VCI FAQs

Corrosion begins when an electrolyte (water, oxygen, humidity) is present on the surface of a metal. When this happens, electrons then flow from high-energy areas of the metal to low energy areas in a loop, through the electrolyte. The corrosion process results in the formation of oxidation on the metal surface. ARMOR VCI Nanotechnology™ retards this reaction by passivating the surface and inhibiting or depressing the electro-chemical mechanism that triggers oxidation, i.e. the current flow from anode to cathode. Electrical current attempts to flow from the anode through the electrolyte into the cathode but cannot, because of the VCI’s presence. VCI molecules attach themselves to a metal surface to form an invisible, thin film, possibly only a few molecules or even one molecule thick, to protect metal from attack. ARMOR VCI products can work for several years to prevent corrosion from occurring on the metal surface.

When using ARMOR VCI products properly, protection will last for years. ARMOR offers a range of VCI products to protect a variety of metals for specific packaging requirements. Typical protection periods of a normal 1010 steel panel wrapped properly in ARMOR WRAP® VCI paper can remain protected for over two years.

Corrosion is the natural mechanism by which metal returns to its original state of ore. Corrosion of metal is an electro-chemical process. The flow of electrons from high-energy areas of metal to low energy areas through a solution on the surface of the metal, capable of supporting corrosion. Corrosion will not take place without a conducting solution. The solution is called an electrolyte, caused by water, rain, moisture, and humidity. As little as 65% relative humidity will form an electrolyte, which can cause corrosion.

Nitrites are used in VCI in the form of sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite has been used as a food preservative for over 100 years. It is found in the bacon you eat for breakfast and the salami you eat for lunch. It has been approved as a food additive for over two-thirds of a century. In fact, over 85% of the sodium nitrite present in our body is produced by our own body. In order to consume the MSDS reported hazardous dosage of sodium nitrite, for a normal VCI at 1.0 g/sq. ft. a person would have to EAT all of the sodium nitrite present in 31 sq. ft. of VCI treated paper. Not only does a person not ingest VCI paper, but rarely comes into contact with it, given the fact that workers should wear gloves to avoid the acidity that our fingerprints give off on the metal surfaces.

Similar to most ordinary household chemicals, sodium nitrite is not without risk. It simply must be handled in the same judicious fashion as such ordinary chemicals as household bleach, windshield washer fluid, floor wax, and several others. None of these components would be considered as “hazardous” within normal usage; however, sodium nitrite is often singled out as if it is. While sodium nitrite in VCI Paper should not be construed in the same light as a food preservative, it is not the lethal enemy that some make it out to be. It is used in the VCI industry because it is an excellent inhibitor of rust, especially for steel products. Armor Protective Packaging® manufactures several different VCI products, with and without sodium nitrite. Please contact an ARMOR representative for information and help in specifying the correct product(s) for your application.

From strictly a corrosion inhibitor standpoint, paper has been a better inhibitor of rust due to the way that the VCI is impregnated into the paper, and is released into the air and onto the product. VCI papers have been in existence for over 50 years, first adopted by the United States Military. VCI because of paper characteristics is able to protect a part quicker coming off of a paper, than it is off of polyethylene. This is not to say that VCI poly is not an excellent product or that it does not have its place. However, from a pure rust inhibitor issue, paper has proven over the long haul to be slightly more effective.

Ferrous metals are all metals which contain iron. Steel would be an example of a ferrous metal. Metals which contain other elements such as zinc, magnesium, copper, etc. are classified as non-ferrous.

VCI Poly has several advantages as a corrosion inhibiting packaging medium. The three main advantages are:

• Provides moisture barrier in addition to a corrosion inhibitor
• Offers ease of usage by simply placing a product into a treated ARMOR POLY® VCI bag
• Often a customer is already using a poly bag for moisture, dust and containment reasons and an ARMOR POLY® VCI bag can give them these same benefits with the addition of corrosion inhibiting protection. Disadvantages of VCI poly are that from a purely corrosion inhibiting standpoint, paper has a slight edge in overall protection. However, this is slight and usually the advantages will weigh more favorably over the disadvantages.

