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Metal parts that corrode during transport or storage cause costs – through rework, complaints and time lost during unpacking. VCI skin film addresses this problem by combining two functions in a single packaging step: it securely fixes the component to its backing card whilst simultaneously building up an active protective atmosphere against corrosion. The result is clean, immediately usable metal parts – without oil, without residues, without additional effort.
Key Facts about VCI Skin Film at a Glance
- VCI skin films combine mechanical fixation in the skin packaging process with active corrosion protection through volatile inhibitors – in a single packaging step.
- Protection operates both by contact and at a distance – including in bores, threads and difficult-to-reach areas.
- Metal parts are immediately ready for use once the packaging is opened – without oil, without residues, without cleaning.
- With proper packaging, a protection duration of up to twelve months is achievable – depending on film thickness, water vapour permeability and packaging integrity.
What Is a VCI Skin Film?
A VCI skin film is a specialist film that combines the conventional skin packaging process with active corrosion protection through VCI substances. VCI stands for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor – volatile corrosion inhibitors that evaporate from the film and build up a protective atmosphere inside the packaging.
In the skin packaging process, the film is drawn tightly around the component under heat and vacuum and sealed to a backing card – typically a board. The high elasticity of the VCI skin film allows it to conform to demanding geometries: sharp edges, deep openings and complex contours are reliably enclosed. The specialist carrier polymer ensures optimum absorption and uniform release of the VCI substances, as well as reliable adhesion to the backing card.
How Does Corrosion Protection Work in the Skin Packaging Process?
The corrosion protection provided by VCI skin film operates via two mechanisms – by contact and at a distance.
Protection by contact means that wherever the film lies directly against the metal surface, the inhibitors deposit themselves on the surface and form a thin, protective layer. This prevents moisture and corrosive airborne substances from reaching the surface.
Protection at a distance is achieved through the evaporation of VCI substances into the remaining cavities within the packaging. Bores, threads, undercuts and other difficult-to-reach areas are thus also included in the protective effect – without the film needing to lie directly against them. This mechanism is particularly important for complex components where full contact coverage is not possible.
The combination of both protective mechanisms makes VCI skin film a reliable solution: fixation and corrosion protection are achieved in a single working step, without any subsequent treatment of the parts. A prerequisite is a sufficiently sealed package, so that the protective atmosphere can build up and be maintained.
Typical Applications: When Is VCI Skin Film the Right Choice?
VCI skin film is suitable wherever metal parts need to be securely fixed, protected against corrosion and presented attractively at the same time.
Small parts such as screws, nuts and ball bearings benefit particularly from the skin packaging process: the parts are positioned individually or in defined quantities on the backing card and completely enclosed. This prevents both corrosion and movement or damage during transport.
Automotive components as well as turned parts and spare parts frequently present particular demands: complex geometries, tight tolerances and surfaces that must remain flawless even after extended storage periods. The elasticity of VCI skin film allows it to conform to demanding component shapes, protecting both visible surfaces and difficult-to-reach areas.
Spare parts stores and export packaging represent another typical application area. When transport routes are long and storage periods uncertain, VCI skin film offers reliable, plannable protection – without requiring any extensive cleaning of parts before use.
Advantages of VCI Skin Film over Conventional Corrosion Protection
A comparison with corrosion protection oils or simple protective films shows where VCI skin film offers its key strengths:
No oil, no residues. Conventional corrosion protection oils leave residues on the metal surface that must be removed before further processing. VCI skin film protects without leaving residues: once the packaging is opened, the parts are clean and immediately ready for use. Cleaning steps are eliminated.
Fixation and protection in a single step. Whilst separate protective films simply cover the component, VCI skin film simultaneously fixes it to the backing card. This saves time during packaging and reduces material usage.
Transparent packaging. The clear film makes the contents visible without the need to open the packaging. This enables its use as retail-ready packaging directly at the end customer – without any additional outer packaging or extra effort.
Recyclable material. VCI skin film consists of polyethylene (PE) and is recyclable in principle. Actual recycling depends on the local waste disposal and collection systems available.
Protection Duration and Influencing Factors
The achievable protection duration of a VCI skin film depends on several factors and cannot be stated as a blanket figure. The decisive variables are film thickness, the water vapour permeability of the film used and the overall integrity of the packaging.
With proper packaging and normal storage conditions, a protection duration of up to twelve months is achievable. With optimally matched packaging and suitable conditions, the protection duration can extend beyond twelve months.
The more airtight the outer packaging and the lower the water vapour permeability of the film, the longer lasting the protection. BRANOpac provides support in selecting the appropriate film variant and designing the packaging – tailored to the actual storage and transport conditions.
BRANOfol Skin: The VCI Skin Film from BRANOpac
BRANOfol Skin is the VCI skin film from BRANOpac. The film releases VCI inhibitors in a controlled manner within the packaging and builds up an effective protective atmosphere within a short time – both on the metal surface and in difficult-to-reach areas.
The specialist carrier polymer of BRANOfol Skin ensures optimum absorption of the VCI substances and reliable adhesion to the backing card. The film can be processed in the skin packaging process in an energy-efficient and cost-effective manner, and provides a stable, robust package after the skinning process.
BRANOfol Skin is suitable for skin packaging small and medium-sized metal parts as well as complex automotive components. The transparency of the film also makes it suitable for use as retail packaging.
Would you like to know whether VCI skin film is the right solution for your metal parts? Achim Hamann and his team will advise you – from film selection through to the design of your packaging solution.
Get in touch nowA standard protective film simply covers the component. A VCI skin film combines two additional functions: it securely fixes the metal part to a backing card via the skin packaging process and simultaneously releases volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCI) that build up an active protective atmosphere inside the packaging. Corrosion is reliably prevented – without any additional treatment of the parts.
Yes. The VCI substances evaporate from the film and distribute themselves within the packaging. They therefore protect not only the surfaces in direct contact, but also difficult-to-reach areas such as bores, threads and undercuts – provided the packaging is sufficiently sealed to allow the protective atmosphere to build up and be maintained.
As a rule, no. VCI skin film works without oil or grease. The inhibitors evaporate once the packaging is opened, leaving no residues on the metal surface. Parts are ready for immediate further processing. Post-treatment is typically not required when the film is used as intended.
The protection duration depends on film thickness, water vapour permeability and the integrity of the packaging. With proper packaging and normal storage conditions, a protection duration of up to twelve months is achievable. With optimally matched packaging and suitable conditions, the protection duration can extend beyond twelve months. BRANOpac provides support in designing the packaging for your specific application.
VCI skin film is particularly suited to small parts such as screws, nuts and ball bearings, as well as complex metal components from the automotive sector – for example turned parts and spare parts. Wherever metal parts need to be precisely fixed, protected against corrosion and presented attractively, skin packaging with VCI film is a proven solution.
Both packaging materials release VCI substances and protect metal parts against corrosion. The key difference lies in the packaging process and fixation: VCI paper is wrapped around or placed next to the component without mechanically fixing it. VCI skin film, on the other hand, is drawn tightly around the component under heat and vacuum in the skin packaging process and sealed to a backing card – fixing and protecting simultaneously. The transparent skin film also allows direct visual inspection of the contents.