Modern Anti-Corrosion: Why We Stopped Greasing Everything

The shipment reveals its lack of corrosion protection through its current state of appearance. The rust damage has spread to the point where incoming trucks face a receiving dock bottleneck. Your team faces double expenses because they invest time in applying protection which you must pay for twice because they remove it later.

The established process now functions as an obsolete system. The present anti-corrosion treatment method for protection systems requires more than basic rust prevention because protection systems need to match their operational requirements. The main objective has transformed into more than just keeping parts undamaged. The product arrives at its destination with complete readiness for application.

The Shift to Dry Protection

The production process needs VCI technology because it became the industry standard for high-volume manufacturing operations.

The system appears complicated but users can operate it through basic actions. The packaging material receives direct impregnation of chemicals which our PowerShield® paper and VCI film both use as their base material. The VCI creates a molecular barrier on metal surfaces after the parts receive their protective wrap. The system reaches into hidden areas which manual greasing operations tend to overlook.

The real advantage, however, is the “dry” result. The process leaves no remaining substance behind. The package opening process at the destination location causes the VCI molecules to spread throughout the surrounding atmosphere. The component moves directly from its crate container to the assembly work area. Our automotive clients find that removing the washing stage provides them with higher value than the actual price of the packaging materials.

When You Actually Need Liquids

Paper and film solutions fail to fix all types of problems. Physical barriers need to defend the environment because it requires such protection.

You need to protect your equipment from salt spray and humidity when you transport turbines across the Atlantic on an open deck and when you store heavy machinery during the winter season. The Nox-Rust® series of contemporary liquids functions past basic oil performance because they include a variety of features.

These aren’t the heavy tars of the past. They are engineered films. The products develop into a hard waxy surface which protects them during extended outdoor storage but they also serve as lubricants which help you operate the machine without damaging the surface. You must choose a liquid which protects against salt spray and becomes easy to clean when you need to wash it off.

Dealing with the Damage

The system faces occasional breakdowns which affect its operational efficiency. The inventory remains on shelves for extended periods while packaging breaches result in stock corrosion.

The standard reaction requires using an acid bath. The rust removal process works effectively through acid but this method creates metal surface damage which results in pitting and surface finish deterioration. A pH-neutral soaking agent called Rust Revenge® exists as the safest option for this process. The formula works by targeting iron oxide to remove rust without causing any damage to the base metal or rubber seals which exist nearby. The system transforms discarded materials into usable inventory.

The Right Formula

The system requires corrosion protection to function yet it needs both chemical components and supply chain operations to work properly. The “thickest” coating isn’t always the right one. The right treatment will deliver your product from Point A to Point B while keeping it in perfect shape to maintain your production speed.

Our technical team will help you select the correct method for your present supply chain needs. Our team will develop a solution through metal analysis and shipping path evaluation and storage duration assessment.

What Are ESD Films and How Do They Work?

Electrostatic discharge is one of those problems that’s easy to dismiss — until it isn’t. There’s no visible warning, no obvious sign something has gone wrong. A component looks fine, passes inspection, ships on time. And yet, somewhere down the line, it fails.

Often, ESD is the reason.

In controlled manufacturing environments, static electricity builds up far more easily than most people realise. Routine handling. Packaging materials rubbing together. Changes in humidity. None of it feels dramatic, but all of it adds up. That’s why ESD films exist — to deal with a risk that doesn’t announce itself.

Key Takeaways

  • ESD films are engineered to control static electricity, not simply contain products.
  • Ordinary plastic packaging can increase electrostatic risk rather than reduce it.
  • ESD films work by allowing static charges to dissipate gradually and safely.
  • Daubert Europe’s ESD films are built for consistency in real-world European manufacturing conditions.

So, What Exactly Are ESD Films?

Put simply, ESD films are packaging materials designed to control static electricity. Not eliminate it entirely. Not ignore it. Control it.

That distinction matters.

Standard plastic films are excellent insulators. Unfortunately, that also means they’re very good at holding static charges. When used around sensitive components, they can create the very conditions that lead to damage.

ESD films behave differently. They’re formulated so static charges don’t linger. Instead of building up and releasing suddenly, the charge moves away in a predictable, controlled manner.

You’ll often hear terms like anti-static, static dissipative, or conductive used in this context, sometimes interchangeably. In practice, ESD films sit in a carefully defined range — not so conductive that they introduce new risks, but not so insulating that static becomes trapped.

The goal isn’t dramatic. It’s stability.

How ESD Films Manage Static Electricity

Static electricity is created through contact and separation. Slide one surface across another, pull materials apart, move parts along a line — electrons shift, charges form. In dry environments especially, those charges can remain long enough to cause trouble.

ESD films interrupt that cycle.

Rather than allowing charge to accumulate, the material provides a path for it to disperse gradually. No sudden discharge. No spike. Just controlled release over time.

A helpful comparison is pressure in a sealed system. If pressure builds unchecked, failure is inevitable. Introduce a controlled release, and the system stays stable. ESD films work on that same principle, just at a microscopic level.

This behaviour is governed by surface resistivity — essentially how easily electricity can move across the material. ESD films are engineered to stay within a narrow, reliable range, ensuring they perform consistently regardless of handling or environment. For detailed technical guidance, see IEC 61340-5-1, the international standard for electrostatic control in electronics manufacturing.

Daubert Europe’s Approach to ESD Films

At Daubert Europe, ESD protection isn’t treated as a standalone feature or a marketing label. It’s part of a broader packaging philosophy focused on reducing risk without adding complexity.

The emphasis is on repeatable performance. Films that behave the same way today as they did yesterday. Materials that integrate easily into existing packaging processes. Protection that doesn’t require special instructions or additional handling steps.

In many applications, ESD control can also be combined with other packaging requirements — including moisture or corrosion protection — helping manufacturers avoid unnecessary layers, materials, or processes. More on that is available in our corrosion prevention solutions.

It’s practical engineering, not over-designed theory.

Preventing the Damage No One Sees

The challenge with ESD isn’t that it happens. It’s that you often don’t know it happened until much later. Failures appear downstream, long after packaging has been removed and processes completed.

By then, tracing the cause is difficult. Preventing it in the first place is far easier.

ESD films quietly reduce that risk. They don’t change workflows. They don’t draw attention. They simply do what they’re meant to do — manage static energy so sensitive components remain intact.

For more guidance on electrostatic discharge in electronics manufacturing, see the European Association of Electrical Engineers ESD guidelines, which cover safe handling and packaging practices.

To learn more about Daubert Europe’s ESD film solutions and explore options designed for consistency, reliability, and European manufacturing standards, visit DaubertEurope.eu.