Metal is something that we see in our everyday lives, whether it’s hand tools, cans, bolts and screws, equipment attachments, or the many other items that we see everyday. Since so many products are made with metal, it’s very possible that you’ve received or shipped a metal item at some point, whether for work or for personal reasons. When you do this, however, there are certain precautions that you should take to extend its lifespan.
So, what exactly do you need to protect your metals from? Corrosion. This is because most metals are easily oxidized, meaning that they tend to lose electrons to oxygen and other substances. As the oxygen gains electrons, it forms an oxide with the metal. This can then cause damage to the surface of the metal and weaken the metal structure or cause the metal to fail.
To stop this from happening, you can ship and store your metal items with VCI paper. VCI paper is chemically treated paper that forms a protective molecular layer on the surface of the metal. By doing so, it prevents salt, dirt, oxygen, and other materials from depositing on the metal and causing corrosion.
Another way to prevent corrosion is by protecting your metals from water. This is because water contains some dissolved oxygen, which can then lead to corrosion. There are two protective packaging products that you can use to prevent water from causing corrosion on your metals: desiccant packs and moisture barrier bags. Both desiccant packs and moisture barrier bags are great options, but our customer service representatives will be able to recommend which one is better for your individual case.
When you’re handling metal products, make sure to use protective packaging to extend its lifespan. For more information, call us at Edco Supply Corporation.
