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What metals rust the fastest (steel, copper, bronze)
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Q. I am 8-years old and I'm doing a science project on,"Which metals rust the fastest (steel,copper,bronze)? I know that steel will rust faster than copper and bronze, but where can I find the comparison for all three. I've read the other questions and none of them compare steel, copper and bronze. Can you please help me with some resources and answers that could support my hypothesis? Again I know steel will rust faster because copper and bronze will tarnish.
Isaiah [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]student - Charlotte, North Carolina
+++A. You are very young to be considering such a question, Isaiah. Steel is a refined and very useful form of the element 'iron'. Copper is an element, too. Bronze is an alloy of copper and the element 'tin'.
Copper and bronze do not contain any iron, and only iron can rust (because rust is iron oxide); so the answer is that steel will rust the fastest and copper and bronze will never rust.
But, yes, they do tarnish, they do corrode. But bare copper roofs last decades outdoors, and bronze statues last decades outdoors, so it is very difficult to say which of the two corrodes faster, although neither rusts. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
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Q. I am trying to find the answer to the same question. I am 13-years old. And I need these answers for my science project. I want to know what happens when copper, bronze, and steel rusts? Do they brake or bend easily? Can you clean it up or have to replace it? Also in what kind of machinery are these metals used? Cars? destiny [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- riverside, California
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January 6, 2008
Q. I am doing a science fair project on which metals would rust the fastest.I just wanted to know which metal would only rust the fastest between iron,bronze,copper and steel. After that question is asked I would like to know what metal would tarnish the fastest between copper and steel.
Dario S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Detroit, Michigan
January 7, 2008A. Hi, Dario. To keep your project moving forward, please try to express your question in terms of what has already been said. I have already explained twice why bronze and copper cannot rust but iron and steel can. I'll be happy to explain again if you can tell me what it is that you don't quite understand.
As for whether copper or steel tarnishes fastest, get a piece of each, shine them up with fine sandpaper [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] to remove existing rust or tarnish and get to bright metal, start recording what you see, and have a good science project. Good luck!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
February 5, 2008
Q. Hi I'm Owen and I'm ten years old and I'm doing a science fair project on metals that rust the fastest in water. This site has been very helpful to me. Would you have any suggestions on how I could get hold of a some metals for my experiment? Is there anything I could use around my house? Also, do you know any good books that could help me? I was at the library and I couldn't find a thing about it? My mum is clueless.
Owen E [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Alexandria, Virginia
February 9, 2008A. Plain steel nails would be best, Owen. Masonry nails if you have any (these are flat nails that look like long and very thin triangles. Use sandpaper to remove plating or paint from whatever nails you have. If you have some painted sheet metal from an old toy or whatever, you can sand the paint off of that -- but first test it with a magnet to make sure it is steel.
Pennies are copper on their surface, and electrical wire and copper piping are pure copper. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
February 15, 2008
steel rust the faster
anferneee h [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Carlina, South Carolina
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February 18, 2008
Well, yes, Anfernee. In the same sense that fresh cod will turn into rotting fish faster than fresh cabbage or fresh carrots will turn into rotting fish. Vegetables can rot, but can't become rotting fish. Copper and bronze can corrode, but can't become rust.
September 4, 2008 I am also doing a science project,but mine is steel, copper, aluminum, and brass. I need help! I have looked on the internet on oxidation, but nothing comes up! Nathan A [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Bowling Green, Kentucky September 21, 2008 Q. Yes I am 14-years old and I am also doing a project over what types of metal rusts faster.. And I need help on finding a good Hypothesis! I am a hard working student but I just can't find or think of a good Hypothesis.. (it's for my science project) Christian E [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]Student - little elm, Texas
October 8, 2008 I'm 16 years old and I want to know if there is any other metal that can rust except iron. Its for a science project. Dewet C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]student - P.E., Eastern Province, South Africa
October 16, 2008 Hi, student - Perth, WA, Australia December 20, 2008 I'm doing the same thing for my project and I have feeling that steel will rust faster so for your hypothesis u should put I think steel will rust faster because ...... hope I helped .ps I'm eleven in the sixth grade. Jasmine M [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Lancaster, California January 3, 2009 I am 9 and I just completed this project for the science fair. Ted's answers were very specific and helped to explain the process and the reasoning for rusting. Thank you. For my project, I used 5 glass jars, salt and hot water. I tested 5 types of metal for a week. I put one metal in each jar of salt water and waited and recorded the results after a week. I was kind of surprised by what this experiment taught me and in the process of doing this , I learned a ton of information about metals and rusting. I even learned a thing or two about rust removal that my mom was happy to hear about. Try it for yourselves it was very interesting. Jonathan S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Ecorse, Michigan January 15, 2009 I have a science fair project and if I leave a nail in cold water and hot water will that effect the rate of rust? Ty J [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]Student - Warrensburg, Missouri
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Naked Eggs & Flying Potatoes:
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January 15, 2009
we are both fifth graders and are required to enter the science fair at our school. we are partners. any way we want to know which type of metal will rust the fastest and if it will rust within one month and a half due to our science fair is in March.we will be trying to make the rust go away with ten types of different chemicals
.such as bleach,rubbing alcohol,hydrogen peroxide,and nail polish remover.
