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VCI Application SOP · Field Packing Procedure

How to Use VCI Packaging

A clear, step-by-step procedure for using VCI film, VCI paper and emitters so metal arrives clean. This page is written for people who pack parts on the line or write packing instructions: what to do before packing, how to wrap or bag, how to seal, when to add desiccant, and which mistakes create rust claims even when “VCI was used.”

Go to the steps →
Clean Dry Metal First·Right Grade·Close Free Volume·Seal Promptly·Document the Pack
Direct answer

How do you use VCI packaging correctly?

Use VCI packaging by packing clean, dry metal with the correct grade of film, paper or emitters, keeping VCI material close to the metal, and closing the package so vapour cannot escape. Do not put inert plastic between VCI paper and the metal face. Do not leave wrapped parts open in humid air. For long humid export routes, add sized desiccant and often an aluminium barrier bag outside the VCI layer. Unpack is typically dry: no oil wipe-off step when the system is designed correctly.

How to use VCIHow to pack with VCI paperHow to seal VCI bagsVCI packing procedureWhy VCI failed
BeforeMetal clean, dry, gloved, grade chosen
DuringContact wrap or bag; close free volume
AfterSeal, label, protect from puncture
Long routeAdd desiccant and barrier when earned
Before you open a roll

Preparation that decides success

Most rust claims start before the first sheet of VCI is applied.

Metal condition. Free coolant, wet wash residue, fingerprints and chloride salts create electrolyte films. VCI adsorbs best on clean dry surfaces. Dry parts to room temperature when they come from hot processes so condensation does not form inside the bag.

Metal list. Steel only, or steel with aluminium and copper? Mixed assemblies need multimetal grades. Wrong chemistry looks like “VCI failed” when the grade never matched the alloy list.

Package plan. Decide: interleave + carton, VCI bag, crate liner, cabinet emitters, or machine wrap inside barrier. The method must match free volume and duration. Definitions: what is VCI packaging.

Master procedure

Step-by-step: how to pack metal with VCI

  1. Identify every metal in the assembly. Select ferrous, non-ferrous or multimetal VCI accordingly.
  2. Clean and dry. Remove process fluids and loose contaminants. Wear clean gloves. Do not pack wet parts as standard practice.
  3. Choose the carrier. Paper for interleave and contact wrap. Film for bags and liners. Emitters for cabinets and large voids. Guides: VCI paper, VCI film, VCI emitters.
  4. Place VCI next to metal. Interleave every layer. Wrap critical faces. Keep material close (prefer well under about 300 mm air gap; closer is better).
  5. Do not block the VCI face with ordinary plastic, foam or cardboard between the inhibitor material and the metal unless that layer is itself part of a designed system.
  6. Close free volume immediately. Heat-seal bags or make continuous seals. Open dwell in humid halls wastes vapour and invites flash rust.
  7. Add desiccant when humidity risk is high (ocean, monsoon, multi-month storage). Size to free air volume. See desiccant vs VCI.
  8. Add aluminium barrier when the sealed window is long and climate cycles are severe. See moisture barrier bags.
  9. Protect the seal from puncture with edge pads on sharp parts so the vapour atmosphere survives handling.
  10. Label the pack: grade, date, destination, duration target, packer ID if required by quality systems.
By package type

How to use VCI for common pack formats

FormatCorrect methodCommon error
Stacked plates / stampingsVCI paper between every layer; wrap outer faces; seal in bag or closed carton system.Only top sheet; centre of stack stains.
Loose parts in a cartonLine carton with VCI film or paper; wrap or bag parts; close carton fully.Open carton vents; vapour lost.
VCI poly bagPlace clean dry part inside correctly sized bag; expel excess air if practical; heat seal fully.Tape that leaves gaps; oversized bag with tiny part and no seal quality.
Machine / subassemblyPaper or film on machined faces; lock geometry as required; seal with barrier + desiccant for export.Decorative film wrap that is not a seal. See export machine packing.
Electrical cabinet / voidSized emitters; doors closed; optional supplemental film on critical metal.One small emitter in a huge open cabinet.
Route design

When to stop at VCI only vs full system

Short dry internal transfer

Clean metal + VCI paper or bag in a closed pack can be enough if duration and climate are mild.

Humid domestic storage

VCI + good seal; add desiccant if condensation risk is known.

Ocean export

VCI on metal + sized desiccant + high-integrity seal; aluminium barrier for long sealed windows. Guide: prevent rust during shipping.

Multi-month mothball

Designed sealed system with duration target. See machinery mothballing.

Troubleshooting

If you used VCI and still got rust

Check this firstWhy it matters
Was the pack sealed?Open packs cannot hold vapour concentration.
Was metal dry at close?Trapped water is an electrolyte under the wrap.
Was the grade multimetal when needed?Ferrous-only chemistry can fail mixed alloys.
Was paper blocked from the metal?Inert layers can stop contact and vapour delivery.
Was free volume oversized?Large cabinets need more product or emitters.
Was the bag punctured?Lost seal equals lost programme on humid routes.

Mechanism detail: how VCI works.

Storage of unused VCI stock

How to store VCI film and paper before use

Unused rolls and sheets should stay in original closed packaging, cool and dry, away from open weather and unnecessary heat. Practice first-in, first-out. Do not leave partially used rolls open for weeks. Shelf life differs by carrier (poly film often longer than paper). Follow the product datasheet for the grade you hold.

BENZ manufactures VCI materials and writes packing instructions as a global VCI and protective-packaging company. This SOP is field procedure content, not a sales brochure. Product entries: VCI film · VCI paper.

Related guides

Build the full VCI cluster

Frequently asked

How to use VCI: search-matched FAQs

How do you use VCI paper?

Wrap or interleave clean dry metal with VCI paper, keep paper close to the metal, and close the package so vapour cannot escape. For export, usually place the wrapped stack inside a sealed film bag.

How do you use VCI bags?

Place clean dry metal in a correctly sized VCI poly bag, avoid sharp punctures, and heat seal fully. Add desiccant inside for long humid routes when free air volume and climate require it.

Do I need to clean parts before VCI packing?

Yes. Clean dry metal is a process requirement. Fingerprints, coolant and salts undermine protection even when the grade is correct.

How soon should I seal the package after wrapping?

Immediately. Delayed sealing in humid halls allows flash rust and wastes vapour to room air.

Can I put foam or cardboard between VCI paper and the part?

Avoid inert layers that block contact and vapour unless the system is designed for that construction. VCI paper should see the metal face for interleaving jobs.

How much VCI do I need?

Enough to cover contact needs and to treat free volume. Large voids need more film area or emitters. Undersizing large cabinets is a common failure mode.

When should I add desiccant to a VCI pack?

When condensation risk is high: ocean export, tropical humidity, long storage, or large free air volumes with temperature cycling. See desiccant vs VCI.

Do I remove VCI film or paper before assembly?

Yes, remove packaging materials. The molecular layer typically dissipates after opening; degreasing is usually unnecessary when oil was not used.

Can wet parts be sealed in VCI?

Best practice is dry first. Sealing wet parts traps electrolyte and often causes early rust.

Who should write the plant packing instruction?

A packaging engineer who can combine metal chemistry, carrier choice, seal method, duration and climate into one documented procedure. BENZ supports that as a global VCI manufacturer.

Need a written VCI packing instruction for your line?

Send metal types, pack format, route climate and duration. A global VCI manufacturer can specify paper, film, emitters, desiccant and barrier as one plant-ready procedure.

What is VCI →
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