i have a pocket knife that is stainless steel that my mom found in the parking lot and i am wondering if oxygen peroxide will rust it? and if it dose is there something else i can use to get rid of the rust?
Stainless does rust over time (EVERYTHING rusts it's called oxidation) Whenever something comes in contact with oxygen, the molecules will bond with the oxygen to form an oxide. Iron form iron oxide or rust which is reddish brown, apples turn brown after several minutes after it's been bitten. It all depends on the type of material used to manufacture the stainless. Stainless is made up of .2%-2% carbon, 11%%-28.5% chromium and iron. Some stainless is further advanced by adding other metals like nickel, molybdenum or niobium. Most stainless pocket knives are either normal steel coated with stainless or a cheaper form of stainless (it will have a high 300 number or very low 400 stamped on it). Other time, stainless will rust when a form of iron scratches the surface and contaminates the stainless, this is easily treatable if you get it quickly. Oxygen peroxide should not rust it, since the oxygen has already bonded with each other to form peroxide (2 oxygen molecules). It's the simplest form, but not the most stable (which means it could make your knife rust further). But I recommend steel wool or a scratch pad used to clean cook where (usually green or brown) to remove the rust.
Stainless steel does not rust, but It can get dulled. Oxygen peroxide will not hurt it.
