Frequently Asked Questions About Corrosion

1. What is corrosion? Corrosion is an electrochemical reaction between metals and their environment to form metal oxides or salts.
2. What causes corrosion? The presence of corrosive chemicals or gases such as chlorine, sulfur, oxygen, nitrous groups and their compounds. These chemicals cause an electrochemical reaction on the surface that results in corrosion.
3. What is atmospheric corrosion? Corrosive gases in the atmosphere caused by the burning of fossil fuels, from saltwater evaporation, electrical discharges such as lightning, industrial processes, and engine exhaust release chemicals that contact metal surfaces and react to form corrosion.
4. What is Corrosion Intercept? Corrosion Intercept is a reactive polymer developed by Bell Laboratories to prevent corrosion. Corrosion Intercept acts as a barrier to corrosive gases by neutralizing them as they penetrate the polymer compound. Corrosion Intercept acts as a scavenger of any latent corrosive gases present and neutralizes them as well. No chemicals or deposits are left on the protected metals.
5. What is Corrosion Intercept Stretch Film? Corrosion Intercept stretch film is a film that contains a discrete layer of the Corrosion Intercept polymer. The layer is 100% Corrosion Intercept. The film also has the properties of a stretch wrap film with high elongation and a layer of high tack, which binds the package together. These properties make it suitable as a corrosion resistant packaging film. By using a thin film and wrapping an item a number of times the stretch wrap acts as a water vapor barrier, a strong container, and in this case a barrier to atmospheric corrosion. Corrosion Intercept Stretch Film contains no migrating plasticizers or chemicals that might discolor metals or affect electronic components.
6. What is VCI? VCI is an abbreviation for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor. They may contain any of a variety of often hazardous chemicals, often including a family of amine products, which when combined with aliphatic hydrocarbons or nitrates migrate from the packaging and deposit themselves on the surfaces to be protected. The temperature and the vapor pressure of the particular VCI being used control the rate of deposition. If the temperatures are high the VCI is used up quickly, if low the VCI may not be activated. Published MSDS sheets may, or may not, indicate potential health and safety implications from the vapors emitted by these products.
7. How long will the product be protected? Corrosion Intercept will last for years depending upon the concentration of corrosive chemicals in the atmosphere. Properly stored film has an indefinite shelf life. There are no products that will migrate from the film to cause depletion and loss of effectiveness.
8. Will the Corrosion Intercept work if there are oily deposits on the surfaces of the metals? Corrosion Intercept may be used in conjunction with light machine oils or non-VCI containing oils. Fingerprints need to be removed and the metal to be protected needs to be dry.
9. How do you know if the product needs to be repackaged? Corrosion Intercept will change color as it is used up. If the product turns charcoal gray or yellow it is time to rewrap the product.
10. Can Corrosion Intercept be recycled? There are no harmful chemicals in Corrosion Intercept. It may be recycled.
11. Will Corrosion Intercept protect a product inside corrugated packaging? No. Film wrapped around the outside of a corrugated carton cannot protect the metal inside the carton. Corrosion Intercept will ensure that no additional pollutants enter the system and no reactive gases will be able to penetrate the packaging. Under normal conditions the major source of corrosive gases will come from external sources, not from the carton.
12. Do varying temperatures affect the performance of Corrosion Intercept? No. However, condensation on the metal may result in corrosion that cannot be prevented. In these situations a non-metallic desiccant is recommended. In addition to being clean and dry, the items to be packaged should be near or at ambient temperatures to minimize condensation.
13. How long will Corrosion Intercept protect metal products stored outdoors? Protection is dependent upon the external storage conditions. Wide changes in day and night time temperatures, proximity to heavy industrial sites, waste sites, or ocean locations. Long term exposure to sunlight and how well the product is wrapped are other variables that need to be considered. Please contact us for specific information regarding packaging and storage recommendations.
14. How many Corrosion Intercept products are there? Do I need a different one for each metal to be protected? The reactive polymer protects both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Unlike VCI's the Corrosion Intercept product is not dependent on vapor pressure, temperature, or type of cyclic amine used. You don't have to stock different formulas for each metal or temperature condition.
15. Do residual chemicals on the metal interfere with the Corrosion Intercept's effectiveness? Corrosion Intercept acts as a barrier to atmospheric corrosion and acts as a preferential corrosion site for corrosive gases inside the wrapped product container. Corrosion Intercept cannot reverse any corrosion that has already occurred or stop corrosion if the corrosive element is in intimate contact with the surface to be protected. All surfaces should be clean and dry prior to packaging.
16. Will Corrosion Intercept affect plastics or cause discoloration of metals? Corrosion Intercept has a neutral pH and will not affect optical plastics or glass. Corrosion Intercept contains no volatile compounds that could discolor metals.
17. How does Corrosion Intercept compare to corrosion inhibitor papers? Corrosion Intercept is a polyethylene film with excellent moisture vapor barrier properties. Papers, on the other hand, are more absorbent and more porous than plastic films.
18. Are gloves required to handle metal surfaces? Yes. The oils present on the hands will initiate corrosion of the metal. All surfaces of the metal parts should be clean and dry.
19. How does Corrosion Intercept compare to the cost of using Cosmoline or oils for the protection of metals? Many oils and coatings contain hazardous substances and require protective clothing during application. In addition the labor cost involved in application and removal is significant compared to the one time wrapping of the product. The time from receipt to immediate use of a product wrapped with Corrosion Intercept is minutes compared to hours for coating removal. Solvents used for cleaning metal surfaces may be hazardous and require costly disposal and additional record keeping.
20. Does protective clothing need to be worn to handle Corrosion Intercept? No, Corrosion Intercept is non-hazardous and non-allergenic.
21. Does Corrosion Intercept attract dust? Because Corrosion Intercept does not leave any residue or coat the product to be protected there is nothing to attract dust to the surface of the metal. A recent paper published by Boeing Corporation indicated that dust could cause intermittent electrical failures. Dust may be attracted to surfaces with oil deposits or other organic coatings.
22. Explain Corrosion Inhibition: