CORROSION INHIBITION OF

MILD STEEL IN 1 MOLAR

HYDROCHLORIC ACID BY
AMINO ACIDS

PAGE - 1

CONTENTS
1. Definition of Corrosion
2. History of corrosion inhibition
3. Need for Corrosion studies
4. Mechanism of Corrosion
5. Factors affecting Corrosion
6. Methods for Corrosion control
7. Corrosion inhibitors
8.

AMINO

ACIDS

as

Corrosion

Inhibitors
9. Pitting corrosion
10. Weight Loss Studies
11. Conclusions
12.

Proposed

mechanism

for

inhibition by amino acids

PAGE - 2

DEFINITION OF CORROSION
The term Corrosion is derived from latin
word
CORROSUS
which
mean
gnawed away.

The deterioration of metal by chemical or

electrochemical reaction resulting from
exposure
to
weathering
moisture,
chemicals or other agents or media is
called
corrosion.

PAGE - 3

MECHANISM OF CORROSION
Corrosion is electrochemical in nature.
Corrosion is hetrogeneous redox reaction
at a metal/non metal interface in which
the metal is oxidized and the non metal
is reduced.

At Anode, oxidation of metal(Dissolution

to metal ions)occur as
Fe = Fe2+ + 2e-

At cathode, reduction occur as

O2 + 4H+ + 4e- = 2H2O
2H+ + 2e- = H2
PAGE - 7

Hydrogen Evolution in a Corrosion

Reaction
Hydrogen can be readily produced by
exposing a piece of steel to an acidic
solution. The following picture shows how

rapid hydrogen is evolved when a 1 M

solution of hydrochloric acid is used.

PAGE - 8

FACTORS AFFECTING CORROSION

1. REACTIVITY OF THE METAL The more
active metals are more prone to corrosion, i.e.
metal having higher oxidation potential corrode

faster. For example zinc corrode faster than

iron.
2. AIR AND MOISTURE - Air and moisture
are quite helpful in corrosion. For eg. No rusting
is caused if iron is kept in vaccum. Presence of
gases like SO2 and CO2 catalyse the process of
corrosion.
3. STRAINS IN METAL Strains in metal also
helps in corrosion. For eg in iron articals,
rusting
is more pronounced on the areas having bends,
dents, scratches and cuts. They act as
microscopic
pores where air and moisture remain in contact
with metal for longer time and hence metal
corrode
easily.
4. PRESENCE OF ELECTROLYTES The
presence of electrolytes also makes the
corrosion process faster. For e.g. iron rusts
more rapidly in saline water in comparison to
pure
water.
PAGE 9

METHODS FOR CORROSION CONTROL

1
2
3
4

Barrier protection
Cathodic protection
Anodic protection
Use of inhibitors.

BARRIER PROTECTION

In this method, a barrier film is

introduced between the metal and the
atmospheric oxygen and moisture.
This can be achieved either by
painting the surface or by metallic
coating. The coating provides a
durable, corrosion resistant layer. Most
widely used metallic coating method
for
corrosion
protection
is
galvanisation i.e. application of
metallic zinc to steel for corrosion
control.
Galvanised iron sheets maintain their
shine due to the formation of a thin
protective
layer
of
basic
Zinc
carbonate.

PAGE 10

2.CATHODIC PROTECTION

Most common example of cathodic

protection is that of the protection of
underground iron pipes and tanks.
In this method, iron is protected by
connecting it to some more active
metal such as magnesium. The other
metals which can be used for this
purpose is aluminium, zinc, so that
more active metal is corroded in
preference to iron.
Cathodic protection with zinc anodes

PAGE - 11

3.

ANODIC PROTECTION

It includes the phenomenon of

passivity i.e. the region where metal is
not corroding is the passive region. It is
one of the most important method for
controlling corrosion.
We set the metal at passivating
potential i.e. the potential where no
corroion occurs, this is actually anodic
protection. We can do it by means of a
potentiostat.

PAGE 12

USE OF INHIBITORS

A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical

substance which when added in small
concentrations can minimize corrosion by
getting adsorb on surface of metal and act
as
barrier
between
metal
and
environment.

