Shipping Non-Coated Steel Parts Overseas? 2

[TireDesigner]

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding shipping steel parts overseas and corrosion. My company currently purchases a large wheel, made from AISI 1018 steel, from a Chinese supplier. This wheel is fabricated from a steel hoop and a stamped steel center hub, which are then welded. The weldment is then galvanized. Finally, the galvanized wheel is shipped on a boat from China to the U.S.

According to our sales group, one of our large customers wants to purchase several sample wheels ungalvanized so that they can either galvanize them themselves at their local supplier or paint them (I'm not sure which, nor do I have any clue why they would want to do any of this themselves - but they are a big company). My concern is that shipping untreated steel wheels for two weeks on an ocean freighter is a very bad idea. Does anyone have any relevant experience or case studies that you could share? I have no clue how well standard shipping containers are sealed from the elements (my guess is not very well).

Thanks,

Richard

 

[hokie66]

The corrosion that occurs in that length of time is inconsequential. However, the exposure can make surface preparation more difficult. Maybe they don't trust the Chinese galvanizer, or else want to inspect the uncoated parts before coating. As to shipping containers, they are sealed reasonably well. I would just do as your customer wants.

 

[EdStainless]

Typically parts would be wrapped, bagged, or boxed with some sort of corrosion inhibitor. In the old days they oiled them, a better option is a Vapor Phase Inhibitor. You can buy paper and plastic sheets that are treated with these chemicals.
I agree with hokie, the corrosion that happens in transit will not damage the parts, but they will need a lot of clean and surface prep before any painting or galv can be done to them.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[TomDOT]

Wrapped with vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor.

While open shipment will not allow significant corrosion in the usual timeframe, you may have to deal with removing salt accumulation.

 

[btrueblood]

Yes, we have recent experience in having bare cast iron parts shipped overseas. Shipping containers are not sealed, and salt water/spray can enter and drip on shipping crates, and humidity/condensation will similarly wet the parts, even inside plastic bags. We've had reasonably good luck with light oil coating and plastic overwrapped parts, but some surface corrosion still occurs. VPI paper is great, but we had trouble getting sources for our Chinese supplier to use.

 

[TireDesigner]

Thank you, everyone, for all the responses. I appreciate it!

 

[TomDOT]

That's what stars are for

 

[Screwman1]

When we ship equipment to China all the exposed surfaces are sprayed with rust preventative (some modern version of Cosmoline) that then gets washed off with solvent at the other end. Any bare areas show light surface rust.