Rust Prevention

• Conditions for rusting:Presence of Oxygen and Water (Sodium Chloride catalysis rust reaction)
• Rusting:

  Iron +  Water + Oxygen  →  Hydrated Iron (III) Oxide
• Preventing oxidation

  • Coating iron with barriers that prevent contact with air or H2O
  • Plastic, paint and grease
  • Electroplating with tin or chromium
  • Galvanizing: dipping in molten zinc
• Sacrificial protection: attaching a block of more reactive metal, normally zinc or magnesium, to the iron body which corrodes in its place.