Protecting metal assets during ocean transport requires a system-based approach, especially when the goal is to protect bare steel parts during sea freight. High humidity, salt air, and temperature swings inside shipping containers create extreme corrosion risks, often causing “container rain” that rapidly accelerates rust formation. To prevent these issues, ZERUST® provides a complete corrosion-control strategy that combines corrosion preventive coatings, VCI packaging materials, and moisture-control measures to ensure metal parts arrive at their destination clean, dry, and corrosion-free.
The first step to protect bare steel parts during sea freight is to apply a temporary corrosion preventive coating. ZERUST® offers a range of oil-based, grease-based, and VCI-enhanced coatings under its Axxanol™ product line. Oil-based coatings such as Axxanol™ 33, A35-8030, and A35-30 form a thin, water-repellent film that protects machined steel parts and can be easily removed prior to assembly. For long voyages or outdoor storage, heavier grease-type coatings such as Axxanol™ Spray-G and Axxanol™ Z-Maxx provide extended barrier protection. When protection is needed in complex assemblies or enclosed spaces, VCI-enhanced oils like Axxanol™ 750 and 758 release corrosion-inhibiting vapors that migrate into hard-to-reach areas such as voids, threads, and internal chambers.
The second line of defense involves VCI packaging materials that maintain a corrosion-inhibiting atmosphere throughout transit. ZERUST® ICT® VCI films, bags, and papers should be used to fully wrap or seal parts to prevent air exchange. Incorporating ZERUST® ZDC® desiccants inside packaging helps absorb residual humidity, and ensuring a tight seal keeps in protective VCI vapors. Combining VCI packaging, desiccants, and proper sealing provides maximum protection during ocean transit.
Moisture and condensation control within the shipping container is equally critical, as “container rain” can occur from temperature fluctuations during transit. To minimize this risk, ZERUST® ZDC® desiccants or ActivDri™ PWA moisture-control packets can be used to absorb excess humidity, while ZERUST® VCI emitters such as ActivPak® or Z-PAK® add vapor corrosion protection to enclosed spaces or electrical compartments. Containers should be loaded only under dry conditions, ensuring no standing water is present before sealing.
For example, when shipping machined bare steel components by sea for four to six weeks, ZERUST® recommends cleaning and drying all parts thoroughly to remove machining fluids and residues, then applying a light coat of Axxanol™ rust preventative oil. Each part should be wrapped in ZERUST® ICT® VCI paper or sealed in a VCI bag, packed in a treated wooden crate lined with ZERUST® VCI film, and supplemented with ZDC® desiccant packs before final sealing.
By combining Axxanol™ coatings, ICT® VCI packaging, and moisture-control technologies, ZERUST® delivers a proven, system-based approach to protect bare steel parts during sea freight. This comprehensive protection strategy, supported by the ZERUST® Z-CIS® (Corrosion Inhibiting System) methodology, helps manufacturers prevent costly rust claims, rework, and shipping delays while ensuring reliable corrosion protection from origin to destination. For guidance on selecting the best solution for your needs, you can contact ZERUST®/EXCOR® to speak with a technical service representative.
Axxanol™ 33 is a rust preventative oil that forms a light oily film, providing powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ A35-8030 is a long-term rust preventative oil that forms a light, thin, oily film. As a result, it provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity. In addition to corrosion protection, it provides lubricating properties that help reduce friction and support smooth assembly and disassembly of metal parts.
Axxanol™ A35-30 is an oil-based, non-staining rust preventative that forms a light, oily, clear film with excellent water-barrier properties. As a result, it provides powerful corrosion protection against aggressive environments, such as salt air and humidity.
Axxanol™ Spray-G is a sprayable rust preventative grease that provides the protection of a grease in the convenience of a sprayable form. It’s designed to protect metal parts, equipment, and assemblies during long-term indoor and outdoor storage and challenging overseas shipping applications where a removable coating is essential.
Axxanol™ Z-Maxx Anti-Corrosion Grease Series consists of two products, Axxanol™ Z-Maxx and Z-Maxx LV. Z-Maxx is a thick NLGI 2 grease and is also offered as a lower viscosity (LV) NLGI 0 grease that is designed for spreadability and light lubrication properties.
Axxanol™ 750 is a rust prevention spray containing Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI). When shipped or stored in enclosed packaging, Axxanol™ 750 forms a clear, thin, oily film that provides a moisture barrier and contact inhibitor with ZERUST® VCI chemistry that migrates to metal surfaces in hard-to-reach voids, crevices, and chambers, providing powerful corrosion protection.
Axxanol™ 758 is a rust prevention oil containing ZERUST® Intelligent Counter-Corrosion Technologies (ICT®), which consists of high-performance non-staining contact inhibitor with dual-action slow and fast release Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI). When shipped or stored in enclosed packaging, Axxanol™ 758 VCI oil forms a clear, thin, oily film that provides a moisture barrier and contact inhibitor with ZERUST® VCI chemistry that migrates to metal surfaces in hard-to-reach voids, crevices, and chambers providing long-lasting corrosion protection.
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®420 is an acid-free, pH-neutral, and non-abrasive VCI kraft paper that merges the practicality and cost-efficiency of paper-based packaging with advanced corrosion protection. Consequently, it streamlines the preservation of metals during work-in-progress, shipping, and storage.
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® is a versatile and powerful fast-acting VCI sachet designed to address flash rust and corrosion concerns in demanding scenarios, including overseas shipping and polluted factory environments.
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.
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.
