Metal parts, assemblies and semi-finished products are constantly exposed to the risk of corrosion during transport and storage. Moisture, temperature fluctuations and aggressive airborne substances can damage even high-quality steel and iron components within a short period of time – with costly consequences for quality, delivery reliability and customer confidence. The BRANOwave VCI hollow chamber board from BRANOpac offers an effective solution: it combines mechanical protection with active VCI corrosion protection in a single material – in many applications without the need for oiling or time-consuming post-cleaning.
The Most Important Facts About the BRANOwave VCI Hollow Chamber Board at a Glance
- VCI corrosion protection acting on both sides, made from polypropylene – protects steel, aluminium, tin, chromium and other metals
- Tear-resistant, impact-resistant, abrasion-resistant and shatter-resistant – mechanical protection and corrosion protection in a single material
- No oiling, no post-cleaning – metal parts are ready for immediate use after unpacking in many applications
- Long-term protection of up to 24 months – flexible use as single-use or returnable packaging
What is a VCI Hollow Chamber Board?
A VCI hollow chamber board is a polypropylene (PP) plastic panel with integrated VCI active substances. The structure corresponds to that of a classic twin-wall sheet: two cover layers are connected by parallel ribs that form hollow chambers. This construction gives the panel a high degree of rigidity and stability whilst keeping its own weight low.
The distinguishing feature of the BRANOwave is the incorporation of VCI active substances directly into the plastic material. VCI stands for Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor. These substances are continuously released from the material and develop their protective effect in the surrounding atmosphere.
The BRANOwave acts on both sides: both surfaces of the panel release VCI active substances, so that metal parts resting on the panel or enclosed by it can be effectively protected against corrosion. The blue colouring of the material serves as quick visual identification in practice.
The BRANOwave is suitable for protecting a wide range of metallic materials, including steel, galvanised steel, aluminium, tin and chromium. Cast iron is protected on contact. For specific applications, we recommend clarifying the suitability with BRANOpac.
How Does VCI Corrosion Protection Work?
The working principle of VCI technology is based on the evaporation of corrosion inhibitors from the carrier material. As soon as the BRANOwave panel is placed inside a closed or partially closed packaging unit, the released active substances accumulate in the packaging atmosphere. From there, they reach the surface of the metal parts and form an ultra-thin, monomolecular protective film.
This film acts as a barrier between the metal surface and corrosion-promoting substances such as moisture, oxygen or aggressive airborne compounds. A key advantage over purely contact-based protection: the VCI molecules in the vapour phase can also reach difficult-to-access areas such as bores, threads, undercuts or cavities – areas that would be difficult to protect evenly with oil or grease.
For the VCI technology to develop its full protective effect, the metal parts should be clean and dry before packaging. Contamination or residual moisture on the surface can impair the protective action. Furthermore, the effectiveness depends significantly on the packaging system: the more tightly sealed the overall packaging, the more concentrated the VCI protective atmosphere and the more reliable the corrosion protection.
Applications: Where is the BRANOwave VCI Hollow Chamber Board Used?
The BRANOwave is designed for a wide range of applications in metal-processing industries. Typical uses are found wherever metal parts need to be stored for extended periods or transported over long distances.
Automotive industry
In vehicle production and supply, the BRANOwave protects stamped, pressed and turned parts in returnable containers and compartment inserts. The combination of mechanical protection and VCI action makes it particularly suitable for automated robot-assisted retrieval processes.
Mechanical engineering
For manufacturers of machinery and plant equipment, the BRANOwave provides effective protection for sensitive components such as shafts, gears or housing parts – both during internal transport and when shipping to customers.
Steel industry
Used as a disc, the BRANOwave can protect steel coils from edge damage and corrosion simultaneously. As an interleaving layer, it prevents direct metal-to-metal contact and thus mechanical damage during stacking.
Export and overseas shipping
For long transport routes or storage periods under varying climatic conditions, the BRANOwave provides long-term protection of up to 24 months through its stable protective atmosphere – depending on the application and packaging system.
