Rusting and corrosion are chemical processes that result in the disintegration of a material. In fact, rusting is a type of corrosion that is specific to iron metal and its alloy materials. Both processes are regarded as unwanted and much effort is taken to avoid both rusting and corrosion. Since the materials involved in the process are different, it may result in some different properties of rusting and corrosion. In this article, we discuss 15 differences between rusting and corrosion.
Differences between rusting and corrosion
| RUSTING | CORROSION |
| It is the deterioration of iron metal-based materials | It is a Process of deterioration of any material |
| It is a chemical process involving the formation of red and orange coating on the surface of iron or its alloys. | It involves chemical or electrochemical reactions, which deteriorate the materials. |
| It occurs only on the surface of iron metal and alloys of iron. | It occurs on different surfaces like skin, polymers, ceramics, metal, etc |
| It occurs when the metal is exposed to the moist air | It occurs when the substance is exposed to the air or any chemical. |
| Rusting leads to the formation of iron oxide and iron hydroxides. | When corrosion takes place there is a formation of respective salt or oxides. |
| It is a slow process | It depends on the type of material |
| Rusting is a type of corrosion | Corrosion includes rusting. |
| Rust is of red, orange color and the end product is flaky in nature | Corrosion has different colors like blue, green, etc depending on the material. |
| We can avoid rusting by avoiding contact with moisture and applying a coating of protective material. | Examples of corrosion: Tarnishing of silver, corrosion of copper, discoloration of Taj Mahal, etc. |
| Examples of rusting: rusting in the water cooler, iron pipes, boilers, iron frames, etc. | Examples of corrosion: Tarnishing of silver, corrosion of copper, discoloration of Taj mahal, etc. |
Difference between rusting and corrosion by images
Copper undergoes corrosion and changes color from brown to greenish-blue. The corrosion of copper can be easily understood by looking at the color transition of the statue of liberty. The statue was initially brown in color but has changed to the bluish-green color that we now see.
The rusting of iron is mainly is due to the exposure of iron to moist air. Air and water is the culprit for rusting. We can stop rusting by applying a layer of coating like paints. The Eiffel tower is painted regularly and much care is taken because it is made of pure iron metal. In the above image, you can see that the iron structure is placed just next to the river which is an ideal condition for rusting.
What are the similarities between rusting and corrosion?
- Both are oxidation reactions.
- Both corrosion and rusting are prevented by the method of putting a coating on the surface of the material.
- Both processes are in general unwanted chemical reactions.
See also
Benzyl alcohol
5 Difference between allotropes and isomers
12 Difference between methanol and ethanol
Benzene
