What Causes the ‘Rust’ of a Bike Chain?

Imagine your bike chain is like a group of friends who get jealous and start fighting. When they’re exposed to water, they react with oxygen and turn into rust, a red, flaky substance that makes the chain sticky and hard to move. This happens because the metal in the chain loves to bond with oxygen, especially when it’s wet.

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Examples

  1. A bike chain left outside after a rainy ride becomes rusty and hard to move.
  2. Rust starts growing on the links of the chain when they get wet.
  3. After cleaning, the chain moves smoothly again.

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Categories: Science · biking· chemistry· corrosion