evapo-rust®
EVAPO-RUST® is ideal for rust removal because:
compared to traditional acid or basic pickling agents, it protects the non-oxidized metal thanks to its selective chelating action, without requiring either periodic monitoring to prevent it from corroding the non-oxidized metal underneath the rust patina, or the neutralization of the post-pickling acid. Even more so in the case of a rust patina that is not uniformly spread over the entire surface of the metal, with the consequent inevitable corrosion of the non-oxidized metal parts in contact with the acid as soon as the object to be treated is immersed in the tank.
Compared to converters, it avoids the risk, especially in the case of thickening, that the conversion layer is unable to extend to the entire oxidized thickness, i.e. that a residual rust layer remains between the surface conversion layer and the underlying non-oxidized metal.
Compared to both acid or basic pickling agents and converters, it minimizes the structural embrittlement of the metal caused by the accidental introduction of hydrogen into the crystal lattice (hydrogen embrittlement) during treatment.
evapo-rust
Water-based selective rust release agent for iron, steel, cast iron and chrome plating
Everything you need to know about EVAPO-RUST®
- 1.1 Performance
- 1.2 Selective action
- 1.3 Economical
- 1.4 Safe
- 1.5 Easy
- 3.1 Oxidation inhibitor
- 3.2 Water base
- 3.3 Dilution
- 3.4 Minimum operating temperature
- 3.5 Incompatibility with other materials
- 3.6 Storage
- 3.7 Disposal
- 4.1 By immersion
- 4.2 To fill
- 4.3 Ultrasonic
- 4.4 Flushing
- 4.5 Spray
- 4.6 Upon membership
1
why choose
EVAPO-RUST®
1.1 Performance
Used by the US Navy, USAir Force, USArmy, NATO, CIA, FBI and recommended by the NRA Gunsmithing School, EVAPO-RUST® selectively removes even the most severe rust build-up on steel, iron, cast iron and chrome.
Even surface coatings such as burnishing, parkerizing, bluing and zinc phosphate will be removed in approximately 30 minutes.
1.2 Selective action
The selective chelating agent contained in the chemical formula of the preparation removes exclusively (selectively) the oxidized layer (rust), without removing and/or damaging the non-oxidized metal substrate.
1.3 Economical
It is suitable for multiple reuse cycles, before the final disposal of the exhausted solution according to legal requirements. N° 1 Lt. of EVAPO-RUST® removes up to 60 gr. of anhydrous rust.
1.4 Sure
Non-flammable, non-toxic and/or harmful, non-corrosive, non-irritating to skin and eyes, non-sensitizing to skin.
It does not produce fumes, unpleasant odors, or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Contains no acids, alkalis or hazardous substances according to Annex XIV (SVHC), Annex XVII.
Biodegradable and 100% water soluble.
1.5 Easy
No special equipment required. Not applicable by brush (unless the end user has the patience to continue to apply EVAPO-RUST® by brush on the rusted piece until the oxide is completely removed; only feasible for very thin oxide patinas).
2
HOW IT WORKS
EVAPO-RUST®
✔️ Selective chelating action on the oxide to be removed compared to the non-oxidized metal substrate
✔️ The selective chelating agent releases the removed oxide, producing a ferric sulphate complex
✔️ Once the removed oxide has been released, the same selective chelating agent starts a new pickling cycle until reaching the non-oxidized substrate which, to be removed, would require a chelating energy greater than that actually available
EVAPO-RUST® works at a pH between 6.1 and 7 (neutral) through selective chelating action: this is a chemical reaction where a large synthetic molecule forms a bond with the metal and keeps it in solution.
Chelating action is a chemical reaction where a metallic element forms a coordination bond with a reagent called a chelator. The product of this reaction forms a very stable molecular structure with the metallic element at the center surrounded (“pincer-like”) by the chelating agent, simulating the grip of a crab's claws (hence the term chelation).
the selective action derives from the presence in the EVAPO-RUST® formula of an organic chelating agent which has sufficient energy to form the aforementioned coordination bond only and exclusively with the iron contained in that particular hydrated oxide commonly called rust, but not with the iron contained in steel or cast iron which would require greater energy.
