rust question?

Question

There is a clothes line pole at my house and it is very rusty and i would like to know a few things before i replace it. What is rust? and how do you prevent corrosion?

Answer 1

Rust is iron oxide Fe2O3

4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) --> 2Fe2O3(s)

To prevent rust you can coat the iron with oil, or paint the iron with a coating that will resist the elements.

Answer 2

Rust forms when iron is in contact with oxygen and is usually accelerated by the presence of water. You can paint the pole to prevent the metal from contacting oxygen and water.

One of the previous posters mentioned using a different material for the pole as a way to stop rust. Aluminum would potentially be a good alternative.

Answer 3

Rust is the oxide that is formed by oxidation of iron.Oxides result when elements are oxidized by air.Rusting is the common term for corrosion of iron and its alloys, such as steel. Iron combines very readily with oxygen.The oxygen combines with the metal at an atomic level, forming a new compound called an oxide and weakening the bonds of the metal itself. If the base metal is iron or steel, the resulting rust is called iron oxide. For iron to become iron oxide, three things are required: iron, water and oxygen. When water comes in contact with an iron object, water molecules easily penetrate the microscopic pits and cracks in the exposed metal. The hydrogen atoms present in water combine with other elements to form acids(carbonic acid) which will eventually cause more metal to be exposed.
The commonest method of rust prevention is of course painting and next galvanization.

Answer 4

Rust is just the product of the reaction between iron and oxygen. The easiest way to prevent rust on something like this is to keep it painted. That keeps oxygen away from the metal, and it won't rust.

Answer 5

You can prevent corrosion by coating it with a moisture-cured urethane designed to prevent rust. There are many on the market. I use the RustSeal on my fence a year ago and it still looks great.
http://www.kbs-coatings.com/Rust-Sealer-C27.aspx

Answer 6

rust is hydrated ferric oxide
Fe2O3.xH2O
rust forms when iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of water vapour.
to prevent rusting u can do any of the following-
1)Galvanize(coat with Zinc)
2)Paint it.
3)apply some grease.
4)make the pole of some other material(not advised as it is uneconomical but it can still prevent rusting :P)

Answer 7

Rust is hydrated ferric oxide , (2Fe2O3,3H2O)

4Fe + 3O2 + 3H2O = 2Fe2O3,3H2O.

U should consider it coating by paint.

Answer 8

rust happens to metally stuff and it happens from rain and sunshine and from being outside too long.

check out my video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ujFwp1WhDc