Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: paul.fr on 24/01/2008 13:44:31

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: paul.fr on 24/01/2008 13:44:31

See this post -  HERE (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6730.msg153453#msg153453)

Basically two nails are submerged in seperate glasses of water for 24 hours, the difference being one glass has a layer of oil. Why does adding the oil slow down the corrosion?

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: ukmicky on 24/01/2008 21:25:41

Dont know.:)

Maybe the oil reduces the oxygen content in the water or a thought so way out its in outer space maybe the oil causes a minor change of some sort to the polarity of something inhibiting the rusting reaction .

Or maybe i should have  gone with my oringinal i dont know anwser

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: ukmicky on 24/01/2008 21:30:55

Talking about rust, sorry paul hijack time. :)

If i place a rusty part in salty water and connect a positive lead from a battery charger to the part and place the negative lead in the water attached to nothing and turn on the power will it de-rust my rusty part.

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: opus on 24/01/2008 22:44:03

Doesn't oil simply form a barrier to air (oxygen) and water, the two recquirements of rusting (corrosion) ?

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: Karen W. on 24/01/2008 23:59:40

 
I believe the metal nail would attract the oil, thus becoming coated, then the

Oil repels water and coats the nail, preventing the nails immediate corrosion..

at least that is my guess!

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: JnA on 25/01/2008 07:19:53

Are we putting in the nail after the oil has been added? In that case the nail would almost certainly get a coat of oil. Otherwise I'd agree with opus.

Title: why does oil slow down corrosion?
Post by: paul.fr on 25/01/2008 08:10:51

Quote from: JnA on 25/01/2008 07:19:53

Are we putting in the nail after the oil has been added?

nail, water then then oil.