Q&A Frequently Asked Questions

 “adpack_®” is the brand name for the VCI paper produced by our company. 

 VCI stands for “Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor” 

 “Impregnation” type basically refers to the corrosion inhibitor being soak or infuse into the base paper. “Coating” type refers to the corrosion inhibitor being coated directly onto the base paper. “Coating” type of VCI paper has a longer effective period. However, due to this coating process, the white inhibitor (powder) may have some adverse effect on the metal products. 

 Oiled paper refers to paper being impregnated with oil. These were basically used for rust prevention in the past. Metal parts were then wrapped with this paper for rust prevention. However, these were rarely used as most people just apply the oil directly onto the metal piece. 

Difference between VCI paper and Oiled paper: 

Oiled paper: The oil on the “Oiled” paper sometimes does not come into contact with the metal parts that are being wrapped. Hence, rusting still occurs when this type of paper are used. 

VCI paper: Instead of oil, Volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) chemicals are coated / impregnated onto the paper. When these VCI evaporates into a gaseous state, it will be able to target every part of the metal that is being covered or wrapped. Hence, unlike “oiled” paper, VCI paper is not required to be in direct contact with the target metals. 

Due to this advantage, VCI paper is a preferred choice for rust prevention. 

Depending on the target metals (Ferrous or Non-ferrous), different types of VCI paper are used for different types of metals. Please refer to “Recommendable Types for Various Metal Products” listed below. 

The colors indicate the type of metal products the VCI paper is designed to protect. 

“Red”
“adpack-G” For Iron & Steel (Impregnated Type) 
“adpack White” For Iron & Steel (Coating Type – Long term protection) 

“Blue”
“adpack-S” For Iron & Steel & Non-Ferrous Products. (Impregnated Type) 

“Green”
“adpack-C” For Copper & Copper Alloys. (Impregnated Type) 

“G” refers to impregnated type for iron & steel while “K” means Kraft paper. 

“P” means PE laminated type (Kraft paper with a layer of lamination) and 

“7” means the Weight of paper (75g). 

(M) Means “adpack_®” logo is printed on the VCI paper. 

Kindly note that the NON-PRINTED side of the VCI paper (without logo), is the side treated with the VCI chemical. Hence, when using our VCI paper, ensure that the non-printed side (without logo) is facing the metal parts. 

Currently, we do not have any VCI paper to protect Silver. 

“adpack_®-G” is recommended for Aluminum products. 
“adpack_®-G” is proven to effectively prevent corrosion on the following Aluminum. 
A5052 (Al-Mg alloy) 
A7075 (Al-Zn-Mg alloy / Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy) 
For other Aluminum beside the above stated, kindly do a test in advance to confirm the effectiveness. 

adpack_®-S” is recommended. When plastics and rubber materials are mixed with the metal products, kindly refer to “Tarnish test report” on plastics and rubber. 

PE Laminated refers to a layer of Polyethylene lamination coated over the Kraft paper) 
This Polyethylene laminated paper basically serves as a moisture proof barrier. 
Please refer to <Handling> for more details. 

Definitely Yes! The target metals, if sealed entirely together with VCI paper and plastic bags / sheets, will be more effective in rust prevention. 

VCI film is basically VCI chemicals being kneaded and dispersed in polyethylene film. Please refer to the Characters Comparison table for VCI paper, VCI film and Rust Preventive oil. 

As mentioned, VCI film is made by kneading anti-corrosion chemicals into the plastic film. However, in order for the plastic film to form successfully, only a maximum of 2% of the anti-corrosion chemicals can be mixed. In other words only 2g/m² of the chemicals can be blended for a general VCI film with 100μ (92g/m²) in thickness. In the case of VCI paper, about 10g/m² of VCI chemical are usually impregnated and coated to the paper. 

In addition, only special high heat resistance VCI chemical can only be used when making VCI film, as the process of making plastic film involves very high temperature (about 180℃). For the case of VCI paper, normal VCI chemicals are used as the process of making VCI paper does not involve high temperature. 

For that reason, Special heat resistance VCI chemical (that are being used in VCI Film process) does not vaporize easily at room temperature
(10℃ ~ 30℃) while the normal VCI chemical employed in the VCI paper process does, which justify the difference of the anti-corrosion effects. 

SDS will be provided. However, ingredients / chemicals used are consisted trade secret.

“adpack_®” VCI papers are used extensively by car manufacturers, steel mills, blade factories, etc. for a long time. Basically, “adpack_®”VCI paper are designed for industrial usage. Please refer to the Usage Note carefully before using. 

“adpack_®” VCI paper is only able to prevent rust from occurring. They do not have the ability to remove the existing corrosion / rust from the metals. 

