Statistics report that the battle with rust costs Canadians almost $300 million per year in damages, including machinery that has to be repaired, sold at a lower grade, or scrapped altogether.  Rust affects industry’s bottom line so industry should always take antirust measures whenever possible.  In fact, not only does rust effect machinery, it can also have a negative effect on human health. Luckily, there are antirust protection products on the market that can help keep industry safe, healthy, and cost-effective.

There are several ways to protect your machinery from rust, including applying a rust inhibitor or antirust. Antirust products are designed with all types of machinery in mind. Some come in spray form, while others where formulated to act as dips. All provide a necessary barrier between the damaging environment and the rust-prone surface, and all are designed for quick and easy application so that the time spent on applying antirust treatments will not detract from valuable production time.

Examples of antirust treatments include galvanization, anodizing, and cathodic  protection. Galvanization is the process of coating steel or iron with zinc. This method is often favored by those who are looking for a low-cost, easy-to-apply and maintenance-free antirust solution. But for those looking for a more preventative solution, anodizing, rather than coating the corrosion-prone surface, increases the natural oxide level of a surface, thus making it harder for rust to form in the first place. Anodizing is most often used on aluminum and can have positive cosmetic effects not found with the galvanization process. Cathodic protection is the process of protecting a surface (usually steel) by making it work as a cathode of an electrochemical cell. It is often used as an antirust measure on steel, especially in pipelines, oil rigs, and other steel containers having to do with the petrochemical industry. All three antirust measures are used for different purposes, and it is best to consult the experts about which process is correct for your machinery or equipment.

With the health and safety risks involved with rust, not to mention the millions that are lost every year due to its effects, it is important to be familiar with antirust treatments associated with your equipment. Taking antirust measures ensures the long-lasting performance of machinery, equipment and manufacturing processes, ensuring healthy machinery and a healthy bottom line for your enterprise. Total Lubrication can help you implement antirust measures. Call us today to get started creating a cost-effective, healthy, and rust-free industrial environment.