1208-3: CHANGES IN STEAM TURBINE AND GENERATOR PARTS CORROSION ...

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1208-3: CHANGES IN STEAM TURBINE AND GENERATOR PARTS

CORROSION PROTECTION PACKAGING

January 2, 1997

APPLICABLE TO

All steam turbines and all generators.

PURPOSE

To inform users about changes in materials and methods used for corrosion protection of certain steam
turbine and generator parts during shipment and storage.

BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION

Prior to 1995, most steel (magnetic) parts shipped internationally and some domestically, were typically
preserved with an amber colored, solvent based, waxy preservative coating commonly known as Tectyl
506. Some items were preserved with a heavier duty, black asphalt-containing preservative coating
known as Tectyl 891. These Tectyl products from Ashland Industrial Products have, for many years,
been used successfully by GE and suppliers to protect steel surfaces from corrosion during shipment and
storage.

Various alternative materials and methods for preserving parts are being thoroughly evaluated with the
following main objectives in mind:

Eliminate the use and disposal of environmentally sensitive chemicals and solvent based materials
in factories.

Reduce the time to preserve and package parts.

Reduce or eliminate the use and disposal of possible environmentally sensitive chemicals used to
remove Tectyl coatings from parts.

Significantly reduce the time to remove corrosion preservative coatings from parts prior to
installation.

New Materials and Methods Being Used

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Following extensive screening and testing, changes are being implemented on selected components
relating to parts preservation. Use of Tectyl 506 or 891, and even light oils, is being reduced and many
parts are now being wrapped in papers and/or plastic films treated with Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI)
chemicals. This technology has been used successfully by many different industries.

Efforts to reduce the use of Tectyl and oil, where appropriate, will continue. However, there may be
certain items that will continue to be shipped with Tectyl coatings or oil due to some difficulties with
VCI application on large, odd shaped hardware, and the source of shipping the part.

VCI packaging products are treated with specific blends of chemicals that slowly vaporize inside a
package and chemically bond with all exposed metal surfaces. VCI packaging products effectively
provide corrosion protection to metal surfaces and do not require direct contact with the metal surface.
However, VCI will not be effective if it cannot reach the part. If VCI packaging products are applied
around an item previously boxed or packaged in material that prevents the VCI chemicals from reaching
the metal surface, they will be ineffective.

To provide and maintain an effective level of corrosion protection, the item being protected must be
clean and free of fingerprints and a sufficient amount of VCI must be present within 12 inches of the
metal surface being protected. The part or item must be wrapped such that VCI vapors are contained
within the package. A completely air-tight seal is not required, but the tighter the seal, the longer the
protection will last.

Depending on the size, weight, and geometry of hardware being protected, different packaging may be
used. Parts or components may come wrapped in VCI treated Kraft paper, VCI treated plastic-backed
paper, sealed in a VCI treated blue polyethylene plastic bag or tube, or any combination of these. Items
may be wrapped individually or in groups. Many small items are sealed in VCI treated blue
polyethylene bags with VCI treated pieces of cardboard. Larger items are typically wrapped with a
white, polyethylene fabric backed paper treated with VCI. VCI treated papers are typically treated on
one side. Since the blue polyethylene contains VCI throughout, it does not matter which side faces the
metal.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To maintain corrosion protection, parts protected with VCI packaging should remain wrapped until they
are installed. Current practice suggests the VCI packaging method will adequately protect parts for up to
two years. Storage for longer periods of time requires additional protection.

Since VCI chemicals are water soluble, it is important that parts and VCI treated surfaces of the
wrappings do not become wet during shipment and storage.

If parts are removed from VCI treated packaging, appropriate preservation and storage practices should
be implemented immediately to prevent corrosion before their use. Atmospheric conditions such as
temperature and humidity will

determine what appropriate actions are necessary. After removal from the VCI packaging, parts may be
installed immediately with no cleaning required. Some parts may have a light mineral oil coating. The
mineral oil coating is used to prevent corrosion in the factory. For most situations, it is not necessary to
remove the oil.

If items are to be inspected or inventoried and need to be removed from VCI packaging material,

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precautions should be taken to avoid damaging the VCI packaging. Repairs to torn or damaged
packaging can be made by taping the damaged area closed. Since the anti-corrosion material is
contained within the VCI paper itself, no additional materials are required. Inadequate repairs to torn or
damaged packaging may limit the effective life of the protective paper.

During inspections and part handling, it is important to avoid touching the metal surfaces with bare
hands, as this will lead to early corrosion in those areas. Parts should be resealed within 4 hours of
atmospheric exposure, but in high humidity environments, the parts should be reprotected as quickly as
possible. After inspection or inventory, items should be placed back into the VCI packaging and sealed
by taping or stapling. Parts that are repackaged improperly after inventory or inspection activities may
experience early corrosion and are the responsibility of the user.

Contact your local GE representative for additional information or assistance.

For further info, comments, questions,

on these Web pages send and E-Mail to The Power Answer Center Administrator

COPYRIGHT 1995, GE
The information published in this Technical Information Letter is offered to you by GE in consideration of its ongoing sales and service relationship with your
organization. However, since the operation of your plant involves many factors not within our knowledge, and since operation of the plant is in your control and
ultimate responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE specifically disclaims any responsibility for liability based on claims for damage of
any type, i.e. direct, consequential or special that may be alleged to have been incurred as result of applying this information regardless of whether it is claimed that
GE is strictly liable, in breach of contract, in breach of warranty, negligent, or is in other respects responsible for any alleged injury or damage sustained by your
organization as a result of applying this information.

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