Case Histories
Real-world corrosion protection projects across Ireland — from Belfast shipyards to utility infrastructure. See how Cortec® VpCI® technology delivers results.
Local Projects
Cortec® VpCI® in Action — Ireland & Northern Ireland
The following case histories were carried out with the direct involvement of Corrosion Engineering – Cortec Ireland Ltd.
Utilities / Electrical
Preservation of Electrical Control Cabinets
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) — Northern Ireland
2000 – Present
Problem
NIE found that corrosion in their outdoor electrical control cabinets during shipment, storage, and use was leading to costly failures. The problem was greatest at coastal locations but also affected inner city sites.
Solution
VpCI®-126 Blue Film protects the cabinets during shipment and storage. Once in service, VpCI®-111 Emitters are installed during routine maintenance visits. The emitter molecules are ionically attracted to all metal surfaces within the enclosure, providing continuous vapour-phase protection.
Result
NIE has found that continued use of VpCI®-126 Blue Film and VpCI®-111 Emitters is an economical and long-lasting method of protection. The easy-to-install emitters minimise remedial work, maintenance, and failure costs.
Marine / Heavy Industry
Protection of Floating Dock Gate
Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries Ltd — Belfast, Northern Ireland
January 2009
Problem
Harland & Wolff in Belfast operate one of the largest dry docks in Europe. The internal voids, cavities, and recesses of their floating dock gate were corroding due to extreme weather and prolonged sea immersion.
Solution
VpCI®-309 Powder was sprinkled throughout the accessible areas of the dock gate in January 2009. The gate was inspected in September 2013 — having been in active use or anchored at sea for the entire period — and protection was confirmed.
Result
Harland & Wolff chose to reapply VpCI®-309 Powder as it proved the best corrosion protection for this application — cost effective, environmentally safe, and easy to apply.
Aerospace / Precision Manufacturing
Corrosion Protection in Harsh Conditions
Short Brothers Ltd Technical Group — Queen's Island, Belfast
September 1983
Problem
Short Brothers wanted to test VpCI®-337 as a universal corrosion preventative for aluminium and other metals across components stored in multiple environments, including near pretreatment acid anodising solutions.
Solution
Aluminium alloy plates were fogged with VpCI®-337 spray and placed in four test environments: hot and humid, acid, ambient, and cold and dry, alongside untreated control stacks.
Result
VpCI®-337 provided effective protection in all environments. In acid conditions, untreated stacks suffered severe attack — the treated stack showed only minor initial pitting. Pretreatment fully removed VpCI®-337 with no contamination.
Global Library
Hundreds More Case Histories
Cortec® Corporation maintains an extensive library of case histories covering every major industry and application — from pipeline preservation to aerospace component storage. Browse the full global collection at corteccasehistories.com.
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