Hi guys.How long would it take for the rust to penetrate a tin can?

Question

what happens when rust is present in tin cans?

Thank you!

Answer 1

A tin can is really a steel can covered by a layer of tin. The tin helps prevent the can from rusting immediately. This is true only if the can is kept dry.



The nonreactive form of tin (called white tin) will slowly convert into a more reactive form of tin (called gray tin) over time.



With moisture, the non-metallic oxides in the atmosphere create dilute acids which will quickly react with first the tin coating and then with the iron underneath.



The amount of time necessary to completely penetrate the can is dependent upon the thickness of the can, the acidic contents of the can, the amount of moisture and the concentrations of the non-metal oxides in the atmosphere and the temperature.



Typical times to completely penetrate the can would range from less than a week (under the worst conditions) to years (under the best conditions. Tin cans packed over a century ago have been found which still seem to have their contents intact (although who knows in what condition the contents might be in).

Answer 2

Many metals can be oxidized to form the corresponding metal oxides. For example, tin can oxidize to form tin oxide. However, this is not rust. The term rust is reserved for the oxidation of iron to iron oxide. Tin is actually quite resistant to oxidation and is often used to coat materials to PREVENT "rust."





When rust is present in tin cans, it is usually because the tin coating has been removed which exposes the baser metals underneath the tin (iron) that subsequently oxidizes to form rust.

Answer 3

that depends on the conditions that the tin can is exposed to. for example in the winter here there is a lot of ice. if you put a tin can in the rocksalt it will rust but you will be able to use that can for most of the winter. if you use calcium to melt the ice on your sidewalk and use a tin can to scoop the calcium pellets the tin can will completely disintigrate in a very short period of time.

Answer 4

It depends on the thickness of tin.

Iron oxide will contaminate the tin contents.