How to Reduce Costs in Rust Removal

In China, nearly 100 million tonnes of steel are lost to rust annually. Therefore, protecting steel from corrosion is of paramount importance. Rust removal is a technical task. This issue, Dr Enze will teach you the most cost-effective methods for rust removal.

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I. Manual Rust Removal

Manual rust removal is the most common method for steel surfaces, employing tools such as scrapers, wire brushes, and scrapers for physical abrasion. While cost-effective, this approach suffers from significant drawbacks: labour-intensive, inefficient, and often incomplete removal. It is suitable only for small areas with mild corrosion.

II. Mechanical Rust Removal

Mechanical rust removal typically employs three methods: rebar rust removal machines, sandblasting equipment, and shot blasting.

Rebar rust removal machines are currently the most common mechanical method. They are simple to operate, stable, highly efficient, and environmentally clean. However, they are only suitable for removing rust from raw threaded steel bars.

Sandblasting effectively removes impurities from metal surfaces, such as scale and old rust, delivering excellent results. However, sandblasting equipment causes environmental pollution and is not recommended.

Shot blasting represents a more advanced mechanical method for rust removal on ship hull steel. It features high production efficiency, low cost, and minimal environmental impact. Nevertheless, shot blasting is only suitable for indoor operations and is impractical for large, complex steel structures.

III. Novel Water-Based Rust Converters

Applying rust converter N680 to rusted surfaces via spraying or immersion transforms the rust into a protective layer that serves as a primer. This method is straightforward, requires no prior rust removal, and allows direct application of topcoat after drying. It offers safe usage, excellent adhesion, and reduced construction costs. Suitable for common applications such as doors, windows, machinery, and vehicles, as well as complex large-scale steel structures, bridges, ships, and pipelines, it represents an economical and effective rust removal solution.