The corrosion inhibition of certain azoles on steel in chloride media: Electrochemistry and surface analysis

This study analyses the corrosion inhibition efficiency of certain azoles for C15 grade mild steel in 3 wt.% NaCI solution by employing immersion tests and different electrochemical techniques. The possible synergistic effect of azole inhibitors and metal salts was also investigated. It was found that tolyltriazole is the most effective corrosion inhibitor. Additional surface analyses were performed for specimens inhibited with tolyltriazole. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the adsorption of tolyltriazole on the steel surface and 3D-profilometry and AFM showed that tolyltriazole reduces surface roughness compared with non inhibited solution. Contact angle analysis showed that tolyltriazole-inhibited steel specimens evidenced a hydrophilic character. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.