we thank you for your support.
student academics - valley springs, California
January 18, 2009Hi, soap-free steel wool [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] rusts quickly because it is steel and it has a huge surface area.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
April 6, 2009
hi I'm kyana and I'm 12 and I want to know when rust occurs on metals does it effect its structure/shape and also I know rust effects the appearance of a metal but why when metals rust they turn into a brownish color?
kyana b [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- New York
April 8, 2009Hi, Kyana. Rust is iron oxide, a reaction product that is generated by iron combining with oxygen. Where does the iron come from? It comes from the piece that is rusting. So the piece that is rusting is losing some of itself. The area turns brownish because rust is brownish. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
June 3, 2009hey,
Madeleine Leung
I hate to tell you this but only steel and iron rust. everything else has to be called corrosion.
- Adelaide, SA, Australia
September 24, 2009I think the science project questions are a study on oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction involving Oxygen.
Jim Bus
Rust is the common name for ferric oxide, but is also (incorrectly) used to refer to other type of oxidation/corrosion. As Ted stated only ferrous metals (those which contain iron) can rust. But nearly everything oxidizes... striking a match causes rapid oxidation of the chemicals in the match head.
Experiments involving water and metals should also take into account that tap water is never pure water (H2O), distilled water (from the store) is closer. Other chemicals present in tap water can cause widely varying results in your experiments depending on where in the world you are and how the water is treated to kill bacteria and other micro-organisms.
Footnote: Pure water will not cause oxidation (by transfer of electrons-the chemical process) because PURE water will not conduct electricity. It takes very little contamination to change this.
Hope this helped.
"common knowledge" is what we assume the everyone else knows
- Washington C.H., Ohio
October 26, 2009
I'm a sixth grader searching for an answer! My teacher wanted me to look up distilled water and I am not really sure what contents of distilled water can make metal rust, where am I going to find it, and can it really make metal and copper rust! Also, I had to take out a material for a science fair project because I don't know what type of common items are made of bronze besides statues! Can you help me?
Ellesia Turner- Jersey City, New Jersey
October , 2009Hi, Ellesia. Distilled water is water that has been distilled. What that means is that regular water was put into a pot and boiled away, but the steam that it turned into was captured and cooled and condensed back to water in a fresh clean pot. Any dirt or salt or other contaminants that were in the regular water remained in the original pot, and the distilled water is now pure water.
The bronze age preceded the iron age, so there was a time when all sorts of things were made from bronze: pots and pans, plates, drinking vessels, helmets, shields, swords, tools, coins, and cell phones.
Today we have many choices for materials, and there are only a few things where bronze is a likely choice: statuary and knick-knacks, certain kinds of bearings, door hardware like knobs and knockers, cleats on ships, etc.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
April 14, 2010
Hi
my school has a science fair in seven weeks and me and my partner are wondering what the quickest way to rust aluminum, copper, steel, terne and zinc. The results have to be in 4 weeks from now. thank-you for your help.
Kind Regards,
Kyla and Jasmin
student - Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
April 15, 2010Now, girls: this is a discussion group, not a service that does your homework for you :-)
It's already been said more than a dozen times on this one page alone that only iron and steel can rust. Is it really appropriate to post the question that you did, rather than reword it a bit? :-)
I would suggest either immersing your metals in bowls of common household chemicals like vinegar, water, bleach, and coke or spritzing the metals with those liquids on a regular and controlled basis.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
April 24, 2010
is there any other metals that have iron in it other than steel? by the way I am 10 in 5th grade
Missa M.student - Maple Valley, Washington
April 26, 2010Hi, Missa. Cast iron, wrought iron, malleable iron, stainless steel, Invar, Kovar. . .
Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
May 15, 2010
Greetings. I've really enjoyed the banter so far on this subject of rust/corrosion. I co-designed a chromatic harmonica of a very high quality and price ($4000) which employed a stainless steel body produced by end milling, and later, by EDM (electro-discharge-machining). My partner (now deceased) and I ran into many unexpected problems regarding the stainless steel (SS), but also the other metals involved as well.
My partner Douglas, a classical musician and mechanical engineer, was a strong advocate of using SS for his own instruments, and first built them for himself and others in the later 1960's to early 70's based on current wood body designs. Once we partnered to build our own design, we were startled to learn SS is not as 'rustproof' as either of us expected! And oddly, it exhibited more proclivities to rust under EDM processing than the usual mechanical end milling process!
