Lisa J Thompson
Gun safes are an applicant that many people use to help protect their valuables and guns. While you may think that a gun safe is made of a material impervious to corrosion, you need to learn how they can cause corrosion when in contact with certain materials. If you’re still wondering do gun safes cause corrosion, no worries! Our post will help you. Let’s see!
Stainless Steel Safe
Do Gun Safes Cause Corrosion?
The answer depends on the elements that cause corrosion on both the inside and outside your gun safe.
Corrosion is a serious problem for gun safes. The cause is not only humidity or moisture trapped inside the gun safe but also the corrosive chemical interactions of the materials utilized to build it.
To comprehend corrosion problems, it is necessary to investigate the chemicals included in this stuff and how they react. These chemicals include pyrite, ferroxidase, sulfur, and formaldehyde. Let’s check it out for more details!
Pyrite – FeS2
Pyrite Crystal
Iron sulfide is another name for the mineral pyrite. Did you know that pyrite is also known as fool’s gold? It looks very similar to real gold in color, but unfortunately, it isn’t a precious metal.
Iron sulfide (FeS2) combines with oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) to create iron oxide-hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) and sulfuric acids (H2SO4).
Sulfuric acid is the main element that eats away the safe and also severely compromises its integrity.
Ferrooxidans – Bacteria
Ferrooxidans are metal-eating bacteria. It breaks down pyrite and other metals, producing iron hydroxide as a byproduct of their activity, which causes rusting and corrosion.
In mineral extraction, ferroxidase bacteria are used to extract metals from low-grade ore.
Sulfur – S
Sulfur Crystal
One of the main exports from China is drywall, which contains high levels of sulfur above 10%.
Sulfur (S) combines with humidity (H2O) to form hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfuric acids (H2SO4). As mentioned above, sulfuric acid is extremely corrosive to the metal if not properly diluted.
Formaldehyde – CH2O
Because of its widespread usage, formaldehyde is the most hazardous of all materials mentioned in this article. Manufacturers often use formaldehyde to produce drywall. It’s found not only outdoors but indoors as well, including in your safes.
The carpeted interior of most safes adheres with a formaldehyde-containing glue, which will give off toxic fumes if they’re damaged during repair work.
FAQs
How To Prevent Corrosion In A Gun Safe?
Corrosion can ruin valuables inside the safe such as papers, photocopies, jewelry, or guns with ammunition.
As an owner, you are responsible for the upkeep of your gun safe, and when the safe is not properly maintained, hazardous things can occur.
However, some methods can help identify when corrosion has set in, guiding one on how to handle each situation appropriately. As a result, identifying potential risks and knowing when they occur are critical before anything goes too far.
If you discover that your gun safe is constructed of corrosive materials mentioned above, replacing the interior of your gun safe is the most efficient method to avoid corrosion. However, replacement is a time-consuming and costly alternative.
It is essential to check the temperature and moisture levels of your gun safe’s inside daily.
On the other hand, if you keep water inside the gun safe such as marine crafts, make sure to dry it before closing it and not store iron items such as nails inside it.
Please do not place your gun safe in areas where humidity is high such as under the sink or near bathrooms.
In addition, dehumidifiers are the most effective application to prevent corrosion. The humidity level is essential to consider when deciding if a dehumidifier is appropriate for your gun safe.
Here are three factors that influence humidity: local temperature, frequency of use, and placement. If you live in a humid area, you should consider purchasing a dehumidifier.
Another simple method is to avoid purchasing a gun safe consisting of drywall and carpets.
Do Guns Corrode In Safes?
Gun Corroded By Chemicals
A safe is an excellent way to keep your firearms secure from the elements, robbery, and children. To store your gun in a safe, you need to protect it from several elements.
Ensure no rust and moisture by storing at 70°F (22-25 degrees Celsius) with 50% humidity for storage of a long-term period such as one year or more before checking again.
Furthermore, cover the steel components within the gun safe with wax to keep the safe’s corrosive chemicals from adhering to the firearm. Otherwise, we recommend keeping your gun in another place in your home.
How To Choose A Gun Safe?
Here are some important points you need to consider when looking for a safe. Do not use gun safes with metal parts in them. The metal reacts with humidity, oxygen, and water in the air which causes corrosion and rusting.
Do not buy cast iron gun safes, and if you see a cabinet made of solid sheets of steel or cast iron for less than $50, avoid it at all cost. If you want to use a metal safe, then only use aluminum, zinc, or magnesium.
A great gun safe needs to have adjustable shelves and interior space. It should be easy to set up, strong, secure, and made of solid wood. Almost all gun safes range in size from 6 cubic feet up to 30 cubic feet. For most homes, selecting a 10–20 cubic foot model is ideal.
It’s important to keep your valuables protected, which is why I recommend using an electronic safe. It is not that expensive and comes in all shapes.
Final Words
We hope this article will provide some valuable information on the topic – do gun safes cause corrosion? – and help you take care of your gun safe and maintain it for years!
What other questions or concerns do you have about gun safes? Leave a comment below, and we’ll answer any questions as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to share this post with others if you find it helpful!
