How to galvanize metal (for rust protection)

We show you how to galvanize metal objects to protect them rust.

First we get 30g of zinc sulfate and dissolve it into 100mL of water.

Zinc sulfate was made back in our video on making a copper sulfate and
zinc battery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id3tL2iI0Vw


Then connect the item you want to galvanize to the negative terminal of a 5 volt power supply. Connect the positive terminal to a strip of zinc metal.


Zinc metal was obtained from our video on getting useful materials from batteries: http://www.youtube.com/watch#%21v=knc1lSupAwQ

Immerse both electrodes into the zinc sulfate solution and keep them from touching. Then turn on the current and run it for about one minute to give the metal a zinc coating.

Remove the object and now it's galvanized.

To test the rust protection, place it on top of a paper towel soaked in saltwater. You should also place an unprotected item next to it for a good comparison. Cover the towel to prevent evaporation and wait a day or two.

The treated object should remain rust-free, perhaps developing a white crusty coating. The untreated object should start to rust.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• rust
• proofing
• protection
• chemistry
• electrochemistry
• zinc
• iron
• oxide
• hydroxide
• rusting
• plating
• electroplating

[gympvox]

so i think you might be also producing nitrogen bubbles that are flamable and can be used to make a very fuel efficent car check out browns gas on you tube

[NurdRage]

@gympvox nitrogen bubbles are not flammable in air.

[kevp951]

NurdRage, you're the man !!!! Keep up the awesome videos and thanks !

[therealjammit]

I've got a question, NurdRage. I know you were using about 5V, but I'd like to know about how much current was used in the experiment.

[halfmumi]

Question : Can you use "Vinegar" as 30g+100ml water mix? Sadly, i have only "household" stuff to do it..Or anything which can be bought from supermarket? That is awesome video by the way to protect tools from rust.

[Ironstonez]

clean is a relative term

[emanobop93]

Ahh thanks so much for this video! I was completely stumped when learning about galvanization but this has made it much easier to understand! Thanks again!

[Sophesumer]

Chemists always have the most horribly destroyed electrodes! :P

[iMaqrashi]

What will happen if the galvanized nail got scratched in the wet air? Which of these three will be the Anode and which one will be the Cathode? Zn, Fe, H2O? All I know that a new layer will be produced, Zinc Hydroxide which will protect the nail from there. To make that layer we need Zinc ions which will came from oxidizing the Zn ( then Zn is the Anode ) and we also need hydroxide which will came from reducing Oxygen in the present of Water ( remember, we have a wet air ) what's the Cathode?

[AsymptoteInverse]

The one time I tried to arc-weld galvanized metal (steel, I believe), it produced a strange white substance that looked like semitransparent cotton fluff. I suspect it was some sort of weird zinc compound. Any ideas?

[Alexrulz99]

WOW HOW DID YOU HOOK UP YOUR CAMERA TO MICROSCOPE?!

[dorgrim]

why do i learn more from Youtube than public high school...