48328

Does camphor *really* prevent rust? [South Carolina] 

March 27, 2008

I've heard, over the years, that a block of camphor in a tool chest or gun case will prevent rust. Is this an urban legend, or fact? Does anyone have any empirical data as to whether/how well it works?

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF - Spartanburg, SC, USA

Good question, Jeffrey. Camphor certainly sounds like a VCI; but whether it is an effective one I don't know :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ

According to some old books(J.Bersch:Lexikon der metalltechnik,Wien 1898,+Scientific American cyclopaedia of formulas,1916.edition(?)/you can download it from www.thelitterbox.org/)next mixture is very usable as rust prevention:Melt 1 kg lard,add 30 gm camphor and some(?)graphite(steel coloured mixture).You must rubb it on clean object,after 24 hours wipe it with piece of rag and thats it.
Hope it helps(little bit) and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb, Croatia

According to one older German book(1838.)instead graphite you can add chalk powder.According to Scientific americans cyclopaedia of formulas(1910 edition.) it is one of ingredients of rust protective lacquer for sabres.Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Zagreb, Croatia