Cortec® VpCI® Corrosion-Inhibiting Film Products

ECORR Systems offers Cortec® VpCI® film products for protecting metal parts, machinery, assemblies, coils, equipment, and finished goods during manufacturing, storage, handling, and shipment.

As an Authorized Cortec® Distributor, ECORR Systems provides corrosion-inhibiting sheeting, tubing, shrink film, stretch film, skin film, liner film, static-dissipative film, and UV-resistant packaging. We can help select the appropriate film based on the metal, item dimensions, film thickness, packaging equipment, exposure conditions, and required protection period.

Clean Corrosion Protection for Packaged Metal

Cortec® VpCI® films offer a clean alternative to conventional oil- and grease-based rust preventatives. Once metal is properly prepared and enclosed, VpCI® technology helps protect accessible surfaces without coating every area with a material that may need to be removed before use.

Film packaging can be adapted to small components, palletized products, steel coils, large machinery, fabricated assemblies, export shipments, and long-term preservation systems.

How VpCI® Film Protects Metal

Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors are incorporated into the film. After the metal item is enclosed, VpCI® molecules migrate through the package atmosphere and adsorb onto accessible metal surfaces, forming a protective molecular layer.

This vapor phase action helps protect exposed surfaces as well as recessed areas, cavities, crevices, internal diameters, and complex geometries that may be difficult to reach with direct-applied protection.

Common VpCI® Film Applications

• Machined and fabricated metal parts
• Automotive and transportation components
• Steel coils, sheet, plate, and bar stock
• Engines, motors, pumps, and gearboxes
• Industrial machinery and production equipment
• Tools, dies, molds, and fixtures
• Electrical and electronic assemblies
• Palletized parts and finished goods
• Work-in-process inventories
• Domestic and export shipments
• Seasonal equipment storage
• Long-term equipment preservation

Types of Cortec® Film Products

VpCI® Film and Sheeting

Standard film and sheeting can be cut, wrapped, folded, or fabricated into protective packages for parts, assemblies, machinery, and palletized products. Different widths and thicknesses are available for applications ranging from small components to large equipment.

VpCI® Tubing

Continuous tubing can be cut to the required length and sealed at one or both ends. It is useful for long parts, shafts, pipes, tools, components, and operations that package items of varying lengths.

VpCI® Shrink Film

Shrink film contracts around an item when properly heated, creating a fitted protective enclosure. It is commonly used for large machinery, vehicles, equipment, palletized loads, fabricated assemblies, and export shipments.

VpCI® Stretch Film

Stretch film uses tension and self-cling to unitize products and retain loads while providing corrosion-inhibiting protection. Hand-grade and machine-grade products are available for compatible packaging operations.

VpCI® Skin Film

Skin film is used with a compatible backing board and vacuum packaging equipment to create a close-fitting package around individual components. This presentation can hold the part securely while allowing visibility and multimetal corrosion protection.

HDPE Liner Film

High-density polyethylene liner film provides a lightweight option for lining containers, separating products, interleaving components, or use in compatible foam-in-place and industrial packaging processes.

Static-Dissipative VpCI® Film

Static-dissipative film combines corrosion protection with electrostatic-discharge control for compatible electronics, electrical components, munitions, and other products sensitive to static accumulation.

UV-Resistant VpCI® Film

UV-stabilized film is designed to better withstand sunlight during approved outdoor storage and transportation applications. Standard indoor film should not be assumed suitable for prolonged ultraviolet exposure.

Recycled-Content Film

Selected Cortec® films incorporate post-consumer recycled content while providing corrosion-inhibiting protection. Recycled content, film performance, availability, and recyclability vary by product.

Featured Cortec® VpCI® Film Products

» Cortec® VpCI®-126 Film
A versatile corrosion-inhibiting film available in multiple widths, thicknesses, sheets, tubing, bags, and specialized constructions for multimetal packaging.

» Cor-Pak® EX VpCI® Film
High-density polyethylene film containing Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors for protecting ferrous and many non-ferrous metals during packaging and storage.

» Cor-Pak® VpCI® Stretch Film
Hand- and machine-grade stretch films that combine load containment with multimetal corrosion protection.

