Actually from chemistry lessons memory I recall that all metal oxidises (iron oxide has a special name called Rust).
Even Aluminium oxidises it's just that it's a tight coating that doesn't come off. The iron oxide flakes off and that's what causes the problem.
In summary Iron Oxide is rust so iron doesn't rust but it does oxidise to produce a product called rust.
No doubt this is all wrong and my memory is telling me fibs.
Feel free to correct.
LL
In message , LiviLion writes
I can assure you that Aluminium also flakes off. Aircraft are predominantly aluminium and they can suffer from horrendous corrosion.
I thought that Gold didn't oxidise, that's why it's used for electrical connectors.
Rust is the common name for iron oxide, but yea other metals can "rust" in the sense they oxidise producing a weaker substance.
The phrase iron rusts means iron turns to rust....
Spot on, I stand corrected, heh.
/pedant/ But the OP was more wrong than I! :)
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