INHIBITIVE BEHAVIOUR OF TOBACCO EXTRACT ON CORROSION OF MILD STEEL IN ACIDIC AND SALTY MEDIA

Abstract

Corrosion behaviour of mild steel in 0.1M/HCI 0.1M/H SO, and 3.5% NaCl solution free from and containing varying concentrations of tobacco extract was studied by the fundamental weight loss measurement. The electric top loading balance was used to take the weight of mild steel sample at 24hours interval progressively for 168hours at room temperature and in stagnant condition. Results obtained indicates that the Tobacco extract at maximum concentration (50%) reduced the rate of corrosion of mild steel in 0.1M/HCl and 0.1M/H₂SO₄ while the inhibitor concentration of 35% average gave complete protection against corrosion of mild steel in 3.5%Nacl. It is concluded that tobacco extract in the range 20%-50% is capable of reducing/or eliminating corrosion of mild steel in acidic and salty environments.