Yes. We have various certifications like RoHS, REACH etc, which has strict control on chemical regulations. 

Yes, “adpack” meets the “RoHS” criteria. Please feel free to request us for the necessary documents. 

RoHS are chemical regulations set by EU, which specify lead, hexavalent chromium, mercury, cadmium, PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether), PBB (polybrominated biphenyl) must not be contained more than the threshold value. 

Yes, “adpack_®” meets the “REACH” criteria. Please feel free to request us the necessary documents. 

REACH refers to the chemical regulations set by the EU, which is the law applied to the traders including consumers for transmitting the correct information with regard to the chemicals components. REACH only applies to EU countries. Japan has their own sets of Chemical Substances Control Law etc.. 

Impregnated “adpack_®”:
Kraft (K) type. Effective period of 6~12 months. 
PE laminated (P) type. Effective period of 12~36 months. 

Coating “adpack_®”:
Kraft (K) type. Effective period of 10~14 months. 
PE laminated (P) type. Effective period of 12~60 months. 

Ensure that the VCI papers are stored indoors and in dry places away from direct sunlight. 

Do note that “adpack_®” VCI papers are packed in moisture-proof paper. The Shelf life is 3-year after the production date (depending on the storage conditions stated above). 

Do not expose the opened VCI paper for a long period of time. It is very important to ensure that the opened VCI paper is stored back into the original moisture-proof packaging, plastic bags, plastic tube containers, etc. DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT IN THE OPEN. 

Please refer to our catalog or “Application consideration of VCI treated papers” listed in our official Website How to use

VCI paper usually changes color with the passage of time. 

This is basically caused by the VCI chemical that is being impregnated into the paper. This change in color usually occurs gradually over a period of 3~6 months from the date of manufacture. The color changes will be more noticeable if the storage condition has a high temperature. THIS CHANGE IN COLOR HAS NO EFFECT ON THE RUST PREVENTION ABILITY OF THE VCI PAPER. Kindly refer to the <Change in color over time> in our website (Page-11) 

The corrosion inhibitor volume, contained in “adpack_®” VCI paper, is non toxic and will not have any adverse effect on the user with regard to normal handling procedure (packaging work). Please refer to [Useful hints when using VCI treated papers effectively] in [How to use] on our Website.

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) are old name. SDS are readily available upon request.

VCI paper can be disposed off normally as they are environmentally safe and are completely repulpable and recyclable.

Do not treat VCI paper as food. Do not swallow or ingest as VCI chemical are impregnated/ coated in the paper. Please refer to the Usage Notes for more details. 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to visually determine the age of the VCI paper. However, manufacturing dates are clearly stated / indicated on the packaging. 

Yes, you could increase the rust inhibiting effectiveness and duration by using or adding more VCI paper. 
To enjoy higher anti-corrosion effectiveness, you could also ensure that the distance between the VCI paper and the metal piece is as close as possible.

Yes, you can. Even in the extent of that the lid of the container is closed or sealed. 
Proper test should be done in advance, to ensure the full extent of the effectiveness. 

Yes definitely. “adpack_®” VCI paper are widely used in the automotive industry which utilize maritime transportations for their export purpose. 

There are two ways: 
(1) Wrapping the metal products 
(2) Sealing the VCI paper and the metal products into a sealed vessel. 

WRAPPING
Wrap the metal parts with the VCI paper. Ensure that the Non-printed side is facing the metal piece. Ensure that there are no obstruction between the VCI paper and the metal piece when wrapping. Add an additional layer of plastic bag to increase the effectiveness. 

SEALING
Put the VCI paper and the metal parts together into a plastic bag of in a tightly sealed container. Ensure that the distance between the VCI paper and the metal piece is as close as possible. (Not more than 30cm apart). Ensure that the non-printed side is facing the metal.
Kindly note that as VCI chemical travels and coat via gaseous state, portion of the metal parts that are not expose (example: metal parts that are closely contact with another metal parts or parts that are closely-contacted to the surface of plastic bag), the effectiveness of VCI paper cannot be expected on these surface.  

As a standard guide, use an area of 30cm ²of VCI paper on an enclosed vessel with a volume size of 30cm³ 

When putting VCI paper and the metal product together in a plastic bag or in a tightly sealed container. Ensure that the distance between the VCI paper and the metal piece is as close as possible. A standard guide to note is that the distance apart should not be more than 30cm apart. 

Reusing the VCI paper is highly not recommended. This is due to the fact that we are unable to tell visually how much VCI chemical properties are still present in the used VCI paper. 

After unpacking, the anti-corrosion agents that are coated onto the surface of the metal piece will gradually vaporize or disappear. Hence, we cannot ensure that the metal piece can remain rust free when the VCI paper has been removed. 

