When your car was new, it had lots of shiny parts made from iron or steel. The problem with this type of metal, however, is that it’s extremely vulnerable to rust and corrosion. This happens when iron and steel are exposed to water and oxygen, which react with each other in a process called oxidation.
Any material that’s used in the construction of large buildings needs to be able to withstand a great deal of stress, and iron and steel are two very common building materials because of their durability and resistance to weathering. However, both of these properties can also make iron and steel structures more vulnerable to damage from certain gases, especially when they’re new. This article will discuss the gas that damages iron and steel structures, why it does so, and how you can avoid having your own iron and steel structure damaged by this gas.
Quick Facts About This Gas
Sulfur dioxide is a gas that damages iron and steel structures. It reacts with the metal to form sulfuric acid, which corrodes the structures. Sulfur dioxide can come from natural sources such as volcanoes, coal power plants, oil refineries, and chemical plants. The gas can also come from human-caused events such as wildfires or accidents at manufacturing facilities.
How It Affects Homes
Many people don’t know that the gas that damages iron and steel structures is hydrogen sulfide. This gas is found in natural processes like decaying organic matter, petroleum production, sewage treatment, manure composting, etc. The gas can also be emitted from some industrial processes including oil refining.
This gas dissolves in water to form sulfuric acid which can eat away at metal surfaces. It can also corrode the concrete or brick substrate used as a base for these structures.
If you live near any of these processes then you may want to consider installing a ventilation system that removes hydrogen sulfide from your home or apartment building so that it doesn’t have a negative impact on your property value or health.
Ways to Prevent or Reduce Damage
There are two main gases that damage iron and steel structures: sulfur dioxide gas, which reacts with the iron in the steel to create iron sulfate; and hydrogen sulfide gas, which can cause corrosion. To prevent or reduce the damage done by these gases, you should avoid contact between them. This means avoiding working with metal when there is a high level of sulfur dioxide gas or hydrogen sulfide gas in the air. You can also coat any metal surfaces that come into contact with either gas with a protective coating such as paint or lacquer to help prevent corrosion. Finally, if you’re welding on metal structures made of iron or steel, it’s important to use a shielding agent so that the heat from your torch doesn’t react with any nearby gases.
Long-Term Solutions
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the effects of atmospheric corrosion on iron and steel structures. One way is to coat the metal with a protective layer of paint or galvanize it with zinc. You can also install polyethylene film over the metal surface, which will slow down rusting. If you use polyethylene film, you should apply a water-based sealant every two years to protect it from ultraviolet rays.
