Protect Your Product from Corrosion

If you are shipping a product that is constructed of metal, or has components that are metal, corrosion is something you will need to address. If you don’t utilize corrosion protection in your packaging, you will be forced to use other, more expensive, solutions in order to avoid the corrosion of your product.

Understanding corrosion

Corrosion is the chemical process that occurs when metal begins to combine with other elements in the air, such as oxygen. Rust is the most common form of corrosion—typically resulting from metal that has been exposed to moisture—however, other elements such as salt in the air can produce corrosion as well. Regardless of the source, corrosion has the effect of damaging metal components in your goods. Any item that has bare metal must be protected from corrosion before shipping. There are a number of methods to achieve this, and at Nefab we utilize a multi-tiered approach in order to maximize the protection we can offer you.

Protecting against corrosion

Traditionally, the only way to protect against corrosion was to coat the metal with something that would prevent it from being exposed to air. Painting metal has long been recognized as a way to prevent corrosion. In addition, metal is sometimes packed with a thin coating of grease or oil in order to keep it in good condition and protect against corrosion. However, these traditional methods of protection may not always be ideal. They can be costly, require the expenditure of a significant amount of time, and require extensive cleanup efforts once the shipment has been received. In addition, sometimes they are not feasible: for example, shipping an engine with all the metal surfaces painted would result in issues when the engine is installed in a vehicle. At Nefab, we have developed a comprehensive corrosion protection strategy. We employ various options in order to ensure that your product is protected from corrosion. The specific means we use depends on a number of factors, including the type of the product you are shipping, the method by which the product will be shipped, and the expected duration of the transportation.

Nefab’s corrosion protection packaging options

One option we have available to us is the utilization of Low Density Polyethylene Film (LDPE) and High Density Polyethylene Film (HDPE). LDPE and HDPE are made out of polymer resins and are tough, flexible, and highly resistant to moisture in the air. By covering exposed metal with LDPE and HDPE film we are able to prevent corrosion without resorting to the more onerous chore of coating the metal with grease or oil. Once the product arrives at its destination, the recipient simply peels the film off and the product is available for use. LDPE and HDPE films are usually used when the shipping time won't be too long. They provide excellent short-term protection, especially when combined with a desiccant material to absorb excess moisture. Even when shipment time is anticipated to be longer, if the product is not highly sensitive, LDPE and HDPE films may still be successfully employed. Another option at our disposal is the use of aluminum barrier film. This film is created out of aluminum, and has the ability to provide even better protection against moisture than either LDPE or HDPE. Aluminum barrier film, due to its higher ability as a water vapor barrier, allows us to use smaller amounts of desiccant in order to protect a product from moisture. When we employ aluminum barrier film, we first package the item to be shipped. Then we vacuum out all of the air in the package—air contains water vapor—and add desiccants in order to absorb any moisture that was not removed with the air. Then, the aluminum barrier helps delay moisture from entering the package while it is being shipped. Finally, we use volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCI). VCI is a material that we add to packaging materials. When VCI comes into contact with air, it vaporizes and then coats all the exposed metal with a thin layer of protection. This prevents moisture from touching the metal, and reduces the chances of corrosion. We can use VCI by itself, and in combination with other corrosion protection packaging to offer protection both during shipment and storage of metal products.

Standards for corrosion protection

The German Institute for Standardization ("DIN") is an organization that develops standards for, among other things, the effectiveness of corrosion protection methods. These standards are the result of research and the utilization of the latest technological developments. The DIN standards are considered to be the standard for corrosion protection against which all packaging solutions must be measured.
We take our reputation for quality service very seriously. You can rest assured that our corrosion protection packaging materials meet or exceed the requirements set out in the DIN standards. To this end, when you come to us for help in protecting your valuable goods during shipment, you know that we are providing the best protection possible.

Contact Nefab for your corrosion protection packaging solutions

If you are shipping goods that have exposed metal parts, you want to be sure they arrive at the destination in good shape and ready to go. At Nefab, we know what it takes to get the job done, and get it done in a fast and efficient manner.
We are leaders in the packaging and shipping industry, and we have extensive experience in working with products just like the ones you are shipping. We will be happy to take some time evaluating your situation. We can arrive at a packaging solution that helps provide the protection you need and want without breaking the bank to get you there.
Come talk to us, and see why we are an industry leader. We know that you will find our reputation for quality and excellence to be well-deserved. We look forward to showing you exactly why our customers are so happy with our service. Call us today, and let's get started.