This chemical reaction therefore imitates what already occurs in nature, for example, in chlorophyll with magnesium or in hemoglobin with iron: in fact, to transfer iron into the blood, hemoglobin similarly exploits the chelating action of the 4 constituent protein groups (porphyrin rings) to form with iron that chemical complex called hematin (or heme group).
3
CHARACTERISTICS
EVAPO-RUST®
3.1 Oxidation inhibitor
After treatment, the part must be rinsed with water before any further treatment (e.g. phosphating, painting, chrome plating, anti-corrosion protection, refueling, etc.).
Otherwise, in the absence of the final rinsing phase with water, EVAPO-RUST® will evaporate and leave a thin protective film on the surface of the piece capable of inhibiting short-term oxidation for up to 2 weeks maximum (for indoor storage only), depending mainly on both the environmental humidity present and the surface roughness of the metal.
For medium/long-term indoor storage, as a replacement for traditional oil-based dewatering protectors, we recommend the innovative water-based anti-corrosion protector RUST BANDIT®.
3.2 Water base
It is non-corrosive and will not damage brass, copper, aluminum, gold, lead, titanium, steel, cast iron, chrome, solder, vinyl, plastic, neoprene, silicone, glass, cork or wood.
The only incompatibilities are cadmium and related alloys (e.g. paints, stabilizers, cadmium plating, etc.) and magnesium and related alloys (e.g. zama).
High carbon steel will darken when in contact with EVAPO-RUST®; the carbon may be partially removed by rinsing with water, for example by rubbing with a cloth.
It is recommended to completely immerse the metal object to be pickled because, in case of only partial immersion, some pieces may present a dark line at the air/liquid interface.
3.3 Minimum operating temperature
Since the chemical reaction that determines the selective pickling of rust is endothermic, that is, it absorbs energy (heat) from the external environment, it is recommended to use EVAPO-RUST® at a solution temperature above 15°C.
At temperatures below 5°C the chemical reaction is significantly retarded.
In the range between 15°C and 20°C the reaction is relatively fast; while the maximum speed is recorded in the range between 35°C and 50°C.
3.4 Dilution
EVAPO-RUST® tolerates significant additional percentages of dilution with water compared to what we sell ready-to-use; however, further dilution with water does not provide any significant advantages:
the quantity of the active ingredient contained in the formula, which corresponds to the total quantity of rust that can be removed (i.e. the consumption), remains exactly the same, regardless of the degree of dilution actually adopted, equal to a maximum of 60 g of anhydrous rust per litre of EVAPO-RUST®
the reaction speed to remove the oxide increases proportionally to the degree of dilution with water, therefore the maximum time of 24/48 hours of ready-to-use will no longer be indicative and it will be up to the user to evaluate when the pickling will actually be finished; to this end, to avoid excessive slowing down of the chemical reaction, it is recommended not to dilute beyond the 1:1 ratio (e.g.: 1 Lt. EVAPO-RUST® + 1 Lt. water)
3.5 Incompatibility with other materials
The incompatibilities (irreversible stains on the metal) found to date are n° 2:
magnesium and related alloys (e.g. crankcase covers, zama (carburetors, injection pumps, etc.)
cadmium and related alloys (e.g.: cadmium plating (“tropicalization”); cadmium paints, etc.)
Carbon steel, once treated with EVAPO-RUST®, will experience some degree of surface darkening.
Carbon steel is usually used to give flexibility to metal objects (e.g. springs, blades, etc.). Some of the carbon responsible for the surface darkening can be removed simply by rubbing with a rag.
The darkening is caused by the carbon present in the steel alloy. This natural phenomenon is known in chemistry as carbon migration.
Carbon moves (or migrates) to the outer surface layers of the metal and is deposited in the pores. Removal of rust (hydrated iron oxide) reduces the iron to carbon ratio, leaving a higher concentration of carbon on the outer surface, resulting in inevitable darkening of the metal.
This darkening does not create any adverse effects on the metal: it simply represents the process of carbon migration from the inside to the outside of the metal.
