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 Zerust® / Excor® film used together with anti-rust oils?

Yes. In such applications the Zerust® / Excor® Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors will not provide corrosion inhibition to those surfaces of the part coated with the oil since they cannot reach those surfaces. However, oil eventually will drain from part surfaces to the point that coating becomes so thin that it fractures. When this occurs the Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors take over the corrosion inhibition function. When oils and Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors are to be used together, it is advisable to test them for compatibility. Both products contain chemicals which may not be compatible and thereby trigger corrosion.

5. Can any effect be anticipated when Zerust® / Excor® Ferrous Film is used to package a non ferrous or multi metal product?

Zerust® / Excor® Ferrous film offers no protection to non ferrous metals that do not come into contact with the film. The film can, however, attack non ferrous surfaces that cone into direct contact with Zerust® / Excor® Ferrous film.

6. What is the best way to store Zerust® / Excor® films before use?

It is a good practice to keep Zerust® / Excor® films clean in storage. Simply keeping the films in their shipping cartons or covering the film with a sheet or bag of plain polyethylene film will be sufficient.

7. How can Zerust® / Excor® products be used together with corrugated cardboard?

Part surfaces should not be allowed to come in contact with corrugated cardboard, paper or wood. If the cardboard is to be used to separate parts within a row of parts or is to be used to separate the rows themselves, Zerust® / Excor® film should be placed on the cardboard or the cardboard nesting and then place parts on the film material. Cover the parts to prevent the bottom of the cardboard from touching the row of parts immediately below it.

8. Does Zerust® / Excor® packing requires vacuum packing?

Zerust® / Excor® film packing does not require vacuum packing system. The volatile corrosion inhibitors will passivate the atmospheric environment in the enclosure and the inhibitors will settle on and passivate the exposed metal surfaces. Therefore, retard the corrosion process. 

9. Can Zerust® / Excor® film be packed with desiccants?

Yes, in some cases, desiccants work quite well as an immediate moisture absorber in Zerust® / Excor® packaging. This is very effective for highly sensitive metal such as silica steel or high carbon steel. The desiccants keeps humidity low in the package while the Zerust® / Excor® Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors take 2 hours to fully saturate the enclosure effectively.

10. What is the functional difference between Zerust® / Excor® Vapor Capsules and Silica Gel?

Zerust® / Excor® Vapor Capsules emits vapor molecules that will passivate metal surfaces and retard corrosion process. Silica gel absorbs environmental moisture until it is fully saturated.