Using vapor barrier bags and desiccant is technology, which grew out of the needs of World War II and the Korean War. It is and was good technology, but today we have even better technology. It is called Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibiting.Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibiting Products use chemistry that has grown out of Volatile Corrosion Inhibiting Products used mainly for metal preservation in machining and milling operations and in military preservation. Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors are chemical compounds, which actively attach themselves to metal and prevent corrosion. Usually these compounds were impregnated in paper wraps or in brush on liquids or even in dusting powders. The chemistry worked by physical contact. The corrosion inhibiting molecules attach themselves to all metal surfaces and prevent corrosion by stopping the electro-chemical process which turns metal into a metal oxide. The molecules used in today’s products are active, in other words impregnated plastic wraps give off enough gas molecules that they protect metal surfaces without being in direct contact with them. The more active molecules there are the longer the protection. It is therefore recommended that when using these products as a bag or very close wrap it as air–tight as possible in order to keep the active molecules trapped inside. In addition, for longer-term preservation “emitters” should be used. These are foam pads or tapes that are impregnated with large amounts of the corrosion inhibiting molecules and thus give-off more molecules more quickly.
Vapor Phase corrosion Inhibiting molecules do not interfere with electrical, electronic or optical functions and are therefore often used for maintaining corrosion free electrical and switching boxes especially in hard to reach areas aboard ships and aircraft.