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Question:

Will a polished aluminum bicycle frame rust?

Do these frames rust? For example here is a link. But I am genuinely curious because in swimming pools, the hand rails going into the swimming pool have the same finish as this bike frame and they have white corrosion marks. Thank you in advanced

Answer:

Best thing you can do for a polished Aluminium frame, is to firstly polish it, wipe down with a wax and grease remover, and then spray with a 2 pak clear coat. You will save yourself many years of polishing in the future.
pool rails will not be the same thing as bike aluminum bikes are not immersed in water aluminum cannot rust though it might corrode in salt water or air wle
Pool handrails are more likely to be made of fairly high grade stainless steel than aluminium, so a different chemistry. And to be picky, rust is a word usually used for steel and iron only. So, while aluminium might not rust, it can certainly corrode, under the right circumstances. People using trainers have reported issues with their sweat doing damage to their bikes for instance.
Rust refers to the oxidation of iron, so no it doesn't rust. Aluminium oxidates rapidly which usually increases its corrosion resistance. 6061 is a pretty standard aluminium alloy, which shouldn't corrode under normal circumstances. Certainly not in a well designed and maintained bicycle. Things that could decrease the corrosion resistance of your aluminium bike include: - contact with other metals that have a higher valence (+ contact with water). Could be caused by a poorly designed bike, but not very likely. - contact with chemicals/salts/alkalis - narrow spots (where water could be trapped) caused by poor design, production faults or a damaged surface. Corrosion in your swimming pool could be caused by the chemicals you use to kill the bacteria in the pool. How do you know it is the same material though?

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