Metal is a wonderful material to use for building and machine working, but it has some negatives as well. Most noticeably, the biggest problem that people have is that some types of metal will rust over time.
This is not the case with aluminum however, it makes a great addition to home fixtures such as when a home has an aluminum patio roof. Floral City residents might not be aware that aluminum roofs don’t rust due to the unique properties and the way it reacts with its environment.
Additionally, aluminum materials that are used in construction and manufacturing are often not bare metal, but are treated with some kind of coating or paint that helps protect them further. Today we will be going over some of the properties of aluminum and why they do not rust in the same way that other metals tend to.
What Metal Do Rust and Should be Avoided?
Patio roofs can be made out of many different materials, including different types of metals, but aluminum is often the best choice and that is why professionals will recommend their clients to consider getting an aluminum patio roof. Floral City residents should be made aware of the other types of metals that will rust, to avoid them.
Iron and steel are two metals that will rust heavily when exposed to moisture. Aluminum, on the other hand, is a non-ferrous metal, meaning it doesn’t contain iron. It forms a natural oxide layer on its surface when exposed to air, which acts as a protective barrier against further oxidation. This oxide layer, primarily composed of aluminum oxide, prevents the metal beneath from direct contact with oxygen and moisture, effectively inhibiting the rusting process.
Iron and steel are poor materials to be used as a patio roof regardless of these issues because they are quite heavy. Additionally, they can become partially expensive when they are used in mass quantities or weights, unlike that of their aluminum counterparts.
How is Oxidation Differ From Rust?
When aluminum reacts with oxygen in the air, it forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide on its surface. This layer is typically transparent and adheres tightly to the metal. This oxide layer serves as a protective barrier that prevents further reaction of aluminum with oxygen or moisture. It doesn’t flake off easily and does not lead to the degradation of the metal.
This process is not the same as rusting. This is one of the advantages of using aluminum over other metals with an aluminum patio roof. Floral City residents should be aware, discoloration is not always a sign for concern when it comes to aluminum material.
Rust, on the other hand, refers specifically to the corrosion of iron and steel when they react with oxygen and moisture. Rust is a reddish-brown compound known as iron oxide. Unlike the protective oxide layer on aluminum, rust can be flaky, brittle, and tends to expand, leading to the degradation of the metal beneath. It weakens the structural integrity of the material and is generally considered undesirable.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of *Hernando Aluminum INC*