Corrosion is a crucial concern in all industries dealing with metals, as it can affect the performance of machinery and tools. But, a rust inhibitor serves as a major solution for corrosion protection. Applying a water-based rust inhibitor on metal surfaces can reduce the rate of corrosion despite being subjected to air and water. Scroll through this article to discover more about rust inhibitors and how they can safeguard metal surfaces against corrosion.
Types of Rust Inhibitors
Rust inhibitors can be primarily divided into four categories depending on the way they offer corrosion protection:
- Cathodic Inhibitor: Cathodic rust inhibitors work by reducing the speed of the cathodic reaction. At times, these inhibitors selectively precipitate on the cathodic areas of the metal. It is essential to limit diffusion to the metal surface of the eroded elements.
- Anodic Inhibitor: An anodic inhibitor will deliver corrosion protection by creating a thin and preventive oxide layer on a metal surface. It makes the metallic surface passive by triggering a big anodic shift. The creation of this passive area on the metal surface helps control corrosion.
- Mixed Inhibitor: A mixed inhibitor will create a thin film on the metal surface to prevent corrosion. The mechanism of a mixed inhibitor is based on reducing cationic and anionic reactions. It becomes possible through the formation of precipitates on the metal surface.
- Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor: This inhibitor can provide corrosion protection by altering the pH of the external atmosphere to make it less acidic. A volatile corrosion inhibitor is often used in condenser tubes of boilers.
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Industrial Applications of Rust Inhibitors for Corrosion Protection
The primary purpose of a rust inhibitor is to tackle conditions that trigger oxidation or rusting. By binding to metal surfaces and forming a protective layer, rust inhibitors have the following industrial applications:
- Pipeline Protection: Pipeline leaks are responsible for causing millions of dollars of damage annually. With proper corrosion protection, refiners and operators will be able to save a substantial amount in terms of cleanup and remediation. Water-based rust inhibitors can effectively shield the pipeline hardware from damage and eliminate the issue of leakage.
- Preventing Engine Wear in the Aviation Industry: Corrosion inhibitors are often specified in aviation fuels as lubricity improvers. These solutions prevent the damage caused to engines due to wear and tear. Apart from keeping corrosion and damage at bay, these solutions in the fuel system will also function as a lubricant.
Parting Words
While there’s no doubt regarding the benefits of corrosion inhibitors in different industries, a lot of confusion exists regarding their quantity. It often becomes challenging to determine the quantity of corrosion inhibitor that is necessary for coating a metallic surface. Before applying an oxidation inhibitor for corrosion protection, it is essential for you to determine the functions of the metal surface.
After that, you need to evaluate the type of base lubricant to use with the inhibitor. Additionally, the area of the metal surface plays a role in determining the amount of corrosion inhibitor to be used. Always look for the top-quality inhibitors for corrosion protection, as that is the key to upgrading its performance.
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