I.

Introduction

A. Background of the Study

Metallic objects are being used in every infrastructure; from huge buildings,

bridges and even smallest housing there is. All of these are exposed to surrounding

environmental conditions and reacts to materials’ properties thus a corrosion happens

to the metallic object. According to the National Association of Corrosion Engineers,

corrosion costs us an estimated of US$2.5 trillion globally, equivalent to roughly 3.4

percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).These causes a serious problem

in metal industries and has a huge economic and environmental impact on all metallic

objects in use. With this, a corrosion inhibitors are made.

To reduce the corrosion rate of different metals and alloys which are in contact

with aggressive environments, corrosion inhibitors are frequently used in industry. The

role of inhibitors is to form a barrier of one or several molecular layers against acid

attack (B.E. Amitha Rani & J. Basu, 2011). Nevertheless, most of the inhibitors in the

market are not only expensive but also highly toxic to both human and environment

prompting the search for their replacement. Inorganic substances such as phosphates,

chromates, dichromate and arsenates have been found effective as inhibitors of metal

corrosion, but these substances are highly toxic. It is a fact that organic inhibitor that are

mostly N, S and 0 containing heterocyclic compounds have been reported to exhibit

good inhibiting properties (Rajendran et al.,2005). Due to bio-degradability, eco-

friendliness, low cost and easy availability, the extracts of some common plants based

chemicals and their by-products have been tried as inhibitors for metals under different

environments (Abdel-Gaber et al. 2006). In addition, plant products are organic in

nature and some of the constituents including tannins, organic and amino acids,

alkaloids and pigments are known to exhibit inhibiting action.

Snake plant contains tannins and alkaloids. In fact, a study journal entitled,

“Analgesic and Antipyretic Effects of Sansevieria Trifasciata Leaves” published on July

2009, preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of

alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, proteins and

carbohydrates. Some constituents including tannins, amino acids, alkaloids, and

pigments are known to exhibit inhibiting action (Anbu JS et al.,2009). In addition, a

related literature has been conducted to rubber leaf extract as corrosion inhibitor to mild

steel. The results shows the presence of the tannins, phenols, saponin, and

anthraquinones with functional group containing (nitrogen, Oxygen and carbon),

aromatic rings present in phenols constituent in the rubber leave extract chemical

structure enhance the process of corrosion inhibitor adsorption on the mild

steel( Okewale A. O., 2017). The snake plant and rubber leaf composes of almost the

same properties hence, snake plant inhibits a great possibility to inhibit corrosion. It is

therefore the concern of this study, to determine the corrosion inhibition of Snake Plant

extract to metal, specifically Galvanized Iron Sheet and Copper Slab Bar.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study was conducted to determine corrosion inhibition of Snake Plant to

Galvanized Iron and Copper.

More specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

 1. Will Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) extract be an effective corrosion

inhibitor to Galvanized Iron and Copper?

2. Which of the following treatments is most effective in inhibiting corrosion to

Aluminium?

Treatment 1: 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric acid solution (without any plant

extract)

Treatment 2: 75 mL of Snake plant extract, 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric acid

Treatment 3: 112.5 mL of Snake plant extract, 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric acid

C. Significance of the Study

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Snake plant

(Sansevieria Trifasciata) as corrosion inhibitor to Galvanized iron sheet and

copper slab bar.

If the study will prove its’ effectivity, it will offer an environment-friendly and

cheaper option to prevent corrosion in metals as most of the synthetic corrosion

inhibitors are expensive and highly toxic to both human and environment. Also,

the research will serve as a basis for the future development and advancement

with regards to corrosion inhibition.

 II. Materials and Experimental Procedure

A. Experimental PROCEDURE

Gathering of Materials

The Snake plant leaves were collected from Barangay Fatima, General

Santos City. Galvanized iron sheet and copper slab bar were bought at ECCO

Hardware, Pioneer Avenue.

Preparation of plant extract

Leaves of Snake Plant were cleaned, washed and kept in containers until

it is used. An aqueous extract were prepared by crushing and squeezing the

Snake plant leaves. Extract was left all night and then filtered. The extract was

used then for preparation of the desired concentrations by dilution.

Preparation of Galvanized Iron Sheet and Copper Slab Bar samples

Rectangular samples of area 5.5 x 1.5 inch for galvanized iron sheet with

a thickness of 0.05 inch and 2.5 x 0.95 inch with a thickness of 0.125 inch for

copper slab bar were cut from a large sheet. The samples were polished and

labelled. The samples were polished with emery papers, degreased with

absolute ethanol then with acetone. Next, it was washed with distilled water and

was stored in a container. Accurate weights of the samples was taken using

electronic balance.
Application of treatments

There were three treatments with three replications each. Twelve plastic

containers which separately contains different concentrations were prepared.

Treatment 1: 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric acid solution (without any

plant extract)

Treatment 2: 75 mL of Snake plant extract, 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric

acid

Treatment 3: 112.5 mL of Snake plant extract, 150 mL 2.0M

Hydrochloric acid

The acid solution under investigation represents various real industrial

environments including pickling acids. The metal samples were completely

immersed in the solution. Metal samples were soaked for 6 days at room

temperature. Each retrieved metal samples were cleaned and scrubbed with

brush in water to remove corrosion product, then was dried in acetone and then

reweighed.

Weight loss method

The weight loss were be calculated in grams as the difference between

the initial weight prior to immersion, and weight after removal of the corrosion

product.
 The corrosion rate (CR, %) was be calculated using the equation

W2
(
CR=100 1−
W1 )
where W1 = Weight in the absence of the inhibitor

W2 = Weight in the presence of the inhibitors

B. Materials

The table shows the materials needed in every experimental procedure.

Table 1: List of Raw Materials, Laboratory and Construction Materials

Process Materials

Gathering of materials Gloves

Knives

Plastic Containers

Preparation of Snake plant extract Beakers

Knife

Mortar and Pestle

Container

Preparation of Aluminium Samples Scissors

Cloth

Emery Papers

Electronic balance

Application of Treatments Beakers

Thread

Weight Loss Method Electronic balance

 III. Results and Conclusion

Corrosion Rate

Metal Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3

9.03% 8.41% 4.93%

Galvanized Iron Sheet
10.69% 3.75% 1.93%
Copper Slab bar

The table shows the mean corrosion rate of galvanized iron sheet and copper

slab bar on different treatments. Treatment three (3) having 112.5 mL of Snake plant

extract and 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric acid exhibits the lowest corrosion rate .Followed

by the treatment two (2) having 75 mL of Snake plant extract, 150 mL 2.0M

Hydrochloric acid.Lastly, the treatment one (1) having 150 mL 2.0M Hydrochloric acid

solution (without any plant extract).With this, regardless of being a galvanized iron sheet

or a copper steel slab, T 3 has the lowest rate of corrosion among the treatments.

Followed by T2, and lastly T1 has the highest corrosion rate.

Based on the data it was concluded that snake plant with the presence of

alkaloids and tannins enhances the corrosion rate of galvanized iron sheet and copper

slab bar. It is further concluded that the increase in amount of snake plant extract also

employs a decrease in corrosion rate of the metals.