Search
Close this search box.

ElectriCorr: A Quick and Easy Solution for Electronics/Electrics Maintenance in Corrosive Environments

ElectriCorr: A Quick and Easy Solution for Electronics/Electrics Maintenance in Corrosive Environments
20 May 2022  |
Electronics and electrical corrosion can spell disaster in many ways. Financially, failures of high-tech equipment can translate into costly replacements that drain the budget and consume manpower. Practically speaking, failures range from minor to serious interruptions and downtime due to suspended electrical or electronic operations.

Even the replacement of a corroded wire here or an oxidized electrical contact there can add up over time when counting the cumulative dollars and hours that go into repairs. Corrosion protection needs vary depending on the severity of the environment, but Cortec®Corporation offers an easy and excellent preventative maintenance solution for light or heavy-duty corrosion concerns: ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 and ElectriCorr VpCI®-239, two electronics cleaner/protector formulas in ready-to-use spray can format.

Dual Cleaning and Corrosion Protection

ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 and 239 are multifunctional as both cleaners and corrosion inhibitors. They can remove oil, grime, wax, and other contaminants with ease when used as a penetrating cleaning solution. They can also be left to dry into a non-sticky corrosion inhibiting protective film that typically does not change conductivity or interfere with the operation of the equipment. If desired, ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 and 239 can be used with VpCI® Emitters to maximize corrosion protection inside an electrical/electronics enclosure. However, unlike VpCI® Emitters that must be enclosed to keep protective vapors from escaping, ElectriCorr sprays can be used on open electrical/electronic panels, as well. ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 is recommended for lighter-duty indoor applications, and ElectriCorr VpCI®-239 is ideal for outdoor, heavier-duty applications. 

A Versatile Solution with Countless Uses

The opportunities for using ElectriCorr are endless. Suggested applications include:

  • Printed circuit boards
  • Electrical contacts and components
  • Electric motors
  • Generators and junction boxes
  • Electrical outlets

Preventative Maintenance for Operational Equipment

In one real-life example, ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 effectively restored corroded circuit boards for a marine maintenance company. The company specialized in servicing radar, sounders, plotters, and other electronic components easily corroded in a marine saltwater environment. ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 did such a good job removing corrosion from the circuit boards that the components were reinstalled. A month later, no additional corrosion had appeared, and a protective coating was detected on the surfaces.

ElectriCorr has also been used in the wastewater treatment environment, where extreme conditions have costly repercussions. For instance, one municipal wastewater treatment operation was experiencing frequent failures of expensive HMI electronics panels (costing approximately $15,000-$40,000 apiece for replacement) at pump houses throughout the city. The solution involved minimizing airflow in the panels, applying a light spray of ElectriCorrVpCI®-239 after powering down the equipment, and placing one Corrosorber® and one VpCI®-111 Emitter inside each panel. The adoption of these routine maintenance steps dramatically reduced replacement frequency and cost for a huge return on investment.

Protection of New and Mothballed Equipment

In addition to being applied for protection of operational equipment, ElectriCorr is also an excellent option for the beginning of the product life cycle. Manufacturers and custom packaging experts face legitimate concerns when shipping new electrical control cabinets and equipment overseas: Will their goods reach the customer in like-new condition or corroded? ElectriCorr VpCI®-239 is one tool that has been used as part of a responsible strategy for safeguarding the inside of high voltage (SRCs) from corrosion during the shipping process. It is also commonly used as part of an electronics/electrical layup strategy during mothballing or rig stacking in offshore and other corrosive environments.

Beyond Electronics and Electricals

ElectriCorr is not reserved for electricals and electronics alone. In 2016, it was used to protect a steam turbine rotor from flash rusting after rust removal. Not even the OEM’s recommendation could keep the turbine from re-rusting in the coastal power plant’s high-chloride, moisture-laden environment before workers could get the turbine back in place. However, the application of ElectriCorr VpCI®-239 over all rotor surfaces finally solved the problem. In another situation, ElectriCorr VpCI®-239 was sprayed over finned tubes being prepared for overseas shipment along with VpCI® packaging materials. The first batch arrived at the destination corrosion-free, confirming the success of the preservation technology.

Lighten the Weight of Corrosion Concerns

ElectriCorr VpCI®-238 and 239 are great options for electricals, electronics, and much more. Whether the task is preventative maintenance, anticorrosion shipping solutions, or mothballing, these convenient, effective electronics cleaner/protector aerosols are an excellent solution to make life easier and help lighten the weight of corrosion concerns!

More in Innovations

Share this article

This article is published by

Cortec® Corporation is trusted globally in the corrosion protection business. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, Cortec® manufactures environmentally friendly, Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI®) & Migratory Corrosion Inhibitor (MCI®) technologies. Cortec® has over 400 products...

Related Articles