Degreasing metal parts is a critical step in most manufacturing and maintenance workflows. However, while removing oils and residues, many conventional degreasers expose metal surfaces to oxygen and moisture, creating the perfect environment for flash rust. This form of immediate surface corrosion can occur within minutes of rinsing and can compromise part quality, downstream coatings, or storage readiness. Selecting the right flash rust inhibitor cleaner is essential to prevent this issue from the very start.
To prevent this, manufacturers must rely on flash rust inhibitor cleaner technologies that both clean and protect, without adding extra steps or compromising process efficiency.
Why Flash Rust Happens After Cleaning
Flash rust is caused by the rapid oxidation of exposed metal surfaces immediately after contact with water or aqueous-based cleaning solutions. This is especially problematic in:
- Carbon steel and ferrous alloys
- High-humidity or poor-airflow environments
- Heated wash systems without inhibitor additives
- Applications requiring high cleanliness without protective coatings
Standard degreasers, while effective at removing oils and particulates, often lack corrosion protection. As a result, parts may leave the wash station clean but vulnerable, making flash rust a common and costly issue.
The Solution: Flash Rust Inhibitor Cleaners
The answer lies in selecting a cleaner with integrated corrosion inhibition, one that not only removes soils but also leaves behind a barrier to protect the surface from oxidation. This approach streamlines your process by combining cleaning and corrosion control in one step.
ZERUST® AxxaWash™: Cleaners & Degreasers with Rust Inhibitors
ZERUST® AxxaWash™ offers a proven line of aqueous-based flash rust inhibitor cleaners specifically engineered for industrial degreasing and short-term corrosion protection. These products are:
- Low to very low foaming
- Mildly alkaline or near-neutral pH
- Ideal for multi-metal compatibility
- Optimized for spray, immersion, and ultrasonic wash systems
- Effective on light-to-medium hydrocarbon soils
Each solution is tailored to balance soil removal, surface protection, and process efficiency, making them ideal for manufacturers seeking consistent results without flash rust risk.
Featured Products
Explore ZERUST® AxxaWash™ flash rust inhibitor cleaner options:
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ZERUST® AxxaWash™ KF-123AxxaWash KF‑123 is a low‑foaming, mildly alkaline water-based industrial parts washer that removes light to medium hydrocarbon soils on ferrous substrates while offering built-in flash-rust inhibition. It is compatible with spray, ultrasonic, and immersion wash systems and remains low-foam even above 135 °F (57 °C). This cleaner avoids the use of phosphates, silicates, boron, or alkylphenol ethoxylates, making it safer and more environmentally friendly. After cleaning, KF‑123 can be rinsed off or left in place as a dry-in-place flash-rust inhibitor and can also prepare surfaces for long-term rust-preventive treatments like Axxanol™ or Axxatec™. Its formulation also helps mitigate chloride contamination. |
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ZERUST® AxxaWash™ KF-124KF‑124 is a mildly alkaline, low-foaming water-based degreaser designed specifically to work under lower temperature ranges and still offer flash-rust protection. It effectively removes light to medium hydrocarbon soils, and is compatible with immersion, spray, and ultrasonic cleaning modes. The formula also includes chloride mitigation features to reduce the impact of ionic contaminants. Because it doesn’t contain harsh components like phosphates, silicates, boron, or alkylphenol ethoxylates, it aligns well with environmental and regulatory restrictions. After cleaning, the solution may be rinsed off or left as a dry-in-place protective layer. |
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ZERUST® AxxaWash™ KMS-220KMS‑220 is a low-foam, mildly alkaline cleaner that excels at oil-splitting, making it ideal for metal parts with mixed oils or emulsions. It also delivers flash-rust inhibition and is fully compatible with hard water. The effective temperature range is relatively low, making it suitable for processes where excessive heat is undesirable. KMS‑220 is especially good for general cleaning across ferrous and non‑ferrous parts in spray or similar systems (though caution is advised for immersion use in some cases). |
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ZERUST® AxxaWash™ NW-10CNW‑10C is a mildly alkaline, water-based preservation cleaner that combines cleaning and short-term protection. It removes oils, chlorides, and other contaminants, deactivates ionic contaminants, and leaves a residue that extends flash corrosion resistance. This product works in immersion, ultrasonic, and spray modes, and has a broad operating temperature range (approximately 77–140 °F / 25–60 °C). NW‑10C is also streak-free, low-odor, and helps enhance the performance of subsequent rust prevention coatings or VCI packaging. |
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ZERUST® AxxaWash™ NW-12CNW‑12C is engineered for ultrasonic cleaning, delivering robust cleaning and corrosion protection even in challenging conditions. It removes oils, metalworking soils, and deactivates anionic contaminants while providing extended flash-rust inhibition (up to 72 hours under certain conditions). This cleaner is also usable in spray or immersion modes, making it versatile for hybrid systems. The product is streak-free, low-odor, and enhances the effectiveness of rust-preventive coatings or VCI packaging. |
Benefits of Using a Flash Rust Inhibitor Cleaner
Implementing an integrated cleaner-inhibitor solution offers significant advantages:
- Prevents flash corrosion immediately after rinsing
- Reduces rework caused by visible rust spots
- Extends part life before protective coating or final assembly
- Improves downstream process compatibility, including painting, coating, or packaging
- Streamlines operations by eliminating the need for post-cleaning rust prevention steps
Tailored Solutions for Your Cleaning Process
Every facility has unique needs depending on alloy type, soil composition, cleaning method, and rust protection requirements. The ZERUST® AxxaWash™ line offers custom chemistries to meet specific production goals while minimizing risk of flash rust and optimizing overall throughput.
Whether you’re operating spray washers, immersion tanks, or ultrasonic cleaning systems, ZERUST® has a solution engineered for your application.
Protect What You’ve Cleaned
Don’t let corrosion undo your cleaning efforts. Choose ZERUST® AxxaWash™ products to degrease metal parts without the risk of flash rust.
Contact us today to speak with a ZERUST®/EXCOR® technical representative and find the right flash rust inhibitor cleaner for your operation.
