“It’s in the bag,” is an expression that is used when you are confident that someone, or something, will be successful. That saying rings true when you use VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor or volatile corrosion inhibitor) packaging to prevent rust and stop corrosion. With VCI, keeping metal parts clean and rust free “is in the bag”—the VCI poly bag!
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VCI poly bags are everything that traditional oil and grease rust-prevention methods are not; they are clean, safe, easy-to-use and so much more. Let’s look at VCI poly bags and how they save your metal parts from corrosion and save you time, money, and resources.
What is a VCI Poly Bag?
A VCI bag is made of polyethylene film that has been infused with rust-preventing vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCI) and then manufactured into bags with a range of different shapes and sizes. When a metal part is sealed in a VCI bag, its VCI vapors release to form a shield of protection on the surface of metal that is only 2-3 molecules thick. This VCI shield repels moisture and other contaminats that can cause corrosion. When the bag is opened, the VCI evaporates, and the metal or metal parts are ready for use, with no need for cleaning.
VCI poly bags are highly efficient, cost-effective and provide metal parts the dual protection of both a physical and molecular barrier that prevents rust for up to three years. In addition, the process of packaging metal parts in a VCI bag is quick and easy; simply place metal parts in the bag and seal it tight.
VCI Poly Bag Options
Before choosing a VCI poly bag to keep your metal parts clean and rust-free, there are several options to consider:
• Style of bag: flat or gusseted
• Closure method: resealable zip-top, heat seal, tape or tie
• Gauge/thickness of the poly film
• Type of polyethylene film: high, low or linear low density
A flat VCI poly bag is sealed on three sides with an open top. A gusseted bag has a fold or pleat on each side that allows it to expand. Which type of bag is best depends on the size and shape of the metal part(s). The bag is the correct size and style when it encloses metal parts without stretching or straining, and it should allow enough excess to properly close, which is essential to the effectiveness of VCI in preventing rust.
Once metal parts are placed in the VCI bag, it is important that the bag closes securely to ensure the rust-preventing VCI vapors are contained. There are many options for closing and securing VCI bags, such as a heat-sealing, reclosable zipper-tops, wire- or twist-ties, or fold and tape.
The gauge or thickness of your VCI bag will directly impact its strength, durability, and its price. A unit of measurement called a Mil is most often used to calculate the thickness of the VCI poly film. One Mil is equal to a thousandth of an inch. To determine the correct Mil VCI poly bag for your application, consider factors such as the weight of the metal parts that will be placed in the bag (heavier metal parts require a bag with a higher Mil thickness), how durable the bag needs to be (will the bag be used for temporary or long-term storage/shipping?), and what level of protection the bag needs to provide (a bag with a lower Mil thickness is thin and more likely to tear while a bag with a larger Mil thickness is stronger, but also more costly).
Finally, the type of polyethylene film that is used to make your VCI poly bag is an important part of the VCI bag’s overall performance in protecting metal parts. High density polyethylene (HDPE) is strong, dense and very durable. It has high moisture barrier properties and is resistant to impact and punctures. While HDPE’s rigidity is an asset, it does make it more susceptible to stress-cracking. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is very flexible, but not as dense or durable as HDPE. LDPE easily stretches when put under tension. The benefit of LDPE’s “softness” and flexibility are that it is less likely to experience stress-cracking. Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) is the most flexible or pliable, giving it greater puncture- and tear-resistance over LDPE. LLDPE is ideal for use when the VCI poly bag will experience stress or impact during storage or transport.
10 Benefits of VCI Poly Bags
There are many advantages to using VCI poly bags to prevent rust and corrosion on metal parts. Here are the top 10:
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1. Ease of use: simply place metal part in VCI bag and seal airtight
2. Clean and dry replacement for rust-prevention oil or grease, which is both messy and labor-intensive to apply and remove
3. Provides a physical barrier that protects metal parts from water, dirt, dust, and other contaminants
4. VCI vapors form a molecular barrier on the surface of metal to block moisture
5. Metal parts can be used immediately upon removal. There’s no need for cleaning or degreasing
6. Economical: saves labor, time, and the expense of RP oil/grease
7. Available in a range of sizes and thicknesses for use with single or multiple metal parts of all shapes and sizes
8. VCI bags are transparent, which allows for easy identification, inspection and/or inventory of metal parts without removal from the bag
9. Can be combined with other VCI products to protect metal parts in extreme conditions
10. Safe: VCI bags are non-hazardous, environmentally friendly, recyclable, and sometimes reusable
VCI prevents rust on metal materials during shipping, storage, or in-process applications
First of all, what is VCI? It stands for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors. These inhibitors are chemicals added to packaging materials that will prevent rust. This type of packaging contains special chemicals that are scientifically designed to release rust-inhibiting molecules. These molecules attach themselves to the surface area of the metal. I'm no scientist, but that sounds pretty cool right? These little rust-fighting molecules form an invisible protective layer that prevents the war on metal. It's important to protect your metal materials against corrosion. Let's take a look at what metals should be using VCI.
What metals should be protected with VCI packaging?
Metals that contain:
What causes corrosion?
Corrosion is an electro-chemical process that gradually destructs metal materials due to their reaction with the environment. This won't happen without a conducting solution called an electrolyte. Water, rain, moisture, and humidity are the main culprits to corrosion. Even in relative humidity, say 65%, electrolytes will form, causing corrosion. Without the proper protection against corrosion, your metal materials will rust away over time and will become unusable.
Types of VCI protective packaging
VCI paper is produced with safe, water-based rust preventatives on both sides of the paper. This kraft paper wraps around your metal products to safely protect them from corrosion over time. The automotive industry commonly uses VCI to product all the metal parts. Whether they're sitting in your warehouse awaiting production, or in the shipping process, rust will happen to metal. It's only a matter of time, and it costs companies billions of dollars every year.
Poly Films
Poly bags and stretch wrap that has those volatile corrosion inhibitors infused into the poly material. These films combine the benefits of barrier packaging with anti-corrosion protection. They're easy to use and everyone has seen poly bags and stretch film before. You're getting extra protection for metal, great for small parts and tools that will rust.
You know what we're talking about when you buy food or shoes and ship it to your house. Yeah, they're those small little pouches that help a product sustain dryness. While they're common in consumer packaging, they also play a roll in protecting metals. They're able to control that nasty humidity that causes corrosion because they're absorbing moisture in an enclosed space.
VCI emitters provide excellent absorption in areas that are hard to reach. Emitters come in different forms like; pouches, tablets, foams and Corrosion protection paper. They're great in preventing corrosion in electrical boxes, export containers, and anywhere else where packaging isn't really doable.
Don't let rust ruin your products
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Don't wait to protect your metal materials from rust and corrosion. The longer you wait, the worse it's going to get. VCI packaging is the simplest and easiest way to keep your products from going bad over time. Whether they're sitting in the warehouse, or on the road to their next destination, rust over time happens. With many different products and applications, there's multiple ways to make sure your metal materials don't get ruined.
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