Does the fact that Iron reacts rapidly with oxygen in the presence of water prevent it from being used to coat other metals like copper and zinc?

Is it that the iron will rust quickly and eventually disintergrate leaving the coated metals i.e. zinc, copper exposed.

yes

Thanks. Found the answer through google. It said because Iron rusts it will basically disintergrate very quickly however other metals like zinc copper donot form rust hence they will not disintergrate like iron so they can be used for coating.

Actually, Zn and Cu form a thin coating of the oxide on the surface of the Zn or Cu metal and that doesn't flake off (as the oxide of Fe does) so it hinders further oxidation with the metal underneath the coating.

No, the fact that iron reacts rapidly with oxygen in the presence of water does not prevent it from being used to coat other metals like copper and zinc. In fact, iron can be used as a protective coating for other metals through a process called galvanization.

Galvanization involves coating a metal surface with a layer of zinc to protect it from corrosion. The zinc layer acts as a sacrificial anode, meaning that it corrodes instead of the base metal, providing a barrier against oxygen and water. This process is commonly used to protect iron and steel surfaces, such as with galvanized steel pipes or electrical conduits.

To achieve galvanization, the surface to be coated is typically cleaned and then immersed in a bath of molten zinc or sprayed with a zinc-containing solution. The coating adheres to the metal surface, forming a protective barrier against oxidation and corrosion. This process allows iron to be used effectively as a coating for other metals, including copper and zinc.

So, the reactivity of iron with oxygen in the presence of water does not prevent it from being used as a coating material. Instead, it can be utilized to provide corrosion resistance and protect other metals.