Introduction
Corrosion is an omnipresent problem that can have dire consequences on the service life and functionality of moulds, dies and machine parts. Without adequate protection, rust and other corrosive processes can lead to expensive repairs, frequent maintenance work and, in the worst case, to a complete breakdown of the moulds or dies.
For this reason, efficient corrosion protection is indispensable in our industry, where precision and reliability are of the utmost importance. Not only does it protect the investment in high-quality moulds and dies, it also ensures consistent product quality and operational readiness.
Different options
Permanent surface coatings such as lacquers and galvanic top coating as well as temporary coatings with greases, oils, waxes and similar substances are popular. However, in the end they all offer the same: they are meant to properly coat the component to shield it from environmental influences and corrosive media.
Pretreatment of surfaces
A clean base is half the battle – this goes for adhesive bonding and lubricating as well as corrosion protection. A clean base not only guarantees the best possible adhesive strength, but also that no corrosive residues are trapped between the anticorrosive and the component.
Suitable cleaners
Application of anticorrosives
This is what you must bear in mind when applying anticorrosives:
- Closed layer
- Sufficient coating thickness
A closed layer prevents contact with environmental influences and all types of corrosive media. A greater coating thickness offers greater resistance to material removal and penetration of the corrosion protection, thereby improving the protection – ‘the thicker, the better’, as they say.
Which anticorrosive is the right one?
In mould and die making, greases, waxes, and oils are most commonly used for corrosion protection. Each variant has different advantages and disadvantages.
Oils
Our oils are very suitable for the regular maintenance and short-term protection of machine parts, for example when they are used on our precision cutting and grinding machine GMT 6000 or our assembly table H 4062. Thin oils can easily remain on the parts even during commissioning.
- Easy to use
- For very short and straightforward storage times
Greases
A very important characteristic of corrosion protection greases in mould and die making is penetration. This is usually very low, which means that high-value lubrication points such as ejectors and slides are not contaminated with the anticorrosive. Thus, our greases are perfect for cavity protection.
- For short-term corrosion protection
- Leave behind a thin oil- or grease-like film
- Can usually remain on the part during commissioning or can be removed very easily
Waxes
Removal of waxes requires somewhat more effort than with greases. But with the right cleaner this is no problem at all. In addition, the low-viscosity waxes penetrate very well into all crevices, preserving moulds and dies very well from the outside, for example. However, one needs to ensure that the wax does not reach lubrication points and contaminate them.
- For medium-term storage times
- Good protection even under the most adverse conditions (e.g. overseas transport or wire EDM)
- Must be removed before commissioning
