Metals are the foundational materials supporting every industry. When they fail, machinery stops working, and buildings become unsafe to use. Preventing that from happening means understanding what affects metals the most — like weathering.
Experts should know how different types of metal react to weather conditions to better gauge the significance of outdoor exposure to standard materials.
3 Weather Factors Affecting All Metals
Weather patterns influence metals in multiple ways. Deep diving into how key environmental factors affect metals can help make their damaging effects more clear.
1. Temperature
Temperature is the first weather-related element that can impact a metal’s structural integrity. When it heats or cools to drastic extremes, metals warp under its influence.
Although some materials can withstand intense temperatures, they may not permanently maintain their condition under severe fluctuations.
2. Humidity
Humidity will also change a metal’s quality. The higher moisture levels react with the electrons on various materials.
Even galvanized steel corrodes in humidity at temperatures over 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), which is a concern for any machinery or equipment creating increased temperatures just by operating correctly.
3. Direct Sunlight
Sunshine can have serious impacts on a metal over time. Any metals exposed to constant sunlight and heat can corrode faster.
Too much exposure can also lead to uneven warping, making the metal less safe for use.
How Different Types of Metal React to Weather Conditions
Looking into specific metals and their reactions to weather conditions is the best way to fortify projects and prevent potential repair needs.
Experts in any industry could benefit from learning the specifics before upcoming engineering projects.
Iron
Iron is a reliable metal that conducts heat and electricity. It’s the foundation metal for various projects, but weather conditions can trigger deterioration.
Rain causes rust, especially if the pH level of the rain in a particular region is low. If rust creeps over the exposed iron unchecked, it will eat away at the metal until it’s unsafe to use.
Steel
Steel is another form of iron, but there are numerous types. It changes depending on what the iron mixes with during the steel’s manufacturing process.
The strong material can withstand hurricane-level winds, but it may be more prone to rusting if it doesn’t include a significant mix of zinc, magnesium or other types of metal.
It’s also worth noting that steel can corrode faster if airborne impurities dissolve on its surface.
The impurities may chew through the metal more easily when combined with humid, hot weather conditions. It’s a risk that comes with exposing steel to natural elements in the long term.
Copper
When copper reacts to oxygen and moisture, it starts turning green. The chemical reaction eats away at the copper until it’s likely to leak or break.
The green effect happens more quickly if copper withstands continually melting snow, rain or humidity.
Brass
Plumbers rely on brass because it holds up well under water. However, other weather conditions can significantly change its quality.
Saltwater winds during massive storms off the coast often erode brass because they have a higher salinity level, while sunlight and heat won’t have much effect.
Brass is more durable than most metals, so even the hottest day in a desert wouldn’t cause warping. It’s so reliable that people have been using it since the 5th century B.C. by mixing copper and zinc.
The combination made brass a leading material for applications like plumbing, machinery and even musical instruments.
3 Resources to Mitigate Weather-Related Deterioration
Experts can always protect the metals necessary for their projects with weather-fighting steps. Learning to mitigate deterioration will prolong any metal’s usefulness, even under extreme conditions.
1. Exterior Coatings
Corrosion and other forms of deterioration happen less quickly with exterior coatings. Some of these can happen during manufacturing.
If iron or steel undergoes a manufacturing process and receives an outer zinc layer, it’s much less likely to rust due to zinc’s durability.
Paints are also protective. They form an outer barrier that shields a metal from oxygen, water and electrolytes. Whether a team sprays paint onto a metal or paints it by hand, a layered outer coating will slow corrosion if the paint isn’t chipping away.
Enamels are another exterior coating that stops metals from reacting to weather conditions. It’s easy to apply on most materials. Paints may chip off certain materials more easily.
Enamels coat metal like paint does, so the application process is similar and provides lasting results.
Many engineering teams prefer powder coatings on finished metal products. Teams spray it on metal surfaces and cure it with a flash of high heat.
The extreme temperature causes the resin and additives in the powder to adhere like a liquid coating. It’s cost-effective and may even be more environmentally friendly, which could be a driving factor for any team with sustainable values behind their projects.
2. An Alloying Process
The process of alloying various metals can make the material withstand weather conditions better. It’s most common for stainless steel but improves titanium and nickel materials as well.
The additional elements improve corrosion resistance over time without requiring a project to use an entirely new material that might be more costly.
3. Galvanization
Galvanization is a specific type of outer coating that makes iron less likely to rust. When iron receives a steel or zinc coating through a hot-dip galvanizing bath, it gains a longer life span. Zinc can still rust, but it corrodes away from the iron and prevents the iron from deteriorating.
Electroplating is another way to fortify iron with galvanization. Zinc metal must come into contact with positively charged zinc ions.
When that mixture comes into contact with an electrolyte solution with an electric current, the zinc attaches to the iron in a specified thickness layer. It’s a significant advantage for projects that need a light coating on an iron product.
Understanding Metals Makes Future Projects More Robust
Learning how different types of metal react to weather conditions is the best way to ensure that future projects last longer than a few months. Exterior coatings, galvanization and alloying are just a few ways to make metals withstand weather conditions.
When corrosion isn’t a threat, finished products like plumbing or machinery are safer for everyone to use long-term.
Known for his expertise in industry dynamics, Jack Shaw serves as the editor of Modded. Through his insightful analysis and practical advice, Jack seeks to empower readers with the knowledge to thrive in the ever-evolving mechanical landscape, guiding them toward success in their professional endeavors.