Manufacturers often protect metal parts from corrosion by using rust preventatives or coatings. These protective layers, applied directly to the metal part, create a barrier between the metal surface and surrounding oxygen, moisture, or other corrosive elements that could cause the otherwise bare metal to start rusting.
As the global leader in Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor Technology, Cortec® Corporation has helped revolutionize this method of protecting metal parts from rust and corrosion. Cortec's technology tackles corrosion from a new perspective that does not require corrosion inhibitors to be applied directly to the metal surface and cleaned off later. Instead, Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor Technology turns basic packaging materials like paper, cardboard boxes, and plastic bags into corrosion inhibiting tools that protect by vapor phase action without the direct application of a rust preventative or coating to the metal. Metal parts do not require direct contact with Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor packaging, either, but are protected simply by being packaged inside. This reduces the cost, hassle, and hazards typically associated with traditional rust preventatives that must be cleaned off and discarded as hazardous waste once the metal part reaches its destination or the next stage of manufacturing.
One special means for creating effective corrosion inhibiting packaging is CorShield® 352 Coating for Paper and Corrugated powered by Nano VpCI®, a coating that contains multi-metal Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors. Applied to normal Kraft paper or linerboard, CorShield® 352 Coating creates an excellent protective material for interleaving or individually packaging metal parts. When metal articles are enclosed within flexible packaging or corrugated boxes coated with CorShield® 352, protective molecules from the VpCI® coating vaporize off the packaging material to provide complete corrosion protection to enclosed metals. The unique inhibiting action of Cortec® CorShield® 352 forms a very thin and effective protective layer on the surfaces of these metal parts to inhibit the formation of rust or corrosion. This molecular layer does not alter the appearance or performance of the metal products or require removal before further finishing or use. Parts protected with VpCI® can be painted, welded, or soldered upon removal from the package. The VpCI® coated packaging can simply be recycled in normal waste streams.
CorShield® 352 Coating has several advantages for enhanced safety and ease of use:
- It contains no heavy metals, halogens, or solvents
- It is nitrite-free
- It does not interfere with the ability to repulp/recycle paper once coated
- It protects multiple metals (including carbon steel, cast iron, and various copper alloys)
- It is non-tacky
- It is hot melt or cold-set glueable
CorShield® 352 should be applied directly to the paper or board with traditional paper coating applicators such as rod, blade, or spray. Drying can be accomplished by passing the coated substrate through a warm air oven or by using infrared bulbs. The product is also available in a super concentrated version that can be applied as is or diluted with water to the desired non-volatile content.
VpCI® packaging is a significant alternative to traditional methods of protecting metal parts between various stages of finishing and quality inspection or during shipment. By using flexible packaging or boxes coated with CorShield® 352, manufacturers can greatly improve the ease with which they ensure their metal goods reach the customer clean, corrosion free, and ready to use.