RUSTY’S TECHNICAL DETAILS – FE-123 RUST CONVERTER
High acid rust converters have been very popular in the treatment of rust but have shown only limited success in its prevention. They can leave residual acid in the steel’s pores and this causes failure due to osmotic blistering. Often this cannot be removed by neutralising with fresh water and because of this introduces a new problem to the steelwork.
Rustbuster Fe-123 on the other hand uses modern rust conversion technology contained in an eco-friendly compliant binder, containing zinc phosphate.
For true passivation to occur the reaction within the rust layers needs to be homogenous. Due to its high molecular weight Fe-123 can attract and incorporate several iron atoms. In addition, each single atom can be linked to three different molecules with Fe-123.
The result…
Fe-123 envelopes rust at a molecular level, developing into a neutral layer which exists between the steel’s surface and the atmosphere. This neutral layer prevents the migration of ions so that no chemical reaction can occur at the metal’s surface. Independent testing by Practical Classics magazine proved that Fe-123 not only converted the rust but also left a foundation that could be painted over without neutralising and came ‘Best in Test’ scoring ten out of a possible ten points. We were also awarded ‘Best in Test’ by Classics Monthly magazine in their long term test results.
Where to use Fe-123
Fe-123 is effective wherever corrosion exisits on metal and is widely use by car restorers to treat surface corrosion prior to coating with paint or wax. It can also be used on rusted components, moving parts, nuts, bolts, drive shafts, universal joints, leaf springs, railway hardware, radio masts, gas and oilfield pipelines, and on all exposed steel in aggressive environments. Dilute as a dipping system or use undiluted before applying conventional paint coatings over rusty or badly pitted steel.
Tackling crevice corosion
Crevice corrosion will form where the passive layer inside the crevice or seam can no longer regenerate due to insufficient oxygen within the crevice or seam. This could be due to dirt or other contaminants blocking the seam or crevice. The area trapped within the seam will become more anodic (less noble) than the surrounding surface steel. Rust formation will occur as soon as humidity comes into play, with the rust working its way out of the gap in the crevice. This type of rust formation can be up to 400 times faster than that of surface steel due to the lack of oxygen but presence of humidity.
Where there is a known issue with crevice corrosion, Fe-123 can provide a solution. It can be used to treat crevice corrosion in back-to-back angles, seams, tubing, steel structures, bridges, towers, conveyors, vehicle chassis and any area of crevice corrosion. It is an effective treatment where blasting, dipping or power tool cleaning are not options.
The product can be injected into the seams and the hygroscopic action of Fe-123 will allow it to penetrate the damp substrate and seal the rust within the crevice. If the problem area is an exposed crevice or back-to-back angle, then as much as possible the area can be cleaned out and the Fe-123 injected into the crevice.
Rusty