It seems that regular end milling removes SS in stages, yet basically leaves amalgamated SS surfaces intact. But EDM processing remove ANY surface particles in order to leave an exceptionally smooth surface. Both surface types have shown rust ability, but differently. The end milled bodies had tiny rust areas develop in corners where moisture could collect. The EDM body rusted areas were sort of spotted all over, as well as in corner surfaces.
We were alarmed, to speak, and through research with our EDM operator, found that the surfaces would benefit from a process called passivation, which reduces the corrosion possibility of the general surface. As best I understand it
(so far), this would mean removal of exposed particles of iron on the surface, thus inhibiting rust of the exposed surface in general.
Naturally, this process would have to take place after the EDM cutting of the form, but would obviously not completely inhibit SS rust forever.
It was quite a learning experience for us, I must say. For more information, see below:
http://www.gordonengland.co.uk/glossary.htm#P
Passivation
The process in metal corrosion by which metals become passive.
Passivator
A type of inhibitor which appreciably changes the potential of a metal to a more noble (positive) value.
Passive
The state of a metal surface characterized by low corrosion rates in a potential region that is strongly oxidising for the metal.
Thanks to Ted and contributors for a thoughtful discussion.
Bobbie
- Tallahassee, Florida
August 10, 2010Hi there, I am producing a keychain that will be used on boats and I need to make sure that the metals wont rust. The factory says the lobster claw attachment and split ring are made from Zinc Alloy. Does Zinc Alloy rust?
Zoe Friedman
- New York, NY, USA
August 10, 2010
Hi, Zoe. As we've said more than a dozen times now, only iron and steel can rust but that doesn't mean that the zinc alloy won't corrode. But I would be very surprised if the information you've given us -- that the split ring is zinc alloy -- is correct though.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
October 10, 2010
we are trying to find the answer of that question, the answer is: 1st steel, 2nd copper, 3rd bronze. that's all, but please help me cause its our project also,
thank you.
- philippines
November 1, 2010
Q. Hello,
I am 9 years old,in fourth grade, and I am doing a science fair project to find out which type of bolt corrodes the fastest; zinc plated, brass, normal, or stainless steel. I was planning on putting them in salt water to make them corrode faster. Do you think that would work or would it be better to place them in something else? I understand that these will not rust because they are not all iron, but what should I look for with corrosion?
Odessa, Florida
November 1, 2010
A. Hi, Daniel
It would be best to pick something real and repeatable to expose them to, like sea water. If you can't conveniently get real sea water, then look up the concentration of salt in average sea water and make a solution with that much salt in it.
A "normal" bolt would probably be plain steel, and you should call it "steel" rather than "normal". Stainless steel bolts are made of steel with other metals like nickel and chromium added to them to make them more corrosion resistant, so you should probably expect it to be so.
When zinc plating corrodes, the corrosion product is white. When the zinc is all gone, there is a steel bolt underneath, so it will rust. When brass corrodes it can be dark brown to black or it can be green. I would probably expect green when exposed to salt water.
The steel bolt will corrode noticeably in under a week, but I don't know if your experiment will last long enough for you to see significant corrosion on the other bolts. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
November 2, 2010
i am doing a project on which metal rust the fastest. I am using a key ,a can tab ,and a a piece of a can. do you have any advice for me?
- laural maryland
November 2, 2010
Hi, Keanu. Somehow you have to determine what metals these three objects are made out of. The key may be brass (is it yellowish and not attracted to a magnet?). The can tab is probably aluminum. The piece of a can could be aluminum or tin-plated steel.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
November 1, 2010
Hello,
I am 9 years old,in fourth grade, and I am doing a science fair project to find out which type of bolt corrodes the fastest; zinc plated, brass, normal, or stainless steel. I was planning on putting them in salt water to make them corrode faster. Do you think that would work or would it be better to place them in something else? I understand that these will not rust because they are not all iron, but what should I look for with corrosion?
student - Odessa, Florida, USA
November 22, 2010
I am 12 and I'm doing a science fair project and I don't know if copper, steel, or aluminum in water or salt water. My big brother did this last year but I don't know what the answer is and he is not allowed to help me. I thought copper rusts faster but I read the other questions and I'm confused. I also need names of books I can use for research.
Please anwser back,
student - Jacksonville, Florida USA
November 23, 2010
Hi, Faith. An important part of your project is clear thinking, and very clearly formulating what you are trying to do. Unfortunately you made a typo in phrasing your question, so we don't know if your thinking is clear or not.
