Choosing your VpCI (To preserve and protect)
February 1949
The American Paper Converter presents an article introducing a new method of corrosion preventive packaging developed by Shell Development Co. The new method is made possible by the discovery of "Vapor Phase Inhibitor (VPI)," a type of synthetic organic material. Paper coated with VPI and then used to wrap or package steel articles is said to be able to prevent corrosion even though no coatings are applied to the metal and no precautions are taken to exclude moisture from the package.
October 1957
Paper, Film, and Foil Converter reports a 1957 Plymouth has been wrapped in flexible packaging and placed underground in Tulsa, OK, to see if it could be protected for 50 years…to be unearthed in 2007. The protective packaging of the car was undertaken jointly by Dobeckmum Co., Kennedy Car Liner and Bag Co., and Orchard Paper Co. Moisture vapor-proof barrier material was placed on steel platform and the car on it. Main material used is called Metalam, composed of cotton scrim laminated to PE sheeting, aluminum foil, and vinyl. Protection against rust and corrosion provided by sheets of VPI paper (volatile rust inhibitor) that cover the engine and interior areas of the car.

So the use of VCI in export and long term storage packaging is nothing new, but what has changed?

In the military, it’s called breakout, the speed of de-preservation and readiness for use. Military organizations around the world are now using Cortec integrated solutions to cut breakout from weeks down to hours. Manufacturing organizations use different indicators. Dry storage of work in process means cleaner floors => fewer accidents, cleaner parts, less rejects, and so on. So the driving force behind the switch from oils to VpCI preservation makes use of the intrinsic properties of VpCI s to gain major cost savings, all the while improving product and productivity.


The VPI’s of yesterday were Nitrite based. Health& Safety professionals will tell you of the potential hazards of Nitrite preservatives (read the “CAW Health and safety factsheets” on chemicals and metalworking fluids.


The Cortec integrated method makes use of its patented multi-metal technologies to provide multifunction products that work both in production and materials preservation.

Click to view illustration (requires MS Word - new window)

From the flowchart, it can be seen that the sooner one begins preventative action in the production process, the easier it is to deliver higher quality goods. Good material into the process, yields better output. Cortec cleaners and degreasers, metalworking fluids, as well as coatings and packaging form the ideal system for rust free product delivery to the customer, Furthermore, this protection can be extended into the working life of the product through the selected use of Cortec products in the maintenance program of the user.

The selection of VpCI products is often intuitive replacement of present day non-VpCI systems, however it would surprise the user at how many options there are. It is said more often that not, that the right choice is “maybe!” In our product section of this site, you will find a segmented list of Cortec products for industry. If your application is unique, or you just are not sure what is best, do not hesitate to contact us for a recommendation. In fact, unless you already have fairly certain indications of the RIGHT method, I can almost guarantee you, that the range of options will be wide. What we try to do, is fit a VpCI solution that minimizes the interruption off your present process, either through a VpCI-enhanced substitute material, a simple-to-apply product, or by suggesting how upstream processing & preservation will ease or solve the problem.

Coming Soon: ”Cortec material compatibility and exposure limitations charts”