Are anti-rust films suitable for protecting aircraft parts?

Although aluminum alloys seem to be rust-free, they do have their weaknesses, especially in the period after machining and before surface treatment or assembly. If the storage environment is not ideal, oxidation and corrosion can occur. So how should machined aircraft parts be protected? Is Anti Static VCI Film a reliable choice?

Why are aircraft parts susceptible to rust?

Many people have a misconception about aluminum alloys, thinking they won't "rust" like steel. This is completely wrong. While a natural oxide film does form on the surface of aluminum alloys, providing some protection, this film is not immune to rust. In humid, high-salt-spray, or highly acidic/alkaline environments, this film will slowly deteriorate, leading to pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, and exfoliation corrosion. Especially for aerospace parts, which have extremely high precision, with many tolerances measured in micrometers, even slight oxidation invisible to the naked eye can cause subsequent assembly delays, substandard precision, and even safety hazards.

Aircraft aluminum alloy components typically undergo multiple processes: machining → deburring → cleaning → storage → surface treatment → assembly. During these processes, corrosion can occur if the components are placed in an environment with slightly high humidity, large temperature differences, or unclean warehouse air for even a single day. Because of this, the aerospace manufacturing industry has much higher requirements for rust prevention than the general machinery industry. It must ensure no contact with oil, no residue, and no contamination of the next process, while also considering environmental protection, safety, and ease of construction. Therefore, rust has a significant impact on these aircraft components.

What products should be used for rust prevention?

Traditional rust prevention methods are numerous, such as applying rust-preventive oil, protective wax, and vacuum bags. However, these methods are not well-suited for the aerospace industry. For example, rust-preventive oil leaves significant residue, leading to extremely high costs for subsequent cleaning processes; protective wax is not resistant to temperature variations; and vacuum bags rely heavily on packaging techniques and are easily torn.

Among these methods, Anti Static VCI Film is a popular and increasingly prevalent approach. Its popularity largely stems from its ability to truly meet the requirements of the aerospace manufacturing industry—no oiling required, no additional application, no surface contamination, and no impact on subsequent plating or painting. Anti Static VCI Film is a relatively hassle-free rust prevention product for aerospace parts.

The principle behind Anti Static VCI Film is also quite interesting. It slowly releases a substance called "vapor phase rust inhibitor molecules," which automatically adsorb onto the metal surface, forming a nanoscale protective layer—essentially giving the metal an invisible "protective coat." This protective layer remains stable in a sealed packaging environment, and once the Anti Static VCI Film is opened, it naturally evaporates without leaving any residue on the metal. This is particularly important for aerospace components.

What are the benefits of Anti Static VCI Film?

Why are more and more people choosing Anti Static VCI Film?

Anti Static VCI Film is very clean to use. The aerospace industry is extremely sensitive to contamination of any parts' surfaces, and Anti Static VCI Film's biggest advantage is that it's completely oil-free and touchless. Unlike traditional rust-preventive oils, which are troublesome, require cleaning, and can easily affect coating quality if not handled carefully, Anti Static VCI Film simply wraps the parts inside. After unpacking, you can proceed with the subsequent processes—clean and efficient.

Anti Static VCI Film is more convenient and labor-saving. Packaging is simple, requiring no additional surface treatment or specialized equipment. Whether it's a machining center or a warehouse manager, simply following standard procedures is sufficient.

Anti Static VCI Film provides a large protective area. Anti Static VCI Film's VCI molecules diffuse automatically, protecting all parts regardless of structural complexity, the presence of pores, or dead corners. This is crucial for aerospace parts, as the more intricate the structure, the more dead corners are present.

Anti Static VCI Film has a long service life. Under normal conditions, sealed packaging can protect parts for 1-2 years, making it ideal for the storage cycle of aerospace parts.

CVCI's Anti Static VCI Film has been exported to numerous countries and regions, with significant usage from customers in Southeast Asia. Factories in Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, among others, have consistently reported excellent rust prevention, convenient packaging, and high overall cost-effectiveness. The humid environment of Southeast Asia further underscores the strength of our Anti Static VCI Film, which is one of the reasons our products are gaining increasing recognition in the aerospace industry.

Is it true that aluminum alloy parts stored in a warehouse are prone to rust?

Many companies assume that the warehouse environment in machining centers is good, but during the rainy season, humidity can soar to 80% or 90%. Within days, a fine oxide layer can appear on machined aluminum alloy parts. In some winter regions, large temperature differences cause condensation when parts are transferred from the hot workshop to the cold warehouse. Furthermore, parts that are not completely dried after cleaning before being stored are even more prone to rust.

More importantly, the surface of machined parts is very sensitive and highly clean, lacking any oily protective layer. Therefore, during storage, they are essentially bare. The risk of corrosion increases rapidly once the air humidity exceeds 60%. This is why many aerospace manufacturers explicitly require "rust prevention measures between machining and subsequent surface treatment."

Anti Static VCI Film has a clear advantage here: no need for oiling, no impact on cleanliness, strong sealing, and simple operation—it's practically designed for this type of short- to medium-term storage.

If transportation is involved, what other rust prevention products are needed?

If it's just short-term storage in a warehouse, one roll of Anti Static VCI Film is sufficient. However, if parts are to be transported by sea, air, or land, or traverse areas with high humidity, then simple packaging must be replaced with a combination of protective measures.

• VCI anti-rust film (primary protection)

• VCI anti-rust bag (enhanced sealing)

• Desiccant (humidity control)

• Shock-resistant packaging (reduces surface friction during transport)

• Outer box with inner moisture-proof lining (prevents water absorption)

Especially for regions with extremely high humidity, such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, many of our customers have reported that using the combination of Anti Static VCI Film and desiccant provides significantly more stable results. After all, no one can predict weather changes and flight path humidity during transport, and problems with rust prevention can have very serious consequences.

Aircraft aluminum alloy parts do corrode, and corrosion directly affects precision and reliability. Traditional rust prevention methods are not suitable for the aerospace industry, while Anti Static VCI Film, due to its advantages of being clean, residue-free, easy to operate, and providing comprehensive protection, is becoming an increasingly mainstream choice in the aerospace industry. Whether stored in a warehouse or transported, machined parts must be properly protected against rust; otherwise, the losses and rework costs will be extremely high. CVCI's VCI Film rust inhibitor has been validated by customers in multiple countries worldwide, with particularly positive feedback from Southeast Asia. This gives us increasing confidence in providing stable, high-quality rust prevention solutions for the aerospace manufacturing industry.

If you are interested in our Anti Static VCI Film, rust-preventive liquids, rust-preventive bags, or comprehensive rust prevention solutions, please feel free to contact us. You are welcome to visit our factory or schedule a one-on-one assessment with our technical team. Whether you encounter problems in production, warehousing, or export transportation, we can customize the most suitable rust prevention solution based on your specific needs.