Corrosion Inhibition by Amino acids

The present investigation deals with the inhibition of corrosion of carbon steel in sea water by amino acids. The inhibitive action of various amino acids namely L- Tyrosine, L- Arginine, L- Alanine, L- Glutamic acid and L- Tryptophan in combination with zinc ion (Zn2+) on the corrosion of carbon steel in sea water has been studied by electrochemical and non- electrochemical methods. The present study leads to the following conclusions: ¿ All the five inhibitors exhibit synergism with Zn2+ in the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in sea water. ¿ The corrosion IE of the Amino acids used is in the order- L- Tyr > L- Arg > L- Ala > L- GA > L- Tryp The amino acids act as electron pumpers onto the metal surface and thus prevent the release of electrons from the metals.