Iron and steel rust when they come into contact with water and oxygen. They rust faster in salty water or acid rain. Aluminium, on the other hand, does not corrode easily, because its surface is protected by a layer of aluminium oxide.

Steel and aluminium have advantages and disadvantages when used to make cars, which are recycled to re-use valuable materials and cut down on waste.

Rusting

Iron and steel rust when they come into contact with water and oxygen. Both water and oxygen are needed for rusting to occur

Salt dissolved in water does not cause rusting, but it does speed it up, as does acid rain.

Aluminium does not rust - corrode. Its surface is protected by a natural layer of aluminium oxide. This prevents the metal below from coming into contact with air and oxygen.

Unlike rust, which can flake off the surface of iron and steel objects, the layer of aluminium oxide does not flake off.

Rusting - higher

Rusting is an oxidation reaction. The iron reacts with water and oxygen to formhydrated iron(III) oxide, which we see as rust. Here is the word equation for the reaction:

iron + water + oxygen    →    hydrated iron(III) oxide

Steel

Most iron is converted into steel - an alloy - before being used. Compared to iron, steel is:

• harder and stronger
• less likely to corrode - rust

IRON VERSUS ALUMINUM

Iron and aluminium are used to build cars. They are both malleable - they can be bent or pressed into shape - and both are good electrical conductors.

A summary of the differences betwen iron and aluminium

propertyironaluminium density high low magnetic? yes no corrodes easily? yes no

Aluminium has some advantages over steel. Since it has a lower density than iron or steel, a car body made from aluminium will be lighter than the same car body made from steel. This results in improved fuel economy. Also, aluminium does not corrode easily, so a car body made from aluminium will corrode less, and may last longer, than one made from steel.

However, aluminium is more expensive than steel. So a car made from aluminium is likely to be more expensive than one made from steel.

Cars are complex machines. Many different materials are used in their manufacture.

The main materials used in the manufacture of cars

materialtypical usereason for use steel body panels and chassis strong and malleable copper electrical wiring good conductor of electricity aluminium body panels and interior fittings lightweight and rust-proof glass windows transparent plastics body panels, lights and dashboard tough and easily moulded to desired shape fibres seats and carpets good heat insulators, and can be woven into fabrics

Recycling

European Union law requires that at least 85 per cent of a car’s materials can be recycled, rising to 95 per cent by 2015. Recycling reduces the amount of waste, and the use of natural resources.