With the strongest and longest-lasting defense against corrosion, products made from Bluguard VCI materials offer carefree storage of metal equipment for months or years at a time.
The Bluguard VCI® Story
In 2002, after more than 20 years of creating anti-corrosive packaging solutions for aircraft engines, turbines, aerospace parts, and more, we had the opportunity to improve on a packaging process for aperture masks.
These metal masks (used to create sharp color images in computer and TV displays) required a labor-intensive and costly packaging process that needed improving.
We set out to develop one material that had VCI chemistry and barrier properties, eliminating the need to wrap the masks in VCI paper before placing in a protective bag. From that material we would manufacture a pouch and add an airtight closure method for extra security.
The result was a high-barrier bag that could guard the masks from corrosion while they were exported overseas. The masks were simply placed in the bag, purged of internal air, and heat sealed closed- no wrapping or prepping involved. Humidity chamber and razor blade corrosion tests confirmed the positive result, and our customer reduced the cost and labor involved in packaging.
Around the same time, the U.S. Marine Corps sought to improve their corrosion prevention method for refurbished M-16 rifles in long-term storage. With our new proprietary material already proven, we were able to apply design concepts similar to the aperture masks and offer a bag that reduced waste and increased packaging speed- without the use of oils or lubricants. Once again, the bag was thoroughly tested and approved (this time by the U.S. military) as a method to provide firearms with long-term protection from corrosion.
We’ve strengthened our concepts over the years, but it was these two applications that inspired Bluguard VCI anti-corrosion bags.
They are perfect for storing metal equipment used in fishing, boating, biking, hunting and shooting sports, golfing, woodworking, camping, and more. Whether it’s for a season or for several years, our bags help your metal gear safely rest, not rust, on the shelf.
Heritage Packaging continues to use Bluguard VCI materials for industrial applications, and you can find us using anti-corrosion bags in our own tool and tackle boxes, and securely on the shelves of our garages, attics, and basements!
How it Works.
Inside our bags and custom enclosures, VCI molecules form an invisible coating around the metal contents, deflecting corrosive moisture vapor and Oxygen molecules. On the outside, our high barrier-film has two missions: lock in the VCI molecules, and keep out corrosion-causing elements. Once the metal is removed, the VCI molecules dissipate and your object is ready to use again.
Bluguard VCI products reduce the materials and time needed to create a safe storage environment for all of your metal gear and equipment. Without the need to oil, spray, or wrap, you’ll have more time to focus on important operations while your metal items await their next use.
VCI Chemistry
VCI molecules are Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors. They are attracted to clean, bare metal, and exchange electrons with metallic molecules when they meet. This exchange creates a thin protective coating on the metal (like a forcefield or an invisible blanket), deflecting other corrosive molecules and guarding your equipment.
VCI’s offer the same function provided by oil on metal, more effectively, and with much less manual labor.
Bluguard VCI Materials for Industrial Use
You probably see low-barrier materials nearly every day, like polyethylene bags used for storing snacks. If you put a similar plastic bag under a microscope, it would look like chicken wire, with wide gaps that allow molecules to enter and exit. It’s suitable for keeping your potato chips fresh at lunchtime tomorrow, but not a safe plan for valuable equipment being shipped overseas or that will be stored for months at a time.
Most films impregnated with VCI molecules are also low barrier- the VCI’s offer rust prevention, but over time those molecules can escape and corrosive molecules can enter, greatly reducing the time the bag or enclosure will guard a metal item.
Instead, our proprietary material combines high-barrier materials and VCI impregnated film, offering the most effective long-term corrosion defense.
Anti-corrosion cover for a bare metal mixing shaft.
Looking for Bluguard VCI Anti-Corrosion Bags?
We no longer sell this line of products directly to consumers or for wholesale purposes.
Government personnel and qualifying businesses may submit a quote request for made-to-order firearm preservation bags and anti-corrosion products by emailing sales@heritagepackaging.com. Standard terms and minimum spend apply to all orders.
National Stock Numbers:
8105-01-596-9779 | 8105-01-596-9777 | 8105-01-596-9781 | 8105-01-596-9780
8105-01-596-9774 | 8105-01-596-9778 | 8105-01-596-9776
