Types of Rust

They are different in how they appear and different in the circumstances that led to their creation.  It is recognized that identifying the kind of rust is the initial step in identifying a solution for its prevention.  It’s a little comparable to an iceberg. It’s not what appears above the surface of the water that is most detrimental, but rather it’s what is unseen that can do the most damage. The same applies to rust and corrosion, typically it’s the things that are unseen or that are less noticeable that results in the utmost damage.

Visually, rust occurs in a color spectrum that could range from yellows to reds to blacks.  Circumstances that result in rust creation additionally run the spectrum; however, a lot can be related to one of three general aspects:

• Procedure Related

Whether it is the cleaning procedure, the metal fabricating procedure for instance cold working, heat treating, machining or the handling procedure, this factor of creating a metal piece is a leading contributor to corrosion. A lot of what is noticed in respect of corrosion issues occurs inside the production plant prior to it even being packaged. With so many parameters inside of a manufacturing environment, maintaining tight control of your procedures is critical to rust prevention.

• Packaging Related

The kind of materials used for packaging metal parts is vital. Acidic materials like corrugated and untreated paper can actually entrap or withhold moisture causing corrosion.  Occasionally in a company’s desire to repair a corrosion issue they add more packaging, which can have a reverse outcome by contributing furthermore to the rust issue.

• Environmental

Whereas the weather could obviously be the clearest environmental aspect, other things like pollutants in the air present equal areas of consideration.

Establishing the type of rust you are enduring can provide valuable knowledge as to what may be its primary cause.

Red Rust

Rust from Iron oxide occurs because of high oxygen and exposure to water causing red rust.

Red rust is the outcome of severe air exposure and moisture, including many times with contamination (salt).

This kind of rust is most likely atmospherically since usually there are no indications of rust runs or striations on the metal pieces/equipment in which the rust has formed.

From red rust, there is unvarying corrosion, most frequently from a very corrosive setting.

Yellow Rust

Rust from Iron oxide that is a very soluble iron oxide leads to yellow rust.

Yellow rust is recognized in recessed areas of the metal pieces/equipment in which the rust “flows and trickles” (running rust).

Yellow rust forms by means of excessive moisture. It is occasionally found in settings in which standing/ puddled water has probably been present.

Brown Rust

Rust from Iron oxide with high oxygen content and lower moisture leads to brown rust.

Brown rust is a drier rust than those aforementioned.

It is probably atmospheric – having formed by means of water and oxygen in the atmosphere and characterized as a red-like-brown crust on the surface of the metal.

Brown rust is occasionally a limited rust appearing as non-uniformly specks or only in particular areas instead of over the entire surface. It can lead to contamination on the metal’s surface typically originating from the process of manufacturing.

Black Rust

Rust from Iron oxide with restricted oxygen and lower moisture leads to black rust.

Black rust can be plainly recognized as a slight, black sheet which is the result of oxidation in a low oxygen setting.

Black rust has an appearance of roughly a black stain. In all likelihood the areas showing the black rust had something that covered them, in which stopped oxygen from reaching the surface.

This kind of rust is a more steady rust layer that does not distribute as quickly as other rust forms.

Multiple Types

Multiple types of corrosion can be present at the same time

Brown rust has a reduced moisture content and is most likely the result of atmospheric surroundings.

Surrounding in which black rust might develop include damp paper pressed snuggly against a metal surface.

Yellow rust has a high moisture content and can regularly be attributed to an environment in which water is probably present.