A stalwart of the Steelgard family of corrosion inhibitors, Steelgard RP Grease (the RP stands for Rust Prevention) is our thickest and most heavy-duty contact corrosion preventative.
Usually applied by brush to protect parts at significant risk of corrosion due to atmospheric conditions or exposure to the elements, RP Grease is lubricating, penetrating and stays in place ensuring metal parts move smoothly against each other and stay protected from oxidation, moisture penetration and rusting.
It is easy to think of many uses for this wonder product around the house, factory and in vehicles. You will see grease products of a similar consistency, usually without the corrosion inhibiting properties, greasing car door hinges, protecting caravan and trailer couplings, dabbed on car battery connectors. You might apply grease yourself to garage door hinges and handles, outdoor taps, when tinkering under the bonnet of your car and after cleaning bike gears.
The reason Steelgard RP Grease is so much more than a heavy-duty lubricant is the blend of organic inhibitors combined with antioxidants, age resistors, penetrating aids and metal deactivators. A little goes a long way and corrosion protection is incorporated in every drop to protect both ferrous and non-ferrous metals from salt water, high humidities, acid pollution, galvanic and crevice corrosion.
Effective at temperatures from -40C – +100C and able to withstand minor temperature excursions in excess of 150C, RP Grease will continue to provide protection in the most extreme environments.
Now for the science bit… we have formulated this specially to embody some quite unique properties. The composition is both pseudoplastic and thixotropic and has a controlled degree of syneresis. This means, in practice, while you can hold a 1kg can of Steelgard RP Grease upside down and it will not drip, drop or fall out, its properties mean it can be easily pumped but will return to its highly viscous state as soon as the movement stops. This makes it quick and easy to apply to large areas or through long pipes but once it’s in place, it stays put and will not drip, run or pool, ensuring the entire application area remains coated and protected.
As for syneresis, this means the inhibitor will migrate from the gel into initially uncoated areas (caused by bubbles, minor voids and mechanical breaks) This migration helps to protect crevices as found in seams, bolted parts, cables, conductors etc.
With Steelgard RP Grease the specific combination and balance of properties and the degree to which they are embodied in the product is unique in enabling a single material to perform a variety of functions.
Here are just a few suggested uses where application of Steelgard RP Grease can significantly extend the lifespan of metal parts, in many cases simultaneously preventing corrosion while lubricating to increase efficiency and reduce wear.
- Export packing of machinery & metal parts which are subject to high humidity & salt water
- Lubrication and protection of gears
- Transport e.g. caravan and trailer couplings, connectors (especially where dissimilar metals are in contact)
- Marine applications e.g. wire ropes, winches, deck equipment
- Port & dock installations and equipment
- Steel stay wires for poles
- Chains – forklifts and their chain drives in aggressive environments
- Conductor and cable accessories including clamps, insulator pins, bolts and fasteners
- Cables (other than electricity supply industry) e.g. railways, mines, communications, bridges, ships, cranes, lifts
- Underground electricity cables, fibre optics and aluminium sheaths
We trust our customers to come up with (often weird and wonderful) uses for our products that even we hadn’t considered. One use for which Steelgard RP Grease has proved itself to be by far the best product in its field, is in the protection of coiled tubing in the oil and gas industry. These extremely long, flexible pipes are used to pump chemicals down drill holes and, even when made from expensive, corrosion-resistant materials, can suffer from pitting and scarring from the, often corrosive, liquids they carry or the brine and seawater habitually used to rinse them between uses.
A client of ours did extensive testing to find a suitable product to prevent this damage, which can contribute to fatigue, cracking and eventual failure, ultimately costing the company significant amounts in replacing failed equipment. They concluded that the only product they would consider recommending is Steelgard RP Grease. Mixed with a solvent, it is pumped through the tubing after the chemicals have been rinsed away and provides complete protection, solving the problem of pitting and significantly extending the life of the tubing.
Of course, in the harsh environments found on marine oil and gas rigs, there are many more uses the engineers find for a tub of Steelgard RP Grease and, if you look around your garage, workshop or manufacturing facility, we are confident you will too.
About Vapor-Tek
Vapor-Tek produces a range of high-performance corrosion preventatives from its premises in Bolton.
Steelgard GP is a contact corrosion inhibitor. The formulation is solvent-deposited, dewatering and leaves a thin, lubricating film which protects against corrosion. Manufactured to meet MoD and NATO standards and used by customers worldwide, including Rolls Royce and JCB, on diverse products from metal component parts to the nuclear submarine fleet.
Vaporol is an extremely effective Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) which protects the inside of things. We also offer a water-based version, Aquavap, which has all the benefits of Vaporol in an aqueous formulation, which can be rinsed away if required.
Whatever your corrosion problem, we have a clean, simple and cost-effective product to prevent it. For friendly advice, further information or to place an order call Vapor-Tek today on 01204 521795 or e-mail info@vapor-tek.co.uk
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