Aluminum, as one of the indispensable elements in the world today, has been widely present in people's lives. The content of aluminum in the earth's crust is second only to oxygen and silicon. It is the most abundant metal element in the earth's crust, and its productivity is second only to iron, making it the second most abundant metal in the world.

Aluminum is a lightweight, high-strength, corrosion-resistant material widely used in construction, transportation, aerospace and other fields. However, aluminum alloy is prone to corrosion in certain environments, such as moisture and salt spray, especially the destruction of the aluminum oxide film, which causes rust on the surface of the aluminum alloy. This not only affects the aesthetics of the aluminum alloy, but also may reduce its service life and performance. This article aims to analyze the causes of aluminum rust and how to remove rust on aluminum.

Why does aluminum rust?

As we all know, aluminum itself is a metal with excellent strength and corrosion resistance. It is a representative of light metals and has inherent strong anti-rust properties. The reason why aluminum rusts is that the aluminum oxide film on the surface is destroyed, and it is not very resistant to alkaline and acidic environments.

Environmenta

(1) Atmospheric corrosion: Oxygen, moisture, carbon dioxide and other substances in the atmosphere react chemically with the surface of aluminum alloys, causing the oxide film to be destroyed and then causing corrosion.

(2) Salt spray corrosion: Salt in the ocean, industrial atmosphere and other environments accelerates the corrosion process of aluminum alloys.

Environmental

(1) Atmospheric corrosion: Oxygen, moisture, carbon dioxide and other substances in the atmosphere react chemically with the surface of aluminum alloys, causing the oxide film to be destroyed and then causing corrosion.

(2) Salt spray corrosion: Salt in the ocean, industrial atmosphere and other environments accelerates the corrosion process of aluminum alloys.

Processing

(1) Processing technology: Improper surface treatment during aluminum alloy processing, such as polishing, sandblasting, etc., can easily damage the oxide film.

(2) During the use of aluminum alloy, if it is scratched, worn, collided, etc., its corrosion resistance will be reduced, making it easy to rust.

Can aluminum rust be prevented?

Improve the environment

(1) Keep the environment dry: Aluminum alloys are prone to rust in a humid environment. Therefore, the environment should be kept dry as much as possible to reduce the impact of moisture on aluminum alloys.

(2) Control the oxygen and salt in the air: Oxygen and salt are the main factors that cause aluminum alloys to rust. Adding a certain proportion of nitrogen to the air can effectively reduce the oxygen content; at the same time, using an anti-corrosion coating can effectively isolate salt.

Improve material quality

(1) Optimize the chemical composition of aluminum alloy: Improve the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy by adjusting its chemical composition. For example, adding a certain proportion of copper, zinc, magnesium and other elements can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy.

(2) Optimize heat treatment process: Reasonable heat treatment process can improve the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy. In actual production, the appropriate heat treatment process should be selected according to the composition and purpose of aluminum alloy.

Improve the surface treatment process

(1) Anodizing: Anodizing is an effective method to improve the surface hardness and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy. Through anodizing, a dense oxide film can be formed on the surface of aluminum alloy, thereby improving its corrosion resistance.

(2) Electrophoretic coating: Electrophoretic coating is a method of forming a uniform coating on the surface of aluminum alloy. Through electrophoretic coating, a coating with good adhesion and corrosion resistance can be formed on the surface of aluminum alloy.

(3) Plastic spraying: Plastic spraying is a method of spraying plastic on the surface of aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy surface after plastic spraying has good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and beautiful appearance.

Other measures

(1) Anti-rust oil: Applying anti-rust oil on the surface of aluminum alloy can isolate oxygen, moisture and salt, thereby effectively preventing rust.

(2) Anti-rust paper: Wrapping anti-rust paper on the surface of aluminum alloy can effectively prevent the influence of oxygen, moisture and salt on aluminum alloy.

(3) Sealing: For aluminum alloy products, sealing measures should be taken, such as using sealants, sealing strips, etc., to prevent the intrusion of moisture, oxygen and salt.

How To Clean Rust From Aluminum?

1. Use white vinegar

Pour white vinegar into a container, soak the aluminum alloy parts that need to be rusted in it, and after about 30 minutes, use a brush or sponge to gently wipe it to remove the rust marks on the aluminum alloy. If there are spots on the surface of the aluminum alloy, you can directly pour white vinegar into a spray bottle, spray it on the surface of the aluminum alloy, and then gently scrub it with a brush.

2. Use citric acid

Citric acid can effectively remove the oxide layer and rust on the surface of the aluminum alloy. Pour citric acid powder into a container, add water and stir evenly, soak the aluminum alloy parts that need to be cleaned in it for more than 30 minutes, and then gently scrub it with a brush. Be careful to thoroughly clean the aluminum alloy parts to prevent citric acid residue from causing corrosion again.

3. Use baking soda

Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste, apply it to the surface of the aluminum alloy with a cloth or brush, let it stand for 10-15 minutes, and then wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Baking soda is weakly alkaline and can remove rust and stains on the surface of aluminum alloy.

4. Use gasoline

Pour a proper amount of gasoline on the surface of the aluminum alloy, wipe it with a cloth or brush, and then rinse it with clean water. Gasoline can dissolve many greases and stains and is an effective rust remover.

The above are several common methods for aluminum rust removal, which are simple and economical, and can be done by DIY at home!

Summary

Aluminum rust is a complex problem, involving multiple aspects such as environment, materials, and processes. By analyzing the causes of aluminum alloy rust, this paper proposes a series of effective solutions, including improving environmental factors, optimizing material factors, optimizing process factors, surface treatment technology, anti-corrosion coatings, and anti-corrosion coating technology. By implementing these measures, the possibility of aluminum rusting can be effectively reduced, its service life can be extended, and the application value of aluminum in various fields can be improved.

FAQ: Aluminum Rust and Corrosion

1. Can aluminum rust like steel?

No, aluminum doesn’t rust like steel.
While steel rusts through the formation of iron oxide (red rust), aluminum forms a protective layer of aluminum oxide when exposed to air. This oxide layer normally prevents further corrosion. However, in aggressive environments like salt spray or acid exposure, this layer can be compromised, leading to pitting or surface corrosion. Technically, it's called aluminum corrosion, not rust in the traditional sense.

2. Is aluminum rust harmful?

Yes, aluminum corrosion can be harmful to both appearance and performance.
While it doesn’t flake or expand like steel rust, corrosion can weaken the aluminum’s structural integrity over time. In applications like aircraft, construction, or transportation, surface corrosion may reduce strength, lead to cracks, or impact conductivity. It also affects the aesthetic quality and resale value of aluminum products.

3. How do I stop aluminum from corroding outdoors?

You can protect aluminum outdoors with these effective strategies:

Apply protective coatings such as anodizing, electrophoretic coating, or powder coating to shield it from moisture and salt.

Use anti-rust oils or sealants to form a barrier against oxygen and humidity.

Keep it clean and dry by regularly removing dirt, salt, and pollutants that accelerate corrosion.

Choose high-grade aluminum alloys with better corrosion resistance, especially if used in marine or industrial environments.