PRESS RELEASE: Ask the Right Questions to Get the Right Corrosion Solutions
March 26, 2024
When it comes to solving a corrosion problem, much of the success hinges on choosing the appropriate materials and methods for metals protection. But with hundreds of rust preventative products on the market, how does a manufacturer or preservation specialist know which ones to select? Cortec® Corporation shares advice on how to narrow down the options by asking the right questions.
Don’t Just Ask for a Direct Replacement
Asking for the equivalent of a familiar rust preventative that is no longer available or has negative characteristics may be the most natural question, but it will not necessarily yield the best results. This is because developing a good solution to corrosion depends on more than choosing an effective product. Other factors such as convenience, worker safety, sustainability, and physical characteristics also play into the overall success rating of the solution. Furthermore, it may turn out that a completely new approach (e.g., a packaging material instead of an oily rust preventative) serves the purpose better.
Ask These Questions Before Choosing a Rust Preventative
The important things to consider are the needs and parameters of the application rather than a preconceived notion of a specific product type that should be used. According to Eric Uutala (Technical Sales and Product Manager – Asset Preservation and CorroLogic® Products), the same six to eight questions will lead to a good solution for 90 percent of the applications that exist. The following are good examples of what to ask.
• What kind of metal needs to be protected?
Some corrosion inhibitors protect only ferrous metals, some yellow metals, and some both. The important thing is to provide protection for whatever metals are present and not to use chemistry that is corrosive to any yellow metals in the application.
• How long does the metal need to be protected?
Protection needs range from a few hours to decades. Naturally, more robust/heavier duty chemistries/materials will be needed the longer the protection is needed. For example, MilCorr® VpCI® Shrink Film or CorrLam® LD VpCI® Barrier Laminate are better choices for long-term storage while a piece of CorShield® VpCI®-146 Paper is more appropriate for domestic shipment.
• What conditions or processes will the parts/equipment undergo?
This is one of the most critical questions. Parts in climate-controlled storage will need much less protection than parts being shipped through humid conditions or stored outside near the ocean. Knowing what conditions to expect will help end users select the most suitable preservation materials.
• What are the dimensions of the parts/equipment?
The size and shape of a part can affect the choice of whether to use a coating vs. a VpCI® Film or Paper and what size of packaging to use. For example, a removable coating such as VpCI®-391 may be more suitable for transporting equipment with awkward profiles than would be a VpCI® Film that might tear on sharp edges.
• What is the preferred medium/carrier type?
When choosing between various liquid rust preventatives and coatings, the user has the further option of selecting a solvent-based, water-based, and/or biobased carrier and leaving behind an oily surface or a dry one. For instance, VpCI®-377 is water-based and leaves a dry unnoticeable film, while EcoLine® 3220, which contains 99% USDA certified biobased content, leaves behind an oily film.
• What is the preferred application/removal method?
For those applying rust preventative liquids, application options include spraying, brushing, dipping, and other automated processes. In other cases, some will prefer using a VpCI® packaging material that is easy to apply and remove simply by placing a part into a bag or taking it out, leaving the part clean and dry for immediate installation. Whatever metal is in need of protection, knowing the basics of the situation will go a long way toward helping end users identify the product that will work best for them. Contact Cortec® for further assistance choosing the right corrosion solution after answering the questions above!
Keywords: corrosion solutions, corrosion best practices, rust preventative, corrosion protection, corrosion problems, Cortec, coatings for metal, biobased rust preventative, VCI film, VCI paper
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