EVAPO-RUST® is non-corrosive and will not harm brass, copper, aluminum, gold, lead, titanium, steel, cast iron, chrome, solder, vinyl, plastic, neoprene, silicone, glass, cork or wood.
EVAPO-RUST® will remove surface coatings such as burnishing, bluing, parkerizing and zinc phosphate in approximately 30 minutes (the type of iron oxides attacked are: Maghemite (Fe2(3+)O3), Magnetite (Fe2+Fe2(3+)O4), Wustite (FeO), Iron Hydroxide (Fe(OH)2), Iron Tri-Hydroxide (Bernalite) (Fe(OH)3), Akageneite (ß-Fe3+O(OH,Cl)), Feroxite (Fe3+O(OH)), Lepidocrocite (?-Fe3+O(OH)) and parkerizing (both types: manganese & zinc)).
Conversely, Hematite (Fe2O3) and Goethite (a-Fe3+O(OH)) are not affected by EVAPO-RUST®. Anodizations will not be removed either. Varnishes and paints will not be removed either, unless they are oxide-based (usually included in the yellow, orange and red shades).
No negative stress will occur in the metal after treatment with EVAPO-RUST®; the only negative change will possibly be due to rust attack caused before pickling.
In the event of local thickening of the rust patina on cast iron, carbon steel and chrome plating, at the end of the pickling process, a local void will remain due to a lack of material (“camolatura”).
3.6 Storage
EVAPO-RUST® is extremely economical to use: due to its very low concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and its selective chelating capacity which remains unaltered for a long time, it is easily reused.
EVAPO-RUST® has a shelf life of:
unlimited if unused and stored in its original packaging
limited after the 1st use, of variable duration depending on the specific biodegradability rate determined by the bacteria present on the metal being treated that come into contact with EVAPO-RUST®
After the first use, it is advisable to not hermetically cover the tank or container intended for storing EVAPO-RUST®, in order to limit both the evaporation of the aqueous fraction and the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria: in fact, pouring the already used EVAPO-RUST® into a hermetically sealed container (e.g.: a can closed with a screw cap) determines the most favourable conditions for the multiplication of the anaerobic bacterial consortia responsible for biodegradation in the absence of oxygen.
Practical applications have demonstrated an average duration of 12 months for EVAPO-RUST® after the first use (and in some cases even well beyond this limit).
The water contained in the EVAPO-RUST® formulation is the only component that can evaporate; if the amount of water lost through evaporation is replaced, the EVAPO-RUST® solution will be revitalized.
Therefore, before use, we suggest placing a mark on the inside wall of the tank at the air vs. EVAPO-RUST® interface to record the maximum level; subsequently, it will be necessary to maintain this level by periodically adding water to restore the amount lost through evaporation.
3.7 Disposal
EVAPO-RUST® should be used continuously until it is effective in removing oxide; after which it will become exhausted and must be disposed of.
In addition to the visual verification based on performance effectiveness, there is an empirical method to estimate when EVAPO-RUST® becomes exhausted by quantifying the weight loss suffered by the various treated pieces: in fact, by weighing the various metal pieces subjected to treatment both before (but after preliminary cleaning) and after pickling and knowing that 1 litre of EVAPO-RUST® removes up to 60 g of anhydrous rust, if for example a 5 Lt. solution is used, i.e. with an indicated consumption of up to 60 g/Lt. x 5 Lt. = 300 g, the user will have an estimate of the maximum foreseeable consumption.
In case of disposal prior to first use, EVAPO-RUST® constitutes a non-hazardous special waste; after first use, the removed organic and/or inorganic substrate can significantly alter the chemical-physical composition of the release solution; in any case, it is recommended to dispose of the product, exhausted or not, as well as, if necessary, the aqueous washing solution, at an authorized collection plant for special or hazardous waste, in accordance with the current legal requirements.
4
methods of use
EVAPO-RUST®
4.1 By immersion
PRELIMINARY CLEANING: removal of any organic and/or inorganic surface layer covering the rust patina with a suitable detergent/degreaser and/or descaler.
