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Industrial corrosion has been called The Silent Killer. It stealthily attacks products in every industry – manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, transportation, and shipping, among others. It results in latent defects, product rejects and premature failure, costing industry billions of dollars each year. It is estimated that economic loss from damage caused by corrosion in steel – the most important metal used in machinery, industrial plants, railways and shipping – can amount to 3% to 4% of a country’s GDP.

All materials can be affected by corrosion due to humidity, exhaust emissions, sunlight, temperature variations, chemicals, oils, etc. Is it happening to your assets? Intercept Technology provides the best answers for industry, delivering effective packaging solutions to the world’s most serious corrosion issues.

What is corrosion and how does it affect industry?
Corrosion refers to any action that changes the chemical or physical structure of materials and structures. Metal, plastic, rubber, paper, paint, etc. are
all affected. Rust, oxidation, mold, mildew are all forms of corrosion.
• Corrosion can be a chemical reaction between a material and a reactive, or unstable gas or liquid.
• Corrosion can be an electrical reaction between 2 or more dissimilar metals.
• Corrosion can be an electrochemical reaction between dust or fungi and a material surface.

Why does corrosion occur?
Simple environmental pollution is the cause of most forms of corrosion and rust in packaging, not moisture alone. Science shows that corrosive gases are the real cause of rust (oxides) and account for the majority
of damage from the kind of rust that can occur in warehouse storage. If you're relying on smelly Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors, expensive vacuum barrier film bags or bulky desiccants for rust protection, you’re only providing half the protection your product needs.

How do corrosives get into packaging?
Manmade and naturally occur-ring corrosive gasses blanket our planet. They cannot be avoided in any product, service or storage environment. These

invisible, stealthy gases can infiltrate virtually any packaging. Rust, oxidation, mold, mildew all cause destruction. The threat of rust in inventoried parts is undeniable. Corrosion can form in any opened or sealed packaging during storage and it only gets worse when you factor in extreme environments, uncontrolled warehousing and corrosive cardboard or shipping materials. Rust can even form on your goods without condensing humidity. Worse, you may not be protected even if you're paying extra for oil-based protectants, desiccants or barrier film packaging.

Key Corrosive Elements in the Environment
These destructive gases are the cause of many types of industrial corrosion, and will penetrate most barrier products within 7 days.

Nitrous Oxides (NOx): forklift exhaust, automobile exhaust,
unvented heaters. Includes amines, amides, ammonia,
nitrates, and nitrites.

Ozone (O3): highly reactive oxygen (smog, etc.) Accelerates
degradation of materials in conjunction with other reactive gases.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Sulfur Dioxides (SO2):
Effluent from oil refineries, heavy industry, fossil fuel combustion. Exhaust from automobiles, outgassing from corrugate, plywood, adhesives, etc.

Carbonyl Sulfide (COS): very aggressive form of sulfur; result of fossil fuel combustion, wood fires; prominent on oceans, lingers up to 50 miles from ocean source.

Hydrogen Chloride (HCl): extremely aggressive; prominent on oceans; residue of coal burning and fossil fuel combustion; hydrochloric acid may form in moist air.

Mold, Mildew & Bacteria: many molds and mildews secrete sulfur as a byproduct of respiration.

In many cases, the hidden damage done by corrosion to
electronic devices, assemblies and components will reveal
itself as many different problems
• Latent defects
• Soldering problems
• Low yield
• Increased resistance
• Reduction in performance
• Premature failure
• Poor connections
• Physical discoloration & staining
• Contamination

What happens to your materials when they’re attacked?
Metals: Degradation, breakdown and failure from all corrosive gases.

Rubber: Flexibility and strength loss due to ozone and UV.

Plastics: Strength and durability loss due to ozone and nitrous compounds.

Paint: Surface erosion/discolor by sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide, ozone.

Textiles: Reduced tensile strength by sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides.

Textile Dyes: Fading, color change by nitrogen oxides,
ozone.

Paper: Degradation, staining and embrittlement by sulfur
oxides.

Elastomerics: Cracking by ozone.

Leather: Weakened strength and powdery surface by sulfur
oxides.

Ceramics: Changing surface appearance by acid gases, HF.