Rust Preventatives and Corrosion Inhibitors Information
Rust preventatives and corrosion inhibitors are lubricants, greases, oils or fluid additives that form a protective film or barrier to prevent the formation of rust or corrosion. They often have penetrating lubricant or water displacement characteristics. Most antirust agents and moisture proofing products leave a film that prevents water or corrosive chemicals from reaching a metal surface. Rust preventatives and corrosion inhibitors also provide protection against oxidation, a naturally-occurring process in which a chemical reaction with oxygen results in the production of oxides (rust) on a metal’s surface. Most oxidation retarding agents use chemicals with ionized particles to slow the oxidation process. In coolants and heat transfer fluids, the media is diluted in order to prevent the formation of corrosive compounds.
Rust preventatives and corrosion inhibitors include vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCI) and penetrating lubricants. Typically, a VCI is impregnated into a paper or cloth wrap which surrounds a metal part. The vapor corrosion inhibitor evaporates and forms a protective film that covers the surface of the part. Penetrating lubricants are also useful in the prevention of rust and corrosion. Most penetrating agents are thin, non-evaporative, non-conductive chemicals that can be used to repel moisture or free moving parts that have seized. Some penetrating lubricants are used to protect sensitive electronic components such as printed circuit boards (PCB) and microchips. Other rust preventatives and corrosion inhibitors are used with digital devices such as cellular phones, handheld computers, and cameras.
Rust preventatives and corrosion inhibitors differ in terms of application, chemical composition, and cost. Moisture proofing is used in a variety of commercial, construction, industrial, manufacturing, and engineering applications. Substances that are used to repel moisture include tree and plant resins, rubber, wax, polyurethane, fluorine, acrylic, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A water repellant sealer can be applied to wood or concrete, or mixed with construction materials to prevent water rot in basements, buildings, and other structures. Costs for rust preventatives and corrosion inhibitors depend on the volume required and the intended use. Some products are available in aerosol cans or plastic bottles that range in weight from 1 fluid ounce to 5 or10 gallon containers. Other products are packaged in fifty-gallon drums or distributed through aerosol spraying systems and hydraulic pumps.
