True rust removal by a chemist - acids compared

The best acids for rust removal are demonstrated and explained by experienced scientist. The most active acids are evaluated and compared with real tests. As the rust is dissolved and the iron oxide forms into iron ions, the color of the solutions are compared and finally transformed into to pKa values. pKa values are in chemistry used to characterize the reactivity, dissociation of the acids into its rust elimination components.

Safety instructions on acid handling are provided.

The tested acids are sulfuric acid, hydro chloric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid and nitric acid. Acetic acid can be found as the active acid i white vinegar. Phosphoric acid is a chemical in commercial rust removers and in Pepsi Cola. The Pepsi cola acid showed to be the 3rd most effective rust eliminator. One of the most important applications of hydrochloric acid is in the pickling of steel, to remove rust or iron oxide scale from iron or steel before subsequent processing, such as extrusion, rolling, galvanizing, and other techniques. Sulfuric acid is produced in the upper atmosphere of Venus by the Sun's photo chemical action on carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water vapor. The main industrial use of nitric acid is for the production of fertilizers.

The railway nails were taken from a spot where the tracks were placed 20 years ago. Rust elimination with acid makes a good start before paining, since it removes the porous rust. It can therefore be used with advantageous results in removing surface rust in car automobile projects where sand blasting is hard or impossible.

Enjoy!