Steel wool has iron in it so steel wool can rust. Besides iron, two other substances are needed to make steel wool rust.

Does steel wool go rusty?

Since steel wool — and steel in general — is largely made of iron, steel wool is prone to rust if it doesn’t have a rustproof coating on it. The actual reaction that creates rust happens when two iron atoms mix with three oxygen atoms in water; the oxygen bonds to the metal, and a new compound is formed.

Does steel wool rust when burned?

What’s going on: Steel wool is made mostly of the element iron (Fe). … When the steel wool is heated, this coating is burned off. The heat and large amount of surface area allows the iron in the steel wool to burn or combine with the oxygen in the air. This accelerated oxidation is rusting.