What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us?

[Minimalist]

 It was never really abused or plundered, at least not until the Roman Catholic Church decided to melt down all of its bronze fitting to make the canopy for the altar in St. Peter's.

Except for the Visigoths that one time... and the Vandals a little later.

[Jackalope]

No such thing as rust proof, particularly over the spans of time being considered.  Think of it like this...oxygen proofing, and good luck.

Yep.

Even stainless steel isn't rustproof. I have a stainless steel dive knife that if it isn't cleaned and oiled every time I take it into salt water, I'll find rust under the hilt and pommel.

[Anomalocaris]

 It was never really abused or plundered, at least not until the Roman Catholic Church decided to melt down all of its bronze fitting to make the canopy for the altar in St. Peter's.

Except for the Visigoths that one time... and the Vandals a little later.

There is plunder, and there is plunder.

[Anomalocaris]

No such thing as rust proof, particularly over the spans of time being considered.  Think of it like this...oxygen proofing, and good luck.

Yep.

Even stainless steel isn't rustproof.  I have a stainless steel dive knife that if it isn't cleaned and oiled every time I take it into salt water, I'll find rust under the hilt and pommel.

There are different types of stainless steel. Some really are damn near rust proof and will remain shiny for decades even with exposure to salty air and sea spray.

[vorlon13]

Galvanized iron/steel is a layer of zinc. As it turns out, zinc reacts with concrete, so galvanized iron in contact with concrete needs an additional layer of protection.

I have a galvanized farm structure and we put latex paint on the galvanized surface where it came into contact with the concrete foundation.

It is possible for some types of aggregate added to concrete to chemically react with the cement too. IIRC, there is an interstate in Kentucky or Tennessee that is disintegrating from this problem.

Concrete is an unusual material in several ways. Most rocks are poor conductors of electricity, concrete is much better, not on par with metal, but for something made of various powdered rocks essentially, it is surprisingly conductive.

[Pat Mustard]

Well you cant expect them to compete with all the Alien technology they had back then.

Does it annoy anybody else that that idiot looks like Viiiiiiiiir Cotto in that meme.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

No such thing as rust proof, particularly over the spans of time being considered.  Think of it like this...oxygen proofing, and good luck.

Well, some of the bronze alloys come pretty damned close.

Boru

[Mr.wizard]

Well you cant expect them to compete with all the Alien technology they had back then.

Does it annoy anybody else that that idiot looks like Viiiiiiiiir Cotto in that meme.

I think he looks really high and trying to order a cheeseburger.

[Anomalocaris]

No such thing as rust proof, particularly over the spans of time being considered.  Think of it like this...oxygen proofing, and good luck.

Well, some of the bronze alloys come pretty damned close.

Boru

Rust refer to oxidation of iron.  Other metals by definition don't rust.

[Minimalist]

Except for the Visigoths that one time... and the Vandals a little later.

There is plunder, and there is plunder.

Yeah...you gotta figure by the time the Vandals got there most of the good stuff was gone.