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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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The reaction between stainless steel and bleach
2004
Hi,
I am a student and I did an experiment about the reaction between stainless steel nail and bleach, and I found that stainless steel nail rusted after putting it in bleach about 2 weeks. I would like to ask why stainless steel reacted with bleach.
Thank you!
Rachel L.student - Hong Kong
If you used a nail, it probably was of the 400 series SS. This is basically iron and a small amount of chrome alloy. Bleach is a solution of sodium hypochlorite, which is a moderately strong oxidizer. Rust is iron oxide. Iron + oxygen + moisture = rust. There will also be a trace of chloride ions in the solution which is well known to promote rusting.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2004
Iron isn't the only thing that rusts like that. Alluminum is also apparent to have rust on it if vinegar ⇦[in bulk on eBay or Amazon affil links] and bleach are mixed together and the Fishing hook put in it and it will rust.
Jack Stevens- pompano beach, Florida
October 8, 2009
Hi, Jack. Welcome . . .
but your reply is incorrect. Only ferrous materials (iron, steel, stainless steel) can rust because rust is defined as iron oxide. So no iron = no rust.
A rotting fish can stink like a rotting vegetable, but it is not a rotting vegetable. Other materials can corrode like iron corrodes, but the corrosion product is not rust.
Two more things: first, I strongly doubt that fishing hooks are aluminum; I'd bet they are all hardened steel. Second, don't mix anything with bleach! Read the label! Adding vinegar to bleach releases poisonous chlorine gas.
Regards,
![Ted Mooney, finishing.com](../portraits/ted_mooney_beach.jpg)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 9, 2009
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