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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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General rust rates

I am trying to get an estimate of the rate of rusting of a hollow metal pole that is exposed to the elements. Would this take a matter of hours, days, weeks, etc.

Thanks,

Will Hogan
- St. Louis, Missouri
2003

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2003

Hi Will,

Your question as stated is impossible to answer. At the very least, you need to provide the following:
1. What the pole is made of.
2. Has the pole been chemically treated.
3. Has the pole been painted.
4. What kind of paint was used.
5. What sort of "elements" to which the pole will be exposed.

"A problem well stated is a problem half solved." ;-)

George Gorecki
- Naperville, Illinois

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2003

1. unknown, but it is a generic (hollow) metal pole used for parking control that probably had a chain connected to it.
2. not treated
3. not painted
4. n/a
5. The pole was outside in an asphalt parking lot.

Again, I am really looking for a just general range, (i.e. more than 3 days but less than 10).

Thanks for any assistance that you can provide.

Will

Will Hogan
- St. Louis, Missouri

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2003

Actually, Will, the vagueness of your letter is mostly my fault. Before posting we usually write back that we can't print abstract questions, only real-world situations. Yours slipped through while I was sleepy :-)

Please explain what is going on so your questions can be answered properly. When you are asking a stranger to help you, they do have a right to ask what cause will be advanced by the expenditure of their time. Thanks.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey