VCI and Desiccant Have Different Jobs in a Metal Pack
VCI paper and a desiccant packet address different parts of a metal-preservation job. Specify the required functions before deciding whether the package needs one material or a reviewed combination. A purchase line that says only “corrosion protection” leaves the packer without a clear instruction about which material belongs where.
Separate the two functions
ZERUST explains that VCI releases chemistry that protects the metal surface, while desiccants take moisture from the surrounding air. The manufacturer says they can be used together with correct handling and placement. That is a system-design principle, not proof that any two products form an approved combination. Read ZERUST’s guidance on combining desiccants and VCI.
| Product | Listed facts | Purchase requirement |
|---|---|---|
| VCI1235 | Chemically treated 35 lb kraft VCI paper for ferrous metals; 12 inches × 200 yards; one roll per case. | The required metal coverage and paper format. |
| DES101 | Kraft clay desiccant bags; 1 × 2.5 × 0.25 inches; 1,200 bags per case. | The selected packet and its separately determined quantity and position. |
Neither listing identifies these products as ZERUST products. The table provides two buying routes; it does not prescribe a combined pack. Paper weight and packet dimensions also do not establish equivalent protective capacity.
Draw the placement, not just the shopping list
ZERUST advises keeping desiccants away from direct contact with bare metal and keeping unused desiccant containers sealed. Its example places desiccant between an inner VCI film liner and an outer plain-poly liner. That example uses film liners; substituting a paper wrap changes the design. Use the linked manufacturer guidance to review the actual arrangement.
On a packing drawing, label the metal, each wrapping or enclosing layer, and every packet location. Give each material a separate line in the work instruction. If a packet is moved from outside a liner to inside it, the drawing should reveal that change immediately; a list of SKUs alone cannot.
Assign the review before replenishment
Daubert Cromwell identifies metal composition, formulation, packaging design and storage or shipping conditions as inputs to VCI selection. See Selecting the Right VCI. Give the technical reviewer those inputs along with the proposed material positions.
For a recurring order, purchasing should retain the reviewed drawing, exact products, packing instructions and revision date together. Warehouse staff can then distinguish a like-for-like reorder from a change to the preservation system. If only the humidity-control requirement remains unresolved, use the desiccant enclosure and selection guide to assemble its separate inputs.