Winter-Proof Your Supply Chain: Packaging to Combat Condensation Corrosion
October 29, 2025
Winter may not have the same high temperatures that exacerbate corrosion during summer “rust season,” but it still has condensation challenges to face. Cortec® shares some quick tips to prepare so condensation corrosion doesn’t slow down your supply chain.
Understanding the Threat of Condensation Corrosion
The first step is to be aware of the condensation risks that come with winter weather. Cool outdoor temperatures make it likely that metal parts will undergo abrupt temperature and humidity fluctuations when going from shop to warehouse to truck to receiving plant. These temperature swings can prompt moisture in the air to condense on cool metal surfaces, leading to corrosion and unwanted remedial costs in time and labor. Anticipating these potential environmental conditions helps manufacturers inform their packaging choices and methods.
Packaging for Corrosion Prevention
After understanding the risks, it is important to select a rust prevention approach that makes sense for the journey. Often, choosing VpCI® packaging instead of greasy rust preventatives is ideal because it offers clean, dry protection without the hassle of degreasing. Many options exist:
- Lining bins with VpCI®-126 bags before filling with metal parts
- Interleaving layers of metal sheeting, brake discs, etc., with CorShield® VpCI®-146 Paper and wrapping the pallet in CorPak® VpCI® Stretch Film
- Adding Desicorr® VpCI® Pouches to packages for dual desiccant and rust preventative action
- Applying VpCI® edge spray to metal coils before wrapping in VpCI®-126 tubing
The packaging process is also important. For best results, workers should make sure metal surfaces are at least 9 °F (5 °C) warmer than the dew point before closing the package to avoid condensation at the beginning of the journey. It is also helpful to wait 12-24 hours before shipment to maximize saturation of the package with Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors (or add additional VpCI® emitters for faster saturation). On the receiving end, customers should let the package acclimate to ambient conditions before opening, to avoid last-minute condensation.
Corrosion-Proof Your Supply Chain
By taking simple steps like these, manufacturers and end users can minimize risks from condensation corrosion when shipping parts in the winter. Contact Cortec® for additional packaging and shipping best practices to corrosion-proof your supply chain in any season!
Keywords: supply chain risks and how to mitigate them, condensation corrosion, anticorrosion packaging, corrosion, corrosion prevention, Cortec, VpCI,
packaging best practices, how to package your product for shipping, corrosion problems during shipping
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