Corrosion is a destructive process that will eventually destroy metal objects. That’s why it’s important to use a corrosion inhibitor that can do an effective job of protecting the metal from its effects.
Save time, effort, and money by choosing an inhibitor wisely. How do you do that? Follow this guide! Regardless of the type of corrosion issue your metal has experienced, these will provide a solution.
What is the Common Mechanism of Corrosion Inhibitor ?
A common mechanism of corrosion inhibitors involves the development of a coating, usually known as a passivation layer, which blocks the corrosive substance’s direct connections to the metal. But broadly speaking, corrosion inhibitors are substances added to the fluids that surround the metal or related object, as opposed to permanent treatments like chrome plating.
The corrosion inhibitor’s behavior depends on?
- The material being secured, which is typically by metal objects,
- a corrosive agent that needs to be neutralized. Typically, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide act as corrosive agents.
What are the types of corrosion inhibitors ?
Anodic Corrosion Inhibitor:
This kind of corrosion inhibitor works by coating the metal’s surface with a protective oxide film. Chromate, nitrate, molybdate, and tungstate are a few examples.
Cathodic Corrosion Inhibitor:
These corrosion inhibitors reduce the cathodic reaction rate to prevent reducing ions from diffusing to the metal surface. Examples of these cathodic inhibitors are oxygen scavengers and cathodic poison.
Mixed Inhibitor:
These are film-forming compounds that reduce both the cathodic and anodic reactions. The most commonly used mixed inhibitors are silicates and phosphates.
Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor:
These are the compounds being transported in a closed environment to the site of corrosion by the process of volatilization from a source.
Only corrosion specialists, like Cor-Pro, CORPS, CORPRO etc. can assess the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors that are suitable for a certain environment. These inhibitors should be used as part of a company's corrosion prevention strategy.
Several factors have to be considered when choosing an corrosion inhibitor.
-
The cost of the corrosion inhibitors
-
Toxicity of the inhibitor can cause ill effects on human beings and other living species.
-
The availability of the inhibitor determines the selection of it.
-
Corrosion Inhibitors should be environmentally friendly.
Corrosion Inhibitors in the Fuel Industry:
Corrosion inhibitors are commonly added to coolants, fuels, hydraulic fluids, boiler water, engine oil, and many other fluids used in industry. For fuels, various corrosion inhibitors can be used. Some components include zinc dithio phosphates.
- DCI-4A, widely used in commercial and military jet fuels, acts as a lubricity additive. can also be used for gasolines and other distillate fuels.
- DCI-6A, for motor gasoline and distillate fuels, and for U.S. military fuels (JP-4, JP-5, JP-8)
- DCI-11, for alcohols and gasoline containing oxygenates
- DCI-28, for very low-pH alcohols and gasoline containing oxygenates
- DCI-30, for gasoline and distillate fuels, excellent for pipeline transfers and storage, caustic-resistant
- For petroleum distillates: DMA-4 (solution of alkylamino phosphate in kerosene), for petroleum distillates
