Derust Alk is a specially developed alkaline formulation to remove mild rust from mild steel and cast iron substrates. It is to be used instead of hydrochloric acid in order to save expensive components from problems such as hydrogen embrittlement or mild corrosion. Since the salts are not acidic, there is no chance of hydrogen evolution during the rust removal process from the ferrous substrates. Hence hydrogen embrittlement is completely avoided in the derusting operation.