It happens that there is an electrochemical solution to this electrochemical problem.

Iron will not rust or oxidize if it is plated with a more reactive metal-one with a more negative reduction potential.

Aluminum is a possible candidate. If iron and aluminum are in contact, iron will behave as the cathode and aluminum as the anode, as their reduction potentials indicate:

A coating of aluminum will prevent iron from being oxidized, and its own oxide will protect the aluminum from continual destructive corrosion.

But if you are going to aluminum-plate iron, you might as well make the objects out of aluminum to begin with, and gain the advantage of lightness.

Unfortunately, aluminum is expensive. A cheaper alternative is to galvanize the iron by giving it a thin coating of zinc.