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Where can you find the rusting metals I need?

Help! We are 8th graders doing a science fair project on different types of metals. We are trying to find out which metal would rust the quickest in salt water. Over time, we have collected the required metal wires; copper and aluminum. We would like to know where we could find steel, silver, zinc wires. We've already checked all the major hardware stores. Please offer any information you can!

Gregory, Paul, George
student that need information about where to find rusting metals - Los Angeles, California, United States
2004

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Good luck!

Samuel J.
- Glendale, Milwaukee, U.S.
2004

Hey 8th graders, I had to do a similar project too. Those metals do rust quickly, but make sure that you don't keep them in the water. It's best to spray them with water, or take them in and out of water over certain periods. If you go to hardware stores, you can find different kinds of metal rods. If you do, wash off the oil on the rods and sand out the top layer to rust the metals faster. I went to Home Depot (if you have them in your town), or any hardware stone will work.

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Find a highly acidic cleaning solution AND ADD perhydrol to it see your metals will rust in a day, do not touch to the mixture and do not let these metals stay in in too much or else nothing will be left:)

Emir Karasakal
- Istanbul
2005

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2005

Technically, that's probably a good answer, Emir. Thank you for it. However, it is much too dangerous for eighth grade children.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey