Why rust forms

At Armor Protective Packaging, we recognize that identifying the type of rust is the first step in identifying a solution to prevent it. 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. Here's what happens when the three get together:.

When a drop of water hits an iron object, two things begin to happen almost immediately. First, the water, a good electrolyte, combines with carbon dioxide in the air to form a weak carbonic acid, an even better electrolyte.

As the acid is formed and the iron dissolved, some of the water will begin to break down into its component pieces -- hydrogen and oxygen. The free oxygen and dissolved iron bond into iron oxide, in the process freeing electrons.

The electrons liberated from the anode portion of the iron flow to the cathode, which may be a piece of a metal less electrically reactive than iron, or another point on the piece of iron itself. The chemical compounds found in liquids like acid rain , seawater and the salt-loaded spray from snow-belt roads make them better electrolytes than pure water, allowing their presence to speed the process of rusting on iron and other forms of corrosion on other metals.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Home Curiosity Rust. Why does rust form and how can we combat it? I declare that I have read the information on personal data protection and I agree to the processing of my personal data. Dear User, With reference to the personal data hereinafter referred to as "data" provided by you in this Web page, in accordance with article 24 of the Italian law "D.