What is oxidation?
freshly cut apple brown, the fender on the bike becomes rusty and copper penny suddenly becomes green. What do all these events have in common? All are examples of a process called oxidation.
Oxidation is defined as an interaction between oxygen molecules and all different substances that can contact, from metal to living tissue. Technically, however, with the discovery of electrons, oxidation has become more precisely defined as a loss of at least one electron when two or more substances interact. These substances may or may not include oxygen. (By the way, the opposite of oxidation is to reduce at least one electron when the substances come into contact with each other.) Sometimes oxidation is not as bad as in the formation of a super-resistant anodized aluminum. Other times, oxidation may be destructive, such as rusting a car or spoiling fresh fruit.
We often used the words oxidation and rest interchangeably, but not all materials that interact with oxygen molecules, withE actually fall apart into rust. In the case of iron, oxygen creates a slow burning process that results in a fragile brown substance, which we call rust. When oxidation occurs in copper, on the other hand, a greenish coating called copper oxide is the result. The metal itself is not weakened by oxidation, but the surface develops patina after years of exposure to air and water.
When it includes oxygen, the oxidation process depends on the amount of oxygen present in the air and the nature of the material it touches. The actual oxidation happens at the molecular level-we only see the large-scale effects, as oxygen causes free radicals on the surface. In the case of fresh fruit of the skin, it usually provides a barrier against oxidation. Therefore, most arrive fruits and vegetables in good condition in food store. However, once the skin is broken, the individual cells come in direct contact with the air and the oxygen molecules begin to burn them. ExpansionEdke is a form of rust, which we consider to be brownish stains or defects.
Oxidation can also be a problem for car owners, as the outer layers of the color are constantly exposed to air and water. If the outer surface of the car is not protected by a wax coating or polyurethane, the oxygen molecules in the air will eventually interact with the color. As oxygen burns free radicals contained in color, the surface becomes more blunt and dull. The renewal effort may include the removal of several layers of the affected color and reuse of the new layer of the protective device. That is why professional car details recommend at least one layer of wax or other protective device every time the car is washes them.
The secret of the prevention of oxidation caused by oxygen is to provide a layer to protect the exposed material and air. This could mean a wax or polyurethane coating on a car, a layer of paint on metal objects or a rapid spray of antioxidant such as lemon juice,for exposed fruit. Destructive oxidation cannot occur if oxygen cannot penetrate the surface to achieve free radicals he longs for.
Therefore, stainless steel does not get and ordinary steel. Stainless steel has a thin coating of another metal that does not contain free radicals. Regular steel can be painted to protect against oxidation, but oxygen can still use any opening, no matter how small. Therefore, you can find a painted metal wheel that is still damaged by rust.