Green approach to corrosion inhibition of 304 stainless steel in hydrochloric acid solution by the extract of Salvia officinalis leaves

► Salvia officinalis extract was examined as a corrosion inhibitor for steel. ► The inhibition efficiency increases with the increasing of extract concentration. ► Adsorption of S. officinalis extract on stainless steel surface is spontaneous. ► Activation energy decreases with addition of S. officinalis extract.