THE TOP BENEFITS OF SOLVENT-BASED RUST PREVENTIVES

Corrosion is an unavoidable menace. Whatever the type of corrosion (wet, dry, chemical, electrochemical, uniform, localized), it naturally reduces the efficiency of the metal. Conservative estimates suggest that nearly a quarter of the world’s total energy is wasted due to corrosion, friction, and wear. Thankfully, rust preventive oils have performed remarkably well in containing the damage to a great extent.  

Rust preventive oils are of three types - oil-based, water-based, and solvent-based. So, which is the best? Read on to discover the answer as we take up the frequently raised issues about the types of rust preventives to help you choose the best one for your needs. 

Rust preventive oils

Rust preventive oils increase the longevity of metals by reducing the harmful effects of corrosion. The inability to contain rust may have far-reaching consequences on machineries and components produced leading to wasteful expenditure. Industries like automobiles, paints, steel, construction, and manufacturing use rust preventive oils more frequently than others. 

Let’s understand the various types of rust preventives in the following section. 

The standard types of rust preventive oils

You can find the following three types of rust preventives in the market:

1.   Oil-Based – These Rust preventives are mineral oil based. The film type and thickness is between 2 and 6 microns, and the Flash Point is usually around 200°C. These oils generally deliver rust protection for a maximum of six months. They leave an oily film.
2.   Water-Based - These rust preventive oils are water-soluble and work well for a short term protection requirement. The film type and thickness might be tacky 2-3 microns or synthetic <1 micron. These oils usually offer short-term protection and have their certain application limitations.
3.  Solvent-Based - These oils are usually easy to apply and can be applied to all metals. The film type and thickness depend on your requirements and generally range between waxy 1 micron to tacky 2-3 micron or waxy 3-4 micron. There are products with varying flash point  between 40°C to 80°C , the best solvent-based rust preventives can protect components up to 18 months. 

Solvent-based rust preventives are more flexible and long-lasting than oil or water-based rust preventive oils. It forms a coating to prevent water or oxygen from corroding the metal. Best method to apply Rust preventive oil is by dipping the components in it. You can also apply it directly on the metal surface using a spray, brush, or swab. The best thing is that solvent-based rust preventives also work perfectly in hostile conditions.  

Now that you know the top types of rust preventives, learn about the top benefits of solvent-based rust preventives in the following section. 

The top-5 advantages of solvent-based rust preventives

Here are the best features of solvent-based rust preventives:

                1. Thin film – It is possible to achieve least film thickness of Rust preventive coating with Solvent based rust preventives. Hence the aesthetics of components are maintained.

                2. Protection in salty environment - Since the preventive oil forms a soft, greasy protective film on the metal surface, it prevents salt or humidity from entering the metal parts, increases their efficiency, and reduces expenses.

                3. Provide long-term protection - The typical lifespan of the Tacky 2-3 micron preventive oil with a density of 0.76 and 0.810 and a Flash Point of 50°C  to 80°C is twelve months in packed condition. This is much higher than any oil or water-based rust preventive oil.

                4. Non-staining - Quick dry, thin-film, and de-greasability are some features that resist stain formation on the metal surface. You can remove the film with a solvent and let the metal get back its original luster.

                5. Compatibility - Solvent-based rust preventives are one hundred percent compatible with most lubricating oils. You do not need to remove the surface film to apply it to the metal surface. 

                6. Economical - Since you can apply these rust preventives on any metal surface, they are more economical than other rust preventives. 

Corrosion is a naturally occurring process that erodes the value of metals. To contain the damage, the engineering industry uses many protective measures like plating, alloying, painting, etc. But these measures are often short-lived, prompting you to repeat the procedures more frequently than you expect. Solvent-based rust preventives offer a reliable alternative to this. 

Lay hands upon an all-purpose rust preventives and say goodbye to corrosion

Castrol’s all-new solvent-based corrosion preventives, neat corrosion preventives, and aqueous corrosion preventives offer optimal protection at affordable costs. You can spray, dip or brush the solvent-based rust preventives on all types of machined components, hinges, ropes, locks, chains, and other metal surfaces. Castrol’s dewatering plus film formation plus chemical action ensures adequate rust protection. 
If your goal is to improve productivity by reducing waste and scrap rates, check Castrol’s range of solvent-based rust preventives before making a purchase.