Editing Rust (section)

== Treatment ==

Rust removal from small iron or steel objects by [[electrolysis]] can be done in a home workshop using simple materials such as a plastic bucket filled with an electrolyte consisting of [[Sodium carbonate|washing soda]] dissolved in [[tap water]], a length of [[rebar]] suspended vertically in the solution to act as an [[anode]], another laid across the top of the bucket to act as a support for suspending the object, [[baling wire]] to suspend the object in the solution from the horizontal rebar, and a [[battery charger]] as a power source in which the positive terminal is clamped to the anode and the negative terminal is clamped to the object to be treated which becomes the [[cathode]].<ref name=antique-engines>{{cite web|title=Rust Removal using Electrolysis|url=http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp|website=antique-engines.com|access-date=April 1, 2015|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330211904/http://www.antique-engines.com/electrol.asp|archive-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> Hydrogen and oxygen gases are produced at the cathode and anode respectively. This mixture is flammable/explosive.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Paul |title=Exploding Hydrogen Balloons with Different Amounts of Oxygen |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zRbDfgYAc |website=Youtube |date=24 June 2022 |access-date=2023-12-29}}</ref> Care should also be taken to avoid [[hydrogen embrittlement]]. Overvoltage also produces small amounts of ozone, which is highly toxic, so a low voltage phone charger is a far safer source of DC current.  The effects of hydrogen on global warming have also recently come under scrutiny. <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Derwent |first1=Richard |title=Global warming potential (GWP) for hydrogen: Sensitivities, uncertainties and meta-analysis |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360319922055380 |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=2023 |volume=48 |issue=22 |pages=8328–8341 |doi=10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.11.219 |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref>

Rust may be treated with commercial products known as [[rust converter]] which contain [[tannic acid]] or [[phosphoric acid]] which combines with rust; removed with organic acids like [[citric acid]] and [[vinegar]] or the stronger [[hydrochloric acid]]; or removed with [[chelation|chelating]] agents as in some commercial formulations or even a solution of [[molasses]].<ref name=practical-machinist>{{cite web|title=Rust Removal with Molasses|date=6 July 2005 |url=http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/rust-removal-using-molasses-90452/|access-date=November 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925094819/http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/rust-removal-using-molasses-90452/|archive-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref>