Abstract - 1

Rusting can be prevented using galvanisation, though the current supplied might not
be sufficient to remove the rust at a rate faster than it is produced. We investigated
the effect of the resistivity of a medium on the distance between the sacrificial anode
and heavy rusting so as to find out the optimal placements for them to reduce
wastage, while also fulfilling its purpose of preventing rusting. An iron rod wrapped
with zinc foil at one end was dipped into a salt solution of known concentration, then
left for a week. The distance between the zinc foil and heavy rusting was then
measured. We were able to plot the distance between the zinc foil and heavy rusting
against the concentration of the solution, along with the standard deviation of the
distances measured. Both variables increased as the concentration of the solution
increased.

Abstract - 2
Galvanisation prevents rusting, using a more reactive metal to be corroded in place
of another. The conductivity affects the current in the circuit, affecting the distance
the sacrificial anode protects the metal. Applications include placing sacrificial
anodes optimally on structures, saving materials and preventing rusting. Six 20cm
iron rods were wrapped with a 5cm length of zinc foil at one end, then dipped into
100ml NaCl solutions with concentrations from 0-0.05M, left for a week. The distance
between the zinc and heavy rusting was measured. At 0.0002M, the distance was
~1.0cm and ~10.3cm at 0.01M. Rusting did not occur at concentrations >0.01M.
Preliminaries show a linear relationship between the distance between the zinc and
heavy rusting, and concentration of solution. The precipitate formed was analysed
qualitatively which showed Zn(OH) in all samples. Visually, Fe(OH) was present in
2 3

concentrations ≤0.01M.