BETA-PHENYLETHYLAMINE AS AN INHIBITOR FOR CORROSION OF MILD-STEEL IN ACIDIC SOLUTIONS

Beta-phenylethylamine (BPEA) is found to be a better inhibitor in 1N H Cl than in 1N H2SO4. Capillary electrometer studies show that the adso rption of the inhibitor is more from HCl, than from H2SO4. Hydrogen pe rmeation and impedance measurements also indicate improved performance of the inhibitor in HCl Galvanostatic polarisation studies show BPEA to be a cathodic inhibitor. Surface examination by UV reflectance spec troscopy and scanning electron microscopy clearly shows that the inhib ition is due to a polymolecular film formed by the physical adsorption of the inhibitor on the metal surface.