What is a vapor barrier, and how can it help protect your items during shipment?
Items shipped by sea or air can face weeks to months of uncertain storage conditions. Even in shipyards and storage facilities, there are unknown possibilities.
Not to be confused with air barriers, a vapor barrier (also called a moisture barrier bag) is an industrial-sized Saran Wrap. It is used to protect and preserve any contents in your package from exposure to elements such as dirt, dust, salt spray, grease, moisture, and other airborne contaminants that can create damage during uncertain shipping times.
Desiccants must also be used with vapor barrier-sealed systems to absorb any moisture inside the vapor barrier material at packing and to absorb moisture that can migrate through the barrier over time. Desiccant is a hygroscopic substance used to induce or sustain dryness in its vicinity and acts as a dehumidifier. Zeolite and silica gel are often used as desiccants to help remove moisture from the air and lower the air temperature through evaporative cooling. Even though placed inside a vapor barrier, desiccant must not be in contact with the item/ product. A general formula determines the quantity of desiccant per exposed vapor barrier surface area. This quantity can be increased or adjusted for specific applications when wood or corrugated materials containing moisture are packed inside the vapor barrier.
Crating Sensitive Items
Crates and containers carrying electronics or items with bare metal surfaces and sensitive items (fine art or unique collectors’ pieces) being transported by ocean require moisture vapor-proof packaging. When packaging a product/ item for transportation, you must consider moisture and humidity as possible issues affecting the shipment’s quality or integrity. This is especially true overseas, by boat or air shipments, and even locally, when and if temperature changes can be an issue.
VCIs (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) emit chemicals that battle the corrosive minerals in water. There are several different forms of vapor barrier packaging or VCIs: paper, poly, and emitters that help whether you use heat-sealed bags, heat-sealed shrink, or coated paper. However, vapor barrier packaging, or VCI, is better for international travel and is more vital for ocean travel. MIL-PRF-131 or MIL-D-3464 are common barrier materials used to protect items when shipping.
Vapor barriers can come in all shapes and sizes, as well as several different materials, like:
– aluminum foil
– asphalt-coated Kraft paper
– exterior grade plywood
– glass and metal sheets
– metalized film
– paper-backed aluminum
– polypropylene
– polyethylene
Using a vapor barrier solution does nothing to prevent condensation throughout the shipping container but protects the item/ products from being ruined by contact with moisture. It seals the items between these layers of water vapor-proof foil and materials, which is then vacuum sealed to create complete protection for outer temperatures. At Industrial Crating Pack & Services Inc., we provide vapor barriers for international and local shipments on all items/products necessary.
