What Causes Steel To Rust?

What Causes Steel To Rust?

Steel is created by combining carbon and iron at extremely high temperatures (above 2600°F).Pig iron is a melted down iron from ore that consists of greater carbon required for steel production. Pig iron is used in primary steelmaking.

Rust formation mechanism:

1. Moisture is absorbed into the surface of iron when it is exposed to water or rain.

2. Oxygen from the air is subsumed into the moisture.

3. Moist removes the required electrons from the iron and generates OH– anions.

4. Iron (Fe) is converted to Fe3+ cations once the required electrons are released.

5. OH- and Fe3+ combine to form Fe(OH3). Once moisture runs out (H2O), rust (Fe2O3) formation takes place.

Moisture and oxygen will permeate the base metal if the formed protective coating is too weak, allowing corrosion to begin. However, if a tight protective coating is produced, corrosion can be prevented. This is why BRD possesses remarkable corrosion resistance due to its firm protective coating.