Can Rust Spread Through Temporary Contact?

Abstract

Despite the process of rusting being well known, it was uncertain whether rust was contagious or not through temporary contact that is, involving no permanent bonding. The study investigated whether rust could be transmitted through temporary contact using controls. Eight rusted steel wool rolls, each less than 3.50 g were staggeringly arranged in groups of four onto two non-rusted steel plates, each measuring 400 x 200 mm, with control cells in between. After 10 days, rust stains formed on the plates and the rolls were removed. The conspicuous stains were monitored every month by means of manual tracing. After six monthly observations, the first month tracings were superimposed onto each respective plate. Although intrinsic rust had formed on the control and experimental cells, the original stains remained constant in shape and size. Rust is probably not transmitted to other metals by simple contact