Quote:
Originally Posted by IceFyre13th
= aluminum oxide......aluminum rust
iron oxide is rust too........lol
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Sort of....
Only Iron, or metal with iron in it like steel, can "rust". Which happens in a combination of water and air.
Aluminum is subject to oxidation. Aluminum oxide forms on the surface from exposure to air. The oxide is harder than aluminum. And, protects the aluminum form further deterioration. Aluminum has a hardness of 2-2.9. Aluminum oxide is 9 in hardness; the same hardness as sapphire. Aluminum will deteriorate in chlorine. Or in environments that have extreme PH.
Rust does not protect iron. In this way Iron Oxide and Aluminum oxide are fundamentally different.