|
Sales/Order
Frequently Asked Questions |
1. What is the difference
between “shelf life” vs. “in-service life”? |
|
The
shelf life is the duration of time that unused
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products can be stored
prior to use without losing their effectiveness.
The in-service life is the duration of time that
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products will protect clean
metal objects from corrosion if used
properly. |
|
|
2. What is the shelf life of
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ Products? |
|
Most
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products have a shelf life
of up to two years when the product is stored in
an external bag or box, out of direct sunlight and
under shelter. |
|
|
3. What is the in-service or
useful life of Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ Products? |
|
Most
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products have an in-service
life of up to five years when protecting clean
metal surfaces and when used as recommended by
NTIC
representatives. |
|
|
4. Can your Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ bags be reused? |
|
Yes, if
the bags are still in good condition without holes
or tears. Bags that have an excessive number of
holes or tears, have large holes or tears, or have
begun to crack or lose strength due to excessive
exposure to direct sunlight will not provide
adequate corrosion protection and should not be
reused. |
|
|
5. What if I have a rip in my
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ bag? What should I do? |
|
If the
rip is small, you can cover the rip or hole with a
high quality piece of tape that is designed to
adhere to “low energy” surfaces like polyethylene
(please contact NTIC's Technical Service
Department for more information). Or, you can fold
over and staple the area shut and then seal over
the holes made by the staples with the recommended
tape. If you have a large rip that you cannot
close easily with tape or staples, you should
replace the bag with a new one. The best seal is
always a “heat
seal”. |
|
|
6. Can I use my Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ bag in conjunction with oil coatings? |
|
A light
oil coating on the metal part is fine to use with
a Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ bag. A heavy oil coating
may affect the performance of the ICT™ bag by
keeping the corrosion inhibiting vapor molecules
from reaching the metal surface. Please contact
NTIC to determine the suitability of the oil and
application. |
|
|
7. How do I know which of your
products to use for my type of metal? |
|
Ferrous: Iron, steel and cast iron metals are protected using the Trademark yellow Zerust® / Excor® Ferrous Packaging.
Non-Ferrous: Aluminum (and aluminum alloys containing copper and/or manganese), copper, brass, bronze and fully galvanized steel are protected using blue or clear Zerust® / Excor® Non-Ferrous Packaging.
Multimetal: Products that contain combinations of the Ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals listed above can be protected using green or clear Zerust® / Excor® Multimetal Packaging.
Silver: Is protected from tarnishing with clear Zerust® / Excor® Silver Packaging.
Although Zerust ® / Excor® products are usually sold in the above standard colors to help our customers distinguish the type of metal protection they are using, we are able to custom produce most Zerust® / Excor® products in any color of your choice. |
|
|
8. My product has been produced, but
I have to wait for “Quality Control Testing”. What
is this? |
|
Each order is tested by
NTIC's Quality Control Department to ensure that
it meets our high quality standards for corrosion
protection – part of the quoted “lead time” is
used for this quality testing. If you'd like to
waive this quality testing on your product, you
must sign a Quality Testing Waiver Request Form.
Please contact us for more
information. |
|
|
9. Is NTIC certified to any ISO
Standard? |
|
Yes, NTIC's management system is certified to both ISO 9001: Quality Management and ISO 14001: Environmental Management Standards. Click on the following links to view NTIC's ISO Certificates: ISO 9001, ISO 14001. |
|
|
10.Can used Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ films be recycled? |
|
Yes.
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ films made of polyethylene
and polypropylene have been recycled for years.
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products, themselves, are
produced using only virgin materials to assure a
high level of quality and consistency for our
customers. |
|
|
|
11. How can I purchase Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products? |
|
To
purchase Zerust ® / Excor ® ICT™ products, you can
either call 1-800-328-2433 or 1-763-225-6600 to
speak with a customer service representative, or
send an email to sales@zerust.com . |
|
|
|
13.What are NTIC's standard
lead times for Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ non-stocked
products? |
|
NTIC’s standard lead times vary depending on the product and quantity. For specific product inquiries, please contact our Customer Service Team at 1-763-225-6600. |
|
|
Technical Frequently Asked Questions |
1.What is corrosion? |
|
Corrosion is the chemical or electrochemical
reaction between a material, usually a metal, and
its environment that produces a deterioration of
the material and its properties. Usually corrosion
is the oxidation of metals in the presence of
water or water vapor, and is known as rust (iron,
steel), white rust (galvanized steel), and other
terms of corrosion failures such as tarnish,
pitting, flaking and spalling.
