Inhibitor systems commonly employed in industrial operations at elevated and high temperatures are surveyed and the available literature data on their performance characteristics at elevated temperatures are analyzed. The functional behavior of phosphates, tines, benzotriazole, and other important inhibitors are briefly summarized. The inhibitors degrade due to thermal decomposition and/or reaction on the metal surface or with other species present in the environment. Degradation modes of various kinds of amines used in steam systems are reviewed and the resultant limitations for use pointed out. Inhibitor systems in heating, heat exchanger-type cooling, hot acid pickling, in hot corrosive environments in turbine engines, as well as systems to prevent stress corrosion cracking at elevated temperatures are analyzed based on literature data.
Keywords: Inhibitor systems for elevated temperatures, nitrite, phosphates, amines, BTA, decomposition of amines