Wood and Pallets Causing Corrosion: How ZERUST® VCI Packaging Eliminates the Risk

When it comes to shipping and storing valuable metal components, wood packaging and pallets are often the default choice. However, research shows that wood causing corrosion is a real and costly risk. The corrosion of metals by wood can occur under the right conditions, where wooden pallets and crates accelerate rust, staining, and even structural failure.

ZERUST®/EXCOR® offers a simple solution: remove your parts from direct wood contact and protect them with VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) poly packaging. Here’s what the science says, and why ZERUST® packaging is the better choice.

Why Wood and Pallets Are Causing Corrosion

1. Moisture Content is Critical

Wood absorbs moisture from its environment. Once its moisture content exceeds 15–18%, it enables electrochemical corrosion of metals. Below this threshold, corrosion is negligible, but above it, the rate increases dramatically². This is one of the leading causes of wood causing corrosion in metal parts stored or shipped on pallets.

2. Copper-Based Wood Treatments Make Pallets More Corrosive

Modern pallets are often treated with preservatives like alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole (CA). These preservatives contain copper ions, which migrate through moist wood and accelerate oxidation of steel and galvanized fasteners³. In practice, this means that pallets causing corrosion is not just a theory; it’s a documented outcome.

3. Wood Chemistry Adds to the Problem

Even untreated wood can release organic acids such as acetic and formic acid. These lower the pH around metals and increase corrosion rates. Some woods contain tannins, which can either inhibit or accelerate corrosion depending on conditions, but lower pH consistently increases steel corrosion⁴.

4. Scientific Testing Confirms the Risk

Both long-term exposure studies and accelerated lab tests confirm that galvanized steel corrodes faster than plain carbon steel when in contact with treated wood, especially under high moisture. The evidence for wood and pallets causing corrosion is consistent across multiple studies¹.

The Hidden Cost of Wood Packaging

The risks of pallets causing corrosion translate directly to:

• Rusted or stained parts upon arrival.
• Loss of mechanical strength in assemblies.
• Customer dissatisfaction and warranty costs.

Wood pallets are strong for transport, but unpredictable in a corrosive environment.

How ZERUST® VCI Poly Packaging Solves the Problem

ZERUST® VCI poly films and bags eliminate the uncertainty by creating a controlled microenvironment around your parts:

• Stops Wood Causing Corrosion: By isolating metal parts from wooden pallets, VCI packaging prevents acids, tannins, and copper ions from ever contacting components.
• Protects Against Moisture: ZERUST® films buffer against humidity changes, reducing the moisture swings that drive corrosion.
• Proven VCI Technology: Safe, invisible VCI molecules settle on metal surfaces and interrupt the corrosion reaction.
• Trusted Globally: For over 50 years, ZERUST® has been the choice for manufacturers across automotive, aerospace, and heavy equipment industries.

Scientific studies confirm what many manufacturers know: wood causing corrosion and pallets causing corrosion are real threats in metal storage and shipping.

The good news is you don’t need to abandon wood pallets; you just need to shield your parts. With ZERUST® VCI poly packaging, you can keep the logistical benefits of wood while eliminating the corrosion risk.

Sources

1. Zelinka, S.L. & Stone, D.S. Corrosion of metals in wood: Comparing the results of a rapid test method with long-term exposure tests across six wood treatments. Corrosion Science, 2011.
2. Zelinka, S.L. Corrosion of Metals in Wood Products. In Developments in Corrosion Protection, InTech, 2014.
3. Zelinka, S.L. Guide for Materials Selection and Design for Metals Used in Contact with Copper-Treated Wood. USDA Forest Products Laboratory, GTR–227, 2013.
4. Zelinka, S.L. & Stone, D.S. The Effect of Tannins and pH on the Corrosion of Steel in Wood Extracts. Materials and Corrosion, 2011.

Tom White

Tom White is the Marketing Manager at ZERUST®, bringing nearly a decade of experience in Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) technologies and corrosion prevention solutions. He holds a degree in marketing from St. Cloud State University and specializes in translating complex technical solutions into clear, effective messaging that resonates with industrial audiences.

In his role, Tom leads strategic marketing initiatives that promote ZERUST®’s global product portfolio, including sustainable VCI packaging films, rust preventative coatings, and industrial cleaning solutions. He works closely with technical teams, sales leaders, and international partners to ensure that product positioning aligns with real-world applications and customer needs across industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and infrastructure.

Tom is actively involved in product launches, trade show planning, digital marketing strategy, and content development. His work focuses on connecting ZERUST®’s corrosion prevention technologies with engineers, manufacturers, and decision-makers who rely on effective asset protection and operational reliability.

With a strong emphasis on customer engagement and market insight, Tom helps bridge the gap between technical expertise and business impact. He supports initiatives that highlight how corrosion prevention improves equipment lifespan, reduces downtime, and contributes to more sustainable operations.

Through his contributions to the ZERUST® blog, Tom shares insights on corrosion prevention strategies, industry trends, and product applications. His content is designed to educate and inform while helping organizations identify the right solutions to protect valuable metal assets and optimize long-term performance.

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