6 tips to get the rust under control
Opening a container to discover corrosion on metal objects is frustrating. That often means lost time, missed deadlines and unhappy people in your supply chain. The loss and/or rework due to the corroded products, plus the impact on the business adds up to a significant cost. Corrosion can be complicated and can be caused by a combination of factors during production and storage. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to eliminate common sources of corrosion on your metal products right away.
To look for any causes of corrosion, one of the best places to start is handling and packaging the parts. These are some things you can do regardless of the type of packaging you use.
- Use clean gloves
Do the personnel use clean gloves? Do they even wear gloves? Hands and even dirty gloves are sources of dirt and contaminants that cause so-called fingerprint corrosion. Provide clean gloves to workers who handle and pack parts, and train them. It is important to replace the gloves regularly or when the gloves become soiled.
- Only pack metals that are clean and dry
Residues of water and metalworking residues are the most important sources of corrosion. Metals must be dry and clean of contaminants and residue before they are packed, otherwise they have no chance against corrosion.
- Pack metals at room temperature
If metals are packed while still warm or hot, moisture can condense on the metal surface as it cools and become a source of corrosion. Waiting until parts are at the same temperature as ambient reduces the risk of condensed moisture inside the packaging.
The next tips are specifically for users of VCI packaging . VCI stands for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor. VCI packaging products work by emitting molecules that inhibit corrosion. The molecules form a thin, protective layer on a metal surface. This invisible layer prevents moisture and environmental elements from reacting with the metal surface and causing corrosion. VCI packaging is available in many delivery systems, such as VCI foil, VCI kraft paper sheets , and even drop-in VCI capsules .
Here are three tips to keep in mind to maximize the effectiveness of your VCI packaging products.
- Make sure the packaging is tight
VCI can only work in a tight environment, so make sure VCI bags are tightly closed. Fold or roll them closed and secure the package with tape or strips. Poly VCI bags can be welded with plastic welding pliers, and some bags come with a zipper. Make sure they are folded so that any water that falls on them drains off.
- Use enough VCI packaging
The VCI molecules must reach the metal surfaces to protect them. For tightly packed parts or large packages with solid layers, add VCI sheets or diffusers to each layer. We can help you come up with the best possible packaging method for your products!
- Prevent metals from touching cardboard and wood
Pallets and containers made of cardboard and wood are common sources of corrosion problems. They contain moisture, acids and other contaminants that cause rust. Use pallet caps/pallet bags with VCI and protect metals from corrosive cardboard using VCI polyfilm or Kraft paper sheets.
This article was taken from Zerust.com
