What Causes Rust?

Rust is a chemical reaction to  the surfaces of iron and steel becoming damp.  When iron and steel get wet, the surface reacts with oxygen in the air and the water (usually rainfall).  An acid is then formed by dirt and dust mixing with the chemical reaction caused by dampness and this acid eats away at the steel and iron, thus creating rust.

The best way to get rid of rust is to try and stop it from forming in the first place.  To prevent rust iron or steel should be painted as soon as it looks a little tired and faded.  This should be done by removing any grease from the surface with white spirit, then applying a metal primer and finally a gloss paint or one designed for steel or iron.

If rust has formed then sand it down using sandpaper or a wire brush and then paint using the techniques indicated above.  But prior to painting make sure all rust is removed.

When iron is exposed to water and air (oxygen), this causes changes in the chemical component of the iron oxide to di iron. This could be prevented by electroplating, galvanizing, painting, greasing,.

Rust is a chemical reaction to  the surfaces of iron and steel becoming damp.  When iron and steel get wet, the surface reacts with oxygen in the air and the water (usually rainfall).  An acid is then formed by dirt and dust mixing with the chemical reaction caused by dampness and this acid eats away at the steel and iron, thus creating rust.

Iron + Water + Oxygen (from the air) = Rust (Iron oxide)

Hope this helps people.

When iron combines with oxygen, it forms iron oxide, or rust.

The combining with oxygen in a process called oxidation causes rust

Called oxidation/oxygen comes in long term contact with the metal and at an atomic level form rust!
Matty J

There's heaps of things that cause rust but the most common type I can think of is when your car rusts from salt on the road. That's why there are a lot of newer cars in Canada, because they salt the road to prevent ice and snow getting on the roads and your car slipping.

A chemical combination of iron and oxygen

It is caused by the process called oxidation.

Well when moisture and oxygen create a compound,it breaks the bond on the metal and forms rust.

Water and oxygen cause the bonds in the metal to weaken and brake thus creating rust

When Iron oxidizes in the air due to its natural reaction with water and oxygen, rust forms.

Rust is actually iron oxide.

Oxygen h20 on metals causes rust

I think that rain and water causes rust and scraps off paint

When metals are formed to make into things, they are compressed.  Water, especially salt water begins to break down the chemical structure and oxygenizes it, causing it to release energy, its strengh and corrode.  Did you know that if you immerse a rusting car into a vat of water, it acts like a battery from the energy it releases

Acid rain...

It is by sals and water

Rust is actually the molecule iron oxide. It forms when 2 oxygen molecules combine with 1 iron molecule to form iron oxide (FeO₂), which is also known as rust.

Stuff gets on it....

Water and oxygen.