Oxidation of iron/Rusting

• Iron combines with oxygen to form rust
• The oxidation process of iron is known as rusting
• Rust is a reddish-brown crust that forms on iron
• It is iron oxide
• \text{iron+oxygen}\rightarrow\text{iron oxide}
• Most iron objects such as nails, paper clips, wires and iron coins rust when they are exposed to the atmosphere for an extended period of time
• Rust is formed in the presence of moisture and air
• Rust causes items to look unsightly
• It also causes their eventual disintergration
• It is thus important to prevent and reduce the effects of rusting

Preventing and reducing the effects of rusting

• Painting
• Using alloys
• Galvanising
• Electroplating
• Oiling/Bluing
• Using inhibitors
• Controlling humidity
• Using cathode protection

To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.