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What is an "Emitter?"
Emitters are devices (cups, foams, bags, covers, etc.) which contain
patented compounds called Rust Blocker VpCIs (Vapor Phase Corrosion
Inhibitors) which evaporate (emit) into the surrounding enclosure or
package. (In essence, VpCIs travel through the atmosphere and attach
themselves to metals.) This is much like water as it evaporates but it
takes place over months or years instead of minutes or hours. We generally
refer to Bull Frog emitters as those individually packaged products that
are the 3" strips, emitter cups and emitter shield. However, the Bull
Frog, Rust Blocker VpCI fabrics used in our bags and covers, are often
used in the same manner. In general, all Bull Frog products contain VpCIs
and will act as emitters although they are not normally called emitters.
How Does an Emitter or VpCI Work?
The chemicals (Bull Frog, Rust Blocker VpCIs) which vaporize are special
compounds that form a very thin layer, (only a few molecules thick), on
the surface as they interact with all metals present. These chemicals form
an ionic bond on the (free radical ions) surface of the metal. They
neutralize these ions and therefore prevent the interaction of air and
water moisture with the metal, which in turn slows and stops the corrosion
process.
Are Emitter Vapors Hazardous?
Bull Frog emitters contain chemicals which are not known to be hazardous,
toxic or flammable. In fact, our emitter chemicals have been approved by
the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) to be used with food
and beverage containers.
Are Emitters Environmentally Safe?
Bull Frog emitters, like most of our other 20+ products, are very
environmentally friendly and contain no known environmentally restricted
or harmful compounds. Bull Frog's position on the environment is well
documented. Environmentally safe production is assured under ISO 14001
(environmental impact) standards. There are very few ISO 14001 qualified
companies in the world.
How Do You Remove Emitter Films?
You don't! The films left by emitters are only a few molecule layers thick
(-1/25,000th of 1µ or 1/500,000th of 1 mil). They are much thinner than
most contamination layers which normally form on virtually any surface. It
is unnecessary to remove them and they have little effect on adhesion or
subsequent coatings.
How are Emitters Used?
Emitters are used to protect enclosed metal components from corrosion by
placing one or more of the devices into a container, package or other
enclosure. This includes all types of electronics, computers, electronic
devices, electrical switches, electronic gear aboard ships and RVs, tool
boxes, spare parts boxes and storage units, fuse boxes, telecommunications
devices, such as cell phones, analytical equipment, gun safes and
cabinets, as well as any enclosure that contains metals that will corrode.
Why Use Emitters?
Emitters will save money (and time) for almost anyone using consumer
electronics, electrical tools and any consumer product which contains
vulnerable metals. Emitters reduce corrosion that affects the product
quality and useful longevity in several ways:
- Emitters reduce electrical/ electronic failures in relays, switches and
connectors by preventing corrosion, -the number one cause for failure of
electronic and electrical devices.
- Reduce maintenance by reducing failures and parts replacement.
- Extend equipment lifetime.
- Improve electrical reliability by reducing noise levels, and increasing
switch reliability and continuity.
- Reduce accumulation of contaminants. The quality and performance of
electronic devices will also improve in that they will look cleaner,
function more reliably.
What About Protection of Silver, Gold, Tin and Other Metals?
Bull Frog emitters use a unique blend of several different chemicals to
provide a corrosion inhibitor with one of the widest ranges of protection
possible. They are multi-metal inhibitors and will protect most metals
under many conditions.
How Does One Know When the Emitter is "Used Up"?
There are several ways to determine if an emitter is still useful, but
they are so costly that we recommend automatically replacing the emitter
once every two years. The emitter should replaced more frequently than
this if the conditions are severe or there is significant leakage or loss
of the internal air through frequent opening and closing. If there are
signs of corrosion beginning on the product, it is most likely that the
VpCIs in the emitter have been depleted.
How Long Does it Take for an Emitter to Become Effective?
This depends on the size, shape and temperature of the enclosure. In
general, at room temperature, emitters begin working immediately for
metals immediately adjacent to them. It may require as much as 24 hours
for metals at the extreme ends and internal spaces to become saturated
with VpCI vapors.
How Can Emitters be Made Effective Sooner?
This can be done in several ways:
- By using more than one emitter and locating them at each end or along
each edge of the enclosure.
- By spraying the entire area initially with one of our other Bull Frog
products, such as Bull Frog Rust Blocker or Lubricant.
- By treating the item with our Bull Frog Cleaner/ Degreaser before
placing them into the container or enclosure.
- By increasing the temperature of the parts or atmosphere.
Don't Emitter Vapors Disappear When the Box is Opened and Closed?
