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Topic: Rust  (Read 4904 times)

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Offline akela

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Rust
« on: March 04, 2009, 04:46:46 PM »
Does rust (oxidised iron) conduct electrisity ?

Where could I read about this?

Offline Arkcon

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Re: Rust
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2009, 05:20:07 PM »
Hrm ... well, I do know rust doesn't conduct electricity very well.  How good an insulator it is depends on the voltage, and how good a coverage it is.   

Your real question, where to look this up on your own, that I can't answer.  For rust, I kinda always knew it.  Why do we clean the oxide coating off of any metal?  Because, if it is to be useful as a conductor, it has to be clean.  Now, scrape little 8 year old Arkcon*, until you can see your refection in it.  Basically, any general science text may tell you, that the oxide coating of a metal surface needs removal, for most applications. 

Perhaps, if you read a general chemistry book, for the definition of metal, and the definition of what we call compounds of the type iron oxide, you might discover a hint to use next time.


*Disclaimer:  my parents did not actually name me Arkcon, they are not that cruel
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

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