Defense vehicle maintenance costs due to corrosion are being significantly reduced through the use of Vehicle Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) technologies from Transhield, Inc. In addition, these technologies can add several years to the lifecycle of vehicles, aircraft, weapon system components, and equipment that require long-term storage between deployments.
Transhield has supplied more than 20,000 vehicle and equipment covers to the U.S. Military since 2008, and was recently awarded a $4.5 million contract by the U.S. Marine Corps to provide 3,700 protective vehicle and equipment covers. These are for use primarily to protect the Marine Corps' entire fleet of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
Three Technologies Offer Protection
Three patented technologies offered to the U.S. military eliminate the corrosive greenhouse effect inherent to traditional vinyl and canvas tarps. They include:
Transhield XT™ – This technology provides high VCI effect, reduces corrosion by up to 90%, prevents water intrusion, and reduces condensation underneath the cover. Its 3 layers of protection include a UV-resistant polyethylene film that provides more than 90% UV blockage, an adhesive with a patented VCI delivery process, and a polyester hydro-entangled nonwoven material.Armordillo™ – Designed in response to the U.S. Military's need to effectively protect equipment in the harshest climatic conditions such as those encountered by the U.S. Navy while at sea, this technology incorporates Transhield's patented VCI adhesive layer with a more durable, waterproof outer layer and an inner layer that includes thin polyester fabric and energy-absorbing fibers. It also includes Biocide to reduce mold, mildew, and fungus. VCI Shrinkable Fabric – This technology provides low cost, breathable, and tight-fitting coverage suited to transcontinental shipping and multi-year storage situations where access to the equipment is not required. For example, VCI shrinkable fabric can protect retired military aircraft that may be recalled into service or converted to drones at a future date.
All Transhield's protective covers are tested using ASTM standards for breathability, ultraviolet blockage, tensile strength, and yield strength. Lightweight, 100% waterproof, and longlasting, they are available on the GSA Federal Supply Schedule under contact number GS-02F-0103R.
"The expeditionary nature of our U.S. Armed Forces calls for the ability to deploy, stage, and store vehicles, equipment, and aircraft at locations with very harsh environmental conditions," said James Glick, Transhield's president. "Transhield has developed the most advanced solutions, which can easily pay for themselves through an extension in the useful life of stored equipment and reduced maintenance. Anticorrosion protective covers have been a key component of the U.S. Marine Corps' corrosion cost reduction strategy, which has resulted in millions of dollars worth of savings over the past several years, and helped make the USMC the only service to report reduced costs due to corrosion."
