What is VCI corrosion protection (VpCI) ® – and how does it work?
What is VCI corrosion protection (VpCI) ® – and how does it work??
To understand how VCI corrosion protection works we begin by looking at the definition of a corrosion inhibitor.
According to the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), the definition of a corrosion inhibitor is a substance that prevents corrosion when it is added to the environment in small concentrations. A corrosion inhibitor works in one or more of the following ways:
1. By adsorption, as a thin film on the surface of the corrosive material
2. By developing a thick anti-corrosive surface
3. By creating a passive surface on the surface of the metal
4. By changing the environment, by producing precipitates, or by removing or disabling the aggressive media.
Unlike protective coatings and drying agents, VCI corrosion protection provides a method for both active and passive protection. The chemical corrosion process is immediately affected by vapour phase and contact phase inhibitors.
VpCI® means vapour phase inhibitor, and is a registered trademark of the Cortec® Corporation; Cortec® VCI has actual vapour phase protection and not just contact protection which most VCI products have.
Cortec VCI corrosion protection (VpCI®) is a cost-effective method that provides multi-metal protection (protection of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in one and the same product).
This is how VpCI® works
The VpCI® inhibitor is transported via a vapour phase (see picture) to all surfaces of the metal surface to be protected. As long as there is a sufficient amount of inhibitor in the vapour phase around the metal – in order to maintain a condensed phase on the surface, a high level of protection is achieved. The vapour phase operates merely as a means of transport from the source to the metal surface where it builds up a layer of protection (one molecule thick) thereby stopping the development of corrosion. All surfaces, even crevices, depressions and other inaccessible surfaces are fully protected with VpCI®.
25 years of use and testing ensures a reliable result.
Cost-effective
Now you don’t have to prepare the surface before application and clean up when you unpack. Just unpack and there is nothing more you need to do. This saves time and labour, and reduces material consumption.
Environmentally adapted
Our VCI corrosion protection solutions are based exclusively on environmentally adapted products. When protected components and parts do not need to be cleaned prior to use, it means that our VCI corrosion protection is the most environmentally friendly and most user-friendly option on the market. In addition, a large part of the corrosion protection can be recycled.
