Sofia Martinez
Iron is a highly useful metal due to its strength, lightweight nature, and malleability. However, it is susceptible to rusting, a process where iron reacts with oxygen and water to form iron oxide, commonly known as rust. Rust is a type of corrosion that eats away at the metal, causing structural damage and aesthetic issues. On the other hand, plastic is a non-reactive material that does not rust because it does not react with water and oxygen, which are necessary for rust formation. This paragraph introduces the topic by discussing the susceptibility of iron to rusting and contrasting it with the non-reactive nature of plastic, which prevents it from rusting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic | Non-reactive metal |
| Iron | Reactive metal |
| Conditions for rust | Water and oxygen |
| Plastic composition | Organic polymers, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorous, or silicon |
| Iron composition | Iron and its alloys |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is non-reactive
Plastic is a polymer that is derived from the Greek word "plastikos", which means "capable of being shaped or molded". It is made up of long chains of carbon atoms, with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen sometimes included. Plastic is considered non-reactive, unlike iron, which is highly reactive and prone to rusting when exposed to water and oxygen. Rusting is a form of corrosion that occurs when iron reacts with oxygen and water in the environment, leading to the formation of oxides on the iron's surface.
Plastic, on the other hand, is generally non-reactive to water and oxygen, which is why it does not rust. However, it is important to note that plastic is not completely non-reactive to all substances. While it may be non-reactive to acids commonly found in foods, such as lemon juice, tomatoes, vinegar, and stone fruits, certain lab chemicals can dissolve or degrade specific types of plastics. For example, ABS plastics are dissolved by acetone, while PLA plastics break down over time with exposure to water and sunlight. Some plastics, like Nylon, are also incompatible with acids.
Inert materials, such as glass, nitrogen, and noble gases, are often considered non-reactive. However, even these substances can exhibit reactivity under specific conditions or when exposed to certain chemicals. For instance, glass can be etched away by corrosive chemicals like hydrofluoric acid and piranha acid, and its surface properties can be altered by acids and bases without visible signs of degradation.
Plastic's non-reactivity to specific substances, particularly water and oxygen, is a key factor in its widespread use as a container material. Its inert nature makes it suitable for storing various products without the risk of chemical reactions or corrosion. This property also contributes to its longevity, as it does not rust or degrade quickly when exposed to environmental factors.
While plastic's non-reactivity has practical advantages, it is also a significant environmental concern. Plastic's resistance to degradation leads to its persistence in the environment, causing pollution and ecological damage. The very property that makes plastic useful in certain applications, its non-reactivity, is also a challenge when it comes to disposal and recycling.
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Rust requires a reaction with water and oxygen
Rusting is an oxidation reaction that occurs when iron is exposed to both water and oxygen. This process cannot take place without the presence of these two elements. When iron comes into contact with water and oxygen, it reacts with the oxygen to form iron oxide, which is commonly known as rust. This reaction releases electrons, which can then flow to other parts of the metal.
The oxygen combines with the metal, forming new compounds collectively called rust, in a process known as rusting. Rust is the common name for iron oxide, specifically iron oxide hydrate, as pure iron oxide is not rust. The reddish coating that forms flakes on iron and steel (Fe2O3) is the most familiar form of rust, but it can also appear in other colours, including yellow, brown, orange, and green. These different colours reflect the various chemical compositions of rust.
The presence of water is essential for rusting to occur. Water molecules can penetrate the microscopic pits and cracks in any exposed metal. The hydrogen atoms in water molecules can combine with other elements to form acids, which will eventually expose more metal. The rate of corrosion is influenced by water and accelerated by electrolytes, such as the road salt that affects automobiles. Rusting occurs more rapidly in saltwater than in pure water due to the presence of chloride ions.
To prevent rusting, the iron surface must be isolated from air and water. Coatings can be applied to iron to achieve this separation. Controlling the moisture in the atmosphere is another method of rust prevention. For example, silica gel packets are used to control humidity in equipment shipped by sea.
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Iron reacts with oxygen in the air
Unlike plastic, iron is a highly reactive metal. Iron reacts with oxygen in the air to form iron oxides, commonly known as rust. This process is called corrosion.
When iron comes into contact with oxygen, the oxygen molecules collide with the iron atoms on the surface, creating a chemical reaction that forms iron oxide. This reaction occurs slowly at room temperature, but the process speeds up significantly when iron is heated or burnt. The resulting iron oxide is a reddish-brown, crumbly solid.
Iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) forms when iron powder is heated with oxygen or burnt in air. Iron (II) oxide (FeO) can be formed through the breakdown of ferric oxalate in an inert atmosphere, resulting in a black powder.
Rust forms a porous layer on the surface of iron objects, allowing air and water to penetrate and reach the underlying iron, facilitating further corrosion. This is why rusted iron objects can continue to rust over time, even if they are not exposed to new sources of moisture or oxygen.
To prevent rust, iron surfaces can be painted to create a barrier between the iron and oxygen. However, if the paint is scratched or peeled, the iron can still be exposed to oxygen and moisture, leading to the formation of rust.
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Iron forms oxides and corrodes
Iron is a highly reactive metal that readily reacts with oxygen and water to form iron oxides, commonly known as rust. Rust is a general name for a complex of oxides and hydroxides of iron that occur when iron or iron-containing alloys are exposed to oxygen and moisture for extended periods. This oxidation reaction is unique to iron and is called rusting. The presence of water, ions such as Ca2+, and electrolytes accelerates rust formation.
The oxidation of iron begins with the transfer of electrons from iron to oxygen, resulting in the formation of destructive iron oxide compounds. These compounds are brittle and crumbly and occupy a larger volume than the original metal. As a result, they flake off, exposing fresh iron surfaces to continued corrosion until all the iron or oxygen is consumed or the environmental factors facilitating corrosion are removed. The expansion caused by the formation of oxides can also exert enormous forces, damaging iron structures.
Iron oxides can also form through the conversion of the passivating ferrous oxide layer, usually induced by oxygen and water. Other degrading solutions that facilitate this conversion include sulfur dioxide in water and carbon dioxide in water, leading to the formation of iron hydroxide species. Iron hydroxide species are also formed during the rusting process, contributing to the complex nature of rust composition.
The prevention and control of rust are economically significant due to the widespread use of iron and steel products. Rust severely compromises the strength, functionality, and appearance of these products. Various methods, such as galvanization and cathodic protection, are employed to inhibit corrosion. Galvanization involves coating steel products with zinc to provide enhanced corrosion protection. Cathodic protection, on the other hand, utilizes an electrical charge to suppress the electrochemical reaction of corrosion, effectively stopping it when correctly applied.
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Plastic does not contain iron
Iron, on the other hand, is a metal that is known for its high tensile strength and durability, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat and is, therefore, used in electrical applications. However, iron is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture and oxygen unless treated or alloyed with other materials, such as in stainless steel.
The conditions necessary for iron to rust are the presence of water and oxygen in the environment. Iron reacts with the oxygen in the air and forms oxides, which cause it to corrode. Plastic, being a non-reactive material, does not react with water and oxygen in the same way, and therefore does not rust.
While plastic does not inherently contain iron, it is important to note that some plastic items may have trace amounts of iron as an additive or due to environmental contamination. The metal composition of plastic items can vary, and iron has been detected in some plastic samples, although the levels are typically low and do not exceed legal limits. These trace amounts of iron in plastics are often attributed to pigments or other additives used during the production process.
In summary, plastic does not inherently contain iron, and its non-reactive nature and lack of conductivity make it resistant to rusting, which is a common issue with iron when exposed to certain environmental conditions.
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