Please refer to A38. 
However, this will have no issue when VCI papers are used in an enclosed vessel. 
Please refer to <Application consideration of VCI treated papers> in our website page-11 for more detailed information. 

You can storage these metal tools and parts into a moisture-proof bag / plastic bag together with the VCI paper. Kindly follow the procedure stated in A34. (SEALING) 
Please ensure that the tools are properly cleaned before storage. Ensure that all dirt, sweat, oil and dust are removed before storage. These are the key causes of rusting and corrosion. 

Yes. This process is possible. Please contact us for the details. 

Yes, this is possible. However, proper test and trials are required in advance as certain anti-corrosion oil may have adverse effects on the metal piece when combine with VCI paper. 
Furthermore, having the VCI paper absorbing the anti-corrosion oil will greatly reduce the effectiveness of the VCI paper. 

Desiccant basically absorb water vapor, therefore it is effective to combine the usage of desiccant with VCI paper. 
However, do note that calcium chloride from deliquescent may become a cause of corrosion. 
Hence, it is advisable to use A-type silica gel as the desiccant, which adsorb moisture under low humidity. 

It is important to note that majority of cardboard boxes are made from papers that are very acidic. Hence, a metal part that comes into contact with these cardboard boxes has a very high chance of corrosion. Furthermore, most cardboard boxes are non airtight which will enable moisture and dust to enter as well as VCI vapor to escape. 
To use cardboard boxes as storage medium together with VCI paper, kindly ensure that a layer of plastic bag (more than 60μm is preferable) are utilize and tightly sealed when packing. 

As VCI paper is made with Kraft paper, they can be easily cut using normal cutter or scissors. 

The following test reports are available upon request. 
Please refer to <Summary of JIS Z 1535> (Volatile corrosion inhibitor treated paper) on our catalog Page-9. 

JIS Z 1535 for Volatile anti-corrosion paper (volatile anti-corrosion capacity: volatile anti-corrosion capacity) (contact corrosion resistance capacity: contact anti-corrosion power) 

JIS Z 032 for Volatile corrosion control paper for copper and copper alloy.

DO NOT USE VCI PAPER THAT HAS BEEN WET BY WATER OR RAIN. Corrosion inhibitor chemicals that are applied to the Kraft paper may have disperse by the water. 
However, there will not be any issue or problem if the VCI paper has gotten wet due to condensation water during the usage. 

“adpack_®” VCI paper are not designed to be used outdoors. 

Yes. After completely removing existing rust from the metal parts, use “adpack_®” VCI paper to prevent new rust from forming. 

“adpack_®” may be curled due to the neighborhood humidity, but this does not affect the anti-corrosion effect. Please be assured to use with　confident. 
Please be careful since the corrosion inhibitor may be vaporized and become no effect if “adpack_®” is left in open space. 

Use “adpack_®” “Ad Sheet” and seal them together in a sealed bag (plastic bag etc.). 

Cut “adpack_®” “Ad Sheet” into the required size (with scissors) and place the VCI paper across the measuring surface
Store the measuring equipment in a polyethylene bag together with VCI paper for total protection. 

As a standard guide, use an area of 30cm² of VCI paper on an enclosed vessel with a volume size of 30cm³. If the box is more than 30cm in height, please ensure that 2 VCI papers are used instead (One on the bottom and one on the top) 

Yes you can. However, ensure that the equipments and containers are properly washed or cleaned after unpacking. VCI papers are basically not recommended for food application. 

Basically, wrapping method are more effective because VCI paper can cover the metal piece surface area more fully when compared to sealing method. 

Unlike Anti-corrosion oil, VCI paper are not messy, oily and they are environmentally friendly as well. The main advantage however, is that you do not need to degrease the metal parts after storage. 

The following types are recommended: 

“Blue” “adpack_®-S” For Iron & Steel & Non-Ferrous Products. (Impregnated Type) 

“Green” “adpack_®-C” For Copper & Copper Alloys. (Impregnated Type) 

“Green” “adpack_®-C” is specially designed for protection of Copper products

Both are able to be used on Iron & Steel. However, do note the followings: 

“Red” “adpack_®-G” & “adpack_® White” are designed especially for Iron & Steel products. Hence, these are highly effective in protecting products made from Iron & Steel materials. However, do not use this on copper, copper alloy and zinc-plated metals which will have negative effect 

“Blue” “adpack_®-S” can be used for Iron & Steel products as well as non-ferrous metals like copper, brass, bronze, tin phosphorus. This VCI paper is highly recommended for protecting galvanized, chrome plating, nickel plating products as well. They also do not cause discoloration when come into contact with plastics materials. In short, “Blue” “adpack_®-S” are for general usage 

Please refer to <Recommendable types for Various Metal Products> for more details. 

