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Causes of corrosion

What causes corrosion? I'm doing a science fair project and I need to know what causes corrosion!

Leslie [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Ohio
2002

Corrosion is caused by a chemical reaction between a metal (iron, aluminum, zinc, etc.) and oxygen in the air. Rust is a metal oxide. Metal oxides are a more stable and natural state than the original metal. Water and salt do not need to be present, but they make this reaction happen much quicker.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan
2003

What else causes corrosion?

Kyrsten H. [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Westbrook, Connecticut, United States
2004

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One way of looking at it is that anything that reacts with a metal causes corrosion. Therefore acids and sulfides are two more things that cause corrosion.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2004

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