Yes. Some of the vapors may be lost when a container is opened, but the
VpCIs already adsorbed on the metals will not be disturbed immediately and
will continue protecting the metal. As soon as the container is closed,
the VpCIs will again fill the containers with vapors.
How Many Times Can a Container Be Opened and Closed Before
Depleting the VpCIs?
This depends on the chemical contaminants in the atmosphere. Under normal
circumstances, if all of the vapor is lost from the container and all of
the vapor is desorbed from all of the components in the container, the
container can be opened and closed approximately 400 times or 10 times a
day for one year!
What About Enclosures/Cabinets/Boxes Which are Not Completely
Sealed?
The lifetime of an emitter will be somewhat shortened, possibly to one
year or less. Although emitters are specified for "enclosures" they will
still provide protection for systems which have some air flow through
them. The degree of protection will depend on the level of contaminants in
the air and the rate of air leakage. The VpCIs that are already adsorbed
on metal components will not be easily displaced. Once they have been
coated, protection will continue for a considerable time.
What About Cabinets With Fans or Other Forced Air Throughput?
Again, the lifetime of the devices may be shortened but they are still
able to provide excellent protection depending on the quality of the air
flowing through them. This protection is best achieved by allowing the
VpCI vapors to equalize and coat the metals during off hours when the fan
or forced air can be turned off, such as over the weekend or evenings.
How Do VpCIs: Affect Electrical Characteristics Such as
Continuity, Resistance, Dielectric Strength, etc.?
All testing and use of VpCIs used in emitters to date indicates that they
have no adverse effects on electrical parameters. In fact, Independent
Testing Laboratories have shown that when VpCI emitters are used, the
contact resistance of contacts remains much lower because they inhibit
oxide and contaminant build-up on the contacts. Other tests have indicated
no increase of leakage currents at any point on PC boards or electrical
circuitry.
What About VpCIs on Radio Frequency (RF) Equipment, such as Cell
phones, Marine Radios and Satellite Dish devices?
Separate tests by an Independent Laboratory indicate that VpCI emitters do
not adversely affect the performance of RF equipment. In fact, when used
on connections and PC boards it will actually extend the life of the
treated area.
What About Using Emitters in High Voltage Equipment?
VpCIs have been used in equipment which has operating voltages exceeding
500OV. We suspect that if they are used at higher voltages there will also
be no adverse interactions. In fact, it is very likely that they will
minimize formation of corrosive components, which could otherwise lead to
increased breakdown.
Do Emitters Provide Desiccant Activity?
VpCI emitters provide a small amount of desiccant activity, but their main
attribute is the protective "skin" or layer they produce on metal
surfaces. This layer helps eliminate the normal destructive reactions
which otherwise occur with moisture, making desiccant ability only a
secondary feature.
What About Use of Emitters Under Harsh Conditions?
VpCI emitters have been used very successfully under extremely adverse
conditions, including remote control switch and relay boxes located near
the sea, in atmospheres containing over 200 ppm of mixed acids such as
S02, H2S, HCL, etc.
What Are the Effects of Higher Temperature?
In general, the higher the temperature, the faster the VpCIs will
vaporize. At an operating temperature of 80 to 100F, you can expect the
useful lifetime to start decreasing. This means that the emitters will
reach equilibrium sooner, but they will be depleted sooner. When emitters
are used continuously at these higher temperatures we suggest that they be
replaced more often than once every two years.
What About Using VpCI Emitters in Older Equipment?
Although emitters will not reverse prior corrosion, when they are used in
older equipment, they will extend lifetime, reduce failures and curtail
further corrosion.
What's The Best Way To Prepare Metals For Long Term Storage, Using
Bull Frog VpCI Protection?
These steps offer an easy, safe, effective and economical corrosion
protection. You can expect better protection of metal surfaces using the
following guidelines.
- Clean your item, preferably with Bull Frog Cleaner Degreaser.
- Be sure the item is free of fingerprints, oils and acid or alkali residue.
- Protect your item of concern with A Bull Frog Rust Blocker product as soon after
cleaning as possible.
- Keep the Bull Frog emitters as close to the product surface as possible,
within 12" maximum. Use at least 1-3" strip for every square foot of
metal surface protected, and a minimum of 1 square foot for every cubic
foot of void space.
- Place nothing between the metal surface protected and VpCI Emitter. Also, in
order to prevent loss of the protective vapor, the item must be completely enclosed.
- Seal your item airtight, if you need long-term storage of up to 10 years!
- You can use VpCI emitters anywhere you need them, as a wrap, as insert strips
and cups.
end of corrosion tour - tour index
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