It’s very lightweight, but it doesn’t lack durability. Your email address will not be published. Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info: Whether or not aluminum will rust However, fears of rusting metal seem to steer many people away from using it for DIY projects. Make sure to find a metal primer specifically designed for aluminum surfaces as well, since most basic primers and paints are not designed for this application. The initial signs are often hard to see since it usually just appears as a white-light grey color. You already know that aluminum can last outside for decades, but what you want to know is does aluminum rust, right? When the alloy is exposed to water, a film of aluminum oxide forms quickly on the surface. I have some Berger Aluminum coil trim… it gets dirty and sometimes I wipe it with diluted vinegar or patio furniture cleaner. So you now know that aluminum doesn’t rust, but corrosion is just as much of a problem. Aluminum oxide corrosion also looks a lot more like aluminum (dull gray to powdery white in color), so it isn't as easy to notice as rusted iron. It just rusts in a different way than steel and iron rust. Don’t plan for a paint job on any aluminum surface to last long if you haven’t sanded and cleaned it thoroughly prior to painting. It’s a valid question and one that a lot of folks think they have the answer to, but you may be surprised by what I have to tell you about aluminum and its ability to stand up to corrosion. You can then scuff up the paint a little and do recoats as needed to keep it looking good. In that case be sure to use a solvent based paint. Note: According to this site, some people intentionally corrode aluminum by using sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and sawdust. Fortunately for the airline industry, when aluminum metal is placed in the atmosphere, a thin layer, known as aluminum oxide, forms on the metal's surface and acts like a protective, rust-resistant shield. Humidity, temperature, and pH can impact the presence of corrosion on aluminum. As oxidation occurs, it hardens and creates a protective layer over the newly exposed areas of corroded aluminum. One has to remove all of these stains along with the aluminum oxide layer to truly clean aluminum prior to coating with paint, or other. That being said, the corrosion that happens with old aluminum can have similar effects. Yes, pure aluminum will form an oxide layer when exposed to oxygen. You can use special coatings and other materials to prevent corrosion, though. Aluminum 5052, for example, is sometimes called The Hulk of aluminum alloys due to its durability and excellent corrosion resistance. Required fields are marked *. Aluminum is seen as a rockstar of corrosion resistance and is one of the few metals, along with stainless steel, that can hold up to exterior and coastal exposures over long periods of time. Rust is a type of corrosion referring specifically to the oxidation of iron or steel caused by interaction with water or moisture. The resulting aluminum oxide is a thin, hard layer that actually protects the metal from further corrosion. There’s a handful of situations in which aluminum can rust, though. You can use anti-corrosion spray or paint to prevent corrosion. Not only does it permanently remove the oxide layer on the surface (making it susceptible to further corrosion), but it also makes the material powdery, flakey, and weak. Dedicated 60’ Tube & Structural-Shape Lasering, AMF Stainless Fabrication and Welding Is Best In State…, Custom Stainless Steel Fabrication Fits Us Like Hand In Glove. Corroding aluminum looks similar to rust or calcification. Aluminum can last several decades with proper maintenance. You also get water condensing on aluminum that leads to water staining, Any other particles floating about in the air can also condense on this aluminum. Steel, for example, is susceptible to rust because it contains iron. Aluminum is rust-resistant, meaning it doesn’t degrade due to oxidation caused by iron and oxygen. Paints serves as a protective coating to pretty much everything, including water and moisture. Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance. Rust only occurs in iron and other metals that contain iron. Unlike rust, which has a flaky, reddish appearance, aluminum oxidation cannot be easily chipped off the metal surface. These particles are just about anything from fats & oils in the kitchen that spread throughout the house to almost anything floating about like smoke. The terms rust and corrosion are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Aluminum doesn’t contain iron or steel so it doesn’t rust – but it is prone to corrosion when exposed to weathering and atmospheric oxygen. Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info: As you’ve read above, aluminum typically doesn’t rust. © Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) All Metals Fabrication All rights reserved. That being said, the corrosion that happens with old aluminum can have similar effects. Metal Fabrication, Despite my Wife’s Opinion, is like a Symphony! What do you recommend? I’m a general contractor working in historic restoration, a #1 Amazon best selling author, and I’m here to show you how you can do-it-yourself! However, aluminum corrosion is aluminum oxide, a very hard material that actually protects the aluminum from further corrosion. Hi! Aluminum corrosion does occor though, here are the reasons why corrosion occurs and some tips on how to prevent or correct corrosion if it does occur in your next metal fabrication project. These stains are from the screws and other iron based materials that are allowed to come in contact with the aluminum. Aluminum is actually very prone to corrosion. Rust usually only forms on steel and iron, but aluminum won’t. When exposed to oxygen, it forms aluminum oxide, just like steel forms iron oxide, but the difference lies in the chemical makeup of these two oxides. Iron oxide (rust) is a soft red colored metal that begins to expand and flake off as it is chemically transformed which exposes more of the … Say within a half mile from the coastline.

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