Comparison of VpCI-386 Aluminum to Zinc Chromate

Background: Dixon Industries currently utilizes zinc chromate to protect their steel parts from corrosion. Their current method provides marginal results and Dixon Industries is looking for other environmentally friendlier processes.

Purpose: Compare the corrosion protection of VpCI-386 Aluminum to the protection provided by zinc chromate.

Materials: VpCI-386 Aluminum

Steel parts coated with zinc chromate, provided by Dixon Industries

Steel parts without a zinc chromate coating, provided by Dixon Ind.

Graco Delta Spray conventional spray system

Method: ASTM B-117, Salt Spray

Procedure: The parts arrived from Dixon in multiple containers and were cleaned to remove any contamination from shipping. The parts not coated with zinc chromate were coated with VpCI-386 Aluminum using a Graco Delta Spray conventional air spray gun.

For testing the parts were placed in the ASTM-B-117 salt spray cabinet at a 40-degree angle. The surface facing the salt spray tower in the chamber will be considered the test surface. The parts were periodically inspected and pictures were taken periodically. The parts were removed after 216 hours, inspected, pictures taken and a report was written.

Results: The zinc chromate coated part corroded after less than 24 hours and 100% of the surface corroded after 72 hours. The part coated with VpCI-386 Aluminum did not show any corrosion for 162 hours, after 216 hours the part exhibited less than 5% corrosion, mostly at edges and points where spray accumulated.

Conclusion: VpCI-386 Aluminum provides superior corrosion protection compared to the zinc chromate currently utilized by Dixon Industries.

Project #: 02-224-1525

Estimated Cost of Project: 8.5 hours

To: Mark Govi, Master Packaging

For: Dixon Industries, Coffeyville KS

From: Brian L. Wuertz

Date: 10-01-2002

cc: Boris Miksic

Anna Vignetti

Art Ahlbrecht

Rita Kharshan

Cliff Cracauer

Vanessa Schultz

Bob Boyle

0 Hours

64 Hours

216 Hours