VCI products and desiccants work in a completely different way. ARMOR’s proprietary VCI Nanotechnology™ prevents corrosion by an electro-chemical process that forms a thin molecular layer of protection on a metal surface. This layer of protection is microscopic and does not alter the metal in any way, nor require removal of the VCI after being removed from the package. A desiccant is simply a moisture absorber. Desiccants absorb moisture but do not satisfactorily protect a metal surface from other electrolytes that cause corrosion such as oxygen. In fact, if a desiccant packet absorbs moisture as it should, it can actually cause rust wherever a metal part touches the desiccant packet. Our recommendation is that in most applications, if a customer uses a desiccant packet, that it be placed in an area that will not touch the parts.

While some VCI papers in the marketplace are only coated on one side of the paper, ARMOR WRAP® papers are impregnated on both sides of the paper. This avoids confusion on the plant floor as to what side to place against the part as well as offering true interleaving capability of the paper within a pallet of parts. The result: less paper, less waste; a cost savings for you and your customer. Since ARMOR WRAP® papers are impregnated, and not coated, the VCI is actually suspended within the fibers of the paper. This process allows for greater control of the amount of protectant found in the paper as well as the ability to put more VCI additive into the product compared to a standard coated product.

Corrugated is generally acidic by nature and acts as a sponge absorbing moisture due to its characteristics. Corrugated absorbs water/moisture even within a normal distribution environment. When metal or metal parts are placed directly on or near corrugated moisture and/or acidity transfer occurs, which will directly cause corrosion on a metal surface. It is important to place ARMOR VCI packaging between metals and acidic and hygroscopic materials such as corrugated and wood to prevent corrosion at contact points. These materials include boxes, trays, sheets and pallets.

Diverse needs call for diverse solutions. That is why ARMOR offers over 12 types of ARMOR WRAP® papers to choose from for your specific VCI needs. Some VCI manufacturers incorrectly claim that a single formulation will protect everything from steel to copper, others are vague or cannot tell you how much VCI is actually in the product. The fact is no single VCI formulation for paper can provide true corrosion-free protection for all metals and applications.

Due to the abundance of metals available, as well as the numerous coolants, washes, rust preventative oils and other substances used within a manufacturing process, it is important to check VCI compatibility with these substances ARMOR VCI products rarely react with any of these elements, occasionally there may be factors that either react adversely with a particular VCI formula or react to diminish the VCI performance.

Metals are composed of many different elements. Due to the vast differences in metal composition, one cannot attempt to protect varying metals with one formulation without a sacrifice in performance, or worse yet, failure. That is why ARMOR offers over 12 types of ARMOR WRAP® papers to choose from for your specific metal needs.

ARMOR WRAP® paper is approved on the Qualified Products List for Military specification MIL-P-3420. This is a legitimately approved product and is not simply a “conforming” product, as some manufacturer’s may mislead you to believe is the same.

It is extremely important that all workers wear gloves to protect not only their hands but also to eliminate acidity and moisture from transferring onto the part. This is a very real and legitimate problem in many manufacturing facilities. A person’s hands have moisture and acidity that is directly transferred onto metal. This transfer of moisture and acidity will lead to corrosion at some point. In conditions of more severe temperature and/or humidity the problem arises much quicker. In situations where a metal part is more susceptible to rust due to machined surfaces, metal composition or the like, the problem is exponentially greater.

Armor Protective Packaging® offers full-service, in-house, accelerated corrosion testing at NO CHARGE to its customers. We have two distinct methods to subject parts to accelerated conditions including a 100% humidity chamber and the traditional method of ovens with humidity features.

• Cost effective protection
• VCI vapors replenish inside contained package
• Easy to apply
• No grease, messy oils, surface preparation
• No need to remove VCI protection before using or welding product
• Vapors penetrate recessed, inaccessible areas
• Provides up to 2 years of corrosion protection

Armor Protective Packaging® offers a variety of stock ARMOR WRAP® papers which are normally available for next day shipment. These sizes include 18”, 36”, and 48” x200 yard rolls. In addition, ARMOR has an ARMOR POLY® VCI stock program which includes a variety of small size bags ranging from 3”x5” to 24”x36” and also includes rolls or single wound sheeting up to 60” wide. Please contact an ARMOR representative for a complete stock sheet.

