Corrosion Protection for Wet Components With Surface Water or Moisture
If parts must be packaged with residual moisture, additional protection is recommended.
1. ZERUST® VCI Film
ZERUST® VCI films create a protective vapor environment inside sealed packaging. When properly enclosed, they help reduce corrosion risk even in humid conditions.
VCI film should be tightly sealed to minimize moisture exchange and improve corrosion performance.
2. Solvent-Based Rust Preventatives
For components that cannot be fully dried, applying a rust preventative before packaging provides an added barrier layer.
Recommended ZERUST® solvent-based options include:
These dry-to-touch coatings form a thin, protective film on the metal surface. They displace light moisture and provide direct-contact protection before the part is enclosed in VCI film.
Using both a rust preventative and VCI packaging provides layered corrosion protection for wet components in aggressive environments.
Need added protection for damp or wet parts?
Explore ZERUST® rust inhibitors, preventatives, and coatings for an extra barrier layer when surface moisture is present before packaging.
Corrosion Protection for Wet Components Packaged While Hot
A common issue occurs when parts are packaged while still warm from washing, machining, or heat treatment. As the air inside the package cools, condensation forms on the metal surface.
This can create flash rust if not addressed.
For parts that may generate internal condensation:
1. ZERUST® VCI Film
Provides vapor-phase corrosion protection within the sealed enclosure.
2. ZERUST® VCI Emitters and Moisture Control Devices
Adding internal protection devices helps manage moisture and protect complex geometries:
- ZERUST® ActivDri™ moisture control packets
- ZERUST® ActivPak®(LS) Flash Corrosion VCI Emitter
- ZERUST® Z-Pak® VCI packets
These products release corrosion inhibitors inside the enclosure. ActivDri™ PWA Packets also provide moisture management to reduce condensation risk.
Combining VCI film with emitters improves corrosion protection for wet components shipped in humid or export environments.
Prevent Condensation Damage Inside Sealed Packaging
Add ZERUST® VCI emitters and moisture control devices to protect metal parts packaged while hot and reduce the risk of internal condensation and flash rust.
Best Practices for Corrosion Protection for Wet Components
To improve corrosion protection performance:
- Never seal standing water inside packaging
- Avoid packaging hot parts that will cool and condense
- Use a rust preventative when drying is limited
- Use VCI film plus emitters in severe environments
- Ensure packaging is tightly sealed
Following these steps significantly reduces flash rust prevention issues and moisture inside VCI bags.
Common Mistakes That Reduce Corrosion Protection for Wet Components
- Sealing in visible water droplets
- Assuming VCI removes moisture
- Packaging hot parts without ventilation
- Ignoring coolant or chloride residues
VCI technology protects metal surfaces, but preparation and proper system design are critical.
Need Expert Guidance on Corrosion Protection for Wet Components?
Our technical team can help you select the right combination of ZERUST® VCI film, rust preventatives, and moisture control solutions to prevent flash rust and condensation-related corrosion during storage and shipment.
Axxanol™ 33CD is a solvent-based rust preventative that forms a dry-to-touch film, eliminating oily surfaces that attract dust and other contaminants.
Axxanol™ 34CD is a solvent-based coating that forms a very light, oily, near dry-to-touch rust preventative film that provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments.
Axxanol™ A35CD-7 is a high-flash solvent-based rust preventative that forms a clear, thin, dry-to-touch film. As a result, it eliminates oily surfaces that attract dust and other contaminants.
Axxanol™ A35CD-32 is a solvent-based, non-staining rust preventative that forms a clear, thin, near dry-to-touch RP film. As a result, it provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity.
ICT®510-C VCI Film provides cost-effective and versatile protection against rust and corrosion damage for metal assets in shipping and storage. Additionally, it’s available in ferrous, non-ferrous, and multimetal formulations, as well as various-sized rolls, sheets, tubing, and bags.
ICT®510-C Ferrous VCI Film provides cost-effective and targeted protection against rust damage for ferrous metals, such as steel, iron, and cast iron in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ICT®510-C VCI Multimetal Film provides cost-effective and versatile protection against rust and corrosion damage for ferrous and non-ferrous metals in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ICT®510-C Non-ferrous VCI Film provides cost-effective and versatile protection against corrosion damage for non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, and bronze, in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ActivDri™ PWA Packets are patent-pending, economical, effective, and easy-to-use dual-action, moisture control Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) packets that protect against environmental contaminants and humidity that aggressively corrode metal parts, components, electronics, and electrical components/equipment
ActivDri™ CAP-50A is a dual-action moisture control capsule designed for enclosed industrial and electrical applications. It incorporates ZERUST® Intelligent Counter-Corrosion Technologies (ICT®) that offer slow and fast-releasing Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) that settle on exposed metal surfaces to protect them against environmental contaminants and humidity that aggressively corrode metals during operation, shipping, and storage.
ActivPak®(LS) Flash Corrosion VCI Emitters offer fast-acting corrosion protection in challenging conditions, such as factories, marine environments, waste treatment facilities, and power plants.
Z-PAK® is an economical, effective, and easy-to-use vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) diffuser packet that can be used alone or, more typically, with other ZERUST® packaging products to provide robust temporary corrosion protection for ferrous metals during shipment, storage, or work-in-progress.
ZDC Desiccant Series features montmorillonite clay packaged in Tyvek material that offers an excellent barrier to water in liquid form while also allowing water vapors to pass through. This minimizes the risk of the desiccants causing corrosion that may come in direct contact with metals when compared to other desiccants made with different materials.