Please ask your librarian what books to use for research. S/he went to school to learn how to help people with things like this; we didn't. She knows what books the library has; we don't. She understands your reading level; we don't. She has surely seen the same question asked by other Jacksonville school system students; we haven't. Not trying to blow you off, but a very important part of your assignment is to practice how to do research, and asking strangers on the internet what books to read is bad practice; asking your librarian is very good practice. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
December 6, 2010
my son is doing a science project and it's about rust...he is doing it with water, coke and orange juice...one is a quarter a screw and a paper clip....does it matter about how much of the liquid we put and what kind of container they are in? I thought a glass jar, empty can of corn, and a plastic one will those be ok.....my son is in 6th grade and he is 12
Noah huerta-fullerstudent - Alpine, Texas
December 6, 2010
Hi, Noah
I wouldn't use an empty can of corn since it may be metal and, if so, would corrupt your experiments by involving another metal. How much extra liquid is used probably doesn't matter, but the object must be completely immersed for consistent results. To do it really right, I would suggest having 6 of each object, and 18 small disposable plastic cups or glass dessert bowls, etc. Put water in 6 cups, coke in 6 cups, OJ in 6 cups. Put one quarter in each of two cups of water, one quarter in each of two cups of coke, etc.Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
July 21, 2011
Science project: if I put an iron nail in a cup containing water, what will happen to it after 5 days.
Ipshita P. [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]student - Quwahati, Assam, India
July 22, 2011
Yes, Ipshita, that does sound like a good science project. But don't just check after five days -- try to observe and record the results every 12 hours for the five days. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
September 12, 2011
WHAT IF YOUR ANSWERS ARE WRONG HUH?
DOMINIQUE PSTUDENT - MIAMI, Florida
September 13, 2011
Hi, Dominique.
If the answers are wrong, you will be relieved of your obligation to say thank you. Otherwise, you're not :-)
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
September 12, 2011
Hi I'm Nishat and for my 8th grade science fair project, I'm wanting to see what type of metal can last the longest in salt water, vinegar, lemon juice, or tap water (control) before corroding; steel, iron, copper, or bronze. I'm wondering where to get small samples of those metals for my experiment so if anyone could list off a few locations, it would help me tons. Thanks in advance! :)
Nishat J [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]Student - Tucson, Arizona, USA
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September 13, 2011 Hi, Nishat. Carolina Biological Supply has a "metal strips set" that includes aluminum, brass, copper, steel, and zinc. Science Kit has something called "Metal Electrode Set" that includes Aluminum, Copper, Iron, Lead, Zinc, and Brass -- but they will only sell it to registered educational institutions. You can ask your teacher to get it for you, I suppose, unless you're home-schooled. Amazon has a set of samples of aluminum, brass, copper, iron, lead, and zinc => Regards,
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November 1, 2011
so to clarify, the iron substance must be completely submerged to consistently rust? Would measuring the mass of the substance every week be a good way to measure the amount of rust? (i have a month for the project)? If we were to use different types of coke (coke zero, diet, cherry) what in these would affect the amount of rust? Thank You for your help!!
Jim H- Tuscon, Arizona, USA
December 28, 2011
Q. Ok, so I know that this has been repeated many, many, many, times- but hey, I'm only 12 in seventh grade and I have to write a whole paper for my science fair that's due Jan 4. So, I'm just asking on advice or feedback because I learned that gold, silver, and I think copper can't rust. So I changed my science fair question which is " Which metal TARNISHES faster out of gold, silver, and copper. Do you have any advice that can help me, or a correction to my question?
Nyla G- New York, New York, USA
December 29, 2011
Hi, Nyla. The question is fine, except that you usually need/want to conduct an experiment, and you may find it hard to locate gold and silver to play around with. I'll give you a couple of pieces of food for thought that you can research and see where it takes you.
Most metals are found in nature as ores rather than as metal. The ores or rocks are actually oxidized/tarnished/ corroded reaction products of the metal and oxygen. To make iron and other metals usually requires melting the ore at very high temperature while removing the oxygen so it can turn back to metal.
You have probably heard that you must never burn charcoal indoors because you can die from carbon monoxide poisoning. That is, when charcoal burns, it tends to steal all the oxygen from the air. So making metals often involves coal or charcoal, not just for the heat, but also as a scavenger that removes oxygen so the ore can turn back to metal.
Metal plus oxygen equals metal oxides (corrosion, tarnish, rust, ore). Corrosion/tarnish/rust/ore minus oxygen equals metal. You might find it interesting that metals very slowly "burn". They slowly react with oxygen in the air, releasing a small amount of heat over a very long time, and leave tarnish/corrosion products behind. Because they release heat, the corroded form is more stable than the metal. You have to add energy (heat) to get from ore to metal.
Gold is one of very few metals that we find in nature as a metal. The reason we do find it in nature is that pure gold does not tarnish or corrode, because it does not "burn" in this way. Rather, gold does not release energy when it corrodes. Most jewelry is not pure gold, but an alloy of gold mixed with other metals like copper and silver, and then it can tarnish.
Good luck.
Regards,
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |