Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1908 — New Theory as to Iron Rust. [ARTICLE]

New Theory as to Iron Rust.

It has long been generally supposed that iron rust was caused by oxidation though many’ chemists have been opposed to that view. The theory of oxidation has now it would appear, been quite upset. The chemical societies of London have decided that the formation of rust is chieny due to carbonic acid. The first phase of rust consists of the formation of carbonate of iron by the action of the carbonic acid of the air on metal. The carbonate of iron is turned into ferric hydroxid or rust. Recent experiments prove that"lf It is possible to prevent iron from coming in contact with carbonic acid, it (tiife iron so sheltered or protected) can lie near water for an indefinite time and there will not be the least trace of rust seen on it.