Inhibitive effect of methyl green dye on the corrosion of low carbon steel in acidic media

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study methyl green dye (MG) as a corrosion inhibitor for low carbon steel (LCS) in hydrochloric acid (1 M) and sulphuric acid (0.5 M) and to assess the effect of temperature variation and halide additives on the inhibition efficiency.Design/methodology/approach – Corrosion rates are monitored using the gravimetric technique. Inhibition efficiency is determined by comparing the corrosion rates in the absence and presence of additives. Attempts are also made to elucidate the inhibition mechanism from the trend of inhibition efficiency with change in temperature and type of acid anion.Findings – MG reduces the corrosion rate of the LCS specimens in both acid media within the investigated temperature range by adsorption at the metal/solution interface. Inhibition efficiency increases with MG concentration but decreases with rise in temperature. Maximum values of 67 and 73 per cent are obtained in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively, at [MG]=0.001 mol dm−3. Halide ad...