Corrosion Inhibitors are an essential part of many everyday and household products, and without them, many machines, factories and vehicles would literally grind to a halt.
Here's why.
1. Corrosion Inhibitors work by decreasing the rate at which metals and alloys corrode. This then allows liquids such as water to flow over and through metal parts, without damaging the metal.
2. Anodic corrosion inhibitors works by coating the metal with a layer of chromates which helps to stop the rust. However, if the level of chromates is too high, the metal to start pitting, or if the level is too low, there may not be enough protection from rust.
3. Cathodic corrosion inhibitors work by slowing down the cathodic reaction which causes corrosion, or by negating the effects of the reaction. This is carried out by oxygen scavengers, which are chemicals that react with dissolved oxygen and so help to reduce the risk of corrosion.
4. Anodic and cathodic methods can be combined, in order to create even more effective protection against rust. These are called mixed corrosion inhibitors, and are often used in boiler systems.
5. Because there is a lot of water and metal used in heating systems, anti corrosion chemicals are vital in order to prevent the metal pipes from rusting.
6. Detergents and lubricants contain anti corrosion chemicals so that they don't damage the metal parts they touch. These can be found in all sorts of items from bicycle chain oil to soaps and laundry products.
7. Pipelines and storage tanks are used to carry and store gasses and liquids. These containers need to be treated with corrosion inhibitors so that they don't rust.
8. Paint has chemicals added to it to guard against corrosion. As well as being capable of using paints outside on metals, and knowing that the metal won't rust, the inhibitors also stop the paint from rusting the paint tin.
9. Vehicle and other engines have many moving parts, which need to be lubricated to keep the engine working properly. If anti corrosion agents are not included in vehicle fluids and lubricants, such as oils, and brake, clutch and power steering fluids, then the parts could seize up and the engine could fail.
10. Corrosion inhibitors are also found in fuels. This is because the fuel is stored in metal tanks, and also because the engines the fuel is used in, are made of metal. Without protecting the engines, the fuel would damage the engine and so rapidly reduce the life of the engine.
Now you know more about corrosion inhibitors, and how useful they can be, how can you use them more effectively?