Currently, we do not have any VCI paper to protect silver or silver products. 

It is advisable to perform a test before the actual usage. 
Generally, “Blue” “adpack_®-S” is recommended for plated metals except silver. 

Since needle are made from iron. Please cover the needles with “Ad Sheet” H1-A-5 or put the needles in “Ad Film” Y1. 

Most of these tokens are made from copper alloy (brass). The roll type and common type of the impregnated “AD Sheet” from “Blue” “adpack_®-S” are suitable. 

Yes, we do. Kindly refer to <Company profile Global network> in our Website. 

Your inquiry is always welcome, as we respect and observe all the rules and regulations in and outside of Japan. 

※Mainly, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) & RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) set by EU, and PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register）& Export Trade Control Order etc. set by Japanese government. If the details are necessary, please contact us so that we can respond quickly. 

SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet and MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet or sometimes known as Chemical Substances Safety Data Sheet. 

These contain all the necessary information on every chemical contents involved in the manufacturing process. Recently the name has been changed from MSDS to SDS. 

“Impregnation” type basically refers to the corrosion inhibitor being soak or infuse into the base paper. Since the inhibitor are infused into the paper, you will not experience the white inhibitor (powdery substance) falling onto your metal products. 

It is a paper that has been made by wrinkle processing, it is superior in elasticity. It is also used for wrapping flowers. 

The steel sheet, as per its name, is basically a plate made from steel. They have different names to cater to different thickness of the metal sheet. 

• Thickness over 150mm: Ultra Thick Plate. (Used for building marine vessels) 
• Thickness between 6 ~ 150mm: Thick Plate. 
• Thickness between 3 ~ 3mm: Intermediate Plate 
• Thickness Less than 3mm: Thin Plate

In general, when relative humidity increases in proportion with corrosion. When Humidity increases, so does corrosion. BUT, the rate of this corrosion will increase rapidly when the humidity exceeds a certain threshold. This threshold refers to as critical humidity, which is basically more than 60 ~ 60%. However, this critical humidity varies with different metal materials. 

It is basically a steel sheet that is plated with zinc in order to help prevent corrosion. (Iron corrodes faster than Zinc). There are basically 2 methods of producing galvanized steel sheet, either plated with the molten zinc or via electroplating. 
. In order to protect the galvanized steel sheet from corrosion, “Eco-roll, the impregnated type both for Iron & non-ferrous metal R3” is recommendable. Depending on the content of the surface treatment, the effect of VCI paper varies, it is necessary to test them in advance. 

It is basically a process of coating sheets of steel with Tin and the resulting product is known as Tin-plate. It is most often used to prevent Rust. Tin plates are widely used in the food and beverage industry. (Food & Beverage cans and containers, etc). However, due to the decreasing quantity of tin resources, they are currently being replaced by TFS (tin-free steel). 
To prevent corrosion from tin plate, “Eco-roll, the impregnated type for steel R1” or all kinds of the “Ad Sheet”, all kinds of the “Ad Film” are recommendable. 

It is basically a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass. Stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain like ordinary steel does. This is because the surface is formed by a passive film of extremely thin layer of chromium hydrated oxide, which is sometimes referred to as non-rust steel. 

But despite the name, Stainless steel is not fully rust proof. Under the condition of low oxygen, high Salt content, or poor circulation environments, different grades of Stainless Steel will still corrode.

To prevent corrosion from stainless steel, “Eco-roll, the impregnated type for steel R1” or all kind of the “Ad Sheet” and all kinds of the “Ad Film” is recommendable 

This phenomenon occurs when the metal surfaces has come into contact with oil. These stains are usually very difficult to remove. 

This is basically a water based corrosion inhibitor. (Liquid form) 

It is used for short term corrosion prevention. Usually used after metal cutting and grinding processes. 

Dew condensation is basically water in the form of droplets that appears on thin, exposed objects which is cause by condensation. This is the main cause of corrosion as oxygen and water are both present on the surface of the metal. Dew condensation usually occurs in the rainy seasons and summer time where humidity is at its highest as well as drastic temperature changes between day and night time with the present of high humidity. 

It is basically corrosion causing materials that will react with the metal surface. Some of examples of “Corrosive materials” are as follows: 

• Sea salt particles (sodium chloride, magnesium chloride) 
• Sulfuric acid
• Formic acid
• Hydrochloric acid
• Nitric acid
• Ammonia
• Air pollutants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide) 
• Antifreeze agents

“Climograph” is the diagram made by taking the wet-bulb temperature on the vertical axis and the relative humidity on the horizontal axis and tying the line by taking the average value of each month. 

“Hythergraph” diagram is also made, by taking the temperature and the precipitation. 

This is also generally being used and therefore can be sometime called as “climograph”.