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VCI COATINGS

VCI Coatings offers superior protection through the use of a proven epoxy primer combined with the benefits of the VCI technology. “The world is made out of bad concrete and rusty steel, and corrosion is the primary cause of deterioration of our infrastructure,” says Bob Walde, vice president of technology for Surtreat Holding LLC. The problem, he says, is that engineers tend to try to stop corrosion by physical means that address the symptoms but not the underlying causes. “Corrosion is an electrochemical process, and it can be inhibited by changing the chemical environment around the steel.”

Frequently Asked Questions About VCI Coatings

What does VCI stand for? VCI stands for Volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCIs).

What is VCI coating? NACE International Standard TM0208 defines volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) as “a chemical substance that acts to reduce corrosion by a combination of volatilization from a VCI material, vapor transport in the atmosphere of an enclosed environment, and condensation onto surface in the space, including absorption, dissolution, and hydrophobic effects on metal surfaces, where the rate of corrosion of metal surfaces is thereby inhibited”.

How do VCI coatings work? VCI coatings work by interrupting the reaction between the anode and cathode, the electrolyte reaction that causes the oxidation of the metal. This interruption is achieved by passivating the surface of the metal and inhibiting the electro-chemical reaction that causes the oxidation. The layer that is formed by VCI technology is incredible thin, only a few molecules deep, but it is effective enough to stop the oxidation process.

Are VCI coatings better than traditional methods of corrosion protection? VCI coatings are favored for a variety of reasons, including that they don’t contain the heavy metals of older types of corrosion protection and because they do not affect other other components of coatings, such as wetting agents, leveling agents, etc.

What are all of the forms that VCI coatings come in? VCI coatings come in multiple forms. Powder and liquid forms of VCI can be added to made materials and coatings that allow for a wide usage of VCI for many different products. For CSC’s application, we mostly use powder versions mixed into coatings, and for special applications, use a liquid form.