SpudFiles

well, my science homework had an interestion question today so i thought i would share it with you.

How would you rust proof a large sea-bearing ship? cheaply

Rust-proof paint?

lol thats a very odd question from a science book i would expect that from a shipbuilding book not a science book from that i might expect "how would you inexpensively prevent oxidation of an object frequently exposed to water?"

TurboSuper wrote:Rust-proof paint?

wouldnt it kinda wear off after a couple days in salt water?

thespeedycicada wrote:lol thats a very odd question from a science book i would expect that from a shipbuilding book not a science book from that i might expect "how would you inexpensively prevent oxidation of an object frequently exposed to water?"

yeah, it was origionaly like that

I'd say plate it with tin by way of a large-scale electrolysis.

sacrificial anode

Its used on alot of boats

Yep, as Marco said, a sacrificial anode (usually zinc) would be the way to go. Combining that with painting would maximize the life of the anode by reducing the size of the cathode.

Sacrificial anode, that's a new one on me. I have an idea what it might be, but you guys wanna help me out here?

Basically you just attach a bunch of zinc blocks to the boat and they will corrode rather than the boat. They you just need to replace them periodically. Which is a lot easier than replacing the whole boat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrificial_anode

Ah, that's what I was thinkin. Sounds like a good idea to me.

make it out of gold. not cheap, but it would work.

I imagine adding a thin brass coating could work. Don't know how much it would cost, but it would last forever. As long as they don't hit a reef. Or an iceberg.

Sacrifical and paint maybe, I would ring up my grandad as he used to pilot huge ships but i can't be bothered.

And _Fnord on the subject of hitting icebergs:
[youtube][/youtube]
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=af07

Hahahaha, you rock MrC.