2006-09-01 17:55:45 · 21 answers · asked by redeyes_kranti 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
No metal is safe from rust & corrosion unless you seal it permanently from moisture and oxygen. I'm familiar with RustSeal by KBS Coatings. I feel that If it's worth collecting, it's worth protecting. Try some.
2006-09-02 10:37:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rust as we know it is a common term for ferric oxide, which is corrosion/oxidization of iron alloys. So technically, aluminum does not "rust".
However, aluminum does oxidize very rapidly when exposed to air. So aluminum always has a thin coating of aluminum "rust" (perhaps alumrust would be the term?). The good news is that aluminum oxides are very thin and remain well bonded to the surface forming a protective coating that helps protect from further, deeper corrosion. Ferric oxide on the other hand flakes easily from the surface and forms cracks that actually assist the corrision process.
Caution though that under the right conditions, heavy corrosion of aluminum can occur resulting is similar flaking of the oxides and loss of the protective oxide layer. I've seen dusty piles of aluminum oxides when aluminum was used in a highly corrosive environment.
Also, consider that there are steels that are highly resistant to corrosion. Think surgical stainless steel.
All metals can and will form oxides.
2006-09-01 18:53:40 · answer #2 · answered by Mack Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aluminium is different from steel or iron, aluminium oxide formed on the surface of aluminium metal forms a protective, corrosion resistant coating, a process known as passivation.
2006-09-01 18:02:18 · answer #3 · answered by Jamil Ahmad G 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aluminum combines with oxygen to produce Aluminum oxide, the coating on the outside of aluminum. If rust is defined as the oxide of a metal (rust is iron oxide), then yes, Aluminum gets rusted.
2006-09-01 18:00:31 · answer #4 · answered by Lee J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Almost immediately, because it's a very active metal. The good thing is that the rust - aluminum oxide - is very adherent and doesn't expose new aluminum to rusting, so your doors and windows and other aluminum items will last a long time.
2006-09-01 17:59:19 · answer #5 · answered by end_or_phin 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
aluminum will corrode, but usually it is an alloy that is real bad for that. Most aluminum products that you use are an alloy with zinc in it and with 11% of the thickness will be pure aluminum for corrosion protection. If you are using it in a place that will get scratched up, you will have more corrosion problems than if you are using it for something where it won't be touched as much. I have seem people buff it to a high gloss and clear coat it and it looks pretty good. Jeweler's Rouge will buff it pretty nicely too.
2006-09-01 18:04:34 · answer #6 · answered by Ivan the Terrible 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
just about but not all metals will oxidize. Because with aluminum this process is slow it does not constitute "rust"but residue can be wiped off aluminum objects that have been left out in the weather.
2006-09-01 18:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by geezinslaw fan. 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It depends. Most alloys will only oxidize as mentioned in other answers, but there are many alloys that contain several percent iron. It's naturally going to take a long time to completely break down, but it does happen.
2006-09-01 19:15:46 · answer #8 · answered by scalegps 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Aluminum forms thin film of aluminum oxide which is very resistant to atmospheric oxidation unlike iron which forms iron oxides which are not so resistant.
2006-09-01 18:07:41 · answer #9 · answered by mfi 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It won't. The reason why iron is rusted is that iron is very reactive towards moist(atmospheric) oxygen and forms iron oxide, which we call "rust". Aluminum isn't so reactive as iron towards and there's no possibility that it gets rusted.
2006-09-01 17:58:50 · answer #10 · answered by Logesh 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