Article | Managing Rust in Factories: Causes, Risks, and Solutions

Iron is a common material in factories—used in buildings, machinery, and tools—due to its affordability and workability. However, it’s highly prone to rust, a major concern in industrial maintenance. This article explains how rust forms, its risks, and practical prevention and treatment strategies.

Why Rust Forms

Rust forms when iron reacts with water and oxygen. The process involves several chemical steps, ultimately producing brittle iron (III) oxide (Fe₂O₃), known as red rust. This occurs when:

• Iron loses electrons and forms ions.
• Oxygen and water react with those electrons to form hydroxides.
• These compounds further react to form rust.

Moisture and oxygen are essential for rust to form, so protective coatings like paint or oil are used to block exposure.

Factory Risks of Rust

Rust compromises structural integrity. It weakens machinery, scaffolding, and load-bearing structures, posing safety risks and increasing maintenance costs. Once rust starts, its rough surface accelerates further corrosion—a cycle known as “rust begets rust.”

Responding to Rust

1. Removal:
   Rust should be removed either physically (e.g., wire brushes) or chemically (e.g., acidic cleaners). However, acidic cleaners can cause rapid re-rusting if not neutralized.
2. Protection After Cleaning:
   Immediately applying protective coatings—such as paint, rust inhibitors, or oil—is critical to prevent recurrence.

An Alternative: Rust Conversion

In some cases, converting red rust into black rust (magnetite, Fe₃O₄) is effective. Black rust forms a dense, protective layer and is used in traditional metalwork like Japanese Nambu iron kettles. While high-temperature treatments are impractical in factories, rust converters offer a practical solution.

Rust converters:

• Chemically transform red rust into stable black rust.
• Eliminate the need for complete rust removal.
• Are ideal for treating widespread corrosion.
• Work best in moderate temperatures and on larger areas.

Industrial Solutions

NCH provides a range of maintenance solutions:

• Acidic cleaners that resist rust reformation
• Safe, water-based rust converters
• Quick-drying aerosol coatings

These products are tailored to factory environments, helping maintain safety, efficiency, and longevity of equipment and structures.

Protect your factory from the costly risks of rust.
Explore NCH’s proven rust solutions—acidic cleaners, water-based converters, and quick-drying coatings—designed specifically for industrial environments.

Contact NCH now to find the right rust prevention and treatment strategy for your facility.