Protective behavior of volatile corrosion inhibitor on atmospheric corrosion process of carbon steel under thin electrolyte liquid film of chloride solutions

The corrosion process of carbon steel and corrosion resistance behavior of volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) under thin electrolyte liquid film containing chloride was investigated by electrochemical measurements and surface characterization. Results indicated that composite VCI was composed of sodium molybdate and sodium benzoate, and exhibited higher corrosion resistance in 3.5% NaCl solution compared with absence of VCI. The corrosion current density obviously decreased with presence of VCI, and the synergies between binary components increased the corrosion inhibiting rate on carbon steel to up to 90%. The corrosion current density of carbon steel increased with increased temperature after volatilization of VCI. A closed container was carried out to mimic atmospheric corrosion condition, and its vapor corrosion inhibition property was evaluated in this closed container. Results showed that the VCI acted as an inhibitor by suppressing anodic dissolution and metallic ion transfer through the formation of protective film. It was also observed that the variation of carbon steel surface with volatilization of VCI was assessed by atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The anodic process for carbon steel without VCI affected the corrosion rate due to accumulation of corrosion products, while the morphology of carbon steel was hardly changed with volatilization of VCI. The results showed that the VCI volatilized to the surface and form to protect film. VCI was automatically volatilized into gas, which protected steel from corrosion. This composite VCI can then be applied as a significant corrosion inhibition method.