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3. METALS
3.4 Rusting
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Today’s Objectives
• 8Gb Corrosion
• Describe the corrosion of metals by reactions with
oxygen.
• Identify and explain the products formed by the oxidation
of metals.
• State the meaning of: rusting.
• Recall ways in which iron can be prevented from rusting.
• Model simple oxidation reactions using word equations.
• Explain how barrier methods protect iron from rust.
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What is “Rust”?
• When a metal reacts chemically with substances in its
environment it is said to corrode (as opposed to
physical actions such as scraping or chipping)
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What is “Rust”?
• Many items in daily life corrode easily in air. Can you
name some?
• Rusting is the corrosion of iron and steel
– only iron rusts
• Rusting costs Hong Kong millions of dollars a year and
significant research is carried out to reduce rusting.
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Causes & Consequences
• The chemistry of rusting not only demonstrates the
reactivity of iron, but also shows how the properties and
usefulness of a substance are affected by its chemical
nature.
• The physical properties of rusty iron are vastly different
from iron itself that things with rust often lose their
usefulness
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Causes & Consequences
Why is damage caused by rusting iron so serious?
• Rust takes up more volume and causes expansion
• Reduces structural integrity of buildings, bridges, pipes,
machines, etc.
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Causes & Consequences
The Kinzua Bridge in Pennsylvania was blown down by a
tornado is 2003 due to its central bolts having rusted away
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Causes & Consequences
However, not all metals are negatively affected by
corrosion
Some metals, such as aluminium, corrode in air to form a
thin oxide layer on its surface which does not affect the
strength of the metal and protects it from further corrosion
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Experiment – causes of rusting
Slow Fast
No rusting
rusting rusting
Vaseline
Anhydrous
calcium
chloride
Cotton
wool
Dilute sodium
Dry air Boiled water Water chloride
solution
Moisture Air, water and
Air excluded Air and water
excluded salt
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Causes & Consequences
From your experiment, what do you think reacts with
iron to form rust?
• Oxygen & water
***What is the chemical composition of rust?
• Rust consists of hydrated iron(III) oxides
(Fe2O3●nH2O)
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Methods of rust
prevention
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Rust prevention
• The aim is to prevent contact of iron with
air and/or water.
• Usual methods:
• Painting
• Make stainless steel
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Methods of Rust Prevention
• Physical barrier: prevent iron from coming in contact
with oxygen and/or water
• E.g. paint, oil, grease, tin coating
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3.4 review sheet