Corroless™ Corrosion Inhibitors (CCI’s) are a group of products based on anticorrosive volatile compounds, known as Vapour Corrosion Inhibitors (commonly called VCI’s). Normal coatings provide anticorrosive protection mainly by forming a physical barrier – the paint layer. VCI’s contain compounds that evaporate, or vapourise, to form an anticorrosive ‘gas’ in an air space, which helps prevent metal components from rusting. VCI’s can therefore be used to protect metal areas that would be impossible to paint, either because they are inaccessible (internal pipework, inside a marine engine) or because painting would not be suitable (such as an electrical circuit board, an electrical supply box).
CCI’s are available as powder, or powder-containing ‘devices’, to protect dry spaces; as oils and greases for mechanical internals, ropes, winches; as temporary preservation coatings for metal items in storage; and as hydrotest additives (mainly for Offshore use) that can be discharged into the marine environment.