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3 Myths About Water-Based Rust Inhibitors: 5040 Breaks Them (3-6 Months)

Views: 0     Author: Wang Lejian     Publish Time: 2025-10-26      Origin: Site

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3 Myths About Water-Based Rust Inhibitors: 5040 Breaks Them (3-6 Months)

Think water-based rust inhibitors only last 2 weeks? Shenzhen Yuanan's 5040 breaks this stereotype—3-6 months of reliable rust protection, no secondary cleaning, no sodium nitrite, and perfect for inter-process storage and short sea shipping. It's the solution Southeast Asian steel factories have been looking for to cut rust-related costs.


Introduction

According to Grand View Research's 2025 report, 60% of steel factories in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, etc.) rely on two types of rust inhibitors: 40% use common water-based options (which only last 7-15 days, leading to frequent re-rusting), and 35% choose oil-based alternatives (long-lasting but require time-consuming cleaning before machining).


This creates a painful dilemma for factory managers. A machinery plant in Ho Chi Minh City summed it up: "We need to store crankshafts for 2 months before shipping to Indonesia, but common water-based inhibitors rust them in 3 weeks, and oil-based ones add 2 hours of cleaning per day for our CNC team."


This article debunks 3 common myths about water-based rust inhibitors, shows you how to slash rust-related costs by 40%, and explains why 5040 is a game-changer for long inter-process cycles and short-distance shipping.


Myth 1: Water-Based Rust Inhibitors Can Only Last 7-15 Days

The Truth: Not all water-based inhibitors are short-lived. 5040's advanced formula delivers 3-6 months of protection—10 times longer than standard water-based options—without sacrificing eco-friendliness.


Why does this matter? Most factories face "in-between" periods: 1-month delays in order processing, 2-month cross-border transportation (e.g., from Guangdong to Vietnam), or 3-month semi-finished product storage. Common water-based inhibitors fail here, forcing factories to choose oil-based alternatives that leave greasy residues.


5040 fills this gap. Its 3-6 month protection covers these critical windows, and since it's water-based, it dries clean—no need for degreasing before CNC machining, welding, or spraying. A steel component manufacturer in Dongguan reported cutting 2.5 hours of daily cleaning time after switching to 5040.


Myth 2: Eco-Friendly Rust Inhibitors Mean Compromising on Protection

The Truth: 5040 proves eco-friendliness and long-lasting protection can coexist—without toxic additives like sodium nitrite.


Many factories avoid water-based inhibitors because they associate "eco-friendly" with "weak." But 5040's formula uses sustainable, non-hazardous materials that meet global industrial safety standards. Unlike traditional phosphating processes (which generate toxic waste costing $600+/ton to treat), 5040 produces no waste liquid and requires only one step: dip, dry, and store.


For factories in Southeast Asia prioritizing clean workshops (a key requirement for automotive and electronics clients like BYD or Foxconn), 5040 is a win-win. It keeps workspaces free of greasy residues and eliminates the need for expensive waste treatment—saving one Vietnam-based auto parts factory $3,000 monthly on environmental compliance costs.


Myth 3: Replacing Phosphating Will Increase Costs

The Truth: 5040 simplifies processes and cuts costs by replacing phosphating—no extra steps, no waste, and lower long-term expenses.


Phosphating, a traditional rust prevention method, involves three time-consuming steps: soaking in phosphating solution, rinsing, and drying. It also generates toxic effluent that requires specialized treatment. 5040 streamlines this to a single step: soak parts in 5040 (pale yellow liquid) for 2-3 minutes at room temperature, then air-dry or oven-dry.


The cost savings add up quickly. Let's compare:

1. Phosphating: 3 steps, 4 hours of processing time, $600/ton waste treatment cost.

2. 5040: 1 step, 10 minutes of processing time, $0 waste treatment cost.


A Guangdong-based machinery factory specializing in cylinder liners reported a 50% reduction in rust prevention costs within 3 months of switching to 5040.


