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General questions
How Long Does VCI Paper Last ?
Our rolls of RustX VCI paper are packaged in sealed corrugated boxes. When not in use, the paper should be stored inside the box which may be taped or otherwise kept closed. This is sufficient to protect the VCI material and maintain the paper throughout its 2 year shelf life. It is acceptable to store the paper in a sealed plastic bag if the original packaging becomes compromised.
Is VCI paper coated on one side or both ?
Our RustX VCI paper is meant to be used with the RustX logo facing out. The coating is on the opposite of the logo side.
How do you recommend using RustX VCI paper?
The VCI paper is designed to be used as a wrapping material and packaging material for parts. It is not designed as solely an emitting device. Paper may be used to wrap materials inside a package, or used as interleaving sheets for large stacks of parts, but it not designed to be added to a specific volume of space as an emitter.
How long will VCI paper protect my parts in a sealed bag?
If the paper used to package a part and is properly sealed in a Mylar (or other plastic) bag, the paper will remain active inside the packaging for at least 24 months. In a perfectly sealed environment, once the bag is saturated with VCI, there is no additional loss of VCI to the atmosphere.
Is VCI affected by hot or cold temperatures?
Cold temperatures do not significantly affect the performance of VCI paper, however extreme heat can accelerate the loss of corrosion inhibitors over time. Proper sealing of the packaging does minimize the losses.
Can our business order just one roll of RustX VCI paper?
Yes, we’re happy to ship one roll. Because we stock rolls for immediate shipment, you can purchase rolls when needed.
Can VCI paper be used with other rust prevention methods?
RustX VCI paper can be used with a wide variety of rust prevention solutions. VCI enhances and does not interfere with rust preventive coatings. VCI paper can also be used with other VCI emitters and even desiccant products.
Other questions
The Molecular Method: VCI Paper
Today’s most effective corrosion inhibitors combine active and passive corrosion protection. This process is influenced by a vapor and contact phase to deposit corrosion-inhibiting molecules on the surface of the metal, but without the need for removal. The molecules dissipate once the inhibitor is removed from the metal part or the part is removed from the packaging environment.
The VCI technology establishes an atmosphere of rust protection independent of the temperature or humidity levels. The protective layer creates a barrier between the surface and atmosphere and inhibits water molecules from contacting the metal surface.
For this method to be truly effective, the metal surface must be as clean as possible. When packaging parts using VCI, it’s also extremely important for the environment to be completely sealed so no molecules escape the environment.
Guidelines For Using VCI Paper During Packaging And Shipping
- Use VCI paper or another variety whose effectiveness is never compromised by the presence of water or humidity
- Apply 1 square foot of VCI paper for every 3 square feet of surface area on metal part
- Apply 1 square foot for every 1 cubic foot of shipping container or packaging materials being protected from contacting metal parts
Guidelines For Using VCI Paper In Shipping Scenarios
- Use reinforced VCI paper with heavier weight to ship large or irregularly shaped metal parts, components and equipment
- Use poly, wax or other barrier coated paper to keep out moisture and grease
- Use heavy-duty paper for heavy parts and longer transit distances for increased resistance to potential rips and tears
A Brief How-To Guide For Packaging And Shipping With VCI Paper
- Wrap individual metal parts, components or equipment using VCI paper.
- Before placing parts in a shipping container, line the bottom of the crate with VCI film or poly bags.
- Place a layer of parts – wrapped in VCI paper – in the crate.
- Before adding a new layer, interleave VCI paper on top of the first layer.
- If a wooden crate is used as a base or a pallet is used to brace the packaging environment, it’s important to wrap or cover any wood areas to prevent acidic moisture from contacting metal surfaces.
- If corrugated cardboard separators are used between metal parts, be sure to interleave VCI paper between the cardboard and the metal parts, as these separators can be a significant source of corrosion.
What you use to package your metal parts is important for the success of your business and the respect of your clients. So, when the method you use is no longer successful at delivering pristine metal parts to your customers, it’s time to select a more effective solution.
The Science Behind VCI
Understanding how corrosion occurs helps companies control it and deliver pristine parts to satisfied customers (i.e., customers looking to order more parts).
- The corrosion reaction between metals and oxygen is immediate and continuous unless the corrosion cell perpetuating the reaction is stopped.
- Corrosion on metal is a result of oxidation – a molecular, destructive reaction between oxygen and a metal’s surface.
- While oxidation does not weaken metal, its surface disintegrates, and a brittle film forms. Rust, however, does weaken metal and is a serious concern.
Corrosion inhibitors ensure that your metal parts meet required levels of purity for assembly, processing and shipment for your customer.
- The technology in VCI Packaging works by creating an invisible molecular layer of corrosion protection on metal surfaces.
- The corrosion-inhibiting compound migrates from the VCI packaging (paper, poly bag, foam emitter) into the packaging environment, while a thin layer of protection adheres to metal surfaces, reaching into recessed areas, holes, nooks and crannies.
- VCI packaging self-adjusts to the temperature and humidity for efficient protection. Plus, vapors replenish inside the contained package.
Since metal parts are manufactured in different weights, shapes and sizes, metal parts manufacturers require various corrosion-inhibiting packaging.
Environmentally friendly, easy to use, economical and extremely effective, VCI products are the only choice for corrosion prevention on fabricated metal parts.
How Long VCI Works?
VCI protects metal parts from corrosion for up to 15 years as long as there is no significant, continuous exchange of air within the enclosure.
How does moisture in a package affect the performance of VCI packaging products?
Some VCI packaging products are produced from low- and high-density polyethylene resins, and they are, to a large extent, resistant to vapor penetration. Some atmospheric moisture will eventually find its way into a closed package. The presence of moisture in a package can be expected during shipments across areas of high humidity. The VCI product still inhibits corrosion despite a low level of moisture passing through the plastic.
What can be anticipated when wet parts are packaged in VCI products?
We always recommend placing clean, dry parts in VCI packaging. If this is impossible, VCI packaging will still protect metal parts from rust, as moisture helps to disassociate the VCI ions. If parts are packaged wet, we always recommend adding a sheet of VCI paper inside the VCI bag to give an even higher level of protection.
How long can parts be expected to remain free of corrosion after removal from a VCI package?
Tests performed with electron scanning (ESCA) microscopy show that two to four hours after a steel test panel is removed from a VCI package, all traces of the corrosion-inhibiting molecular layer are gone from the surface of the part.
How long does it take for the interior of a VCI package to reach its designed corrosion-prevention capability?
The time required for active corrosion-inhibiting molecules from VCI products to saturate a package is a result of the volume and temperature of the package. Protection begins as soon as corrosion-inhibiting molecules reach the metal surfaces, and maximum protection is achieved when the entire environment of the package is saturated with the corrosion-inhibiting molecules. VCI saturation in typical factory environments and in typical packaging applications runs from 1/2 to 24 hours.