Ferrous metal is prone to oxidation, which in turn, creates what we know as rust. In order to prevent that orange-brown discoloration we communally detest so much, you must take certain precautions when choosing, storing, and fabricating your metal commodities.
Continue reading to learn the top industry tips for rust prevention.
☑ Know the Cause of Rust Formation
Rust is simply a form of iron oxide. You see, it takes two very specific elements to produce rust: moisture and oxygen. Upon such exposure, the properties in metal will begin to interact with the properties in water and oxygen, which in turn, causes the iron in metal to corrode. In cases of salt water, the corrosion rate is even faster. In order to prevent rust formation, you have two primary choices:
☑ Maintain a Proper Environment for Metal
Keep your metal away from any type of water or moisture. This means you should not store your valued metal commodities in areas that get wet, or that experience condensation or humidity. If you must store your metal commodity in an environment that is prone to these conditions, you may need to consider the next option.
☑ Use Anti-Corrosive Metals
Another way to prevent rust formation on your valued metal commodities is to simply stick with metals that are non-ferrous (no iron content), or metals that retain anti-corrosive properties. Metals that are galvanized, powder-coated, or resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel or weathering steel, are better-suited for wet or moist environments. Common types of nonferrous metals include copper, aluminum, lead, nickel, zinc, and brass.
✨ Stay tuned this month for our next blog about the most common types of corrosion-resistant techniques for metal!
How to Profit From Your Scrap Metal
Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap metal for cash in Central and Southern Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and more. Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.