• Your parts should be clean and free from corrosion before packaging
• Package clean parts as soon as possible after processing, manufacturing or cleaning
• Use gloves when handling parts to eliminate corrosion caused by fingerprints.

In over 35 years, ARMOR has never been contacted regarding an issue with VCI compatibility to non-metallic surfaces such as plastics, rubbers or wood. However, since there are so many possible combinations of ingredients, processes and types of these substrates it is impossible to guarantee anything regarding their suitability with ARMOR VCI. Other rust prevention methods such as oils, greases and other liquid RPs (rust preventatives) pose a much higher likelihood of reacting with plastics, rubbers and wood. However, it is important for each customer to check VCI compatibility themselves with these substances due to the complexity and number of plastics, rubber materials and woods in the marketplace.

ARMOR can tell you exactly how much VCI is contained in our products to give your products the added insurance they need to remain corrosion free. For example, our papers contain a specified and measured amount of VCI additive, as measured in grams/square foot. This ability to monitor and control the amount is a testament to our quality and continued improvement. If a company cannot specify and consistently meet a given coating weight of VCI on a substrate, one runs the risk of having too little VCI to get the job done.

Armor Protective Packaging® corrosion management products provide approximately three years of protection for metal parts and surfaces when used properly in normal warehouse conditions. To ensure successful results, parts must be completely wrapped or enclosed – airtight packaging is the most effective for best results and longest protection time. Variable conditions such as temperature and humidity extremes, airflow, production and process methods, surface conditions of metal to be protected, customer employee training and other factors are impossible for ARMOR to control so it is impossible to guarantee a specific length of protection. Contact your ARMOR representative for details related to your specific application.

Armor Protective Packaging® uses a special mathematical formula for calculating the size VCI bag needed to serve as a box liner or pallet cover. When determining the proper bag size, special consideration is given to allow for a large enough surplus for the bag to fit inside the box or over the pallet while still allowing ample overage for tie-off and proper sealing. Key points to be addressed when determining the size of a bag include: bag must completely cover parts; it is crucial that bag must be large enough to provide ample excess to allow for proper tie off and sealing; insufficient overage can result in faulty seals which can allow air and moisture to enter the bag while at the same time allowing VCI to escape; and bag sizing and proper seals are especially important in export where temperature fluctuations and transport handling can be extreme. Contact ARMOR’s Customer Service at (800) 365-1117 for assistance in calculating the size of your liner/bag/ pallet cover.

ARMOR VCI packaging, such as ARMOR WRAP® paper, ARMOR POLY® film and ARMOR SHIELD® products, is reusable, provided it is stored properly, it is not exposed to any extreme environmental conditions and that it is in good condition. For a full list of proper storage recommendations, contact ARMOR’s Customer Service at (800) 365-1117.

Moisture is enemy number one in the fight against corrosion – it promotes corrosion and has the potential to accelerate it as well. To eliminate the presence of moisture, be sure that parts are dry before wrapping them in ARMOR VCI packaging, such as ARMOR WRAP® paper and ARMOR POLY® film. We have identified four key factors within a manufacturing process that help to increase the effectiveness of ARMOR VCI packaging and reduce corrosion:

• Parts should be clean and free from corrosion before packaging.
• Parts should be thoroughly dry to eliminate moisture in the packaging.
• Package clean parts as soon as possible after processing.
• Use gloves when handling parts to eliminate corrosion caused by fingerprints.

Oil, lubricants, and/or transmission fluids typically do not have any adverse effects when used together, other than they would inhibit the full potential of the VCI. ARMOR VCI was developed to be used on parts that are clean and dry (free of RPs and oils). If parts are coated with these types of liquids, the VCI may not be able to penetrate through the coatings to get to the metal surfaces. ARMOR VCI, will however, protect recessed areas or other areas where the oil/lubricant/transmission fluid is not, thereby guarding against corrosion in that regard. ARMOR recommends lab testing if there is concern regarding compatibility.

ARMOR VCI is sold through industrial packaging distributors. For an authorized ARMOR distributor nearest you, please contact Armor Protective Packaging® by phone, (517) 546-1117 or toll-free at (800) 365-1117, by fax, (248) 573-0241 or by email at info@armorvci.com.