» VpCI®-126 Shrink Film
Heat-shrinkable corrosion-inhibiting film for forming fitted protective packages around compatible equipment, components, and palletized loads.

» MilCorr® VpCI® Shrink Film
Heavy-duty multimetal shrink film with UV protection for demanding equipment preservation, shipment, and approved outdoor applications.

» VpCI®-126 HP UV Shrink Film
High-performance shrink film combining UV stabilization, strength, and VpCI® technology for aggressive storage and transportation environments.

» VpCI®-125 Static-Dissipative Film
Specialized film for protecting compatible metal and electronic components where both corrosion protection and static control are required.

» Cor-Pak® VpCI® Skin Film
Transparent skin-packaging film designed to secure and protect compatible multimetal parts on an appropriate backing board.

Film Versus Bags

Premade bags provide a convenient option when standard dimensions and closures fit the packaged part. Film rolls and sheeting provide greater flexibility for equipment, palletized loads, irregular shapes, and packaging operations that fabricate packages as needed.

Tubing offers a middle ground by allowing the packaging team to cut a custom length while using a consistent film width. The best format depends on part dimensions, production volume, sealing equipment, and access requirements.

Shrink Film Versus Stretch Film

Shrink film is placed around the item and heated so it contracts into a fitted enclosure. It is useful when a durable, closely fitted cover is needed around machinery, equipment, or palletized products.

Stretch film is pulled under tension around a load and relies on elasticity and cling. It is commonly used for unitizing pallet loads, bundling products, securing coils, and automated packaging.

Stretch wrapping alone may not always create a fully enclosed corrosion-protection package. Open tops, bottoms, seams, and pallet penetrations should be evaluated and closed when required.

Choosing the Correct Film Thickness

Film thickness should be based on the item’s size, weight, shape, sharpness, handling conditions, exposure, and packaging method. Lightweight components may be suitable for thinner film, while machinery, steel products, sharp parts, and demanding export shipments may require a heavier construction.

Thicker film does not eliminate the need for edge guards, cushioning, caps, or puncture protection. Sharp corners and projecting components should be covered before wrapping.

Selecting the Correct Film Width

Select a width that covers the product efficiently while allowing adequate overlap and closure. Material that is too narrow may require excessive seams, while oversized film can increase waste and make sealing more difficult.

Measure the item’s width, height, length, circumference, projections, pallet, and supporting skid. Include additional material for overlaps, folds, seals, and access points.

Closing and Sealing VpCI® Film

VpCI® film must form an adequately enclosed package to retain the protective atmosphere. Depending on the product and application, closure options may include:

• Heat sealing
• Approved packaging tape
• Folding and securing the film
• Cable ties, straps, or clamps
• Shrink application
• Overlapping stretch-film layers

Inspect seams, corners, access openings, pallet penetrations, and closures for gaps or damage before storage or shipment.

Preparing Metal Before Packaging

Metal should be clean and dry before it is enclosed. Fingerprints, salts, acidic residues, contaminated machining fluids, and trapped moisture may continue attacking the metal inside the package.

Wear clean gloves when handling prepared surfaces. If an oil, cleaner, coating, or rust preventative remains on the part, confirm that it is compatible with the selected VpCI® film.

Indoor and Outdoor Storage

Standard film may be appropriate for indoor or sheltered storage but should not automatically be used for extended outdoor exposure. Outdoor packaging may require UV-stabilized film, heavier construction, weather-resistant closures, drainage, blocking, and periodic inspection.

Outdoor packages should be elevated above standing water and configured so rain cannot collect in low areas. Wind movement, abrasion, condensation, and temperature changes should also be considered.

Benefits of Cortec® VpCI® Film

• Protect metal without coating every surface with oil or grease
• Reach recessed areas, cavities, and complex geometries
• Support ferrous, non-ferrous, and multimetal applications
• Provide transparent or translucent options for inspection
• Offer sheet, tubing, shrink, stretch, skin, and liner formats
• Support manual and automated packaging operations
• Provide specialized UV-resistant and static-dissipative options
• Reduce cleaning and preparation before parts are placed into service

Protection Period

Selected Cortec® VpCI®-126 film systems may provide multi-year corrosion protection when correctly selected, applied, sealed, and maintained. Actual protection depends on the film, package integrity, metal condition, environment, storage method, and exposure duration.

