Everyone knows that when interacting with a moist environment, any metal objects undergo corrosion processes, as a result of which an oxide film is formed on their surface, which is popularly called rust. It has a significant impact on the functionality of technology, 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, with high efficiency. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Corrosion classification
Cleaning metal from rust depends on what type of oxidation you encounter. Each of them has a different composition and physico-mechanical properties, which should be taken into account. In fact, rust is a mixture of various iron oxides forming a single layer. Its structure is as follows:
- FeO monoxide formed during storage of metal objects in high humidity conditions. The structure is very soft, and the thickness of the layer depends on the ambient air temperature.
- Magnetite is even softer because it has a more porous structure. It got its name because of pronounced magnetic properties.
- Hematite - also known as red iron ore. It is a solid abrasive substance with a characteristic shade. It has a very high density, and is also able to eat into steel and corrode it.
The main problem of cleaning metal from rust is that it is impossible to know exactly when the soft and plastic 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 object is stored.
The main methods of combating corrosion
As mentioned earlier, today there are many options for cleaning metal from rust. Among the most common, the following can be distinguished:
- mechanical - the oxide layer is removed using special equipment or steel brushes with high rigidity;
- thermal - rust is exposed to air or water flow in combination 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 varying effectiveness. It all depends on the degree of corrosion damage and its chemical properties described above. Let's take a closer look at them so 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 rough 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 an iron product will help to rectify the situation a little.
Thermal cleaning
It will not work to remove rust on one’s own, as this requires an industrial steam generator or building hair dryer. This technology is good in that it can be used to deal 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, for example, in a ventilation pipe.
The item is placed at a small distance from the equipment, heating is turned on and a special mixture is supplied under high pressure. Well-proven rust converter "Tsinkar". How to use it will be described in detail below. After thermal softening, the steel surface is simply cleaned with sanding paper.
Chemical cleaning
This method is optimal, because, firstly, it does not need any equipment, and secondly, the choice of cleaning products is simply huge. As a rule, oxide removal is carried out either by pure acids or by various solutions made on their basis. You can buy them at any specialized store at a very reasonable cost. Among the most effective methods, the following can be distinguished:
- Removing rust with hydrochloric acid. It perfectly softens all types 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. Table vinegar does a good job with metal oxide and, oddly enough, the Coca-Cola soda is well-known to everyone. The principle of operation is quite simple: place the object in the liquid for several days, and then treat it with a brush for metal. To increase the etching efficiency, the solution can be periodically heated.
- Sarma anti-rust preparation. This is another good tool that quickly corrodes the corrosion 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 sanding. The main advantage of Sarma is its safe composition. It can be used in kindergartens, hospitals and clinics, as well as health facilities.
- Another popular rust shredder is Gel 52. The instructions for the tool say that he has a very aggressive composition. The active ingredient is mineral acids and salts that effectively remove corrosion. In this case, the gel can be used with any metals and many other types of work surfaces, including tile and fabric. The area affected by rust is pre-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, due to which it really removes rust well. However, experts do not recommend using it, since it makes iron more fragile, which negatively affects the durability of the products.
Laser cleaning
This method is the most effective to date. It allows you to restore the original look to any product. However, laser cleaning of metal from rust requires specialized equipment, the production of which is currently engaged in only one company in the world. In our country, it has not yet been sold, but in Europe its price starts at 50,000 euros.
The device creates a high-power laser beam that generates shock thermal waves. Due to this, pollution and oxidative deposits seem to evaporate from the surface. In this case, the effect is carried out only on rust, and the metal itself remains unaffected. The equipment provides for the possibility of layer-by-layer cleaning, which allows not only to eliminate pollution, but also to remove paint from the surface to the metal or primer. Thus, this method is one of the most effective, however, it cannot be used at home due to the high cost of the laser for rust removal. Nevertheless, if you decide to purchase it, you can make good money by providing services for cleaning products made from any materials.
Etching
This is another way with which you can clean iron products from rust. In its effectiveness, it is not much inferior to laser cleaning of metal from rust, but it is environmentally harmful and hazardous to health. 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 poured into the bath.
- Two electrodes are taken, one of which is connected to it, and the other to a rusted object.
- The product is immersed in the solution for 5-10 minutes.
All work is carried out at a voltage of 12 V, so they are completely safe. The main thing is to ensure that the liquid does not get on the skin.
Folk methods
There are several rust removal methods that do not require any equipment or purchased toxic chemicals. Here are a 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 that needs to be cleaned, after which the item is washed under water. It helps in the case when the rust did not have time to penetrate deep into the iron.
- Potatoes. Stripping with it will take a lot of time, since the destruction of the plaque occurs gradually. The tubers are cut in half, sprinkled well with salt and applied for 20 minutes to the corrosive area. After that, the metal product must be thoroughly washed.
- Baking soda. The powder is diluted with water to a consistency resembling sour cream. The finished mixture is applied to rust for 30 minutes, after which it will be possible to proceed to brushing the metal.
The methods described above are time-tested and cope well with corrosion, which did not have time to penetrate deeply into the structure of steel. In very severe cases, they will not be very effective.
General tips and tricks
No matter what method you use to remove oxidative deposits, you can greatly simplify your task if you follow some rules. Here are the most important ones:
- When choosing chemicals, consider the type of metal to be cleaned.
- 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 a rust eliminator, thoroughly clean and degrease the surface. This will increase its effectiveness.
Also, in order not to spoil the metal product in the fight against corrosion by means of purchased means, it is necessary to strictly adhere to all safety measures and rules specified in the instructions.
Which method is better: 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 professionals advise using purchased solutions. They have an optimal chemical composition, penetrate deeply into the plaque structure without damaging the main material, and are also relatively inexpensive. It is worth resorting to mechanical cleaning methods in extreme cases, since they spoil the appearance of metal products.
Conclusion
Removing rust is a rather complicated process, requiring a lot of effort and time. If you want everything to work out qualitatively, you will have to work hard. The methods and recommendations discussed in this article will help you quickly cope with this difficult task. And if you do not succeed, then in this case it is better to turn to professionals for help.