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For science project, student needs to know what metals corrode fastest
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I am a student researching a science project and I need to find information on Metals in cars: which corrode fastest. If you could give any information it would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Francesca K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Double Bay, NSW, Australia
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Steel corrodes fairly quickly if it's not properly protected with a good coating of some sort, and a lot of steel is used in cars, Franceska.
But you really don't have a science project until you have learned enough about the general subject that you are able to understand the issues you are trying to ask about :-)
Search engines allow you to find answers, and cut and paste them, when you don't even understand the question That's one important reason why books are critical to projects like this. When you have succeeded in finding something useful to your project in a book, you are beginning to understand what your project is really about. Please ask a town or school librarian to help you find an age-appropriate book on corrosion. Good luck.
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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I am a student researching corrosion. I have only just started and I can't find out which metals corrode and which don't. I need 4 of each for my essay. if you can help me please dp thanx.
Kirsty S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Solford North West England
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I can help, Kirsty: think about this. What kinds of metals are miners or prospectors seeking when they look for nuggets or dusts? And what kind of metals are we trying to make when we take raw ores and fire them at high temperatures to try to drive off the oxygen and convert the ore to metal?
The reason that hint should help is this: if we can find a nugget of pure metal in nature, which hasn't corroded in millions of years, that metal obviously doesn't corrode, does it? And if we can't find that metal in nature, but instead must smelt the metal from ores (oxides, sulfides, or carbonates of that metal), then that metal obviously corrodes. Good luck.
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
January 7, 2010
I'm doing a science fair project and I would like to know which metals corroded the fastest in liquid.
I also I have another question which metals corroded the best together.
- Southampton, Massachusetts
January 7, 2010
Hi, Cassidy. Yes, your experimental results will tell you which metals corroded the fastest in liquid. But you will have to define what kind of liquid you are talking about: water, salt water, vinegar, bleach, olive oil, or what.
Regarding your 2nd question of which metals "corroded the best together", I think you will need to spend a bit more thought in carefully phrasing the question. Do you mean which are safe to use together with no fear of galvanic corrosion, or do you mean which will react most powerfully with each other, creating a battery. Good luck.
Regards,
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Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
January 9, 2010
In my project the liguids I'm using are water, orange juice, and coca cola and which metals (meaning any metal)will corrode best with another meatl (meaning any metal)
Cassidy B (returning) - Southampton, Massachusetts Look up "the galvanic series" (or "seawater series"), Cassidy. Metals which are close together on that list have similar potentials and will not accelerate corrosion too much. The metals which are furthest apart will create a powerful corrosion battery. The familiar pair, zinc and copper, i.e., galvanized nails and pennies, are pretty far apart and will generate 1.1 volts as the zinc corrodes. Regards,
January , 2010
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey