Recover Tarnished Sensors and Provide Protection From Further Corrosion with Anti-Tarnish Scavenger Film

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Tewes

Sensors

An OEM service and parts organization needed to distribute 40,000 sensorscrucial to the operation of equipment they sold over the last 10 years as part of theirwarranty coverage. These parts were in inventory storage for many years and were no longer produced. When samples of these sensors were inspected before shipment, the sensors were found to have black copper oxidation on exposed areas of the gold plated contact leads. All 40,000 sensors were deemed unusable for their purpose and no replacement was found.

The Solution

The OEM contacted Zerust for a solution to their corrosion issues.  Zerust performed a custom cleaning service and was able to remove the copper oxide formation without damaging the gold plating or the encased component. The cleaned sensors were packed in Zerust ICT520-CB1 Anti-Tarnish Film to prevent further copper oxidation.

Sensors

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Recover Rusted Parts—Saving Money and Ensuring Customer Satisfaction

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Tewes

A leading manufacturer of service parts found over half of inventoried steel parts rusting due to improper packaging and a leaky roof. Since inventory was tight, the company contemplated shipping these less than perfect parts out to private and municipal customers and, in so doing, run the risk of disappointing its customers. A Zerust representative learned of the rust problem and provided a sample of Zerust ICT620-RR Rust Remover.
The Solution
The manufacturer tested Zerust ICT620-RR on some of the rusty parts and was very pleased with the results. It not only removed the rust, but was also very easy to use. ICT620-RR works by loosening the iron-oxide from the metal surface and does not affect other metals, paint or plastic. Staff was able to simply soak rusty parts in the rust remover and rinse with de-ionized water. The manufacturer immediately used ICT620-RR to remove the rust on all of the service parts. Zerust ICT620-RR helped recover the rusty service parts, saving the manufacturer money and ensuring that
customers were satisfied.

Application focus

Who
Service parts manufacturer and distribution center
What
Recovery of inventory parts that rusted in storage
Why
Fulfill customer orders with clean, first-quality parts.
How
Zerust® ICT®620-RR Rust Remover safely and easily removes rust on valuable parts in inventory

The same part after treatment with Zerust ICT620-RR Rust Remover.

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Adsorb vs absorb

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Tewes

Every one may be aware of absorb but might not have heard about adsorb. The change of ‘d’ for ‘b’ makes a lot of difference between the two words. Both adsorb and absorb are different when looking at the physical as well as chemical processes.

When a material imbibes some amount of gas or liquid into it, then it can be said that the material has absorbed the material. On the other hand, when some gas or liquid accumulates on the surface of a material, then the process can be termed as Adsorb.

Absorb means a process by which a substance is taken into another substance. Absorb is also a condition where the atoms, molecules and ions enter a solid, gas or liquid material. Absorb is also a process in which the energy of a photon is taken into by another entity.

Adsorb can be termed as a process by which the liquid or gas is not absorbed but it only forms on the surface. Absorb is related to volume whereas adsorb is related to the surface. The phenomenon of adsorb is widely used in industries for water purification and synthetic resins.

When talking of Absorb, one can say that something moves inside an object. But in the case of adsorb, something forms a layer on the surface of an object.

Adsorb involves adhesion and absorb involves dissolution or diffusion. In materials that perform absorb, atoms, molecules and other particles are taken internally. On the other hand, in adsorb the atoms, molecules and other materials adhere to the surface.

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VCI Bags in Action

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Tewes

Successful methods for corrosion prevention have traditionally included:

  • packing metal parts in sealed containers with desiccants
  • painting of exposed surfaces
  • use of oil coatings.

But what if you can’t paint the surface?
What if oil coatings are too expensive, time consuming and environmentally unfriendly to apply and later remove?

Unlike paints, VCI’s are self-replenishing (through ongoing condensation) and don’t alter the surface for use.

Unlike oil coatings, VCI packaged parts are easy to handle and there is no costly process of stripping them off before end use.

Desiccants may be inexpensive, but you need an air-tight package and the right amount to absorb all of the anticipated water vapor.

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VCI Dictionary – A Glossary of Important Terms

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Tewes

There are many different terms used in the world of VCI. Do you know what they all mean?

It is always important to have references you can use to clear up any confusion or misunderstandings.

FERROUS METALS – metals made from iron (steel, carbon steel, cast iron, etc.)

NON-FERROUS METALS – Indicates metals other than iron and alloys that do not contain an appreciable amount of iron (aluminum, copper, brass, etc.)

MULTIMETAL CORROSION INHIBITORS – chemicals that inhibits corrosion on both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

VCI – Volatile or Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors, also generically referred to as chemical passivation technology, refers to patented chemical formulations that diffuse out of packaging materials and are deposited onto metal surface and protects them from corrosion.  This layer is invisible, dry, and does not affect the physical properties of functionality of the metal in any way.

CHEMICAL SCAVENGING TECHNOLOGY – patented chemical formulations that neutralize any acid gases and prevent them from coming in contact with metal components sealed inside the package.

ICTtm – Integrated Corrosion Technologies – Zerust’s trademark corrosion prevention system that will combine one or more patented technologies to provide optimum corrosion protection, based on specified requirements.

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Cost saving measures from corrosion.

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Tewes

ICT™510-C Film Replaces Oil

AvtoVAZ, the largest automotive company in Russia – a producer of light vehicles, internal combustion engines and automotive body parts – was experiencing corrosion on their stamped metal surfaces during CKD shipments from Russia to Ecuador. AvtoVAZ was using various oils as their corrosion protection method, which obviously proved to be ineffective as well as an environmentally hazardous means of protection. AvtoVAZ needed a different solution that would work effectively, efficiently and without the contamination and clean up that comes with using oil. AvtoVAZ turned to MostNIC, the Russian Joint Venture Partner of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC), to find a corrosion protection solution. MostNIC recommended the use of Zerust® ICT™510-C Ferrous Yellow and Multi-metal Green Film for the protection of steel and galvanized steel during transportation and storage. After a successful trial shipment to Ecuador, Zerust® films were officially approved for use at AvtoVAZ. AvtoVAZ found that their use of Zerust® corrosion inhibiting products paid off. Corrosion stopped completely on stamped parts and anywhere else Zerust® products were used. The company was able to eliminate oil as a means of corrosion protection in many production areas, helping to improve CKD shipment process yields and reduce costs by eliminating the internal logistics and manpower necessary to remove the oil and clean the parts before they can be used. By using Zerust® products, AvtoVAZ saved US$857,650 per year! AvtoVAZ has used Zerust® products for years now and has recommended Zerust® to their metal suppliers.

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September update on resin pricing

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Tewes

Last month I reported that petrochemical companies were again putting a resin price increase across with a September implementation date. I had my doubts. Even with industry commentators softening up and saying there may be a good chance of increases going through, I was inclined to wait and see.

As I suspected, there is little appetite throughout the market to accept a raw material increase at this time and it looks to me (though I haven’t seen anything official) that plans to add 5 cents per pound to September order pricing have gone flat. Will there be another effort to raise resin pricing for October? Perhaps. I don’t have a crystal ball, but it is my sense that the environment isn’t ripe for increases right now. Factors such as export markets, supply and demand, feedstock costs and reactor utilization rates all factor into the pricing equation.

Here is what The Plastics Exchange had to say most recently: “While spot demand was a bit better this past week, it is still rather lackluster compared to this season in years past. The export markets also lack excitement, thwarted by a stronger US dollar.” I see these as signals that resin price increases are on weak footing right now.

At Tewes Corporation, we are working on internal efficiencies all the time. Our hope is to bring competitively priced product to our customers on a timely basis. Lead times are kept short and we keep ourselves open to filling emergency needs for our customers when those situations arise.

If you have any questions or if there is anything we can do for you at this time, please email me at btewes@tewescorp.com, call us at (800) 533-8144, or visit us at tewescorp.com.

Sincerely,

Barbara Tewes
President Tewes Corporation

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TECHNOLOGY THAT PROTECTS METAL FROM CORROSION

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Tewes

Zerust® vs. Desiccant-Barrier Packaging

An international crating company has been using Zerust® corrosion inhibiting products for over a decade with great success. Prior to this, the company was using desiccants with sealed barrier packaging to try to reduce corrosion. Finding an effective corrosion protection solution was crucial to the company as their shipments may travel across the world to reach their destination. Worldwide shipments often pass through high temperature and high humidity locations and experience day to night temperature swings – elements that can accelerate the formation of corrosion. The company was unhappy with the desiccant-barrier packaging method for multiple reasons. One, desiccants become saturated quickly and have to be changed out at least every six months, increasing material and labor costs. Also, desiccant-barrier packaging essentially becomes ineffective when punctured during shipping and handling (which can easily occur) as this causes moisture to rapidly flood the pack and saturate the desiccant. And lastly, as desiccants become saturated, they actually became a source of corrosion by emitting moisture back into the package. The company had to find a better corrosion protection solution.
Case Study Photos
Zerust® systems have a long service life – typically up to five years. This is essential if there are long-term storage needs before or after ocean shipment, as was the situation in this case. The crating company’s shipment consisted of five ISO 40′ containers, fully loaded with conveyors, controllers and other factory equipment, that were to be shipped from a nearby port on the East Coast to the Middle East. The equipment had been packed in Zerust® and crated outside for over one year awaiting the order to load onto a ship. Each of the large cabinets and several other machines were enclosed in Zerust® ICT™510-C Ferrous Film, then heat-sealed and heat-shrunk to provide a tight enclosure for the equipment. Additional multi-metal corrosion protection was provided to the inside of each piece of equipment by Zerust® VC6-1 Vapor Capsules.  The Zerust® system was very effective; all machines arrived at their final destination free of corrosion. Comparing Zerust® to the desiccant-barrier packaging method, the company found that desiccant-barrier packs were more costly and less effective than using Zerust® materials for the protection of shipments. In fact, the company informed us that the total cost of the Zerust® packaging was 57% less than the desiccant-barrier packaging method.

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VCI Technology

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Tewes

Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (“VCI”) plastic packaging generally consists of polyethylene film that has been impregnated with chemical formulations that are unique to each manufacturer. While the underlying formulations can vary significantly, the finished products all function similarly in that they release very low concentrations (typically in parts per ten-thousandth) of invisible corrosion inhibiting vapors into the surrounding air. The vapor molecules subsequently condense onto exposed metal surfaces and form a molecular corrosion shield that can protect against rust and other forms of corrosion for up to five (5) years, and even longer in some cases. When the VCI packaging is later removed, all vapor corrosion inhibiting molecules rapidly evaporate. This leaves the metal parts clean and ready for immediate use.
ZERUST® VCI Film is produced by incorporating a formulation of patented contact and volatile corrosion inhibitors into the film during the production stage ZERUST®VCI Films are not coated. The inhibitors become an integral, inseparable component of the film. The ZERUST® vapor molecules counteract the corrosive effects of humidity, salt and pollutants. ZERUST® VCI Film is available in bags, sheeting, tubing and liners to meet specific needs of industry.

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What is Integrated Corrosion Technologies (ICT®)?

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Tewes

Depending on corrosion protection requirements and economic targets, Zerust®  Integrated Corrosion Technologies (ICT®) products can be designed in one or more of the following combinations to provide the optimum corrosion protection system. ICT® is  Zerust’s term for the various material and chemical sciences that comprise our Zerust® corrosion products.

Physical material design and selection. The Tewes Team will help you select the optimal packaging material and design to meet your corrosion protection needs. The material may vary from barrier film,to a low density polyethylene, depending on economic targets and performance requirements.

Chemical scavenging technology. Depending on the corrosivity of the environment, the Tewes Team may also incorporate  Zerust’s patented chemical scavenging technology into the selected base packaging material to neutralize any acid gases and prevent them from coming in contact with metal components sealed inside the package.

Chemical passivation technology. This technology is generically referred to in the industry as volatile or vapor corrosion inhibiting (VCI) technology,  Zerust® chemical passivation technology, however, is based on patented formulations that are based on approved food additives and only activate in direct response to the corrosivity of the immediate environment. The Zerust® chemical molecules are deposited from the Zerust® corrosion products onto metal surfaces and form a powerful molecular layer that passivates these metal surfaces and protects them from corrosion. This layer is invisible, dry and does not affect the physical properties or functionality of the metal in any way. The protected metal can be painted, treated and/or used straight out of the Zerust® Package without further cleaning.

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