Oxygen and Moisture Protection for Part Shipping, Storage

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America has introduced the RP System, designed to protect products from moisture and oxygen damage that can occur during shipping and long-term storage. Manufactured in Japan and introduced for the first time to the United States and Canada, the RP System consists of packaging that protects metals and provides protection for parts from other forms of oxygen- or moisture-based degradation.

The RP System combines protection from both oxygen and moisture, and enables parts to be stored for years, the company says. It works by placing target items being shipped or stored into a gas barrier bag designed to withstand oxygen and moisture penetration. A customized RP agent composed of oxygen- and moisture-absorbing compounds is inserted into the bag. An oxygen indicator can also be included to enable instant verification of oxygen levels. The bag is then hermetically sealed to create an environment in which oxygen and moisture are virtually eliminated, in some cases for up to 10 years of storage.

Mitsubishi can customize the specific RP agent required depending on the item being stored. It says metals require an agent that incorporates moisture “scavengers” to ensure an environment that is completely moisture-free.

The company says the system is optimized to keep products in the same condition from the time of their manufacture, enabling them to be used months or even years in the future without any degradation in quality or performance.