Cast Metal is used to create several tools you may use every day. As someone who has most probably used Cast Metal in some capacity before in their lives, have you ever wondered whether Cast Metal could rust? Well, if you have, you are at the right place to get your answers!
Yes, cast metal can rust when in conditions that allow for rust to be formed. All metal can rust when exposed to water molecules and oxygen, as it oxidizes on the surface and causes rust. Cast Iron is a combination of iron, carbon, and silicon, which also means it can rust when exposed to water and oxygen due to oxidation.
However, the fact that cast iron has a greater percentage of carbon present means that it is relatively corrosion resistant when compared to other forms of metal.
If you want to learn more about how this rust develops and how to avoid it, keep reading ahead.
How Do Cast Irons Specifically Develop Their Corrosion Resistance?
As mentioned before, cast irons and their relative corrosion resistance mostly have much to do with their chemical makeup.
The fact that cast iron has a greater percentage of carbon in its chemical makeup helps in giving it greater corrosion resistance.
How To Improve The Corrosion Resistance Of Cast Iron?
Not only are cast irons relatively resistant to rust, but their resistance can also be improved by a method called alloying. Alloying refers to mixing different types of metal. With the right kind of alloying, one can increase the already significant rust resistance of Cast Metal.
Another way of increasing the corrosion resistance of a cast iron object is by “seasoning” them. While alloying is the most chemically sound way of increasing a cast metal object’s corrosion resistance, seasoning them at home keeps them from oxidizing.
To learn more on this, watch
How To “Season” A Cast Iron Object?
Seasoning is mostly used for cast iron skillets, and it consists of applying oil to the skillet to make it more rust resistant. Seasoning usually involves washing and cleaning the skillet, applying the seasoning oil, heating the pan up in an oven, and repeating it twice or thrice.
Doing this at least 2-3 times a year would keep your cast iron skillets rust-free.
What Benefit Does Corrosion Resistance Bring To Cast Metals?
Since cast iron is low-cost and corrosion resistant, it has several uses in outside areas where humidity is high and water molecules are in abundance. They can be used in water, soils, and saline solutions too.
Their use includes but is not limited to Cast Iron skillets, jewelry, sculptures, transportation, household tools, and even weapons.
In A Nutshell
To conclude, cast metal objects technically can rust, but their structure is generally resistant to rusting.
It is difficult for them to rust, but the rust can easily be removed even if that happens. To prevent rusting in the first place, you can simply take more precautions.
