What is rust preventive oil?
Corrosion is a natural process that involves the oxidation of a metal due to the presence of elements such as water, oxygen, moisture and humidity in the environment. During corrosion, the metal reacts to these elements around it and therefore starts to get gradually damaged and rendered useless. Rusting is the type of corrosion during which iron forms a layer of red or brown substance due to moisture or water. A rust preventive oil is a material that is specially designed to provide lubrication and protection to metal surfaces that are at risk of corrosion. These oils contain polar substances that allow them to cover and to film any metal surface, thereby preventing rust or corrosion. These oils essentially form an impenetrable barrier between atmospheric elements and the surface of the metal, therefore preventing the metal from reacting to the moisture or water around it. There are rust preventive oils that are made for both long term and short term periods, since when an oil is used only for a short period, it needs to be easier to remove or wash off, without formation of deposits.
What is rust preventive oil used for?
As mentioned before, rust and corrosion involve the gradual destruction of a metal due to its reaction to elements such as water and humidity in the environment. Any type of corrosion is extremely harmful for metals, since it destroys the metal, rendering it useless for any industrial purpose. Rust preventive oils are used to protect metals and prevent them from getting corroded. Usually, a rust preventive oil can be used in any situation wherein the metal is constantly exposed to water, moisture and humidity. Rust preventive oils are used during any kind of storage or shipping processes, since shipping, especially by sea, exposes metals to lots of water and moisture. Such oils are also extensively used in the automobile sector, where they are applied to inner parts like brake systems, cooling systems and others, where they not only prevent rust but also provide extra lubrication. Similarly, these oils are also used in the construction industry to protect construction columns and other metal components from corrosion, especially if the construction is taking place in a humid place or during monsoon. Rust preventive oils are also added to paints or applied to structures like bridges to protect them and maintain their integrity.
What are the types of rust preventive oils?
Different situations and metals require different types of rust preventive types, which is why there is a wide range of such products in the market. Rust preventive oils are either water-based or solvent based, and their use depends on the circumstance. In daily use equipment such as vehicles, gardening tools, factory tools, rust preventive oils that are also highly lubricating are used, since there is need for both functions there. Similarly, a specific type of mineral oil based rust preventive is needed in engines or machinery that requires oil flushing. The major types of rust preventive oils are active corrosion protection, passive corrosion protection, temporary corrosion protection, aqueous temporary corrosion protection, oil emulsion corrosion protection, vapour phase inhibitors, volatile corrosion inhibitors, etc.
How are rust preventive oils applied?
Different situations and metals require different types of rust preventive types, which is why there is a wide range of such products in the market. Rust preventive oils are either water-based or solvent based, and their use depends on the circumstance. In daily use equipment such as vehicles, gardening tools, factory tools, rust preventive oils that are also highly lubricating are used, since there is need for both functions there. Similarly, a specific type of mineral oil based rust preventive is needed in engines or machinery that requires oil flushing. The major types of rust preventive oils are active corrosion protection, passive corrosion protection, temporary corrosion protection, aqueous temporary corrosion protection, oil emulsion corrosion protection, vapour phase inhibitors, volatile corrosion inhibitors, etc.
