Corrosion-Resistant Packaging With Segmented VCI Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging materials for metal objects face challenges in providing both rapid and long-lasting corrosion protection without the need for special occupational health and safety measures, as they often require large amounts of volatile corrosion inhibitors and can lead to hazardous reactions or residue issues.

Innovation Solution

A packaging material featuring a perforated polymer film or foam inside layer with a chemically setting reactive adhesive containing glass bubbles and a low amount of volatile corrosion inhibitor, which allows for quick and effective release of the inhibitor, ensuring rapid and long-lasting corrosion protection without significant occupational hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If VCI-impregnated paper or cardboard is used for rapid corrosion protection, then the anti-corrosion effect builds up quickly, but the protection does not last long and the material absorbs water vapor causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of anti-corrosion effect buildupVSAvoidduration of corrosion protection
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging material is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer plastic film layer for long-term protection and an inner porous layer (paper, cardboard, or foam) for rapid protection. Each layer releases VCI at different rates, combining the advantages of both fast-acting and long-lasting protection materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite packaging structures combining different materials (plastic film + porous material) with different VCI release characteristics. The composite structure allows the hydrophobic plastic layer to prevent water absorption while the porous inner layer provides rapid VCI release, solving both the speed and duration contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If large amounts of VCI are used for rapid corrosion protection, then effective protection is achieved quickly, but occupational health and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of corrosion protectionVSAvoidoccupational health and safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner layer uses porous materials (paper, cardboard, or foam) with controlled porosity to enable rapid VCI release through capillary action and high surface area, achieving fast corrosion protection without requiring large amounts of VCI. The porous structure provides efficient mass transfer at low concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the VCI delivery system by using porous structures with high surface area to volume ratio, enabling rapid release of small amounts of VCI rather than requiring large amounts, thus reducing occupational hazards while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If plastic film is used for long-term corrosion protection, then the protection lasts long, but the anti-corrosion effect builds up slowly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of corrosion protectionVSAvoidspeed of anti-corrosion effect buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into an outer plastic film layer for long-term protection and an inner porous layer for rapid protection. The two layers work synergistically, with the inner layer providing immediate VCI release and the outer layer sustaining protection over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner porous layer is positioned to act first, releasing VCI rapidly at the beginning to provide immediate protection. This preliminary action complements the slower, long-term release from the plastic film layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The packaging material achieves quick and long-lasting corrosion protection for metal objects with minimal inhibitor usage, reducing health and safety concerns and avoiding the disadvantages of combined VCI materials, such as water absorption and hazardous substance formation.

Implementation Method 1

the volatile corrosion inhibitor goes into the gas phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

settles as a film on the metal surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

the inside layer having a high permeability to the corrosion inhibitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2457726B1Packaging material for metallic objects susceptible to corrosion
Publication Date: 2013.10.09 MONDI GRONAU

AI summary

The invention relates to a packaging material for corrosion-prone metal objects, comprising a plastic film forming the outer surface of the packaging, an inner layer, and an adhesive layer bonding the plastic film to the inner layer. The adhesive layer contains a volatile corrosion inhibitor, and the inner layer exhibits a high permeability to the corrosion inhibitor compared to the plastic film on the outer surface of the packaging. According to the invention, the adhesive layer is formed by a chemically setting reactive adhesive.