Everyone knows that when interacting with a humid environment, any metal objects undergo corrosion processes, as a result of which an oxide film forms on their surface, which is popularly called rust. It has a significant impact on the functionality of machinery, equipment and tools, and also reduces their service life. Therefore, everyone should know how to solve this problem. To date, there are various options for cleaning metal from rust, which have high efficiency. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Corrosion classification
Cleaning metal from rust largely depends on what type of oxidation you are facing. Each of them has a different composition and physical and mechanical properties that should be taken into account. In fact, rust is a mixture of various iron oxides that form a single layer. Its structure is as follows:
- FeO monoxide formed during storage of metalobjects in high humidity conditions. The structure is very soft, and the thickness of the layer depends on the ambient temperature.
- Magnetite is even softer because it has a more porous structure. It got its name because of its pronounced magnetic properties.
- Hematite - also known as red ironstone. It is a hard abrasive substance with a characteristic shade. It has a very high density, and is also capable of eating into and corroding steel.
The main problem of removing rust from metal is that it is impossible to know exactly when the soft and ductile oxide will harden. Therefore, when choosing the most optimal method, it is necessary to take into account not only the type of surface, but also the microclimate in the room in which the item is stored.
Basic Corrosion Control Methods
As mentioned earlier, today there are many options for cleaning metal from rust. Among the most common are the following:
- mechanical - the oxide layer is removed using special equipment or steel brushes with high rigidity;
- thermal - rust is affected by air or water flow combined with high temperature;
- laser - is one of the most effective, but it requires specialized equipment that produces microscopic bursts of plasma;
- chemical - areas damaged by corrosion are treated with special rust solvents, after which they are mechanically cleaned.
Each method has certain features and different efficiency. It all depends on the degree of corrosion damage and its chemical properties described above. Let's take a closer look at them so that you can choose the best option.
Mechanical cleaning
Most often people use it because no chemicals and specialized devices are needed. All work can be done with a steel brush or coarse sanding paper. The method is very effective and allows you to cope with corrosion of any complexity. However, there is one drawback. Traces of the tool remain on the surface, which negatively affects its appearance. Polishing the iron product will help to correct the situation a little.
Heat cleaning
It will not work to remove rust on your own at home, because this requires an industrial steam generator or a building hair dryer. This technology is good because it can be used to cope with corrosion damage of any complexity, regardless of the degree of oxide penetration into iron. In addition, rust removal work can be carried out even in hard-to-reach places, such as in a ventilation pipe.
The object is placed at a small distance from the equipment, the heating is turned on and a special mixture is supplied under high pressure. The rust converter "Tsinkar" has proven itself well. How to use will be detailed below. After thermal softening, the steel surface is simplysanding paper.
Chemical cleaning
This method is optimal, because, firstly, it does not require any equipment, and secondly, the choice of cleaning products is simply huge. As a rule, oxide removal is carried out either with acids in their pure form, or with various solutions made on their basis. You can buy them in any specialized store at a very reasonable cost. Among the most effective ways are the following:
- Removing rust with hydrochloric acid. It perfectly softens any kind of corrosion. But to achieve the best result, you need to take a solution with a concentration of hydrogen chloride of at least 15%.
- Cleaning with improvised means. With metal oxide, table vinegar does a good job and, no matter how strange it may sound, the well-known Coca-Cola soda. The principle of operation is quite simple: you place an object in a liquid for several days, after which you brush it with a metal brush. To increase the efficiency of etching, the solution can be heated periodically.
- Sarma anti-rust preparation. This is another good tool that quickly eats away the corrosive coating without damaging the base material. It quickly penetrates the structure of oxidized plaque and softens it. After cleaning, the product acquires its original shine even without polishing. The main advantage of "Sarma" is a safe composition. It can be used in kindergartens, hospitals and clinics, andwellness facilities.
