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Does camphor really prevent rust?

Q. 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, South Carolina

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

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
March 31, 2008

April 1, 2008

A. 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 rub it on clean object; after 24 hours wipe it with piece of rag and that's it.
Hope it helps (little bit) and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
March 27, 2008

A. According to one older German book (1838)instead of 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
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
April 3, 2008

A. Camphor does in fact work as a rust inhibitor. I have it with all my tools.

Jim Wood
welder - Middletown, New York
December 7, 2016

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