Spyderco Forums

Does dirt and dust cause rust on stainless steel?

I think it would depend on the composition of the dirt.

Fright_Fox wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 06, 2020 9:25 pm

Does dirt and dust cause rust on stainless steel?

Soil has measurable ph levels, so it's certainly possible.

In terms of rust being an oxidation reaction (or redox) Im going to argue any non inert substance that reacts with the steel will cause some level of staining or rust. Its just all about the degree of the reaction. So probably if you keep it dirty enough.

I don't think there's an absolute answer to that question, I think it will very largely depend on the composition & moisture of any particular "dirt"

.

Rust is the oxidation of iron. The oxidation is the chemical reaction between oxygen and the iron molecules in the steel. It is accelerated by the presence of water (or water vapor). Soil and dirt act like a sponge and can retain the moisture (water), which can accelerate the rust.

So does dirt cause rust. No. Does the water that dirt may retain have the potential to accelerate rusting, yes. Even more so in those high carbon steels prone to rusting.

Moisture is the big issue. Dirt tends to attract moisture and hold it next to things, and that causes rust.

Dirt though is not a well defined substance and one man's dirt may be another man's something or other.

Salty dirt, now that could really cause trouble given a bit of moisture.

I've always imagined that dirt/dust/etc at the least could attract and hold moisture, so even if "dirt" by itself doesn't cause corrosion, it certainly isn't helping.

Yes, though not always, Had rust form on my S30V Silverax because I left tape goo on it

The red dirt in Australia has that much iron in it it definitely rusts anything and everything. My boat trailer is testimony to it.