Does zinc rust?
- Thread starter Rob Top
- Start date
That is a good question. I have never considered it and use zinc screws quite a bit at work. Mostly I see them for strenght. I do know that they will rust when exposed to certain chemicals. Also, I have heard of zinc oxide as well as everthing else oxide. I would say that if is cut to lenght and you can return it. I would not hesitate to use it. It has to be better than the lamp chain I am using for my MH light. Keep an eye on it for the first six months, if there is no visible rust, forget about it. If you are that worried. I would recommend some light gauge galvanized chain. It will surely last you a lifetime.
Nope, it carodes. It will start to look dull and dingy, then give a "grey powder" look, then turn white. Your chain is more than likely a zinc alloy, or steel chain bonded with pure zinc ( galvenized)
If you want worry free chain in a wet enviorment go with Stainless steel.
Its prety expensive in comparison but its worth it.
You could also go with Stainless steel wire rope,and buy some stainless clips.
JUST REMEMBER THAT STAINLESS STEEL IS MORE BRITTLE AND WILL NOT HOLD THE SAME WORK LOAD AS SAME DIAMETER CHAIN IN AN ALLOY OR CARBON. Same for wire rope. Stainless wire rope will not hold the same work load as the same diameter steel rope.
If you want worry free chain in a wet enviorment go with Stainless steel.
Its prety expensive in comparison but its worth it.
You could also go with Stainless steel wire rope,and buy some stainless clips.
JUST REMEMBER THAT STAINLESS STEEL IS MORE BRITTLE AND WILL NOT HOLD THE SAME WORK LOAD AS SAME DIAMETER CHAIN IN AN ALLOY OR CARBON.
Same for wire rope. Stainless wire rope will not hold the same work load as the same diameter steel rope.Fragmaster is right. It will get white and chalky over time--especially with SW in the mix. I second the vote for SS wire rope. I have a very slim, 175 DIY pendant I hung with 1/16" SS wire rope, It works great, its very flexible, and strong enough for what I needed. I didnt like the fact I had to use Steel wire rope clamps though.. Another problem I found was wire rope tends to be very twisted.. when I first hung my pendant it would spin and twist every direction until it stretched out(after a week) and hung straight.
When submerged in saltwater zinc corrodes and disintegrates, rather quickly. Boats in saltwater use sacrificial zinc blocks near their props, trim tabs, rudders, etc. so that the saltwater will react and corrode the zinc rather than the other metal parts. I think this has something to do with electrical conductivity in the water, but not completely clear on it. I am not sure how zinc acts in the air in a saltwater environment, but I would guess it will not last long term.
It all depends what other metals you have in the system. For instance, zinc will oxidize (rust) in the presence of gold or silver, but it will reduce (cause another metal to rust) in the presence of something like sodium metal (sodium in saltwater is already an ion and will not be oxidized by electrochemistry). In the presence of iron (think steel) zinc will be oxidized.
That doesn't really answer the question, but we just had a huge test on electrochemistry and I felt obliged to answer .
That doesn't really answer the question, but we just had a huge test on electrochemistry and I felt obliged to answer
.What is the difference between rust and corrosion? The only distinctions I know are between oxidation and reduction (the pure chemistry way of looking at it). Is it the distinction between forming an oxide and forming some other non-metal? Or is it something else entirely?
A whole lot of technical terms! LOL!!
But seriously, "Rusting" is the corrosion of iron.
Metallic corrosion are caused by electrochemical reactions, wherein two metallic phases (e.g., iron oxide and iron) react in the presence of electrolytic solution. Another mechanism of metallic corrosion is caused by chemical reaction, which explains how the protective layer of the metal is formed.
There is a distinct difference in the two in the way each reacts to the same elements.
Generaly speaking its all classefied as corrosion, But there is a distinct difference in the two. One eats iron( rust), the other eats non iron alloys (corrosion IE nickle plated copper)
But seriously, "Rusting" is the corrosion of iron.
Metallic corrosion are caused by electrochemical reactions, wherein two metallic phases (e.g., iron oxide and iron) react in the presence of electrolytic solution. Another mechanism of metallic corrosion is caused by chemical reaction, which explains how the protective layer of the metal is formed.
There is a distinct difference in the two in the way each reacts to the same elements.
Generaly speaking its all classefied as corrosion, But there is a distinct difference in the two. One eats iron( rust), the other eats non iron alloys (corrosion IE nickle plated copper)
rust, corrosion, and oxidation are different terms, and they are related to the same phenomenon. As mentioned, rust is usually related to oxidation of iron and other ferrous metal. Oxidation is looking at it in the point of view of chemisdtry, and is of the most general of all three. Corrosion is a physical-chemical type of deal. You can have other physical process that is visible such as piting, staining, bio-fouling, among others.
Sometimes the oxidated metal can be useful. If I understand FragMaster correctly, he mentioned the formation of protective., oxidated layer. For example, titanium and aluminum is very reactive metal, and without this oxidated layer, it can figuratively "burn" in air.
Sometimes the oxidated metal can be useful. If I understand FragMaster correctly, he mentioned the formation of protective., oxidated layer. For example, titanium and aluminum is very reactive metal, and without this oxidated layer, it can figuratively "burn" in air.
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