How VCI Provides Fail Safe Rust Prevention

How VCI Chemistry Works:

The onset of corrosion occurs when an electrolyte such as water, oxygen, or humidity is present on the surface of metals. When this happens, electrons can then flow from high-energy areas of the metal to low energy areas in a loop through the present electrolyte. As a result of this corrosion process, the formation of oxidation on the metal surface then occurs. VCI molecules provide corrosion prevention by stopping this reaction by covering the metal surface and essentially blocking the electrochemical mechanism that triggers the beginning of oxidation, i.e. the current flow from anode to cathode. Electrical current attempts to flow from the anode through the electrolyte into the cathode however, it is prevented by the VCI’s presence. VCI molecules are drawn to any metal surface that oxygen molecules can reach to form an invisible mono-molecular layer to protect the metal from corrosive attack.

How A.P.I. VCI Gun Bags work:

Arms Preservation Gun Storage Bags utilize a combination of Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) chemistry and carefully selected barrier packaging materials to completely prevent the corrosion of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition during storage. The materials that Arms Preservation Gun Bags are manufactured with are a carefully selected combination of materials that conjointly yield anti-corrosion properties that are supported by a transparent flexible barrier layer.

This combination of anti-corrosion & barrier materials is puncture-resistant, tear-resistant, non-abrasive, non-toxic, and will not harm any non-metal surfaces. However, the most important corrosion preventative features of the A.P.I. Gun Bags are its VCI impregnated internal layer and its exterior barrier layer.

The VCI impregnated internal layer is where the anti-corrosive properties are emitted from. The VCI chemistry impregnated in the interior layer is drawn out of the material by the presence of metal and forms an invisible gas inside of the bag. This gas is made up of singular VCI molecules that are then attracted to the interior and exterior metal surfaces of your firearm. These molecules coat metal surfaces with a one molecule thick layer of VCI chemistry that stops corrosion before it can begin. This one molecule thick layer of VCI chemistry easily dissipates off of the firearm with no cleaning necessary once the gun is removed from the bag and because of this, the firearm is ready for immediate use.

Flexible barrier packaging materials have been used in moisture and corrosion critical packaging applications for decades and are proven as the most effective option for blocking the transfer of gasses and water vapor through flexible materials. The exterior barrier layer in A.P.I. Gun Bags performs two tasks; it blocks harmful corrosion causing elements from entering the bag by passing through the various materials while also securing the corrosion inhibiting VCI chemistry inside the bag. This allows the bag to protect your firearms and ammunition for longer than any other product on the market.

The limiting factor on how long an A.P.I. Gun Bag will provide anti-corrosion protection is how long the bag is able to keep the VCI chemistry locked in. Because our chosen barrier layer does not let any VCI chemistry permeate it, the only way for it to escape is when the bag is opened and closed. Bags that are repeatedly opened and closed will maintain their protective qualities for approximately 5 years. Bags that are not opened frequently can maintain their protective qualities for many years beyond that.