Why Don't Metal Ships Rust?

In this video we ask why metal ships don't appear to rust. We explain a little about the process of rust removal, and show how cathodic protection can be used to help prevent corrosion.

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➼ Audio used under license from Epidemic Sound

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[michaelsommers]

Two essential rules for all new sailors: If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, paint it.

[chefdan]

When i was working on ships the deck crew never stopped needle gunning and painting. Every day was a constant battle against rust. I was a cook and did my best to make sure those guys were taken care of.

[jimwilliams]

I spent hundreds of hours at sea on tankers busting rust and painting. On roughly 600 foot vessels it's a never ending battle waged by the unlicensed deck crew. You end the day looking like you just did a shift in a coal mine most days.

[seldoon_nemar]

It's always blown my mind that sealed sections of hull become completely devoid of oxygen because the steel has absorbed it all to become iron oxide. once there's no more air, the steel can't rust unless more oxygen is introduced. This also means you need to be real careful because people die going into those spaces every year

[PsRohrbaugh]

For anyone who hasn't seen it, look into Laser rust removal videos. It's a spiritual experience. They use infrared lasers, and iron reflects infrared while rust absorbs it - so the rust vaporizes with zero damage to the healthy metal. Absolutely magical.

[SteinGauslaaStrindhaug]

The look and feel of metal with at least a dozen somewhat uneven layers of paint reminds me of the sea as much as the smell of the sea does.

[sIightIybored]

USS New Jersey's channel has just gone through their dry docking. It's interesting everything they've had to do to keep it un-rusted for the next 30 years. And all the steps they can skip because it's not expected to move, or be in salt water.

[TheHalogen]

The answer is: they do. A LOT. In places you wouldn't expect rust to be a possibility.

[F-Man]

Does it need to be painted?

Yes.

That’s why active ships don’t rust - their crews are constantly working on maintaining them. Cathodic protection also helps, but really, it’s down to good old hard work and care.

[jc_da_killa]

For anyone that’s interested in this topic battleship New Jersey just came out of dry dock and they have several videos talking about there anodes and new paint work. That’s pretty much the main reason they went into dry dock to replace all that. They have an awesome channel, worth checking out!

[fire_n_ice]

I was an industrial painter. Painted a lot of marine vessels, yes they rust. Zinc bars bolted and grounded to the hull helps.

[ChrisisisB]

When I was a kid, one of the coolest things was the navy’s motor torpedo boats. And they were selling a few old ones…and I was excited. Then my father told me the original hull thickness and the current thickness, which was much thicker. I was too young to really understand rust, but he made sure I understood these hulls would require a lot of work to fix.

[rainsbian]

ngl the rust chipping is really satisfying

[neonsamurai]

The titanic is not simply rusting away, it is being broken down by bacteria in the water that is attacking the iron that form those rusticles. Without those bacteria the ship would last several hundred more years, and would still be more or less intact (minus the damage from when it hit the bottom of course).

[ALEX-fbov]

i love coming from a 12h shift and looking at stuff like this wile eating thx for making my day a little better

[ryano.]

My initial reaction to the title is "Oh no, they do. That's what the crew is for!" lol

[Innero]

Very nice episode. Topic which was confusing me for a while is clearly explained. Thanks.

[petermgruhn]

You showed it but I didn't notice it said. And it bears saying :
- Rust is bigger than iron. So when a tiny bit of iron at the bottom of the smallest ding in the paint rusts it swells. And pushes at the paint. And makes the crack bigger. And exposes more iron. Also, this increase in size causes the flaking. Which exposes more iron.

[ElliottHurst]

I am a big fan of this channel. Keep up the good work! Change nothing!

[iainelder]

Actually one of the best channels on YouTube.