Instructions for use
VCI2000 products stand out for their ease and quickness of use and provide anti-corrosion action even to non-perfectly sealed packaging. We nonetheless suggest some instructions for use to maximize our products’ efficiency and durability.
Tips for a proper packaging
Avoid putting any objects between VCI2000 packaging and the packaged product, as they might hinder or block VCI2000 vapours migration towards the metal surfaces that need to be protected.
Always be careful that you place the VCI2000 film and/or paper with its active side on the inside of the packaging: the writing “This side out” must be correctly legible from outside.
Avoid packaging metals that are still hot and/or not perfectly dry, as condensation may form inside the packaging.
Avoid packaging metal details that are dirty or still contaminated by processing residue.
Avoid putting wood or cardboard inside the VCI2000 packaging and, in general, avoid wood or cardboard contact with the metal pieces you need to protect. If you need to use wood or cardboard for your packaging, wrap the wood and cardboard parts with VCI2000 film or paper and, in this case, keep the active side out (“This side out” writing shall not be legible from the outside).
Once the VCI2000 packaging is completed, avoid exposing it to extreme temperature excursion within the first two hours.
Avoid storing VCI2000 packaging outdoors without further protection from sunlight or rain.
Warning about the cleaning and handling of products to be packed
Always wear protective gloves, as acidity and moisture that come from direct skin contact with the metals are the main causes of oxidation.
Remove any possible processing residues as they can cause corrosion (pitting).
Dry your products before packaging, as any possible moisture inside the packaging may cause such condensation that not even VCI corrosion inhibitors are able to neutralize.
Data Sheet
- Shrink film and tube [>Donwnload PDF]
- Strecth [> Donwnload PDF]
- Gusseted Bags [> Download PDF]
- Bags and zipper bags [> Download PDF]
- Paper [> Download PDF]
- Powderpack [> Download PDF]
- ESD Emitter [> Download PDF]
- Foam [Available soon]
- Wire [> Download PDF]
- Wrapp [Available soon]
- Silverwrapp barrier [Available soon]
Faq
Corrosion is quite a common phenomenon that strikes metals and it is an important economic factor in industrial activities. It is an electrochemical phenomenon that involves a chemical and physical interaction of the metal with the environment. In certain environmental conditions, the metal tends to achieve its most chemically-stable natural form, usually its oxide, hydroxide or hydrated salt form, and this happens only when a conductive solution called electrolyte is present. This is frequently caused by rain, water, moisture or condensation.
Ferrous metals are all those metals that contain iron. Steel is an example of a ferrous metal. Metals that contain other elements such as zinc, magnesium, copper etc. are classified as non-ferrous metals.
Cardboard and wood are hygroscopic materials that act as sponges, absorbing and holding moisture even in a common delivery and shipping environment. When metal parts come into contact with or are close to damp wood or cardboard, moisture and acidity are transferred to metals, and this will then cause corrosion. It is therefore important to place VCI2000 paper or polyethylene between the metals and hygroscopic materials such as cardboard or wood to prevent corrosion in the areas that come into contact with them.
You do not need a vacuum-formed package, however, VCI2000 volatile corrosion inhibitors must be allowed to act inside an enclosed environment such as the package, bonding and migrating together with the air that is inside the package. We therefore advise manually eliminating air from the package and sealing it tightly. Thus, saturation will be quicker and protection will last longer.
When VCI2000 products are used correctly, protection will last for years. A normal metal piece correctly wrapped in VCI2000 packaging (paper or polyethylene) will be protected for two years in an indoor environment. Moreover, for more specific needs, corrosion protection can be extended and last more than 10 years.
When relative humidity forms on metal surfaces that were first machined and then cooled, VCI2000 paper, if it is placed into contact with the metal, absorbs the moisture. VCI2000 inhibitors are therefore able to play their anticorrosive role perfectly. This does not mean that VCI2000 polyethylene is a less effective product, but it is often combined with VCI2000 paper when there is a doubt that packaged products may not be completely dry.
Some VCI2000 products, such as VCI2000 paper, work well when they are in contact with the materials to be protected. Other protectives, such as VCI2000 film, just need to be close to the content of the package, while the emitters have an anticorrosive action from a distance, as they saturate the air inside the package and therefore protect the goods from corrosion. Different VCI2000 products are often used together to guarantee both contact and distance protection.
VCI2000 inhibitors are a volatile substance, therefore they will volatilize from the metal surface and vanish in the air once the metal manufactured products have been removed from their package. The products will be clean and free of residues.