Preventing rusting
There are several ways to prevent iron and steel rusting. Some work because they stop oxygen or water reaching the surface of the metal:
- oiling – for example, bicycle chains
- greasing – for example, nut and bolts
- painting – for example, car body panels
- coating with a thin layer of plastic
Iron and steel objects may also be covered with a layer of metal. Food cans are plated with a thin layer of tin.
Galvanising
Galvanising is a method of rust prevention. The iron or steel object is coated in a thin layer of zinc. This stops oxygen and water reaching the metal underneath – but the zinc also acts as a sacrificial metal. Zinc is more reactive than iron, so it oxidises rather than the iron object.
Sacrificial protection - Higher tier
A reactivity series lists metals in order of how reactive they are.
Magnesium and zinc are often used as A more reactive metal than iron which is attached to iron or steel and prevents rusting at it reacts first.. They are more reactive than iron and lose their electrons in preference to iron. This prevents iron from losing its electrons and becoming oxidised.
