Methods to prevent mild steel tubes from rusting

Causes of mild steel tube rusting

Mild steel tubes are prone to rust when exposed to environmental factors such as water and air. The main reason is that the protective layer on the surface of the mild steel tube is damaged or peeled off, exposing the surface of the mild steel tube directly to the external environment. Coupled with the chemical composition and manufacturing process of the mild steel tube itself, this causes the iron on the surface of the mild steel tube to interact with oxygen and moisture, leading to the rust of the mild steel tube.

How to solve the problem of steel pipe rusting

1. Reduce carbon content

Reducing the carbon content reduces the possibility of chemical reactions on the surface of the steel pipe, thereby avoiding rust problems. This is a very effective method. For some special occasions, it is also a wise choice to use mild steel tubes or even stainless steel pipes.

2. Regular cleaning

Regular cleaning of the surface of the steel pipe is a simple and effective way to reduce the rust of the steel pipe. When cleaning the steel pipe, you can use a soft cloth or brush dipped in soapy water, and avoid using overly irritating chemicals when cleaning to avoid further damage to the surface of the steel pipe.

3. Do a good coating

Coating is a surface anti-corrosion treatment method, the main purpose of which is to isolate the steel from contact with the outside air. Generally speaking, coatings are divided into two types: paint and asphalt coatings, and the coating thickness is generally 70-120um. Anti-rust paint can play a very good protective role, forming a protective film to isolate the erosion of environmental factors, thereby protecting the surface of the steel pipe from damage and achieving the purpose of rust prevention.

(1) Environmental adaptability: The type of coating should be matched with the construction environment. If it is used in a marine environment, it is best to choose a coating with anti-corrosion properties.

(2) Selection of coatings: If the steel pipe is used in a heated state, it is necessary to choose a high-temperature coating. The types of coatings include acrylic coatings and vinyl alkyd coatings.

4. Hot-dip galvanizing

Hot-dip galvanizing is currently a commonly used surface anti-corrosion treatment method. The anti-corrosion effect is achieved by immersing the steel pipe in zinc liquid. In addition to preventing steel from rusting, hot-dip galvanizing can also extend its service life.

5. Cathodic protection

This method mainly allows the surface of the metal steel tube to attach an electron first, and then connect it with other metals or alloys to prevent the steel from being oxidized. There are mainly two methods: one is to install anti-corrosion equipment with electrodes, and the second is through electroplating.

6. Anodic protection

The method of electroplating on the surface of steel can also achieve the purpose of corrosion protection. This method requires the surface of the steel pipe to be converted into an anode with corrosion protection, and then form a battery with the cathode to achieve the anti-corrosion effect.

Summary

The rust problem of mild steel tubes seriously affects the  safety and service life of mild steel tubes. For the fields of construction, machinery, etc., this is a very important problem that cannot be ignored. If you want to avoid the rust problem of mild steel tubes, you should take some measures to protect it. You can protect the surface of the steel pipe from corrosion by reducing the carbon content, regular cleaning, and coating, thereby ensuring the safety and service life of mild steel tubes.