Long-term storage and export packages should be inspected periodically for punctures, open seams, trapped water, abrasion, UV damage, and compromised closures.

Recycling and Reuse

Selected polyethylene VpCI® films may be recyclable where appropriate collection programs exist. Film should be clean, dry, separated from incompatible packaging materials, and accepted by the local recycler.

Some film may be reused if it remains uncontaminated, undamaged, and capable of forming an effective enclosure. Recyclability and recycled content should be verified for the specific product rather than assumed for the entire category.

Building a Complete Packaging System

Demanding applications may require more than film alone. A complete preservation system may include:

• VpCI® bags, papers, emitters, or pouches
• Compatible temporary coatings or lubricants
• Desiccants and humidity indicators
• Edge guards and cushioning
• Blocking and bracing
• UV-resistant or weather-resistant exterior protection
• Scheduled inspection during long-term storage

Related Cortec® Product Categories

» VpCI® Bags
Flat, gusseted, heat-sealable, and resealable bags for protecting metal parts, components, and equipment.

» Fabric and Woven Products
Reinforced corrosion-inhibiting materials for large, heavy, and irregularly shaped equipment.

» VpCI® Paper Products
Protective papers for wrapping, interleaving, separating, and lining metal products.

» VpCI® Emitting Devices
Emitters, pouches, foam devices, and tape for enclosed packages, equipment, and cabinets.

» Layup and Preservation Products
Integrated solutions for shutdown, equipment storage, export shipment, and long-term preservation.

Why Choose ECORR Systems?

ECORR Systems is an Authorized Cortec® Distributor helping manufacturers, parts suppliers, exporters, maintenance teams, and packaging professionals select VpCI® film for specific products and environments.

We can help evaluate item dimensions, metal types, film thickness, format, packaging equipment, closure method, UV exposure, handling conditions, storage environment, and required protection period.

FAQ

What is VpCI® film?

VpCI® film is packaging material containing Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors. After metal is enclosed, protective molecules migrate through the package atmosphere and form a molecular layer on accessible metal surfaces.

Does VpCI® film need to touch the metal?

The film does not need to contact every surface. VpCI® molecules travel through the enclosed atmosphere to reach exposed and recessed metal areas. The package must retain the protective vapor.

Does VpCI® film need to be airtight?

The package does not necessarily need to be hermetically sealed, but it should be enclosed well enough to retain the protective atmosphere. Open seams and continuous airflow can reduce effectiveness.

Can VpCI® film protect different metals in the same package?

Many Cortec® films are designed for multimetal protection. Compatibility should be confirmed for every metal and alloy present, particularly when dissimilar metals are packaged together.

What film thickness should I use?

Thickness depends on the item’s weight, dimensions, shape, edges, handling, transportation, exposure, and packaging method. Large or sharp equipment generally requires a heavier film and additional puncture protection.

Can standard VpCI® film be used outdoors?

Standard film should not automatically be used for long-term outdoor exposure. Select a film specifically designed for the required UV, weather, temperature, and storage conditions.

What is the difference between shrink film and stretch film?

Shrink film contracts around the item when heated. Stretch film is pulled around a load under tension and holds through elasticity and cling. The appropriate choice depends on the item, packaging equipment, enclosure requirements, and handling conditions.

Can VpCI® film be heat sealed?

Many Cortec® films are heat sealable, but sealing temperature and equipment settings vary by construction and thickness. Follow the current product data sheet and complete a trial seal before production.

Can VpCI® film be recycled?

Selected polyethylene films may be recyclable where suitable collection programs exist. Confirm the film composition, cleanliness requirements, and acceptance with the local recycling provider.

Can ECORR Systems help calculate the film size?

Yes. Provide the item dimensions, weight, shape, pallet or skid size, metal types, preferred packaging method, exposure, and protection period. ECORR Systems can help identify an appropriate film format, width, and thickness.