitor must form a protective barrier over the metal and keep it rust free and corrosion resistant while also giving a smooth and glossy finish. This is exactly what Rust Bullet does for metals.