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| source: bostonbiker.org |
Metals are one of the most strong and durable materials we
can find in the planet. However, they are subject to corrosion. Corrosion is a
chemical reaction where Oxygen reacts with the metallic elements like iron.
Corrosion is also called oxidation.
When the metal’s atom’s, like iron, comes into contact with
oxygen, they combine. Iron has a positive charge and oxygen has a negative
charge. The two would attract each other. That is also the reason why you need
to keep metals off from water because water has dissolved oxygen which can
corrode the metal.
To keep your metal objects from being corroded, you need to
keep it from having contact with oxygen molecules. First and easiest thing you
can do is you can apply some amount of oil. Light machine oil or lubricating
oil would be great. You can use cooking oil if you have no other source. Spread
the oil evenly and thinly on the surface of the metallic object. It’s cheap
however it easily gets removed so you always need to reapply. The other thing
you can do is paint it. Coating it with paint will protect the metal from
oxygen.
If you want neither of these methods you can prevent rust by
choosing a material that does not corrode. Or materials that have been
pre-coated with zinc. Metals like titanium does not corrode, however they are
more expensive.