IMMERSION: immerse the metal object to be pickled in the tank for at least 30 minutes in the case of a thin patina; up to 24/48 hours for more consistent rust patinas. If EVAPO-RUST® is diluted with water, the aforementioned timing is no longer indicative because it progressively increases depending on the degree of dilution actually used. To avoid excessive slowing down of the chemical reaction, it is recommended not to dilute beyond the 1:1 ratio (e.g.: 1 Lt. EVAPO-RUST® + 1 Lt. water). Even if diluted, consumption remains unchanged: 1 Lt. of EVAPO-RUST® removes up to 60 g. of anhydrous rust. It is recommended to completely immerse the metal object to be pickled because, in the case of only partial immersion, some pieces may present a dark line at the air/liquid interface.
NB: only in the case of localized thickening of rust is it essential that the metal object to be pickled is periodically (every 6/12 hours) rinsed with water and/or brushed in correspondence with the rusted areas: in fact, since the structure of rust is intrinsically porous, fragments of metal may be produced that are only partially rusted externally (and as such not completely solubilized thanks to the selective chelating action of EVAPO-RUST®) which, although already detached from the underlying substrate that is still rusty, may remain trapped in its roughness; if left in place, the contact points between these metal fragments that are no longer rusty and the still rusted metal substrate do not allow access of the liquid and therefore the treatment.
POST-TREATMENT: before any further treatment (e.g. phosphating, painting, chrome plating, anti-corrosion protection, refueling, etc.), the piece must first be rinsed with water and then dried thoroughly to prevent the reappearance of oxidation. The final drying phase can be avoided if an innovative water-based (indoor) anti-corrosion protector with dewatering properties is applied immediately after the water rinsing phase: RUST-BANDIT®. In the absence of the final water rinsing phase, EVAPO-RUST® will evaporate and leave a thin anti-corrosion protective film on the surface of the piece capable of inhibiting indoor oxidation in the short term for up to 2 weeks maximum.
4.2 To fill
PULIZIA PRELIMINARE: vedi metodo precedente.
RIEMPIMENTO: in funzione della tipologia dell'oggetto da trattare, possono differenziarsi n° 2 casi alternativi:
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oggetto completamente ispezionabile all'interno (es.: serbatoio più telecamera di videoispezione, etc.): vedi metodo precedente; oppure
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oggetto non completamente ispezionabile all’interno (es.: serbatoio senza telecamera di videoispezione, etc.):
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visto che EVAPO-RUST® rimuove anche le vernici a base d’ossido, verificarne preliminarmente l’eventuale presenza, magari eseguendo anche una prova su una superficie limitata e/o nascosta di vernice. Tipicamente le vernici a base d’ossido sono comprese nelle tonalità rosso/arancio/giallo; tuttavia, non è detto che una vernice compresa nelle tonalità rosso/arancio/giallo sia effettivamente a base d’ossido.
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dopo aver svuotato il carburante, lubrificante, etc. residuale eventualmente ancora presente, collocare il serbatoio dentro una vasca di raccolta di capacità superiore al volume di EVAPO-RUST® utilizzato per il trattamento, al fine di garantire la raccolta dell'eventuale liquido fuoriuscito in caso di ruggine passante e/o fuoriuscita accidentale.
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visto che la reazione chimica che determina la rimozione selettiva della ruggine è endotermica, cioè assorbe energia (calore) dall’ambiente esterno, è raccomandabile utilizzare EVAPO-RUST® ad una temperatura della soluzione superiore a 15°C; pertanto, occorrerà controllare e garantire il mantenimento di tale temperatura minima per l’intera durata del trattamento.
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se all'interno del serbatoio, oltre alla ruggine, è presente anche del deposito organico e/o inorganico, pulizia preliminare con idoneo detergente/sgrassante (es.: ENGINE CLEANER) e/o disincrostante (es.: C7345)
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dopo aver chiuso e verificato la tenuta di tutte le aperture del serbatoio (tappo di rifornimento, rubinetto benzina, sfiato), versare EVAPO-RUST® direttamente dentro il serbatoio:
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in caso di serbatoio ancora installato sul telaio, il volume di EVAPO-RUST® introdotto dovrà essere sufficiente a mandare in sommersione tutta la lamiera arrugginita.
