How to protect tools, equipment and materials effectively against corrosion
Corrosion is a constant threat wherever metals must meet high requirements and are subject to tough environmental conditions. This may affect vehicles driving in rainy weather, machines and tools used in open assembly shops or metal parts coming into contact with aggressive liquids. Malfunction, wear and expensive repair measures can only be tackled with the right corrosion protection. Semi-finished or finished products from respective materials must also be protected to arrive in perfect condition at the customer. We will demonstrate in this article what matters with corrosion protection, why it is so important and what’s the right rust protection agent for you.
What actually is corrosion?
In the technical context corrosion basically means the change a metal experiences from electrochemical or physicochemical interactions with another material. Put simply: A metal reacts with another substance, such as a liquid like water. This causes a chemical reaction which “alters” parts of the metal. The best known corrosion is the oxidation of iron, that is rusting. Iron, water, and oxygen from the air work here in concert gradually turning the frequent material iron into iron oxide. Since this has much poorer physical properties, the material becomes unusable, the component no longer works, the machine stops. Damages into the billions develop each year from rust alone. Consequently, corrosion protection is no luxury but an economic necessity.
What does corrosion protection mean?
Corrosion protection is essentially any measure meant to prevent or actively fight rust development. In most cases the right and especially timely corrosion protection can significantly extend the life of a component or material. It often protects the system concerned for many years against malfunction and required repairs. Elements of water circulation system or pipelines often receive this active protection. Passive corrosion protection is however much more important for commercial areas..
What is passive corrosion protection and who will especially benefit from it?
Passive corrosion protection refers to all measures protecting a metal from attack through oxidation by treating and shielding it specifically. This includes measures such as the known hot-galvanizing or priming of surfaces with a rust protection agent prior to painting. An important aspect with these measures is the full-surface and careful preparation of the metal parts. Otherwise, rust may develop increasingly at the few spots that are not protected.
Passive corrosion protection is important for all shops working much and often with metal. Especially machines and tools should be protected against excessive wear from rust. The same applies even more, of course, when the metallic materials belong to customers. No professional repair shop will therefore do without a corrosion protection when handling customer vehicles. Basic rust protection is also obligatory for all paint repairs and paint jobs.
We carry these corrosion protection products for you in our product offering
The comprehensive range of products from Caramba offers a large number of solutions for all requirements. Of course, this also includes corrosion protection. For example, with the Caramba Primer we offer you an ideal rust protection primer for paint work. The high-performance zinc spray provides galvanic protection for paint work but also when repairing existing galvanized surfaces – it is also available as bright spray for treatment without subsequent painting. Thanks to its elasticity and creeping properties, the multifunction corrosion protection wax is not only suitable as underseal agent wax but also for temporary corrosion protection during storage or transport.
Corrosion protection oil 200 L, when superior corrosion protection is needed, for example in production, storage or shipping.