VCI, DESICCANT, STATIC SHIELDING

Check out these three different technologies that help protect and maintain the quality of your products:

VCI TECHNOLOGY

What is VCI?

VCI stands for Volatile/Vapour Corrosion Inhibitor.

Sources of corrosion:

Oxygen, Air, Humidity/Temperature, Salt, Precipitation, Chemicals, Handling and Materials.

VCI in detail:

Corrosion begins when an electrolyte (water,oxygen, humidity) is present on the surface of metal. When this happens, electrons then flow from high energy areas of the metal to low energy areas, in a loop, through the electrolyte.

The corrosion process results in the formation of oxidation on the metal surface. VCI’s (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) retard this reaction by passivating the surface and inhibiting or depressing the electrochemical mechanism that triggers oxidation (i.e. the current flow from anode to cathode)

Electrical current attempts to flow from the anode through the electrolyte into the cathode but cannot, because of the VCI’s presence. VCI molecules attach themselves to a metal surface to form an invisible, thin film, possibly only one molecule thick, to protect metal attack.

VCI based products can work for several years to prevent corrosion from occurring on the metal surface.

How VCI works:

• Forms a molecular layer of protection on metal surface
• Insulates metal surfaces from corrosion – causing contaminants
• Creates protective environment in enclosed areas

Three Basic Types of VCI products:

Paper, Plastic & Emitters

VCI for Electronics:

The VCI emits vapours, which deposit a molecular layer on internal metal surfaces to protect critical, complex and expensive electronic equipment during operation, shipping or storage.

STATIC SHIELDING

Static Shielding products: Bags, Injection-moulded single-card carriers, Conductive corrugated single-card carriers and Bubble wrap.

Anti-statics vs. Static Shielding: Do you know the difference?

Often the term Anti-static is used incorrectly to generically describe materials or products that exhibit static-protective properties of any kind. In fact, anti-static, refers only to a specific and limited level of static protection.

The key difference between anti-static and static-shielding materials is: Anti-stats cannot shield against electrostatic fields.

Although anti-static materials are useful, particularly as package liners and interiors, because they inhibit static charge generation caused by movement and friction, they can’t do the whole job. The only complete solution for the protection of sensitive electronic components during shipping, storage and handling in field service operations is true static-shielding packaging.

DESICCANT

Typical application for Desiccant bags

• Electronic Components packaging
• Machine Parts
• Pharmaceuticals
• Motors
• Circuit Boards
• Relays and Communication Devices
• Oceanographic Devices
• Documents and Paper Storage
• Photographic Equipment & Film
• Binoculars
• Foodstuffs
• Batteries
• Vitamins
• Optical Devices
• Dry Fuel
• Propellants
• Safes
• Medical Equipment
• Diagnostics
• Candy
• Museum Storage

DID YOU KNOW?

There are four sources of water contamination in a closed container or package:

• the water vapour in the air inside the package;
• the water vapour adsorbed by the materials inside the package;
• the water vapour on the walls of the package;
• and the permeation of water vapour into the package.