SSPC 2018(Draft)

Temporary Coating for In Process or Storage Applications

Abstract

There is a tremendous need for the protection of assets during processing, shipment and
storage. Critical spares must be readily available and easy to place into service with minimal
impact to the operation of equipment. The proven technology of VCIs(Vapor Corrosion
Inhibitors) has long been used to preserve many of these assets using traditional mechanisms
such as papers and films. Newer advances have allowed the use of this VCI technology to be
incorporated into temporary coatings which are designed to provide corrosion protection in
extreme environments, yet still be easy to remove compared to the older traditional wax type
coatings or permanent coatings. By incorporating the VCI technology into these temporary
coatings, it allows the use of thinner film thicknesses and less reliance on a thick barrier to keep
contaminants away from the surface1,4.

Four Learning Objectives

1. What is a VCI

VCI(Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) is a corrosion inhibiting technology which consists of

various organic and inorganic compounds which have an attraction to a metal surface.
When properly formulated and compounded, this technology can be used in a multitude
of carrier systems, such as coatings, which bring the inhibitors close to the metal
substrate.

2. How VCIs work in a coating

VCIs are formulated into a coating thru a complex development process which involves
determining chemical compatibility of the VCIs with the other components of the
coating such as the resin, solvents, pigments and other additives used for a variety of
reasons. VCIs work by adsorbing onto the metal surface in a non‐reactive attractive
capacity, in other words, they are attracted to the metal through the particle charge2.

3. How VCIs compare to traditional inhibitors

VCIs compare with traditional inhibitor systems by using smaller particles as well as
relying not only on contact inhibition but also vapor phase inhibition, providing more
complete coverage and protection of the surface. This can be illustrated as follows:

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 1

 The larger platelets are representative of traditional inhibitors which are unable to fill
the micro‐crevices, leaving gaps where corrosion can start and/or grow3.

4. What type of coating systems can use VCIs

VCIs can be used with most coating systems. There are many variations of VCIs and the
key is to choose the correct VCI for the corresponding coating system by checking
compatibility, effectiveness and processability.

5. The environmental advantages of VCIs over traditional inhibitors

Traditional inhibitors containing heavy metals are becoming increasingly more regulated
and often are no longer allowed to be used due to the negative impact they have on the
environment and carcinogenic effects on workers exposed to them. The environmental
advantages of using VCIs are that they are non‐toxic, do not contain heavy metals, and
have no adverse effect due to their low usage concentrations. VCIs have long been used
in other products such as PE films, foams, powders and liquids to provide a vapor phase
of corrosion protection without impacting the environment.

Experiments

These studies examine the effectiveness of various types of corrosion inhibitors in solvent and
waterborne removable coatings, based on salt fog results, (ASTM B117) and humidity results (ASTM
D1748).

Each coating was applied on cold rolled steel (CRS) panels, (SAE 1010), or on actual parts provided by
customers. Dry film thicknesses (DFTs) were according to mfg’s recommendations.

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 2

Salt Spray Testing for competitive solventborne wax type coating with and without VCI inhibitors

350 Hours 50 Hours 400 Hours > 400 Hours

Without VCI Without VCI With VCI With VCI

Humidity Testing for competitive solventborne wax type coating without and with VCI inhibitors

3170 Hours 1100 Hours >3170 Hours > 3170 Hours

Without VCI Without VCI With VCI With VCI

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 3

Salt Spray(ASTM B117) Testing for Various Systems(600 hrs)

A B C

Solventborne Coating without VCI Solventborne Coating with VCI Waterborne Coating with VCI

Self‐ Healing Effect of the VCI on the Scribe in Salt Spray Testing

VCI Coating compared to non‐VCI Coating

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 4

Humidity Testing for solventborne wax type coating and waterborne wax type coating with VCI
inhibitors(768 hours)

Solventborne
Waterborne

This testing shows that waterborne systems can compete with solventborne systems thru the use of VCI
inhibitors. However, there are some distinct advantages of using a waterborne system which include:

 More Environmentally friendly

 Lower VOCs
 Easier cleanup

Examples of Other Technologies Using VCI Inhibitors

Engine Components Packaging in VCI film

Film Using Inferior Inhibitors Film Using VCI Inhibitors

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 5

Transmission Components in Preservative Oils

Preservative without Inhibitors Preservative with VCI Inhibitors

Case History

PROBLEM
A manufacturer of large construction graders needed an effective alternative to prevent
corrosion on their products. There were several disadvantages to the Heavy Wax Cosmoline
type product they were using. First, it did not always work if the equipment was stored
outdoors for extended periods of time before shipping. Secondly, it left a greasy and slippery
film on the graders, which made it difficult to climb into them for moving and shipping. Finally,
the product was hard to remove and had to be disposed of as hazardous waste.

APPLICATION
The manufacturer sprayed the VCI containing coating and solvent in a 3:1 ratio on the
equipment, which resulted in dry coat thicknesses between 0.8 and 1 mil (20‐ 25microns). Then
the machines were transported by rail to the seaports. A few of the graders were placed in
containers, but the majority were left uncovered.

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 6

The VCI containing coating at 1mil (25 microns) outperformed the Cosmoline type coating at 3
mil (75 microns). The manufacturer also found VCI containing coating easier to spray, free of
offensive odors and much easier to remove. After two years of export shipments they had
experienced no corrosion problems when using the thinner film VCI containing coating.

Case History

PROBLEM
A manufacturer of industrial equipment was struggling with protecting critically machined
surfaces from corrosion and damage during transport. Due to the nature of the equipment,
they were not able to deal with spray applying a coating nor washing it down for removal.

APPLICATION
The manufacturer brush applied the waterborne VCI containing coating onto the equipment,
which resulted in dry coat thicknesses between 2‐10 mil (50‐ 250 microns). The equipment was
transport to the final destination where the coating was removed by simply peeling it off.

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 7

Conclusion

With corrosion costs in the billions of dollars and making up as much as 3% of our GDP5, there is
a need in the market place, for environmentally friendly, low VOC, removable coatings that can
be applied at a thin film thickness (1.0 mils) which provide excellent corrosion protection and
yet can still be easily removed. Compared to permanent coatings where removal requires
blasting or the use of heavy duty solvents, or thick heavy barrier type wax coatings which are
difficult to remove and dispose of, many removable thin film coatings with VCI technology can
be easily removed using an alkaline solution and high pressure water.

This paper shows, through research, that systems enhanced with VCI inhibitors can greatly
improve the corrosion resistance of both solvent and waterborne coatings. In addition,
waterborne coatings with VCI inhibitors can compete from a performance aspect with
solventborne systems, while at the same time being more environmentally friendly, easier to
cleanup and lower in VOCs.

Acknowledgements/References

1. C.W.Lea, FUCHS Lubricants, 2003 National Corrosion Service

2. B.A. Miksic, “Use of Vapor Phase Inhibitors for Corrosion Protection of Metal Products,”
CORRSION/83 paper no.308 (Nace: Houston, TX,1983)
3. Y.I. Kuznetsov, et al., Inhibiting Action and Absorption of Beta‐Aminoketones on Metals,
Zasshchita Metallov, 32, 5 (1996) pp. 528‐533
4. S. Prabhu, Temporary Corrosion Protection during Storage, Transportation and
Handling( 2016)
5. NACE, Cost of Corrosion Study(2002)

Bieber / SSPC 2018 Page 8