On surfactant–polymer association and its effect on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in cyclohexane propionic acid

The inhibitive properties of cationic surfactant (CS) in the presence of copolymer (CP) at different conditions on the corrosion of carbon steel in cyclohexane propionic acid (CHPA) were studied using polarization, conductivity and EIS measurements. CS acts as an inhibitor for dissolution of carbon steel in CHPA. At low pH (3.4–4) and in the absence of Cl− ion the association between CS and CP is weak. Increasing the pH value (>4) or addition of KCl to the solution increases both CMC value and corrosion inhibition efficiency of CS indicating the association between surfactant and copolymer molecules is increased.

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► The effect of surfactant and polymer on C-steel corrosion inhibition is studied.
► The association between surfactant and polymer leads to a higher degree of coverage.
► Corrosion inhibition of surfactant was significantly improved by adding polymer.
► Addition of KCl and increase the pH enhances the inhibition protection.