There are a multitude of industries that utilize corrosion inhibitors for a variety of industrial applications Without these important inhibitors, these industries would not be able to perform the various tasks that ensure their success. And so, they would fall into disarray. However, in order to understand how to prevent this, in this blog we will explain everything you need to know about these inhibitors.   

What is Corrosion?  

Before we understand what corrosion inhibitors are and what they do, let us define a few terms. Corrosion is a chemical process that occurs when a metallic surface is oxidized – meaning it encounters oxygen and loses one or more electrons. This may seem insignificant, but it can be extremely dangerous if left unchecked. Any structure or surface with metal that is exposed to air or chemicals can corrode, leaving behind unstable and unsafe buildings, pipelines, bridges, and more. Having measures in place to prevent such corrosion will not only extend the lifetime of your equipment but can also save you money in the long run.   

What are Corrosion Inhibitors and How Are They Used?  

There are several ways to prevent corrosion from occurring, such as keeping the metal clean and dry, using a coating, or using non-corrosive metals like aluminum and stainless steel. One of the most common ways is to use a chemical that inhibits – or prevents – corrosion, hence the name. These chemicals work to substantially decrease the rate of corrosion by acting as a barrier between the corrosive element (typically oxygen) and the metal surface. There are several types of corrosion inhibitors, with the most common being anodic (chemicals that prevent metal from being oxidized), cathodic (chemicals that block oxygen from being reduced), and mixed (inhibitors that perform both functions).   

Examples of Corrosion Inhibitors  

Different inhibitors will be effective on different metals and alloys (mixtures of metals and/or non-metals) and against different corrosive agents. Here is a brief list of corrosion inhibitors that are commonly used:   

• Phenyl acridine – used against sulfuric acid  
• Sodium iodide – used against phosphoric acid  
• Sodium metasilicate – used against heavily salted and/or potable water  
• Morpholine – used against water in cooling and boiling systems  
• Sodium nitrite – used against engine coolants  

Have More Questions about Corrosion Inhibitors?  

There is much more to learn about corrosion and the chemicals and methods that are used to prevent it. For further assistance with these topics and all of your business needs, Ecolink is here to help! You can contact us with your questions here, or request a sample of a product here. Want to browse through your options first? Check out all our products at our online store today!

Corrosion, or the breaking down of metals, can cause massive damage in water processing systems like boilers and water-cooling systems. To prevent and remove this dangerous breakdown, corrosion inhibitors are essential to protecting your equipment. Today, we will discuss what exactly a corrosion inhibitor is and what types of chemicals can be used to prevent or remove metal decomposition.  

What Is a Corrosion Inhibitor?  

Corrosion inhibitors are compounds that can lower the deterioration rate of a material (usually metal) that comes in contact with a corrosive agent such as oxygen or hydrogen sulfide. There are four classifications of inhibitors for corrosion based on how they work on a metal:  

• Cathodic: slows the reaction at the cathodic areas to reduce diffusion to the metal  
• Anodic: forms a preventative layer on the metal by blocking anionic areas  
• Mixed: also forms a layer on the metal but works to reduce both cationic reactions and anionic reactions   
• Volatile: reduces corrosion by slowly volatilizing and releasing compounds in a sealed atmosphere   

These chemicals can be applied in many different scenarios and many different products, but the effectiveness of the compound will depend on your specific situation. In some cases, they can also be referred to as oxygen scavengers.   

Examples of Corrosion Inhibitor Chemicals  

Many chemicals can protect the metal from corrosion. Some examples include:  

• Animes  
• Hydrazines  
• Benzotriazole  
• Dimethylethanolamine  
• Chromates  
• Sulfites  
• Silicates  

Ecolink Products  

Ecolink has a variety of products that can be used as corrosion inhibitors. A few of our options and a small description of them include:  

• Boiler Guard: Boiler Guard is a water treatment solution that can remove scale and corrosion from steam boilers. This solution made of mostly sodium hydroxide and diethyl ethanolamine is also utilized to prevent the issue from occurring again.  
• Boiler & Cooler Waterguard: The water guard is a solution consisting of mostly sodium hydroxide and sodium nitrite that prevents corrosion, rust, and scale buildup in closed-loop water treatment systems.  
• Chill Guard: Chill Guard is an easy-to-use product to prevent scale and corrosion in recirculating water systems like air wash systems and cooling towers. It works on ferrous and non-ferrous metals.  

Interested in Protecting Your Equipment From Corrosion?  

Ecolink is here to help! As a trusted industrial chemical supplier, we do everything we can to ensure your company receives the best products to prevent corrosion to your systems and equipment. Feel free to contact us today if you need assistance! Our chemical experts would be delighted to answer any questions you may have!