Choosing VpCI® Packaging Methods That Outlast Inspection
July 6, 2023
Can equipment being shipped to another country experience corrosion even if it has been carefully packaged and protected for export? Unfortunately, the answer is often yes, due to customs and onsite inspections that leave the packaging compromised. Cortec® Corporation recommends several VpCI® packaging strategies to help corrosion protection outlast inspection.
Inspection: The Necessary Evil
There are two main phases when inspection causes corrosion problems: at customs and onsite. When goods pass through customs, inspectors may slice open a vacuum-packed foil bag without a second thought to see what is inside, leaving the metal components exposed to oxygen, moisture, and any other corrosives that might be present. The package then continues its journey (minus the previous airtight protection) and could easily arrive onsite with corrosion damage that the supplier must make right.
Even equipment that does not go through customs must be inspected by the end user to confirm satisfactory receipt and (if preservation knowledge is lacking) may be left unwrapped and partially exposed for several days, months, or years until installation. Corrosion in the interim will require restoration or replacement, incurring additional costs and delays.
Advantages of VpCI® Packaging for Inspection
Manufacturers who know their goods will likely undergo inspection can preclude corrosion problems by selecting appropriate VpCI® Packaging materials and communicating with the person receiving the shipment.
First, VpCI®-126 Films or Bags and their respective variations are helpful because they are translucent, making it easier to see through the packaging without cutting it open.
Second, VpCI® Emitters should be added inside the package as a supplementary source of Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors. The beauty of VpCI® Packaging is that given the presence of enough corrosion inhibitors the protective molecular layer on the surface of the metal replenishes itself once the package is reclosed. Emitting materials such as BioPad® (a USDA Certified Biobased Product), Cor-Pak® 8-MUL Pouches, or VpCI®-111 Emitters offer great supplementary protection to ensure plenty of VpCI® molecules are still present after the package has been temporarily opened.
Third, VpCI® Packaging that is easy to open and reclose can make it more likely that protection will continue after inspection. VpCI®-126 Top-Seal Bags with zippers or MilCorr® VpCI® Shrink Film with access doors are two options.
Last, but not least, having an ally on the receiving end who knows how to properly reapply protective packaging can ensure component preservation continues onsite until installation.
Benefits of Protection That Outlives Inspection
The consequences of making VpCI® protection outlive inspection can be significant. The ability to prevent rust leads to many other benefits. The component or equipment can be used as soon as it is needed, without time lost waiting for restoration or a replacement part. Furthermore, the supplier and customer can avoid damage-control headaches and foster a better customer-supplier relationship from the start.
Plan Now for Lasting Protection
Inspection can be a source of annoyance and packaging damage with serious consequences. Choosing packaging materials that are less likely to be compromised, in conjunction with good end user communication, can go a long way toward ensuring successful delivery to the customer and safe storage onsite. Contact Cortec® for further assistance helping your corrosion protection outlive inspection!
Keywords: corrosion protection, VCI film, packaging inspection, Cortec, VpCI, getting through customs, USDA Certified Biobased Products, corrosion damage, corrosion
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