Modern Advances in Environmentally Friendly Vapor-Phase Corrosion Inhibiting Coatings: Expanding the Realm of VpCI Packaging

Coatings for substrates used in the packaging industry have recently undergone a substantial transformation with the push to promote environmentally friendly or “green” products.  This distinct change of direction has transcended from non-renewable materials derived from fossil fuels which are pollutants to biobased renewable-resource-derived products which, in comparison, drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hazardous waste.  This shift has already been witnessed in the food packaging industry and now the automotive, cosmetic and other packaging industries are following in its path.  This paper discusses the advancement of environmentally friendly VpCI-containing coatings that have allowed for the development of novel VpCI packaging products.  The products discussed include grease resistant and water resistant papers, cohesive film, anti-skid linerboard, and masking film.  Each of these products is environmentally friendly having been constructed from non-hazardous, water-based coatings, which in some cases provided biodegradable and bio-based products.  In addition to their unique physical properties each of these products provides excellent multi-metal corrosion protection.  Test methods employed in assessing the performance of the materials will be discussed including physical properties, as well as contact-, barrier- and vapor-phase corrosion inhibiting abilities.  The advantages provided using these products will be demonstrated through real-life field applications.