Corrosion is a pervasive, but largely invisible problem in the electrical and electronics industry. The root cause of electrical and electronic equipment failures that lead to downtime are often due to corrosion. The onset of devastating corrosion can occur while the equipment is in shipment, storage, and during normal operation in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Corrosion is most commonly initiated in atmospheres with high humidity, condensation, or traces of aggressive pollutants such as sulfides, chlorides and ammonia found in industrial and marine environments. The results are expensive failures ranging from intermittent performance to complete failure of critical components.
Zerust® corrosion inhibiting products are a cost effective way to protect electrical and electronic components and equipment from the destructive effects of corrosion.
The Benefits of Zerust Corrosion Inhibiting Products:
- Longer equipment life and sustained reliability
- Lower operating and maintenance costs
- Reduced down time and fewer repairs
- Maintenance of a clean, high-quality surface appearance
- Protection from corrosion for different metal types
- Optional protection such as electrostatic discharge (ESD)
- dissipation additives, acid-gas neutralizers and more
Zerust is Safe for Electronics:
- Does not affect the functionality of circuitry
- Not harmful to printed circuit boards and sensitive ICs
- No galvanic effects, conductive residues or surface changes
- Protects metal surfaces with the clean, dry, odorless and invisible corrosion inhibiting technology
- Protective layer dissipates into the atmosphere after the product is removed, leaving no residues or surface effects
- Analysis of compatibility can be arranged by a local Zerust® representative using recognized test procedures
- Safe for personnel
Zerust® protects finished products during final product shipment, warehousing and use for:
- Factory automation and process controls
- Electrical cabinets and enclosures
- Power supplies and UPS equipment
- Telecommunications and server cabinets
- Computers and office equipment
- Electronics for marine environments
- Lighting systems
Sub-assemblies & Components during in-process storage or interplant and intra-plant shipment:
- Cabinets and frames
- Connectors, contacts and springs
- Relays and switches
- PCB assemblies and bare boards
- Solder and interconnection layers
Zerust Chemical Passivation Technology Explained
All metal surfaces are naturally structured with a myriad of microscopic regions of high (anodic) and low (cathodic) electrochemical energy. When moisture and other atmospheric contaminants adhere to these surfaces, they act as strong electrochemical conductors (electrolytes), resulting in the flow of ion and electronic currents among
these regions. This natural electrochemical process causes reactions between the metals and oxygen, sulfur and other trace atmospheric elements, to form rust, tarnish, and other forms of corrosion.
Zerust® products contain proprietary chemical formulations that continuously release an invisible, odorless, safe and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibiting vapor into the enclosure. Zerust® vapor saturates the interior of an enclosure or sealed area wrapped in Zerust® film to form a powerful corrosion inhibiting molecular layer on all exposed metal surfaces. This Zerust® corrosion inhibiting layer interrupts, or inhibits, the electro-chemical corrosion process.
Later, when the enclosure or package is opened, the Zerust® corrosion inhibiting layer evaporates, leaving clean, dry and corrosion free parts that are ready for immediate use without further cleaning and related handling.
Zerust Protection - Exterior Packaging of Electrical and Electronic Items
We recommend Zerust® packaging materials for exterior surface protection of parts and equipment of any size, to wrap, enclose and protect them. Zerust® packaging materials ensure that parts are protected in storage, or arrive at their final destination, without contact deterioration, intermittent connections, or a degraded appearance.
Zerust® VCI film sheeting and bags provide a clean, non-oily, and nontoxic corrosion prevention solution. Zerust® packaging materials have a shelf life of two years and a subsequent in-service life of up to five years.
Zerust® application engineers and account specialists are on hand to assess each project’s needs. They are able to recommend the correct corrosion inhibiting formulation along with the best packaging design and process for maximum corrosion protection.
Zerust® Protection—Interior of Electrical and Electronic Enclosures
For the corrosion protection of interior surfaces such as metals within switch gearboxes, electronic cabinets and other enclosures holding electrical gear, we recommend Zerust® Vapor Capsules and Plastabs®.
Zerust® diffuser products are self-contained corrosion inhibiting capsules and tabs that prevent corrosion of multiple metal types within enclosures. They work by permeating the interior air of an enclosure with an invisible, odorless, non-toxic corrosion inhibiting vapor that lasts for one or two years depending on the model.. This invisible and dry protective layer evaporates upon removal of the capsule from the enclosure, leaving all surfaces clean, dry, residue-free and corrosion-free.
Reduce Maintenance Checks and Downtime
Zerust® Vapor Capsules prevent the corrosion that cause higher levels of electrical contact resistance and related failure modes. This allows for fewer maintenance checks and reduced down time and component failures.
Zerust Vapor Capsules Uses:
- During shipment and storage
- Combine with Zerust® packaging
- Materials to provide both internal
- And external corrosion protection
- During normal operation
- During closure or shutdown
Contending With Airflow
Restricting airflow is always necessary but, when it cannot be avoided that Zerust® diffusers are needed within enclosures with some small air leaks, then it is recommended to place the capsule close to the source of airflow.
For added corrosion protection when there are small air leaks or in especially corrosion conditions, place additional Zerust® diffusers near the sensitive metal surface to be protected.