- Another popular rust remover is "Gel B 52". The instructions for the tool say that it has a very aggressive composition. The active component is mineral acids and s alts, which effectively remove corrosion. At the same time, the gel can be used with any metals and many other types of work surfaces, including tiles and fabrics. The area affected by rust is preliminarily cleaned and degreased, after which a solution is applied to it for 15-20 minutes.
It is worth noting that many people use phosphoric acid to combat corrosion. The chemical properties of this compound are quite high, making it really good at removing rust. However, experts do not recommend using it, as it makes iron more brittle, which negatively affects the durability of products.
Laser cleaning
This method is by far the most effective. It allows you to restore the original appearance of any product. However, laser cleaning of metal from rust requires specialized equipment, which is currently produced by only one company in the world. In our country, it is not yet sold, and in Europe its price starts from 50,000 euros.
The device creates a high power laser beam that generates shock heat waves. Thanks to this, pollution and oxidative deposits seem to evaporate from the surface. In this case, the impact is carried out only on rust, and thethe metal remains unaffected. The equipment provides for the possibility of layer-by-layer cleaning, which allows not only to eliminate contamination, but also to remove paint from the surface to metal or primer. Thus, this method is one of the most effective, but it cannot be used at home due to the high cost of a laser for rust removal. Nevertheless, if you decide to buy it, you can make good money on the provision of cleaning services for products made from any materials.
Etching
This is another way to remove rust from iron products. In terms of its effectiveness, it is not much inferior to laser cleaning of metal from rust, however, it is environmentally harmful and hazardous to he alth. In the process of work, care must be taken that the working solution does not get on the skin, as it will simply corrode it. The cleaning algorithm is as follows:
- Liquid is being poured into the tub.
- Two electrodes are taken, one of which is connected to it, and the other to a rusty object.
- The product is immersed in the solution for 5-10 minutes.
All work is done at 12V, so it is completely safe. The main thing is to ensure that the liquid does not get on the skin.
Folk methods
There are several ways to remove rust that don't require any equipment or store-bought toxic chemicals. Herea few of them:
- Vinegar and lemon. Both products are mixed in a 1 to 1 ratio and applied for 2 hours to the metal area to be cleaned, after which the item is washed under water. It helps well in the case when the rust did not have time to penetrate deeply into the iron.
- Potatoes. Cleaning with it will take quite a lot of time, since the destruction of plaque occurs gradually. The tubers are cut in half, well sprinkled with s alt and applied for 20 minutes to the corrosive area. After that, the metal product must be thoroughly rinsed.
- Baking soda. The powder is diluted with water to a consistency resembling sour cream. The finished mixture is applied to the rust for 30 minutes, after which it will be possible to start cleaning with a metal brush.
The methods described above are time-tested and cope well with corrosion that has not had time to penetrate deeply into the steel structure. In very severe cases, they will not be very effective.
General tips and tricks
No matter what method you use to remove oxidative plaque, you can make things a lot easier if you follow a few rules. Here are the most important ones:
- When choosing chemicals, consider the type of metal to be cleaned.
- When using acid, do not forget to rinse the product under water. Otherwise, it will continue to operate, resulting in damage to the base material.
- Before applying the rust remover, clean and degrease the surface thoroughly. This iswill increase its efficiency.
Also, in order not to spoil the metal product when fighting corrosion with commercially available products, you must strictly adhere to all the precautions and rules specified in the instructions.
Which method is best: what do consumers say?
As you have already seen, today there are many ways to remove rust. But which one is better to choose? Most people and experts advise using purchased solutions. They have an optimal chemical composition, penetrate deeply into the plaque structure without damaging the base material, and are also relatively inexpensive. Mechanical cleaning methods should only be used as a last resort, as they ruin the appearance of metal products.
Conclusion
Removing rust is a rather complicated process that requires a lot of effort and time. If you want everything to be of high quality, you will have to work hard. The methods discussed in this article and the recommendations given will help you quickly cope with this difficult task. And if nothing works out for you, then in this case it is better to seek help from professionals.
