Protecting Machined Parts in Storage with Castrol Rustilo

Corrosion on finished parts is a quiet cost. It shows up as rework, as rejected deliveries, and occasionally as a lost customer. It is also straightforward to prevent.

The problem is usually water

Parts coming off a machine running water mix fluid carry a film of water. Left alone in a damp workshop, that film starts corroding steel within hours. Temperature swings make it worse, because condensation forms on cool metal in warmer air.

Dewatering products

A dewatering corrosion preventive such as those in the Rustilo range displaces residual moisture from the surface and leaves a protective film behind. That combination is what makes them suitable straight after machining, rather than requiring parts to be dried first.

Match the film to the storage period

Choosing one comes down to three questions. How long will the part be stored? Is it going indoors, into a shipping container, or outside? And does the film need to be removed before the next operation, or can it stay on?

Short indoor storage needs a light film. Sea freight in a container, where temperature cycling drives condensation, needs considerably more protection. Choosing a heavier product than you need creates a cleaning problem later; choosing a lighter one creates a corrosion problem.

Application and housekeeping

Parts finished on neat cutting oils such as Honilo carry an oil film already, which changes how much additional protection is needed.

Dip, spray or brush, but be consistent. Partial coverage gives partial protection, and the uncoated area is where the corrosion starts. Handle coated parts with gloves, because fingerprints leave salts and moisture that break through the film.

Upstream of this

If parts are corroding straight off the machine, the water mix fluid may also be worth reviewing. Concentration that has drifted low reduces the corrosion inhibition the fluid itself provides. Our Hysol and Alusol pages cover those ranges.

Tell us your storage conditions and we will recommend a grade.