(PHYSICAL ADSORPTION )

(CHEMICAL ADSORPTION)
PAGE - 13

CORROSION INHIBITORS
Corrosion inhibitor is a chemical substance which
when added in small concentration to an
environment minimize or prevent corrosion.

Inhibitors often work by adsorbing

themselves
on
metallic
surface,
protecting the metallic surface by
forming a film.
Inhibitors are normally distributed from a
solution or dispersion.
HOW
INHIBITOR
REACTIONS:

PREVENT

CATHODIC

INHIBITOR FORM BARRIER FILM ON METAL SURFACE

BY
CHEMISORPTION
OR
BY
PI
ELECTRONS
INTERACTION OR ATTRACTIVE LATERAL INTERACTION
AND HENCE PREVENT DIFFUSION OF IONS ON TO
METAL SURFACE.

HOW INHIBITOR
REACTIONS:

PREVENT

ANODIC

INHIBITOR

ADSORB ON METAL SURFACE AND FORM

COMPLEX WITH OXIDIZED METAL AND
PREVENT
METAL DISSOLUTION.
PAGE - 14

EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INHIBITOR DEPEND

ON

The type and number of bonding

atoms or group in the molecule.
Bonding
strength
substance.
Aromaticity
bonding.

and

to

metal

conjugated

Size of organic molecule.

PAGE - 15

AMINO ACIDS AS CORROSION

INHIBITORS
Structurally, AMINO ACIDS have all the
features which a corrosion inhibitors must
carry so as to act as efficient corrosion
inhibitors. These are.
1. Presence of hetro atoms, Nitrogen.
2. Presence of aromatic system.

PAGE - 16

NEED FOR CORROSION STUDIES

A)ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS:

CORROSION IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE

MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS OF OUR SOCIETIES
AND RESULTING IN HUNDREDS OF MILLION
DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.THERE ARE TWO TYPES
OF LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

1) DIRECT LOSS
2) INDIRECT LOSS
B) ACCIDENTS CAUSED DUE TO CORROSION

1)SILVER BRIDGE COLLAPSE(US 1967)

PAGE 5

2)DAVIS BESSE:NUCLEAR REACTOR ACCIDENT

PAGE 6

HISTORY OF CORROSION INHIBITION

Electrochemical theory of corrosion
inhibition was given by Wallston.
Cathodic protection method of
preventing corrosion was given by Sir
Humphrey Davy.
Use of corrosion inhibitors to prevent
corrosion of iron in acid was first
demonstrated by Marangoni. He used
gelatin and glue extract as corrosion
inhibitor.
First patent in corrosion inhibition was
given to Baldwin, which involved the
use of molasses and vegetable oil for
pickling steel in acid.

PAGE 4

PITTING CORROSION

(A problem in HCl solution)

Pitting is a form of extremely localized

attack that results in holes in metal

surface.

Pits usually grow in the direction of gravity.

PAGE - 17

 Pitting is unique kind of anodic reaction in which

metal loss occur from the bulk instead of surface.

A solution with low pH and high chloride ion

concentration is most ideal environment for
pitting corrosion.
An inhibitor which can form inert and strong
protective film on metal surface will be most
effecting in preventing pitting.

PAGE - 18

Weight Loss studies

Procedure
1) Two mild steel coupons of weight 21 gm each
were properly grinded and there surface is made
smooth.
2) One coupon was dipped in 1 molar HCl and
other coupon was dipped in 10-2 molar solution of
amino acid prepared in 1 molar HCl.
3) Both were taken at room temperature.
4) There weights were measured after 6 hrs.
5) By subtracting weights efficiency was calculated.

Calculations
Initial Weight of coupon dipped in 1 molar HCl = 21
gm
Final weight of coupon dipped in 1 molar HCl = 19 gm
Weight loss = 21 19 = 2 gm.
Initial weight of coupon dipped in amino acid solution
= 21 gm.
Final weight of coupon dipped in amino acid solution
= 20.8 gm
Weight loss = 0.2 gm
PAGE 19

Conclusion
The result shows that the coupon dipped in
amino acid solution undergo less corrosion as
weight loss is less. Hence,amino acid act as
chemical inhibitor for corrosion.