The oxidation of iron to rust is a problem structural engineers need to be concerned about, but the oxidation of aluminum to aluminum oxide is not. Why?

A) Since aluminum is so light and inexpensive, it is easily replaced when corroded.
B) Aluminum oxide is insoluble in water and thus forms a protective coating that prevents continued oxidation of the aluminum.
C) Aluminum oxide is even stronger than aluminum.
D) The oxidation of aluminum is a very slow reaction, taking hundreds of years before any structural changes are noticed.


B

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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