There are many different types of corrosion including atmospheric corrosion, corrosion in
waters, corrosion in soils, corrosion in chemical
environments, mechanically assisted corrosion,
high-temperature corrosion, microbiologically
influenced corrosion, etc. From an economic,
safety and aesthetic standpoint, atmospheric
corrosion is one of the most important types of
corrosion. Atmospheric corrosion is enabled by
atmospheric humidity and stimulated by pollutants
in the atmosphere such as acid gases [sulfur
dioxide (SO 2 ), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), and
carbon dioxide (CO 2 )], nitrogen oxides (NO and
NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), and salts (chlorides and
sulfides). |
|
|
2.How is corrosion prevented? |
|
There are many different ways to prevent
corrosion, including modifying the atmosphere by
dehumidification, nitrogen purge, evacuation,
etc., and creating a barrier on the metal surface
to prevent the permeation of moisture. This
barrier can be formed by a liquid coating, such as
oil, or via packaging products that contain VCI or
Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors. Vapor Corrosion
Inhibitors work by diffusing corrosion inhibiting
molecules from a source (packaging film or paper
for example) to metal surfaces. These molecules
settle on metal surfaces and form a protective
corrosion inhibiting layer that inhibits the
electro-chemical reactions that cause corrosion to
form.
NTIC combines the use of vapor corrosion
inhibitors with material sciences and process
management expertise to implement custom corrosion
solutions for a customer or throughout an entire
supply chain. We call this our Zerust® / Excor® Integrated Corrosion Technologies or “ICT™”. |
|
|
3.How do Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
Products Prevent Corrosion? |
|
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products prevent corrosion in
several ways.
1 |
By acting as a protective barrier from
external dirt and abrasion, and also as a
barrier to help block the diffusion of corrosive
acid gas pollutants from outside the ICT™
packaging material (such as sulfur dioxide or
hydrogen sulfide) - thereby preventing contact
of these corrosive gases with enclosed metal
surfaces. |
2 |
By vapor corrosion inhibitors that
passivate the electron flow between the anodic
and cathodic areas on metal surfaces and
interrupt the electro-chemical corrosion
process. |
3 |
By adding water repulsion properties to
the metal surface, which inhibit water from
permeating the metal surface and providing the
electrolyte for corrosion
reactions. |
The vapor corrosion inhibitor portion of Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products is made of proprietary
chemical formulations that are invisible,
odorless, non-toxic, non-reactive, non-flammable
and non-allergenic. These chemical formulations
release a corrosion inhibiting vapor that diffuses
throughout an enclosure that either contains ICT™
formulations or is made from ICT™ materials, and
settles on exposed metal surfaces to form a
microscopic corrosion inhibiting layer.
This protective layer will remain on the
surface of the metal as long as there is no
significant, continuous exchange of air within the
enclosure. Ideally, there should be less than one
air exchange per day (for example, when an
electrical cabinet or package is opened briefly
and occasionally). Once the metal part is removed
from the enclosure, the corrosion inhibiting layer
is no longer kept in place by equilibrium with the
ICT™ source, and it dissipates from metal surfaces
(typically within about an hour) leaving the metal part clean, dry and
corrosion-free .
The vapor diffusing properties of our corrosion
inhibiting formulations offer an important
advantage over conventional inhibitor coatings
since the traces of these gas molecules penetrate
into inaccessible crevices, gaps, and slots,
reaching the surfaces of complex-shaped articles
that are difficult to coat. They are adsorbed onto
the surface of the metal to form a corrosion
inhibiting protective layer that is just a few
molecules thick. Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products
may also include acid gas absorbing chemicals in
the packaging material to act as a barrier and add
another dimension to the protection of the metal
content. These “scavenging” chemicals react and
neutralize the polluted air that may diffuse
through the Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ material. Also
used are various combinations of physical barrier
properties that optimize the corrosion prevention
and physical protection needs of our customers .
These may range from plain low density
polyethylene (LDPE) material to combinations of
higher strength, higher tear resistance, higher
resistance to sunlight or UV, static charge
dissipation, and lower diffusion for moisture or
acid gas molecules.
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products offer corrosion
protection without having to be in direct contact
with or coated onto the parts that are being
protected. Metal parts merely need to be enclosed
in or with a Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ product (where
airflow is minimized) for protection to occur.
