Why the 25th Infantry at Schofield Barracks, HI made the right decision in choosing Cocoon covers for its artillery.

Image Courtesy 1st Lt. David Block

When your base is located in the tropics, corrosion prevention is a strategic imperative - a critical part of maintaining readiness and mission capability.

Protective covers are an indispensable part of preventing corrosion, but only if they include all the necessary characteristics for success. Tropical climates are incredibly humid, which means you need a cover that’s highly air-permeable, not just breathable. Air-permeability allows heat and moisture to escape from under the cover. If a cover isn’t air-permeable it will trap heat and moisture under the cover, potentially creating the very corrosion it's supposed to prevent.

Air-permeability also prevents mold and mildew - micro-organisms that can secrete corrosive byproducts and worsen the problem of corrosion.

Of course air-permeability can’t come at the expense of being waterproof. Tropical climates experience a lot of rain, so the only cover that works effectively is one that is both waterproof and air-permeable. Achieving the right amount of air-permeability while remaining fully waterproof is not easy (which explains why Cocoon’s cover technology is patented!).

Air Permeable

Waterproof

Hydrophobic

Not only are Cocoon covers waterproof, they’re also hydrophobic, which means they won’t absorb any water and their wet weight is equal to their dry weight. (Many covers absorb liquid which not only increases Time of Wetness but can increase weight to the point they can’t be removed by hand.)

And then there’s the salt air that permeates tropical climates. Salt particles act as sort of super-electrolytes, intensifying the electrochemical reactions responsible for corrosion. Cocoon’s cover material filters down to 0.3 microns to prevent the intrusion of salt particles. In addition, the Cocoon cover material filters out fine beach sand (90 microns) that can foul oils and lubricants.

Corrosion is both aggressive and relentless in tropical settings, which is what makes cover selection a crucial part of protecting your mission-critical assets, and explains why the 25th Infantry is well-served by choosing Cocoon covers for their artillery.

To learn more about Cocoon covers click here or contact one of our Subject Matter Experts.