I
M
P
O
•
J
A
N
U
A
R
Y
/
F
E
B
R
U
A
R
Y
2
0
1
7
it is difficult to perform good surface
preparation. Instead of struggling to
remove rust that has already started, this
type of primer penetrates the rust and
turns it into a hydrophobic passive layer
that can be top-coated with a water- or
solvent-based coating. For submerged
areas, combining this primer with a high
solids moisture cure urethane is especially
recommended.
Reinforced concrete surfaces such as
floors, walls, pillars and loading docks can
benefit from the protection of migrating
corrosion inhibitors. These can be combined with repair mortars, coatings and
sealers. When applied, migrating corrosion
inhibitors travel through concrete pores
to reach the metal surfaces of embedded
rebar, where they are attracted and form
a monomolecular barrier. This adsorbed
layer protects rebar from corrosive elements such as air, moisture and chlorides
and can significantly extend the service
life of a concrete structure. A good rule
of thumb is to reseal and treat reinforced
concrete structures every 10 years.
Simple And Effective Packaging
Strategies For Storage,
Shipment
Ensuring that finished goods are pro-
tected from corrosion during shipment is
critical to protecting a company’s bottom
line and securing the customers’ confi-
dence. A very simple way to do this is
to use VpCI packaging — papers that
are coated with VpCI or films that have
VpCI directly embedded. Many versatile
packaging options are available, whether
VpCI papers for wrapping and interleav-
ing; VpCI linerboard and packing boxes;
VpCI film for shrouding, shrink wrapping
and bagging; and VpCI bubble wrap for
extra padding and static dissipation. VpCI
packaging materials like these eliminate
the time-consuming task of greasing
and un-greasing finished goods to guard
against corrosion. Many of the materials
can be combined with additional protective qualities — such as fire retardants or
extra moisture and grease resistance. VpCI
shrink wrap film works well for protecting
backup plant equipment, or equipment
temporarily offline. VpCI-impregnated
foam pads can be inserted in lay-up packaging for additional protection.
Another advantage to using VpCI pro-
tection is that such products and methods
are often more environmentally friendly
than traditional corrosion inhibitors. VpCI
technology is highly effective and often
overrides the needs for dangerous chem-
icals such as nitrites to be included in the
product makeup. VpCI methods typically
cut down on the amount of materials
needed as well, and many VpCI products
can be recycled or disposed without
special permits.
Taking a look at these basic areas of
corrosion prevention is an important step
toward protecting your plant against the
unnecessary corrosion costs and losses
that come with everyday exposure to
oxygen, moisture or other contaminants.
Using current corrosion protection technology that is easier to apply and remove
is an excellent option of which to take
advantage. A little corrosion prevention
goes a long way toward extending plant
service life and lowering costs. It is an
excellent alternative to letting corrosion
eat away plant assets.
Julie Holmquist is the marketing
content writer at Cortec Corporation,
a provider of VpCI and MCI corrosion
control technologies.
Cortec VpCI-146 Creped is just one of many VpCI
papers available for protection of finished goods in
storage or shipment.
VpCI film can be combined with static dissipative
properties for corrosion protection of electronic
goods.
VpCI film can be shrink-wrapped around large pieces of
equipment to protect them from corrosion while not in use.