While wood packaging and pallets are widely used for storing and shipping metal parts, they can accelerate corrosion when the right conditions are present. Here’s why:
- High Moisture Content: Wood absorbs moisture from its environment. Once its moisture content exceeds 15–18%, it can enable electrochemical corrosion of metals in contact with it.
- Copper-Based Wood Treatments: Many pallets are treated with copper-containing preservatives like ACQ or CA. These treatments release copper ions that migrate through moisture and increase oxidation, especially in steel and galvanized components.
- Wood Chemistry: Even untreated wood emits organic acids (e.g., acetic and formic acid) that lower pH and promote corrosion. Some woods also contain tannins that may influence corrosion behavior.
- Scientific Validation: Lab and field studies confirm that metals—especially galvanized steel—corrode faster when exposed to treated wood and high-humidity environments.
The ZERUST® Solution
ZERUST®/EXCOR® offers an effective and proven solution: use VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) poly packaging to isolate metal parts from direct wood contact. ZERUST® VCI films and bags create a controlled microenvironment that:
- Blocks corrosive elements from wood (acids, copper ions, moisture).
- Buffers humidity fluctuations to stabilize storage conditions.
- Delivers invisible, safe VCI protection that settles on metal surfaces and stops corrosion before it starts.
Wood-induced corrosion is a real, documented risk in metal packaging and logistics, but it’s easily preventable. With ZERUST® VCI packaging, you can keep using wooden pallets for strength and cost-efficiency while eliminating the corrosion threat.
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 VCI Sheeting 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 sheeting.
ICT®510-C VCI Tubing provides versatile protection against corrosion, as the tubing offers a tailored packaging solution for parts of various sizes or long metal assets metals in shipping, storage, and work-in-progress.
ICT® VCI Poly Bags provide convenient and proven protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage. In addition, they are available in ferrous, non-ferrous, anti-tarnish, and multimetal protection types and various zipper, flat, and gusseted sizes.
ICT® Gusset VCI Bags provide convenient and proven protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage. In addition, they are available in ferrous, non-ferrous, anti-tarnish, and multimetal protection types and gusseted sizes ranging from two inches up to 150 inches.
ICT® Flat VCI Poly Bags provide convenient and proven protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage. In addition, they are available in ferrous, non-ferrous, anti-tarnish, and multimetal protection types.
ICT® Zipper VCI Bags provide convenient and proven protection against corrosion damage for metals in shipping and storage. In addition, they are available in ferrous, non-ferrous, anti-tarnish, and multimetal protection types.
