Corrosion inhibitor chemicals play a critical role in protecting metal assets and infrastructure against the damaging effects of corrosion. Corrosion can occur in various environments, from saltwater to industrial chemicals and even in the atmosphere. Left unchecked, corrosion can cause significant damage to metal structures, reducing their lifespan and increasing maintenance costs. Corrosion inhibitor chemicals are designed to help prevent corrosion from occurring. In this article, we will explore the benefits of these chemicals, as well as the different types of corrosion inhibitors available.

What are corrosion inhibitors?

Corrosion inhibitor chemicals are compounds added to metal surfaces to prevent or slow corrosion. They form a protective barrier between the metal surface and the operating environment. This barrier can be physical or chemical and prevent corrosion by reducing the corrosion rate.

Benefits of corrosion inhibitor chemicals

Using corrosion inhibitors can bring many benefits to metal assets and infrastructure. Some of these benefits include:

Increased lifespan: Corrosion inhibitor chemicals can extend the lifespan of metal assets by preventing or slowing down the corrosion process.

Reduced maintenance costs: By reducing the corrosion rate, corrosion inhibitors can help reduce the need for maintenance and repair, saving time and money.

Improved safety: Corrosion can weaken metal structures, making them more susceptible to failure. The use of corrosion inhibitors can help to improve the safety of metal assets and infrastructure by reducing the risk of failure.

Types of corrosion inhibitor chemicals

There are many types of corrosion inhibitor chemicals, each with its own unique properties and applications.

Organic inhibitors

These inhibitors are made from organic compounds containing carbon derived from natural or synthetic sources. They form a protective layer on the metal surface, preventing the corrosive environment from coming into contact with the metal.

• Amines contain nitrogen and are commonly used as corrosion inhibitors in acidic environments, such as in the oil and gas industry. Amines neutralise the acid and form a protective film on the metal surface.
• Polyamines contain multiple amine groups. They are commonly used as corrosion inhibitors in water treatment and cooling systems. Polyamines work by adsorbing onto the metal surface and forming a protective film.
• Carboxylic acids contain a carboxyl group and are commonly used as corrosion inhibitors in alkaline environments, such as in the paper and pulp industries. Carboxylic acids work by forming a protective film on the metal surface.

Inorganic inhibitors

Inorganic corrosion inhibitor chemicals are made from inorganic compounds like phosphates, chromates, and molybdates. They are derived from minerals or other inorganic sources and react with the metal surface to form a protective layer.

• Anodic inhibitors form a passive oxide layer on the metal surface. This layer prevents further oxidation and corrosion of the metal.
• Cathodic inhibitors react with the corrosive agent to form a protective film. This film prevents the corrosive agent from contacting the metal surface.

Mixed inhibitors

These inhibitors are a combination of organic and inorganic inhibitors, providing the benefits of both types of inhibitors.

Volatile inhibitors

These compounds vaporise and form a protective layer on the metal surface. They are particularly useful for protecting metal assets in enclosed environments.

Choosing the right corrosion inhibitor chemical

Choosing the right corrosion inhibitor chemicals for a particular application can be complex, requiring an understanding of the specific operating environment. Some factors to consider when selecting a corrosion inhibitor include the following:

• Type of metal: Different metals have different corrosion resistance properties and may require different corrosion inhibitors.
• Corrosive environment: The type and concentration of corrosive agents present in the environment can affect the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors.
• Operating temperature: The operating temperature of the metal asset can affect the performance of corrosion inhibitors, with some inhibitors being more effective at higher temperatures than others.

Corrosion inhibitor chemicals applications

Corrosion inhibitor chemicals have a wide range of applications in various industries. Some of the typical applications of corrosion inhibitor chemicals include:

Oil and gas industry: Corrosion inhibitor chemicals are commonly used to prevent corrosion in pipelines, storage tanks, and drilling equipment.

Water treatment: Corrosion inhibitor chemicals prevent corrosion in pipes, pumps, and valves.

Power generation: Corrosion inhibitor chemicals prevent corrosion in boilers, turbines, and heat exchangers.

Automotive industry: Corrosion inhibitor chemicals prevent corrosion in car bodies and engine parts.

Aerospace industry: Corrosion inhibitor chemicals prevent corrosion in aircraft structures and components.

Why choose Bonchem?

Bonchem's primary goal has always been to provide customers with cost-effective water treatment programmes. Because of our independence, we can provide customers with cutting-edge scale and corrosion inhibition technology.

Our oxygen scavenger for boiler water treatments is designed and manufactured in-house. This ensures we can tailor-make solutions to our customers and adapt a treatment programme within 24 hours if plant conditions change.

Contact Bonchem for details

Bonchem provides high-quality corrosion inhibitor chemicals to various industries. We offer products and services to meet specific requirements. As a result, our solutions include chemicals, equipment, and technical services tailored to each customer's specific needs.

Contact us for more information about our corrosion inhibitor chemicals. Alternatively, please continue to browse our website to find the right solution for your industry.