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An image of a rusted pipe. Rust time-lapse

News Rust Time-Lapse

20 January 2025 Holly Eckersley

Time-lapse photography is a valuable method for documenting the formation and progression of rust, a chemical process that occurs when iron or its alloys are exposed to oxygen and moisture over time. This photographic technique captures images at regular intervals, which are then compiled into a sequence to visually represent changes that might otherwise be imperceptible in real-time. When applied to the study of rust, time-lapse photography provides insights into the rate and patterns of corrosion, as well as the environmental factors that influence its development.

The process of rust formation, or oxidation, is a relatively slow phenomenon under typical conditions, making it an ideal subject for time-lapse photography. This technique compresses the timeline of rusting, allowing researchers, engineers, and educators to observe months or years of change within a matter of seconds or minutes. The resulting videos serve as powerful tools for illustrating the dynamics of corrosion, both for scientific analysis and public communication.

One of the key advantages of time-lapse photography in studying rust is its ability to capture temporal patterns. Rusting often begins with localised spots where protective coatings, such as paint, are compromised or where moisture accumulates. Over time, these spots expand, eventually leading to widespread corrosion. Time-lapse sequences reveal these progression patterns in detail, providing critical data for understanding the kinetics of rust formation. For instance, researchers can study how different environmental conditions—such as humidity, temperature, and exposure to salt water—affect the speed and severity of rusting.

In industrial contexts, time-lapse photography has practical applications in material testing and product development. Engineers use this method to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-corrosion coatings, treatments, or design modifications. By exposing samples to controlled conditions and recording the rusting process over time, they can compare the performance of various materials and coatings. This approach allows for efficient assessment without requiring prolonged observation periods, thereby accelerating the development of corrosion-resistant technologies.

Educationally, time-lapse videos of rust formation are used to demonstrate the principles of chemistry and materials science. They provide a visual representation of abstract concepts, such as redox reactions and the role of electrolytes in corrosion. These visual aids can enhance understanding for students and lay audiences, particularly in illustrating the cumulative impact of small, incremental changes.

The setup for time-lapse photography in rust documentation typically involves the use of a stable camera, controlled lighting, and a consistent environment. Advanced systems may include automated cameras and data logging equipment to correlate visual changes with environmental variables, such as temperature and humidity. The frequency of image capture is adjusted based on the expected rate of rust formation; intervals ranging from minutes to hours are common.

Time-lapse photography is a practical and effective tool for documenting rust. It enables the visualisation of slow processes, supports material testing and education, and enhances understanding of environmental impacts on corrosion. While it is not without limitations, its ability to compress time and reveal dynamic changes makes it an invaluable resource in the study of rust.

We now turn to YouTube to consider the many ways that enthusiasts document this process.

An image of a rusted sculpture. Rust Time-Lapse

This YouTube video by Photo Owl Time-Lapse shows the dynamic effect of water and air on a 21cm metal sheet. The experiment shows the slow incremental chemical change over 19 days or 448 hours. The viewer can see how incredibly quickly the metal sheet begins to show signs of rust and at the end of the experiment the change is quite startling.

ScienceSkool posted this video to YouTube, to show the progressive rusting of steel on a small metal plate outdoors. This plate was photographed over eight months using time-lapse photography. This experiment was conducted by Cardiff University at the School of Chemistry.

At Time-Lapse Systems our cameras have been used as part of a range of scientific studies including decomposition, as-well as animal behaviour, seabird migration and RSPB conservation work. The YouTube videos seen here show the effectiveness of time-lapse photography to document change over time. As the UK’s leading provider of time-lapse services in the UK we work across many different sectors on projects for varying lengths. We are happy to discuss how we can help capture any project, big or small.

If you would like to hear more about the services we offer please get in touch.

An image of a rusted pipe. Rust time-lapse

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Time-Lapse Systems are a part of Hideaway Media Ltd (est. 2007). World leader in the provision of bespoke time-lapse capture and site monitoring solutions. UK and Worldwide.