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in caso di serbatoio disinstallato dal telaio, il volume di EVAPO-RUST® introdotto potrà essere minore e dipenderà sia dal quantitativo effettivo di ruggine da rimuovere, sia dal numero di successive rotazioni del serbatoio che l'utilizzatore finale vorrà eseguire: infatti, più sarà elevato il volume di EVAPO-RUST® utilizzato, minore sarà il numero di rotazioni consecutive necessarie per mandare in sommersione tutta la superficie interna arrugginita e viceversa. Non occorre ruotare in continuo il serbatoio: basta lasciarlo fermo per il tempo necessario per la rimozione dell'ossido. A meno che non si utilizzi una telecamera per video-ispezionare l’interno, prima di procedere con la rotazione successiva, si consiglia di attendere 24/48 ore, in modo da garantire la rimozione anche di eventuali inspessimenti locali di ossido (24/48 ore se e solo se EVAPO-RUST® non viene diluito; se diluito, invece, la tempistica massima sarà progressivamente maggiore, in funzione del grado di diluizione effettivamente adottato).
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In entrambi i casi (serbatoio smontato o meno), in presenza di inspessimenti locali di ossido, periodicamente occorrerà agitare energicamente l’intero serbatoio contenente all’interno EVAPO-RUST®: infatti, essendo la struttura della ruggine intrinsecamente porosa, possono prodursi frammenti di metallo non arrugginiti (e come tali non solubilizzati in virtù dell’azione chelante selettiva propria di EVAPO-RUST®) che, sebbene già staccatisi dal substrato sottostante ancora arrugginito, possono rimanere intrappolati nelle asperità dello stesso; se lasciati in posto, i punti di contatto tra questi frammenti e il substrato non permettono l’accesso del liquido e quindi il trattamento.
Una volta rimossa completamente la ruggine, abbiamo n° 3 scelte alternative:
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serbatoio di pronto riutilizzo:
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svuotare il serbatoio e, per prevenire la ricomparsa di ruggine, risciacquare bene con alcool denaturato
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immediatamente dopo il risciacquo con alcool denaturato fare il pieno di carburante
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serbatoio da sottoporre a successiva lavorazione (es.: resinatura) entro 10/14 gg. dal termine del trattamento:
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svuotare il serbatoio senza risciacquare per sfruttare EVAPO-RUST® anche come protettivo anticorrosivo a breve termine in stoccaggio indoor (10/14 gg. max), avendo cura di evitare la formazione di condensa all’interno poiché potrebbe dilavare la pellicola protettiva
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immediatamente prima della lavorazione successiva risciacquare bene con alcool denaturato
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immediatamente dopo il risciacquo con alcool denaturato eseguire la lavorazione successiva
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serbatoio in stoccaggio indoor a lungo termine (magazzino, museo, etc.), oppure successiva lavorazione (es.: resinatura) oltre 10/14 gg. dal termine del trattamento:
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svuotare il serbatoio e, per prevenire la ricomparsa di ruggine, risciacquare bene con acqua
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immediatamente dopo il risciacquo con acqua, per prevenire la ricomparsa di ruggine, applicare l'innovativo protettivo anticorrosivo a base acqua RUST-BANDIT®
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ruotare adeguatamente il serbatoio per garantire il contatto metallo Vs. RUST-BANDIT® su tutta la superficie interna del serbatoio prima di svuotare e lasciare asciugare all'aria. In caso di successiva lavorazione (es.: resinatura), prima di procedere risciacquare bene con alcool denaturato
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in funzione del grado di diluizione effettivamente adottato, verificare periodicamente l'assenza di ossidazione all'interno del serbatoio e, se necessario, applicare nuovamente RUST-BANDIT®
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POST-TRATTAMENTO: vedi metodo precedente.
4.3 Ultrasonic
It significantly accelerates the pickling speed thanks to the ultrasonic technology commonly used in industrial applications; furthermore, in case of consistent rust patina, it does not require the intermediate rinsing or brushing phase mentioned above.
PRELIMINARY CLEANING: see previous method.
