Birchwood Casey offers seven different rust preventive products that are compliant with current volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations, recently enacted in several states. Referencing an online chart, manufacturers can choose from seven corrosion inhibitors and sealants to prevent rust and corrosion on all metal surfaces. The chart aids in selecting according to needs for protection, lubricity, dryness and decorative appeal.
The different product formulations allow for variables such as the type of metal surface to be coated, level of protection needed, and conditions of exposure in handling, shipping and storage. Special considerations, such as removability and post-treatment operations, should be considered in the selection of the correct product.
Three of the options offer as much as 120 hours of salt spray protection. They are solvent-based to provide protection for metal surfaces including raw steel/castings, in-process parts, tooling components in storage, or finished products in warehouse storage or overseas shipment. Rust inhibitors are graded based on their performance in ASTM B117 salt spray testing and/or ASTM D1748 humidity testing. Depending on the rust inhibitor selected, the user can achieve protective coatings with a slightly oily water-displacing film, a dry-to-touch, non-oily sealant, or a soft-waxy, self-healing film. These three products have a high flash point of approximately 250°F, and are safe to use in all plant settings including heat-treat departments or areas with gas-fired space heating equipment, the company says.
Four of the options are water-based to provide as much as 48 hours of salt-spray protection. These products include a water-dilutable oil, a satin-gloss acrylic wax, a high-gloss urethane polymer sealant, and a high-gloss acrylic polymer emulsion. These aqueous products are said to have zero VOC content and no flash point.
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