With Zerust® / Excor® , it is no longer necessary
to apply messy oils, greases and other corrosion
protection compounds and incur the cost of their
removal. |
|
|
4.How does moisture in a
package affect the performance of Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ packaging products? |
|
Depending on the design of the corrosion
prevention solution, some Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
packaging products may be produced from low and
high density polyethylene resins and to a large
extent, are resistant to vapor penetration. Some
atmospheric moisture will eventually find its way
into a closed package. The presence of moisture in
a package can be expected during shipments across
areas of high humidity.
When moisture permeates through the Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ plastic packaging products (flexible
and rigid) the moisture is affected by the vapor
corrosion inhibitors that are present in the ICT™
product. The Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ product still
inhibits corrosion despite a low level of moisture
passing through the plastic. Corrosion problems
arise when moisture is allowed to enter a package
unimpeded by the Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ packaging
products, e.g. through an incorrect closure or a
significant hole in the package. When there is a
significant hole in the package, for example, the
corrosion inhibiting molecules are allowed to
escape, breaking up the protective corrosion
inhibiting molecular layer that had formed on the
surface of the metal. An unimpeded airflow into
the package must be
avoided. |
|
|
5.What can be anticipated when
parts that are already corroded are packaged in
Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products? |
|
When
parts in an already corroded condition are
packaged in Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products, the
corrosion process is slowed. However, our
packaging products cannot remove corrosion that
has already
formed. |
|
|
6.What can be anticipated when
wet parts are packaged in Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
products? |
|
When
wet parts are packaged in Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
products, a certain amount of corrosion can be
anticipated to take place. The amount of corrosion
will be a function of the time it takes for the
active corrosion inhibiting molecules to saturate
the package enclosure, the corrosion inhibiting
effectiveness of the designed ICT™ system, the
amount of moisture on the part, and the pH and
contaminations of the water
itself. |
|
|
7.How long can parts be
expected to remain free of corrosion after removal
from a Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ package? |
|
Tests performed with electron scanning (ESCA)
microscopy show that 2-4 hours after a steel test
panel is removed from a Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
package, all traces of the corrosion inhibiting
molecular layer are gone from the surface of the
part.
The period of time before one can expect
corrosion to occur on a part depends on the
cleanliness of the part and the environment around
the part (relative humidity, presence of
pollutants or wood, temperature, etc.). |
|
|
8.How long does it take for the
interior of a Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ package to
reach its designed corrosion prevention
capability? |
|
The time required for active corrosion
inhibiting molecules from the ICT™ product to
saturate a package is a function of the volume and
temperature of the package. Protection begins as
soon as corrosion inhibiting molecules reach the
metal surfaces, and maximum protection is achieved
when the entire environment of the package is
saturated with the corrosion inhibiting molecules.
Saturation in typical factory environments and
in typical CKD packaging applications runs from 12
to 24 hours. |
|
|
9.Does Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
have any effect on electrical or electronic
components? |
|
Test
data show that Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products do
not adversely affect electrical and electronic
components. In fact, the corrosion inhibiting
molecules actually help improve the reliability of
electrical and electronic components by preventing
corrosion that is too small to be seen by the
naked eye. It is absolutely safe to use Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ packaging products to prevent
corrosion of any instruments, devices and
equipment which contain electric and electronic
components. |
|
|
10.Are there any inhalation or
contact risks with Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
products? |
|
Test
data and review of corresponding scientific
literature show that there are no inhalation or
contact risks with Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
products. Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products have
been reviewed and cleared for use by factory,
government and military personnel by the
appropriate occupational health departments,
including those of all major automotive
manufacturers
worldwide. |
|
|
11.What is the best way to
store Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products before use? |
|
NTIC
recommends keeping Zerust® / Excor® ICT™
packaging products clean, out of direct sunlight
and away from water while in storage. Simply keep
the products in their original shipping cartons,
bags or containers. If a carton is opened, cover
the products with a sheet or bag of plain
polyethylene to protect the products from dust and
dirt. It is also recommended that Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products be stored in moderate
temperatures, typical of most indoor workplace
conditions to minimize exposure to excessive
temperatures and outside elements such as direct
sunlight, rain or snow. Storing Zerust® / Excor® ICT™ products correctly ensures that the products
will meet or exceed their estimated shelf
life. |
|
|
|
|