INFLUENCE OF THE INHIBITOR ON THE CHEMICAL PICKLING OF METALS- by David Medina Colin

When metals such as steel are processed, they often need to undergo a pickling process to remove any
surface impurities or oxides. Pickling involves immersing the metal in an acid bath, such as hydrochloric
or sulfuric acid, which dissolves the surface layer of the metal. However, if the acid bath is too strong or
too prolonged, it can cause excessive corrosion or damage to the metal surface.
To prevent this from happening, inhibitors are added to the pickling bath. Inhibitors are chemicals that
slow down the reaction between the acid and the metal, thus reducing the amount of metal that is
dissolved. Inhibitors work by adsorbing onto the metal surface, forming a protective layer that prevents
the acid from attacking the metal.
The use of inhibitors in pickling baths has several important benefits:
1. Improved Pickling Efficiency: Inhibitors can help to improve the efficiency of the pickling
process by allowing the acid to selectively dissolve the impurities or oxides on the metal
surface without attacking the metal itself.
2. Reduced Corrosion: Inhibitors can reduce the amount of corrosion that occurs during the
pickling process, which can help to extend the lifespan of the metal.
3. Cost Savings: By reducing the amount of acid needed for pickling, inhibitors can help to reduce
the overall cost of the process.
4. Improved Safety: Inhibitors can help to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries that can occur
when handling strong acids.

Overall, the use of inhibitors in pickling baths with acid is an important step in ensuring the effective

and safe processing of metals.

Inhibitors are chemicals that contain functional groups that can adsorb onto the metal surface. The
adsorption of inhibitors onto the metal surface occurs through a combination of chemical and physical
interactions, including chemical bonding, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and van der
Waals forces.
The adsorption of inhibitors onto the metal surface is a result of the interaction between the functional
groups of the inhibitor and the metal surface. The functional groups in the inhibitor can form chemical
bonds with the metal surface, such as coordination bonds, ionic bonds, or covalent bonds. The
adsorption can also occur through physical interactions, such as van der Waals forces or hydrogen
bonding, where the functional groups of the inhibitor interact with the surface of the metal.
The adsorption of inhibitors onto the metal surface can lead to the formation of a protective layer that
prevents the acid from attacking the metal surface. The protective layer can act as a barrier between
the acid and the metal, reducing the amount of acid that comes into contact with the metal surface and
slowing down the reaction between the acid and the metal.
Overall, the adsorption of inhibitors onto the metal surface is a critical step in the pickling process as it
helps to reduce the corrosion of the metal and improve the efficiency and safety of the pickling process.

The attack of acid on the metal surface of steel occurs due to the chemical reaction between the acid
and the metal. When steel is exposed to an acidic solution such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, the
acid reacts with the metal surface, causing it to dissolve. This reaction is known as an acid-metal
reaction or corrosion.
INFLUENCE OF THE INHIBITOR ON THE CHEMICAL PICKLING OF METALS- by David Medina Colin

The corrosion of steel by acid occurs due to the oxidation of iron in the steel to form iron ions (Fe2+ and
Fe3+) and the reduction of hydrogen ions (H+) in the acid to form hydrogen gas (H2). The iron ions then
react with the acid to form metal salts, such as iron chloride (FeCl2) or iron sulfate (FeSO4), depending
on the type of acid used. The reaction is as follows:
Fe + 2H+ → Fe2+ + H2
Fe2+ + 2Cl- → FeCl2
Fe2+ + SO42- → FeSO4

This reaction can be accelerated by factors such as high temperature, high acid concentration, or the
presence of impurities or surface oxides on the metal surface. The reaction can also lead to the
formation of pits or cracks on the metal surface, which can weaken the structure of the steel and
reduce its lifespan.
To prevent excessive corrosion during the pickling process, inhibitors are added to the acid solution to
slow down the reaction between the acid and the metal. Inhibitors can adsorb onto the metal surface,
forming a protective layer that reduces the contact of the acid with the metal and thus, reducing the
corrosion rate.
When steel is exposed to an acidic solution such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, the acid reacts
with the metal surface, causing it to dissolve. This reaction is known as an acid-metal reaction or
corrosion. The acid dissolves iron ions (Fe2+ and Fe3+) from the steel surface, leading to the corrosion
of the metal.
Acidic solutions are capable of dissolving metals due to their ability to donate hydrogen ions (H+) to the
metal surface. The H+ ions in the acidic solution react with the metal surface, causing it to become
oxidized and form metal ions, such as Fe2+ and Fe3+. The metal ions then react with other species in
the solution to form metal salts, such as iron chloride (FeCl2) or iron sulfate (FeSO4).
The corrosion of steel by acid occurs due to the oxidation of iron in the steel to form iron ions (Fe2+ and
Fe3+) and the reduction of hydrogen ions (H+) in the acid to form hydrogen gas (H2). The iron ions then
react with the acid to form metal salts, such as iron chloride (FeCl2) or iron sulfate (FeSO4), depending
on the type of acid used. The reaction is as follows:
Fe + 2H+ → Fe2+ + H2
Fe2+ + 2Cl- → FeCl2
Fe2+ + SO42- → FeSO4

This reaction can be accelerated by factors such as high temperature, high acid concentration, or the
presence of impurities or surface oxides on the metal surface. The reaction can also lead to the
formation of pits or cracks on the metal surface, which can weaken the structure of the steel and
reduce its lifespan.
To prevent excessive corrosion during the pickling process, inhibitors are added to the acid solution to
slow down the reaction between the acid and the metal. Inhibitors can adsorb onto the metal surface,
forming a protective layer that reduces the contact of the acid with the metal and thus, reducing the
corrosion rate.