Who Actually Needs 5040? (Demand Grading for Factories)

Not every factory needs 5040—and that's okay. It's designed to solve specific pain points, not replace all rust inhibitors. Here's how it fits into different factory needs:

Demand Level

Protection Period

Typical Scenarios

Best Solution

5040's Role

Short-Term

7-15 Days

In-plant temporary turnover (1-week machining)

Common water-based inhibitors

No need—5040 targets longer cycles

Mid-Term

1-3 Months

Cross-border shipping, order delays, inter-process storage

5040 Water-Based Inhibitor

Perfect fit—covers gaps standard options miss

Long-Term

6+ Months

Year-long storage of finished goods

Oil-based inhibitors and packaging

Not the primary use, but can extend to 12+ months with plastic film


Real-World Results: 5040 in Action

Numbers tell part of the story—but real factory experiences tell the rest. Here's how 5040 has solved rust problems for two Southeast Asian and Chinese factories:

Case 1: Dongguan Bearing Factory (Auto Parts)

The Challenge: Bearings needed to be stored for 1.5 months between forging and CNC machining. Common water-based inhibitors caused 8% of bearings to rust, leading to 2,200 monthly in rework costs. 

The 5040 Solution: Workers dipped bearings in 5040 for 2 minutes, then air-dried them. After 1.5 months, zero rust was found. 

The Outcome: No more rework, and the CNC team saved 2 hours daily (no cleaning needed). Monthly savings: 1,800.

Factory Feedback: "We used to rush machining to avoid rust, but 5040 lets us plan production more flexibly."

Directly soak to use 5040 rust inhibitor - Shenzhen Yuanan

Directly soak to use 5040 rust inhibitor

Image of a customer's factory using Yuanan's 5040 rust inhibitor - Shenzhen Yuanan Chemtech

Another Image of a customer's factory using Yuanan's 5040 rust inhibitor


Case 2: Vietnam Agricultural Machinery Factory

The Challenge: Agricultural machinery parts shipped to Indonesia took 1.2 months. Common water-based inhibitors led to 12% of parts rusting on arrival, pushing customer complaint rates to 20%.

The 5040 Solution: Parts were treated with 5040, then wrapped in standard moisture-proof film before shipping.

The Outcome: Rust rates dropped to 0, and customer complaints disappeared. The factory even received a 15% order increase from Indonesian clients.

Factory Feedback: "We tested 3 water-based inhibitors—only 5040 could protect parts through the entire shipping cycle."


FAQ: Your Questions About 5040, Answered

Q: Is 5040 more expensive than common water-based rust inhibitors?

A: No—5040 is priced similarly to standard water-based options. The real savings come from its long protection period (no frequent re-treatment) and zero secondary cleaning. Over a year, factories using 5040 typically save 40% on rust prevention costs compared to common water-based inhibitors.

Q: How easy is 5040 to use? Do we need special equipment?

A: It's extremely user-friendly—no special tools required. Simply shake the original pale yellow liquid, then dip small parts for 2-3 minutes (or spray/brush large/complex parts to ensure full coverage). Air-dry or use an oven for faster results. No rinsing or dilution is needed unless treating heavily rusted surfaces.

Q: Can 5040 be used on all types of steel?

A: Yes—it works with all ferrous materials, including cast iron, carbon steel, and steel alloys. This makes it versatile for factories producing multiple components (e.g., crankshafts, bearings, cylinder liners) without switching products.

Q: Does 5040 work in humid Southeast Asian climates?

A: Absolutely. Its formula is designed to resist humidity—tests in 85% humidity environments (common in Vietnam and Malaysia) showed no rust after 3 months. For extra protection during rainy seasons, wrap treated parts in moisture-proof film.


Conclusion

Yole Intelligence's 2025 report predicts that 70% of Southeast Asian steel factories will switch to long-lasting water-based rust inhibitors by 2027—driven by the need for cleaner workshops, lower costs, and simpler processes. 5040 is at the forefront of this shift.


Shenzhen Yuanan, with 20+ years of experience in industrial chemicals and 60+ patents, doesn't just sell rust inhibitors—we provide solutions tailored to your factory's needs. Whether you're dealing with 2-month shipping cycles to Indonesia or 1-month inter-process storage, we offer free 5040 samples (enough to test 100 parts) so you can see the results for yourself.


Contact our team to share your rust challenges, and let's find a way to cut your costs and boost efficiency—no obligation, just expert advice.


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