Can Computer Parts Rust?

[Blue Knight]

I like next to a beach as in look out the window and it's across the street. So we get a fair amount of salt air + fog = rust on anything that's susceptable or not protected. Cars, bikes, door hinges, etc.

That said, it is ok to part a computer next to the ocean facing window? Will any part of it rust? This includes case, drives, psu, CRT's, etc. I'm not really sure what goes into manufacturing these things.

All of the previous computer have been in the back of the house, or away from the direct salt air....I guess the've run as long as any other computer is expected to. Just wondering if there's any dangers if it's next to an ocean window.

 

[Flipside]

I assume "part" is put...

Well...Use logic. Anything metal, unless specially treated, will rust. Usually things designed to be used in doors, won't be treated to withstand a lot of moisture, but with that being said, if you have the window open, and it has a decent screen on it you should be alright.

In the end just use common-sense.

 

[GrimWil]

I lived right on the beach in Panama City Beach, FL for a while and the only thing that rusted on one of my computers was the bottom of the case. The computer ran fine for years until I parted the system out. I'm pretty sure the hard drive from it is still running in one of my computers.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by Flipside
I assume "part" is put...

Well...Use logic. Anything metal, unless specially treated, will rust. Usually things designed to be used in doors, won't be treated to withstand a lot of moisture, but with that being said, if you have the window open, and it has a decent screen on it you should be alright.

In the end just use common-sense.

most computer parts are aluminum, plastic, or painted steel, so rust isn't a real issue.

The only thing I'd worry about would be the caps...they don't like excessive humidity, they might decide to burst out of spite...

 

[Flipside]

Originally posted by jagec
most computer parts are aluminum, plastic, or painted steel, so rust isn't a real issue.

The only thing I'd worry about would be the caps...they don't like excessive humidity, they might decide to burst out of spite...

But any scratches on any painted components will rust...Solder may rust (i'm not sure about this)...

Also consider that most electronic components don't like excessive moisture....

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by Flipside
But any scratches on any painted components will rust...Solder may rust (i'm not sure about this)...

Also consider that most electronic components don't like excessive moisture....

solder doesn't rust. Aluminum doesn't rust. IF you have a steel case, any exposed metal is probably stainless steel anyway, which doesn't rust.

Humidity is the problem...not because of rust, but because of what it does to your caps.

 

[BLsibub666]

Aluminum does rust or oxadize, rust is the natural state of most metals, oxegen gets to them and carodes it, and bonds to it, when you look at aluminum what you are seeing is aluminum oxide, its already rusted as much as its going to,

silver, gold, platnum are all in your pc, and by the time you get the pc they are as oxedized as they are going to get so thats not an issue, though salt build up and humidity are issues (salt bilds up in case watter condenses, you get a short, or just make your caps unhappy) but thats a minimal threat

if your woried, be sure your case is aluminum and or painted, clean it out atleast once a year, and it wouldnt be a bad idea to get some fan filters, but use comon sence, if you havent had a problem you probably wont

good luch

 

[kleptophobiac]

Actually, gold is rather unreactive. This is why it is used so much as a contact film in computer components. It is also very conductive.

Since it doesn't corrode, signal voltages do not have to have a high "carrier" to overcome path losses. This makes for simpler, cleaner, and generally better circuitry.

 

[Met-AL]

Originally posted by jagec
Humidity is the problem...not because of rust, but because of what it does to your caps.

What does humidity have to do with capacitors?

 

[Black Morty Rackham]

Salt water has excellent electrical conductivity, so that'll probably be the worst problem. Computer parts are rarely made of iron or similar materials, mostly aluminum, gold, platina, etc... metals that don't rust. Aluminum gets covered in a protective shell of aluminum oxide when it comes into contact with oxygen, and that's all that will happen to it. Only if you have a steel casing that's not treated or stainless will you have to worry about rust.

salt bilds up in case watter condenses, you get a short, or just make your caps unhappy

Not a problem, since the computer will be warmer than the air.

 

[Blue Knight]

Thanks for all the replies. I just wanted to know if there were any parts that would rust excessively, and I guess that the answer is "no".

But I'm still curious, like above, what does water have to do with capacitors? I know they keep a charge of electricity, how does humidity affect that?

 

[Mikesta]

Solder does rust..


Eventually in the long run you'll notice rusting on your case, but it'll take a while.

 

[fat-tony]

Also, unmasked copper has a tendancy to turn green (copper oxidation). This usually isn't a concern in computer cases though, because the traces on the boards are covered with solder mask anyways.

 

[wayne]

Originally posted by fat-tony
Also, unmasked copper has a tendancy to turn green (copper oxidation). This usually isn't a concern in computer cases though, because the traces on the boards are covered with solder mask anyways.

copper tarnishes

oxygen is what makes things rust...it oxidizes the metal

water would make it rust because its H2O which has a oxygen molecule.... maybe you should leave your case to a place where theres no direct salt air?

EDIT- I M A [H]ARD GAWD...1024 posts..w00t!!!!

 

[Stiletto One]

Oxygen ATOM. The water molecule has an oxygen ATOM.

Geez, I hate how laymen always use atom and molecule interchangeably.

Anyway. No, computers aren't usually rust hazards. WRT capacitors, water can get past the seals and start leaching electrolyte out (this is a Bad Thing™), but I would worry about shorting before I would worry about emptied caps.

Humidity, on the other hand, I can't think of a whole lot it can do to capacitors.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by Stiletto One

Humidity, on the other hand, I can't think of a whole lot it can do to capacitors.

I don't know exactly WHAT it does, but eventually all CRTs start getting brighter and brighter until they fade into fuzzy white...think about how it looks when you crank the gamma all the way up and turn the contrast down in your favorite game. The computer itself starts behaving erratically, but the most noticible change is def. the monitor.

 

[CallMeIshmael]

Not to contradict all the experts here, but as an electronics professional experienced in repairing circuits exposed to salt and humidity, I have to throw in my $.02. Only iron "rusts", but aluminum, copper and solder can all corrode from exposure, especially to salt spray (if you don't believe me, find an aircraft mechanic and ask about corrosion on all-aluminum airframes). There can also be problems with mildew on inadequately sealed circuit boards (generally not a problem with computers). Try to minimize the salt spray exposure of your computer, and make a point at least a couple of times a year to clean it thoroughly. Use a damp cloth to removed any salt residue, then rinse with alcohol to remove any residual moisture.
BTW, capacitors don't have any more problem from humidity than any other electronic component unless their seals are bad, and the caps have started seeping electrolye.

 

[wayne]

Use a damp cloth to removed any salt residue, then rinse with alcohol to remove any residual moisture.

and make sure when you do that, that your computer is OFF

or bzzzzz, BOOM..... then the tears starts flowing heheh, jk

 

[CallMeIshmael]

Originally posted by wayne
and make sure when you do that, that your computer is OFF

or bzzzzz, BOOM..... then the tears starts flowing heheh, jk

Off and unplugged from the wall socket (since some people don't seem to realize the PSU is on even if the computer is switched off).
I also forgot to mention earlier that salt residue on a circuit board can become very conductive if even slightly damp...