Inhibition of Uniform and Pitting Corrosion Processes of Al Induced by SCN - anions - Part I. Effect of Glycine

As a first step towards inhibition of uniform and pitting corrosion processes of Al in SCN- solutions, glycine (Gly) was used. Full immersion tests, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) method of chemical analysis were used to monitor rates of corrosion. The results obtained from the ICP method have been verified by electrochemical assays based on linear and cyclic polarization measurements. Monitoring the open circuit potential (OCP) of the system as a function of immersion time and Gly concentration was also carried out. SEM and EDX examinations of the electrode surface revealed the adsorption of Gly molecule on the surface. Results showed that the presence of Gly in aggressive SCN- solutions decreased the corrosion and passive currents and shifted the pitting potential to more noble values. Thus Gly inhibited uniform and pitting corrosion processes. The inhibition efficiency of Gly enhanced with its concentration. The potential of zero charge (PZC) of the Al electrode has been studied in 0.04 M KSCN solutions without and with Gly and the mechanism of adsorption is discussed. The adsorption of Gly precluded significant adsorption of the aggressive SCN- anions, and hence the corrosion rate was diminished.