Inhibition of cold rolled steel corrosion in sulphuric acid solution by 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole: Time and temperature effects treatments

2-Mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI) has been evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for cold rolled steel in aerated 2 M H2SO4 by gravimetric method. The effect of MMI on the corrosion rate was determined at various immersions time and concentrations. The effect of the temperature on the corrosion behaviour with addition of different concentrations of MMI was studied in the temperature range 30–60 °C. The MMI acts as an effective corrosion inhibitor for cold rolled in sulphuric acid medium. The inhibition process is attributed to the formation of an adsorbed film of MMI on the metal surface which protects the metal against corrosion. The protection efficiency increased with increase in inhibitor concentration at various immersions time and decreased with increase in temperature. Adsorption of MMI on the cold rolled steel surface is found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Some thermodynamic functions of dissolution and adsorption processes were also determined.