Corrosion occurs when a metal is affected by oxidisation. It can cause the metals to rust and, in the long run, can cause holes to appear on the surface of the metal. This can be disastrous in the cases of metal pipes that are carrying liquids or gases. It is important, therefore, to look for ways that you can maintain the integrity of the metal structure. There are a number of things that you can do to help prevent corrosion from occurring.
Metal choice
When looking at the metal to use for your project, you might want to consider using an alloy. This is essentially a metal that is mixed with another metal or a non-metallic substance. All alloys are therefore manmade, and they are often chosen for their beneficial properties. Stainless Steel, for example, is an alloy that has been made to withstand rusting. This makes it an attractive option when choosing a metal. However, it may not be suitable for every application.
Oiling
There are cases where oiling your metal can help to prevent rust and corrosion from occurring. Oiling is a popular method chosen by those who work with guns. As well as providing lubrication for the metal parts it also helps to form a protective barrier against rust.
Surface Covering
There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to pick the metal of your choice for your project. If corrosion and rust is the only reason that you are unsure about your choice, you can look at using Surface Treatments like those from https://www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments to add a protective layer to your metal. There are lots of different surface coverings available, and your choice will be determined by the metal you use, the end product that is being created and, of course, the budget that you have available.
Painting
This could be seen as a form of applying a surface coat to metal, and in a basic way, it is. Applying a coat of paint allows the surface of the metal to be covered and thus not exposed to the external environment. The issue with painting metal is that it will need to be regularly touched up, and it will, in fact, really only slow down the rusting process rather than prevent it completely.
