Difference Wiki

Rust vs. Corrosion

The main difference between Rust and Corrosion is that in Rusting, the red-orange coating is formed on the surface, whereas in Corrosion, oxidation can occur on metals and nonmetals.

Key Differences

Rust can be only in red or orange-brown, while corrosion can be of any color.
Samantha Walker
Apr 20, 2020
Rust is mainly caused by moisture; conversely, corrosion is mainly caused by the chemical.
Rust belongs to the metal only, whereas corrosion belongs to metals, polymers, and ceramics.
Rust is only caused on iron or metal, although corrosion is caused by non-metal as well as on metal surfaces.
Rust is accelerated by chemicals as compared to corrosion; the chemical is the main reason for corrosion.
Harlon Moss
Apr 20, 2020
Rust occurs due to a change in the environment. However, Corrosion occurs due to the chemical reaction.
Aimie Carlson
Apr 20, 2020
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Rust is influenced by some chemicals like iron; on the other hand, corrosion is the result of many chemical influences.
Rust is a type of corrosion; on the flip side, corrosion is a type of oxidation.
Harlon Moss
Apr 20, 2020
Rust is a speedy process compared to corrosion, which is a slow process.
Ruts are just an iron-based alloy; on the other sid,e corrosion is the destruction.

Comparison Chart

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In rust red or orange coating forms on the surface of the iron
In corrosion substance due to chemical, electrochemical or other reactions are become corrode

Occurrence

On iron and steel only
On skin, wood, metals, etc.
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Reason

Exposure to air and moisture
Exposure to air or spread of chemicals on the surface

Observed As

The color coating on the surface
Destruction on surface
Janet White
Apr 20, 2020

Type Of

Corrosion
Oxidation
Janet White
Apr 20, 2020

Rust and Corrosion Definitions

Rust

Any of various powdery or scaly reddish-brown or reddish-yellow hydrated ferric oxides and hydroxides formed on iron and iron-containing materials by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water.

Corrosion

The act or process of corroding.

Rust

Any of various metallic coatings, especially oxides, formed by corrosion.
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Corrosion

The condition produced by corroding.

Rust

A stain or coating resembling iron rust.

Corrosion

A substance, such as rust, formed by corroding.

Rust

Deterioration, as of ability, resulting from inactivity or neglect.

Corrosion

The act of corroding or the condition so produced.

Rust

Rust fungus.

Corrosion

A substance (such as rust) so formed.

Rust

A plant disease caused by a rust fungus, characterized by reddish or brownish spots on leaves, stems, and other parts.

Corrosion

(chemistry) Erosion by chemical action, especially oxidation.

Rust

A strong brown.

Corrosion

(by extension) The gradual destruction or undermining of something.

Rust

To become corroded.

Corrosion

The action or effect of corrosive agents, or the process of corrosive change; as, the rusting of iron is a variety of corrosion.
Corrosion is a particular species of dissolution of bodies, either by an acid or a saline menstruum.

Rust

To deteriorate or degenerate through inactivity or neglect
My golf game has rusted from all those years of not playing.

Corrosion

A state of deterioration in metals caused by oxidation or chemical action

Rust

To become the color of rust.

Corrosion

Erosion by chemical action

Rust

(Botany) To develop a disease caused by a rust fungus.

Rust

To corrode or subject (a metal) to rust formation.

Rust

To impair or spoil, as by misuse or inactivity.

Rust

To color (something) a strong brown.

Rust

The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of moisture and oxidation.
The rust on my bicycle chain made cycling to work very dangerous.

Rust

A similar substance based on another metal (usually with qualification, such as "copper rust").
Aerugo. Green or blue-green copper rust; verdigris. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1973)

Rust

A reddish-brown color.

Rust

A disease of plants caused by a reddish-brown fungus.

Rust

(philately) Damage caused to stamps and album pages by a fungal infection.

Rust

(intransitive) To oxidize, especially of iron or steel.
The patio furniture had rusted in the wind-driven spray.

Rust

(transitive) To cause to oxidize.
The wind-driven spray had thoroughly rusted the patio furniture.

Rust

(intransitive) To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust.

Rust

To (cause to) degenerate in idleness; to make or become dull or impaired by inaction.

Rust

(intransitive) Of a black cat or its fur, to turn rust-coloured following long periods of exposure to sunlight.
It's very common for black cats to rust during the summer.

Rust

The reddish yellow coating formed on iron when exposed to moist air, consisting of ferric oxide or hydroxide; hence, by extension, any metallic film of corrosion.

Rust

A minute mold or fungus forming reddish or rusty spots on the leaves and stems of cereal and other grasses (Trichobasis Rubigo-vera), now usually believed to be a form or condition of the corn mildew (Puccinia graminis). As rust, it has solitary reddish spores; as corn mildew, the spores are double and blackish.

Rust

That which resembles rust in appearance or effects.
Sacred truths cleared from all rust and dross of human mixtures.

