3/22/2021 Corrosion Inhibitor - Definition, Types, Examples along with Uses.

Chemistry (/chemistry/) > Metals and Nonmetals (/chemistry/metals-and-nonmetals/) > Corrosion Inhibitor
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Corrosion Inhibitor - Types, Uses

Corrosion Inhibitor is a chemical solvent which is applied in a given environment to reduce the rate of corrosion
of the metal which is subjected to that specific environment, such as air or water. The corrosion inhibitor can be
abbreviated to CI.

What is a Corrosion Inhibitor?

A chemical compound that can be added to liquids or gases and used to decrease the corrosion rate of a given
material (usually a metal (https://byjus.com/chemistry/metal/)) can be referred to as a corrosion inhibitor.

One method for the inhibition of corrosion would be the addition of a coating on the surface of the metal which
acts as a passivation layer and disallows access to the surface of the(https://byjus.com/byjus-classes-book-a-free-
metal.
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utm_source=website&utm_medium=chemistry&utm_campaign=sidebar)
Types of Corrosion Inhibitor
Corrosion inhibitors can be classified into four general types based on the method in which they work on the
metal to prevent corrosion. These types are:

Cathodic Inhibitor Important Chemistry Topics

Cathodic inhibitors can work to slow the cathodic reaction down or they Periodic
can workTable
to selectively precipitate on the
Of Elements
cathodic regions of the metal in order to restrict the diffusion to the (Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Periodic-Table-
metal surface of the elements that are
eroded. Elements/)

Examples for Cathodic Inhibitors include sulfite and bisulfite ions which Aufbau
can react with oxygen to form sulphates.
Principle
Another example of a cathodic inhibitor is a catalyzed redox reaction (https://byjus.com/chemistry/oxidation-and-
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Aufbau-
reduction/) by nickel. Principle/)

Electron Configuration
Anodic Inhibitor
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Electron-
These types of corrosion inhibitors form a thin preventive oxide layer on the surface of the metal. This reaction
Configuration/)
leads to a big anodic shift, turning the metallic surface into a passivation area. This passivation area helps in
Isomerism
reducing the corrosion of the metal.
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Isomerism/)
Examples for anodic inhibitors include chromates, nitrites, orthophosphates, and molybdates.
Planck's Quantum Theory
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Planks-Quantum-
Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor
Theory/)
Volatile corrosion inhibitors can be used to halt the corrosion of condenser tubes in boilers. They are also
Valence Bond Theory
referred to as vapour phase inhibitors or VPIs.
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Valence-Bond-
VPIs work by changing the pH of the exterior atmosphere to less acidicTheory/)
conditions in order to control corrosion.
Examples include morpholine and hydrazine which are used to control the corrosion of the condenser pipes in
Reactivity Series
boilers.
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Reactivity-
Series/)
Mixed Inhibitors
Named Reactions
These types of corrosion inhibitors also form a film on the surface of the metal. They work to reduce cationic
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Named-
reactions as well as anionic reactions. This is done via the formation of a precipitate on the surface of the metal.
Reactions/)
Examples for Mixed inhibitors include silicates and phosphates (https://byjus.com/chemistry/phosphate/) which
Dipole Moment
are used as water softeners to stop the rusting of water.
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Dipole-Moment/)

Uses of Corrosion Inhibitors Thermal Conductivity

(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Thermal-
Corrosion Inhibitors have a wide range of uses in commercial, process, and industrial environments. Some of
Conductivity/)
these uses are listed below.
Mole Concept
Corrosion Inhibitors are used to stop rusting and anodic corrosion of metals
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Mole-Concept-
(https://byjus.com/jee/corrosion/). This is generally done via the coating of the metal surface with a
Basics/)
chromate layer.
TyndallinEffect
Oxygen scavengers can be used as CIs to react with dissolved oxygen the environment and can help in
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Tyndall-Effect-
preventing cathodic corrosion.
Dispersion-Of-Light/)
It is very important to prevent rusting and corrosion of fuel pipelines. Therefore, CIs are very important in
securing these pipelines and reducing the risk of accidents. Balancing Chemical Equations
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Balancing-
Metal pipes in heating systems are prone to corrosion. CIs play an important role in securing these pipes
Chemical-Equations/)
as well.
Electromeric Effect
Frequently asked questions (Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Electromeric-
Effect/)
1. Name the types of corrosion inhibitors.
Electrochemical Cell
Ans: There are three types of corrosion inhibitors. They are: (Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Electrochemical-
Cell/)
Cathodic Inhibitor
Anodic Inhibitor Boyle's Law
(Https://Byjus.Com/Chemistry/Boyles-Law/)
Mixed Inhibitor

2. Define anodic inhibitors.

Ans: A inhibitor which forms a protective oxide film on metal’s surface and causes an anodic shift of the
corrosion potential is defined as an anodic inhibitor.
CBSE Sample Papers
3. What is meant by an anti-corrosive agent? CBSE Sample Papers Class 8 Science
(Https://Byjus.Com/Cbse-Sample-Papers-For-
Ans: Anti-corrosion means to protect the metal’s surface from corroding at high-risk environments.
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