YOU ASK AND WE ANSWER—THIS COLUMN IS DEVOTED TO ANSWERING OUR CUSTOMERS’ MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: Why should I use VCI packaging over traditional rust preventative oils?

Rust preventative oils (RP oils) have long been considered the traditional method for preventing rust and corrosion. However, RP oils are messy, labor intensive, bad for the environment, and are less effective than Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) products when it comes to preventing rust.

VCI is a class of chemical compounds that emit a rust-inhibiting vapor in the air to inhibit corrosion on a metal surface. Typically a packaging material such as paper or poly film is the carrier for the VCI. With VCI packaging (such as ARMOR WRAP® paper and ARMOR POLY® film), the benefits are many. VCI packaging offers lower labor costs because it is dry packaging -- there is no coating, spraying, dipping or brushing necessary. In addition, VCI packaging is safer for employees – there is no exposure to greases and oils and no risk for slip-and-fall accidents as a result. VCI packaging is environmentally-friendly, recyclable, and repulpable and does not require disposal fees that accompany RP oils and greases.

Most importantly, VCI products provide a higher level of protection for metal parts than rust preventive oils. VCI chemicals emit a rust-inhibiting vapor that protects the entire metal part including crevices, holes and other hard to reach areas. In contrast, RP oils only protect those areas of the metal part that have come in direct contact with the oil. The corrosion protection provided by VCI is more effective and long-lasting than RP oils; with proper application VCI can protect metal parts from corrosion for up to three years.

Contact ARMOR’s Customer Service at (800) 365-1117 for additional information or to place an order for any of ARMOR’s corrosion management products.