Rust

To contract rust; to be or become oxidized.
If gold ruste, what shall iron do?
Our armors now may rust.

Rust

To be affected with the parasitic fungus called rust; also, to acquire a rusty appearance, as plants.

Rust

To degenerate in idleness; to become dull or impaired by inaction.
Must I rust in Egypt? never moreAppear in arms, and be the chief of Greece?

Rust

To cause to contract rust; to corrode with rust; to affect with rust of any kind.
Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.

Rust

To impair by time and inactivity.

Rust

A red or brown oxide coating on iron or steel caused by the action of oxygen and moisture

Rust

A reddish-brown discoloration of leaves and stems caused by a rust fungus

Rust

The formation of reddish-brown ferric oxides on iron by low-temperature oxidation in the presence of water

Rust

Any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants

Rust

Become destroyed by water, air, or an etching chemical such as an acid;
The metal corroded
The pipes rusted

Rust

Cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid;
The acid corroded the metal
The steady dripping of water rusted the metal stopper in the sink

Rust

Become coated with oxide

Rust

Of the color of rust

Rust vs. Corrosion

Rust is a kind of corrosion. Corrosion is a kind of oxidation. Rust occurs only on metals, especially iron and steel. Both metals and non-metals show corrosion. Rust is the main reason for moisture. The main reason for corrosion is air or the spread of chemicals on the surface. Rusting shows red or orange-colored coating on the surface. Corrosion shows skin burn and destruction of wood surface, etc.

The process of rust is initiated when iron comes in contact with the water and oxygen present in the environment. Corrosion is initiated when the metal or nonmetal came in contact with the chemicals or moisture. Rust is the result of iron oxide. However, corrosion is the result of salts or metal oxide. Rust is category corrosion. Corrosion is also known as deterioration. The process of rust leads to the rusting of an alloy. The process of corrosion leads to degradation. Rust doesn’t protect the metal, and it is flaky. Corrosion is a natural process that makes the metal more stable.

Rust on iron is also known as oxides on iron. Corrosion is losing of refined metal. For rust, there are some conditions to fulfill, like the presence of moisture or the presence of oxygen. In the case of corrosion, there are no necessary conditions. When metal starts’ rusting, then it is very difficult to control because rust spread fast on the whole metal. Corrosion is prevented by the coating of paints, plating, etc.

What is Rust?

Rust is a type of coating which is reddish or orange in color and caused on the iron surface due to the moisture in the air. Rust is only a type of corrosion that happens due to the different chemical reactions that occur between the surfaces of metals like iron and steel. By chemical splitting, rust doesn’t appear. But it is possible that by the help of chemical rust start to accelerate between the iron and oxygen molecules by increasing the electrical activity. The process of rust on iron metal is also said to be “metallic oxidation.”

On the surface of the metal, atoms are get oxidized in the presence of water and by oxygen from the air. For instance, during the process of rust on iron ferric (Fe2+) in iron oxidized into ferrous (Fe3+). The rate of rust depends on different factors. Metals like iron and steel both show rust on their surfaces, but stainless steel doesn’t show the rust because of the presence of 10-20% chromium. Chromium acts as a component with oxygen and water, and it acts as a thin film. That’s why this thin film of chromium prevents rusting.

Processes to Prevent Rust

  • Galvanization: It is a process of zinc coating on iron, which prevents the iron metal from being rust by act as a sacrificial anode.
  • Paints: Coat of paint on the metal is also avoiding the metal for initiation of rust.
  • Electroplating: On the surface of the steel, a thin layer of metal like nickel and chromium is coated to avoid rust.

What is Corrosion?

In the process of corrosion, the deterioration of different substances occurs by taking the place of chemical reactions and other electrochemical reactions on the surface. Corrosion occurs on metal as well as non-metal surfaces. Corrosion affects the surface of the material and also the structure of the material. Rusting is one of the best examples of corrosion.

Corrosion can also occur on the top of the table and skin; these are nonmetal surfaces that become corrosive when some chemicals split on these surfaces and deteriorate them. These strong chemicals are hydrochloride acid (HCl), hydrogen sulphuric acid (H2SO4), and some alkali bases like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), etc. Such chemicals that impact a corrosive effect called “corrosive chemicals.” Such chemicals can also cause permanent damages to the surface of the material.

Types of Corrosion

  • Crevice Corrosion: Whenever there is a difference in ionic concentration between any local areas of the metal, a localized form of corrosion known as crevice corrosion can occur.
  • Stress Corrosion Cracking: Stress corrosion cracking refers to the cracking of metal as a result of the corrosive environment and the tensile stress placed on the metal.
  • Intergranular Corrosion: Intergranular corrosion occurs due to the presence of impurities in the grain boundaries that separate the grain formed during the solidification of the metal alloy.
  • Galvanic Corrosion: When there is an electric contact between two metals that are electrochemically dissimilar and are in an electrolytic environment, galvanic corrosion can arise. It refers to the degradation of one of these metals at joint or at a junction.

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