Corrosion inhibitors such as Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI’S) and Contact Corrosion inhibitors have become loosely ambiguous and differentiating between the two can become a gray area. For example,and the most common mistake is, classifying a material as a VCI when it is a contact inhibitor. Analytical techniques to qualif y a material as a VCI have been investigated in order to clarify this ambiguity and to qualify the techniques and equipment for use in the determination of a VCI. The Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and an atmospheric corrosion monitor were used to characterize adsorption effects and corrosion monitoring of two commercially known inhibitors, sodium nitrite and dicyclohexykunmonimn nitrite on evaporated iron during atmospheric renditions. Two devices will be used for in situ measuremenrns of adsorption, the QCM and an atmospheric corrosion monitor. During the adsorption process the QCM: measures a frequency change that can be associated to a mass change due to adsorption of the inhibitor it is also capable of in situ monitoring corrosion rates of the substrate in a corrosive
atmosphere. From exerience and in theory the corrosion rate is expected to decrease due to the adsorption of the VCI. Which as been observed from in situ measurements using the QCM. The atmospheric corrosion monitor measures the resistance of oxides of a substrate due to corrosion in reference to a non corrosive element. It is tested hereto measure its sensitivity in comparison to the QCM and to characterize its response during the adsorption of a VCI.
Key words: Quartz Crystal Microbrdance, QCM, atmospheric corrosion monitor, sodium nitrite, dicyctohexytammonium nitrite, dichan, adsorption, Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor, VCI, contact corrosion inhibitor, detection devices