VCI stretch film is more than a wrapping material for pallets: it combines mechanical load securing with an active, dual-sided corrosion protection that effectively shields metal parts from rust and oxidation during transport and storage. The principle is based on volatile corrosion inhibitors – VCI for short – which continuously outgas from the film and build up a protective atmosphere inside the packaging. Where oiling, greasing and laborious cleaning were once standard practice, the use of VCI stretch film allows a significant reduction in process steps.
The most important facts about VCI stretch film at a glance
- Dual-sided, active VCI corrosion protection: The inhibitors are active on both sides of the film and build up a protective atmosphere regardless of the wrapping direction.
- Multi-metal protection: VCI stretch film is suitable for a wide range of metals, including iron, steel, aluminium, zinc, chromium and tin – both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
- No oiling, no greasing: Metal parts are ready for immediate further processing after unpacking – with no cleaning effort required.
- Self-regenerating: After brief openings (e.g. customs inspections), the protective atmosphere rebuilds automatically and completely.
What is dual-sided, active VCI corrosion protection?
VCI stands for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor – volatile corrosion-inhibiting compounds that outgas from the carrier material and form a protective atmosphere inside the packaging. In a dual-sided VCI stretch film, these inhibitors are active on both sides of the film. This means that, regardless of which side comes into contact with the metal component during wrapping, the VCI agents are released evenly.
The term "active" describes the fact that inhibitor release occurs continuously – not only upon direct contact, but already through the gas phase inside the packaging. The protection therefore also takes effect in hard-to-reach areas: in cavities, boreholes or between tightly stacked components, without the film needing to lie directly against the surface.
Once the packaging is sealed, the protective atmosphere builds up completely within a short time. The speed depends on the volume of the package: the denser and more airtight the packaging, the faster and more sustainably the protection takes effect.
Which metals does VCI stretch film protect?
Depending on the product variant, VCI stretch film with dual-sided protection is suitable for many ferrous and non-ferrous metals – typically including steel, iron, aluminium, zinc, chromium and tin. Which metals and alloys are specifically protected depends on the formulation and product specification. Businesses working with a variety of materials therefore benefit from carefully matching the film selection to the metals in question.
Central to this is the concept of contact protection: the film effectively inhibits corrosive processes at the metal surface whilst also acting as a barrier against ingress of moisture. Parts that are packaged cleanly and dry are generally ready for immediate further processing after unpacking – without any subsequent cleaning.
For applications involving particularly specific alloys or mixed metals, a precise alignment of the film selection is recommended. BRANOpac is on hand to support you with many years of application expertise.
Where is VCI stretch film used?
VCI stretch film with dual-sided corrosion protection is the right choice wherever metal components need to be moved, stored or transported over longer distances.
Mechanical and plant engineering: Individual parts, assemblies and finished components are frequently stored on pallets or delivered to end customers. VCI stretch film allows these goods to be secured and protected by temporary corrosion protection far more efficiently – even over extended periods.
Automotive and supplier industry: Steel and aluminium parts moving through supply chains between sites and production facilities are particularly at risk: fluctuations in temperature and humidity quickly attack surfaces. VCI stretch film provides a reliable, process-safe solution that can also be used in automated wrapping processes.
Export packaging and long-term storage:Export packaging places particularly demanding requirements on protection: goods may spend weeks in transit by sea, exposed to climatic extremes and opened during customs inspections before being resealed. VCI stretch film offers a clear advantage here: after being opened and resealed, the protective atmosphere rebuilds automatically – without the corrosion protection being permanently compromised.
Tool making and metalworking: Machined surfaces, tools and semi-finished goods can also be protected with VCI stretch film when they need to be stored or transported between production stages.
How the protective atmosphere works in practice
The VCI inhibitors incorporated into the film pass into the gas phase after wrapping and accumulate inside the packaging. At the metal surface, they deposit themselves as an invisible protective layer that counteracts corrosive reactions. This process is invisible to the naked eye – it takes place cleanly and generally without any subsequent need for cleaning.
A particularly practical feature: even if the packaging is briefly opened – for example during customs inspections, incoming goods checks or quality controls – the protective atmosphere rebuilds completely once the packaging is resealed. No lasting damage to the protection occurs.
Since oiling or greasing of metal parts is no longer required, VCI stretch film allows a significant reduction in process steps. Parts packaged cleanly and dry are generally ready for immediate further processing after unpacking – without any subsequent cleaning. This saves time and reduces the use of cleaning agents and oils.
Depending on the film type and thickness, VCI stretch film additionally combines the VCI action with a physical barrier against ingress of moisture – providing coordinated protection in a single packaging step.
BRANOfol Stretch: VCI stretch film from BRANOpac
BRANOfol Stretch is the VCI stretch film from BRANOpac: single-sided adhesive, slightly blue-tinted transparent, and equipped with dual-sided, active VCI corrosion protection. The film is specially optimised for contact protection and is suitable for a wide range of metals, including typically aluminium, iron, steel, zinc, chromium and tin.
BRANOfol Stretch is equally suited to manual use and operation on stretch wrapping machines – enabling seamless integration into existing packaging lines. The packaging should, wherever possible, form a closed space in order to achieve the best possible performance from the VCI inhibitors.
BRANOpac is happy to support you on site: with demonstrations of correct application, training, and analysis of your individual packaging requirements. Further information on BRANOfol Stretch and other corrosion protection films is available at www.branopac.de.
Looking for the right VCI stretch film for your metal parts? Florence Lachat is happy to advise you – from selecting the correct film to demonstrating the application directly at your site.
Get in touch nowDual-sided means that the film contains VCI agents on both sides. Active refers to the continuous outgassing of inhibitors that build up a protective atmosphere inside the packaging – regardless of which side of the film lies against the metal component.
VCI stretch film is suitable for a wide range of metals, typically including iron, steel, aluminium, zinc, chromium and tin – both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. For specific alloys or mixed materials, the film selection should be individually aligned to the metals involved.
No. A key advantage of VCI stretch film is that oiling or greasing of the metal parts is no longer required. The parts are generally ready for immediate further processing after unpacking – without any additional cleaning or degreasing steps.
The protective atmosphere rebuilds automatically once the packaging is resealed. Brief openings – e.g. during customs inspections – therefore do not permanently compromise the protection, as long as the packaging is closed again afterwards.
Conventional stretch film secures loads mechanically and offers no active corrosion protection. VCI stretch film combines this pallet securing function with the build-up of a protective atmosphere from volatile corrosion inhibitors – meaning one process step effectively replaces two.