WASHING: fill the ultrasonic washer with a sufficient quantity of EVAPO-RUST® to reach the level indicated by the manufacturer; immerse the piece to be treated and start the washing program (35°C - 50°C). The duration of the application will depend on the thickness of the rust to be removed: for thin patinas it takes about 1 minute, while for more consistent patinas about 1 hour.
It is the fastest application method for removing rust.
POST-TREATMENT: see previous method.
4.4 Flushing
PRELIMINARY CLEANING: see previous method.
FLUSHING: as an example, the following operating procedure is proposed for the treatment of the cooling circuit of an engine:
Empty the cooling circuit and rinse it with water; in case of inorganic deposits (e.g. limescale), use a suitable descaler
fill the circuit with EVAPO-RUST® (ready-to-use, undiluted)
idle the engine for a few minutes; turn it off and leave it idle for at least one night
empty the circuit collecting EVAPO-RUST® for possible reuse
if necessary repeat the process 1 to 5 times
Finally, once all the oxide has been removed, rinse with water and immediately refill with coolant
NB: when flushed, EVAPO-RUST® tends to produce foam in quantities directly proportional to the nominal operating flow rate: the higher the flow rate, the greater the foam production.
Conversely, if the flow rate is reduced to limit foaming, foam may escape from the vent valves if the flow rate falls below a certain limit (critical flow rate) which is essentially a function of the diameter and roughness of the internal surface of the pipe.
Furthermore, the residual air bubbles in the piping locally prevent contact between rust and EVAPO-RUST®, inevitably causing the permanence of oxidation. Therefore, the applicable operational solutions to mediate between these conflicting needs are n° 2:
add a suitable anti-foam additive to EVAPO-RUST® (where suitable also refers to post-treatment use of the pipe)
limit the flow rate, while maintaining it above the critical flow rate that determines the closure of the air vent valves, together with the complete saturation of the useful drainage section of the pipe (given that the critical flow rate increases as the diameter of the pipe increases, this solution is only feasible for limited diameters).
POST-TREATMENT: see previous method.
4.5 By spray
PRELIMINARY CLEANING: see previous method.
SPRAY: prepare a leachate collection tank containing a submersible or self-priming recirculation pump connected to a sprayer.
Fill the tank with a sufficient quantity of EVAPO-RUST® to ensure both the pump's suction and the filling of the delivery line.
It is recommended to limit the recirculation flow rate to minimize foam production.
Spray EVAPO-RUST® directly onto the rusted surface, ensuring that EVAPO-RUST® has a contact time of at least 30 minutes for a thin patina; up to 24/48 hours for more consistent rust patinas.
NB: only in the case of localized thickening of rust is it essential that the metal object to be pickled is periodically (every 6/12 hours) rinsed with water and/or brushed in correspondence with the rusted areas: in fact, since the structure of rust is intrinsically porous, fragments of metal may be produced that are only partially rusted externally (and as such not completely solubilized thanks to the selective chelating action of EVAPO-RUST®) which, although already detached from the underlying substrate that is still rusty, may remain trapped in its roughness; if left in place, the contact points between these metal fragments that are no longer rusty and the still rusted metal substrate do not allow access of the liquid and therefore the treatment.
POST-TREATMENT: see previous method.
4.6 Upon joining
PRELIMINARY CLEANING: see previous method.
ADHESION: we suggest 2 alternative application methods:
Place a sheet of dry absorbent paper on the surface to be treated and wet it with EVAPO-RUST®, dabbing it with a brush, roller, etc.; or
pour EVAPO-RUST® into a sprayer; apply a dry sheet of absorbent paper to the rusted surface; spray EVAPO-RUST® onto the sheet of absorbent paper, collecting any percolating liquid.
Then cover the wet absorbent paper with a sheet of plastic (e.g. cling film for food use) to limit the evaporation of the aqueous fraction.
Periodically check the progress of the pickling and, in case of significant rust, periodically give the piece a light brushing.
Repeat the application if necessary.
POST-TREATMENT: see previous method.
5
VIDEO TUTORIAL
EVAPO-RUST®
evapo-rust
evapo-rust
Water-based selective rust release agent for iron, steel, cast iron and chrome plating