The panels can be used as single-use or returnable packaging and can be flexibly cut to size and further processed into compartment inserts, boxes or covers.
Are you looking for a corrosion protection solution that combines mechanical protection and VCI action in a single material? The BRANOwave VCI hollow chamber board from BRANOpac can be flexibly tailored to your requirements – as single-use or returnable packaging, for the automotive industry, mechanical engineering or overseas shipping. Get in touch – we will be happy to advise you.
Contact us nowAdvantages of BRANOwave at a Glance
The BRANOwave VCI hollow chamber board combines several protective and economic advantages in a single product:
No oiling, no post-cleaning
As the VCI corrosion protection works dry and leaves no residues on the metal surface, the BRANOwave eliminates the need for oiling and subsequent cleaning in many applications. After unpacking, parts can generally be processed immediately.
Mechanically robust
The polypropylene twin-wall structure of the BRANOwave is tear-resistant, impact-resistant, abrasion-resistant and shatter-resistant. It protects sensitive metal parts not only from corrosion but also from mechanical damage caused by pressure, friction or impacts during transport.
Waterproof
The PP material is water-repellent and is therefore also suitable as a cover or protective layer in damp storage or transport environments.
Dual protection, reduced material requirements
The combination of mechanical stability and active VCI corrosion protection can reduce the need for additional protective layers in many cases.
Acts on both sides
Both surfaces of the panel are active and release VCI active substances. This supports an even protective effect for metal parts resting on or enclosed by the panel.
Recyclable and suitable for returnable use
The BRANOwave is made from pure polypropylene and is recyclable. Used as returnable packaging, it can help reduce material consumption and contribute to more sustainable packaging processes.
Flexible in use
Cut-to-size pieces, compartment inserts, discs or covers – the panel can be tailored to requirements and integrated into existing packaging lines.
VCI Hollow Chamber Board vs. Alternative Corrosion Protection Methods
When choosing the right corrosion protection solution, companies have various options available. A comparison shows where the BRANOwave can demonstrate its strengths against common alternatives:
VCI hollow chamber board vs. oiling / greasing
Oiling metal parts is a tried-and-tested but labour-intensive method. It requires an additional process step prior to storage and time-consuming cleaning before further processing. The BRANOwave can replace this step in many applications – the VCI protective film works dry and leaves no residues.
VCI hollow chamber board vs. VCI film
VCI films offer flexible corrosion protection, particularly for irregularly shaped or large-volume parts. The BRANOwave complements this approach with its rigid structure: it is especially suitable where mechanical protection, stackability or a defined separating layer are required at the same time.
VCI hollow chamber board vs. VCI paper
VCI corrosion protection paper is a lightweight and cost-effective solution for smaller parts or as an interleaving layer. The BRANOwave offers significantly higher mechanical load capacity and is better suited for heavier components and returnable packaging applications. An overview of the complete BRANOguard range of corrosion protection solutions is available in the BRANOpedia.
A VCI hollow chamber board is a polypropylene plastic panel with integrated VCI active substances (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors). These substances are continuously released, accumulate in the packaging atmosphere and form an ultra-thin protective film on the metal surface – without requiring direct contact between the panel and the metal.
The BRANOwave is suitable for protecting various metallic materials, including steel, galvanised steel, aluminium, tin and chromium. Cast iron is protected on contact. For specific applications, we recommend clarifying the suitability with BRANOpac.
As the VCI corrosion protection works dry and leaves no residues on the metal surface, post-cleaning is not required in many applications. Parts can generally be processed immediately after unpacking.
The BRANOwave provides long-term protection of up to 24 months. The actual protection period depends on the tightness of the packaging, climatic conditions and the metal being protected.
Yes, the BRANOwave can be used as both single-use and returnable packaging. As a returnable solution, it helps reduce material consumption and can be flexibly integrated into existing packaging processes.