How to Prevent Rust Through Electrolysis
Rust is composed of various compounds that contain iron and oxygen. You can prevent rust from accumulating on metal parts with a technique known as electrolysis. This process uses electricity to break the iron-oxygen bonds and split the rust into elemental iron and oxygen. You'll need several sections of rebar, a battery charger and a metal grinder in addition to some common household items. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rebar
- Metal grinder
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Water
- Laundry soda
- Iron C-clamps
- Battery charger
- Electrical cable
- Small iron chain
Instructions
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1
Cut the rebar into at least two sections that are at least four inches longer than the bucket. Clean the excess rust from all the rebar pieces with a metal grinder. Grind a short section on one end of each piece of rebar down to the bare metal.
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2
Pour five gallons of water into the bucket and add eight ounces of laundry soda. Mix the solution thoroughly to ensure the laundry soda is thoroughly dissolved.
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3
Put the rebar pieces in the bucket with the clean ends up. Clamp a piece of rebar securely to the side of the bucket with a small iron C-clamp. Repeat this procedure with the remaining pieces of rebar so that the sections are spaced evenly around the inside of the bucket. If you're only using two pieces of rebar, it's especially important to position the rebar pieces on opposite sides of the bucket.
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4
Attach an electrical cable to each piece of rebar where the bare metal is exposed. This will ensure the cable makes electrical contact with all the pieces of rebar. Tie one end of a small iron chain above the bucket and ensure the chain doesn't make electrical contact with the rebar pieces or electrical cable. Tie the other end to the rusty metal part that you wish to clean. Place the rusty part in the bucket so that it's completely submerged in the laundry soap solution. Ensure the part doesn't touch the pieces of rebar or the bucket.
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5
Connect the positive lead of the battery charger to the electrical cable. Connect the negative lead of the battery charger to the rusty part and turn the charger on. Ensure the electrolysis is working correctly by observing the formation of bubbles the rusty part and the rebar. The reddish-orange of the rust should turn black as the oxygen separates from the iron in the rust.
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