ZERUST® VCI products prevent corrosion in several ways:
- By acting as a protective barrier from external corrosive atmospheric elements such as abrasion, water, dirt, and acid gas pollutants.
- By emitting Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors that passivate the electron flow between the anodic and cathodic areas on metal surfaces and interrupt the electrochemical corrosion process.
- By adding water repulsion properties to the metal surface, which inhibit water from permeating the metal surface and providing the electrolyte for corrosion reactions.
The vapor corrosion inhibitor portion of ZERUST® VCI products is made of proprietary chemical formulations that are invisible, odorless, non-toxic, non-reactive, non-flammable, and non-allergenic. These chemical formulations release a corrosion inhibiting vapor that diffuses throughout an enclosure that either contains VCI formulations or is made from VCI materials and settles on exposed metal surfaces to form a microscopic corrosion inhibiting layer.
This protective layer will remain on the surface of the metal if there is no significant, continuous exchange of air within the enclosure. Ideally, there should be less than one air exchange per day (for example, when an electrical cabinet or package is opened briefly and occasionally). Once the metal part is removed from the enclosure, the corrosion inhibiting layer is no longer kept in place by equilibrium with the VCI source, and it dissipates from metal surfaces (typically within about an hour) leaving the metal part clean, dry and corrosion-free.
The vapor diffusing properties of our corrosion inhibiting formulations offer an important advantage over conventional inhibitor coatings since the traces of these gas molecules penetrate hard to access crevices, gaps, and slots. They also cover the surfaces of complex-shaped articles that are difficult to coat. They are adsorbed onto the surface of the metal to form a corrosion inhibiting protective layer that is just a few molecules thick. ZERUST® VCI products may also include acid gas absorbing chemicals in the packaging material to act as a barrier and add another dimension to the protection of the metal content. These “scavenging” chemicals react and neutralize the polluted air that may diffuse through the ZERUST® VCI material. Also used are various combinations of physical barrier properties that optimize the corrosion prevention and physical protection needs of our customers. These may range from plain low-density polyethylene (LDPE) material to combinations of higher strength, higher tear resistance, higher resistance to sunlight or UV, static charge dissipation, and lower diffusion for moisture or acid gas molecules.
ZERUST® VCI products offer corrosion protection without having to be in direct contact with or coated onto the parts that are being protected. Metal parts merely need to be enclosed in or with a ZERUST® VCI product (where airflow is minimized) for protection to occur. With ZERUST® VCI packaging, it is no longer necessary to apply messy oils, greases, and other corrosion protection compounds and incur the cost of their removal.
Use ICT®510-C VCI Film for cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for ferrous metals in shipping and storage.
Use ICT®510-C VCI Multimetal Film for cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for ferrous and non-ferrous metals in shipping and storage.
Use ICT®510-C Non-ferrous VCI Film for cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, and galvanized steel in shipping and storage.
Use ICT®510-C VCI Film for cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage.
Use ICT®510-C VCI Tubing for cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage.
ZERUST® Vapor Capsules are portable VCI emitter diffusers that are used to protect metals in hard-to-reach areas of control panels, electrical cabinets, and other enclosed spaces.
ZERUST® ZAK-M22 Vapor Capsules are portable VCI capsules used to protect electronics and electrical components and inside enclosures such as musical instrument cases and gun cases. Each VCI capsule has a unique serial number and QR code printed on the label. This feature used, along with the ZERUST® ZAP App, allows the user to be notified of the initial installation location and replacement schedule.
ZERUST® Z-PAK® is an economical, effective, and easy-to-use vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) diffuser packet that can be used alone or, more typically, with other ZERUST® packaging products to provide robust temporary corrosion protection for ferrous metals during shipment, storage, or work-in-progress.
ZERUST® ICT®432-35P is a kraft packaging paper containing ZERUST® Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs) coated with a plain polyethylene layer (coating on one side of the sheet only).
ZERUST® ICT® Poly Coated Reinforced VCI Paper is a high-quality 35# kraft paper that is saturated on one side with proven ZERUST® corrosion inhibitors and laminated with a 3/4 mil polyethylene layer and fiberglass scrim on the back side to provide superior strength.
ZERUST® ICT®420-35P is a VCI Poly Kraft Paper with proprietary ZERUST® ICT® formulations contained within the polyethylene coating (coating on one side of the sheet only).
ZERUST® ICT® VCI Kraft Paper is a high-quality bio-based, recyclable, and biodegradable kraft paper that is saturated on both sides with ZERUST® corrosion inhibitors. The product integrates packaging materials with powerful vapor corrosion inhibitors for ferrous, non-ferrous, and multimetal parts.
ZERUST® VCI Poly Bags diffuse Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors to protect metal components, machined parts, engines, molds, and more from rust and corrosion.
Use ICT® Tote Covers to protect metal parts from both contamination and corrosion while in temporary storage.
ZERUST® Tube Strip is a flexible VCI emitter tubing product that diffuses Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs) to prevent corrosion within tubes, pipes, and gun barrels.
Use ICT® VCI Weapon Bags to provide protection against corrosion damage for weapons and accessories in shipping, storage and in-between operations.
ZERUST® ICT® Plastabs® are thin, light, rigid polyethylene VCI emitter plastic tabs designed to protect critical surfaces within narrow or hard-to-reach areas of parts or equipment.
ZERUST® Open Cell VCI Foam Emitter Pads are a pre-cut, flexible, and convenient way to provide added corrosion protection in packaging.
