Here is my simple explanation of rust and why is occurs. Just fresh on my mind with my flail mower. Rust, Corrosion, is more properly called iron oxide. It is chemically the stable form of steel. Iron ore, the raw mineral we mine to make steel, is actually iron oxide. Rust! That's right, steel is made from rust. It spends the rest of its life trying to return to its natural state.
In order to have rusting take place, you need three things: Steel, Oxygen, and Heat. It's just like the three items needed for a fire: Fuel (the steel), Heat (any temperature above freezing), and Oxygen (to support the burning or rusting). In fact, rust can be thought of as a slow burn, like charcoal, where rust is the ash.
Various treatments are available that will slow, or seemingly eliminate the burning process. By converting the iron oxide to iron phosphate, we are converting the unstable oxide from to a stable inert metal. This is probably not a permanent solution but it does tell to cut the cycle off at the knees.
Hope this helps.
Andy
In order to have rusting take place, you need three things: Steel, Oxygen, and Heat. It's just like the three items needed for a fire: Fuel (the steel), Heat (any temperature above freezing), and Oxygen (to support the burning or rusting). In fact, rust can be thought of as a slow burn, like charcoal, where rust is the ash.
Various treatments are available that will slow, or seemingly eliminate the burning process. By converting the iron oxide to iron phosphate, we are converting the unstable oxide from to a stable inert metal. This is probably not a permanent solution but it does tell to cut the cycle off at the knees.
Hope this helps.
Andy