CORROSION INHIBITION OF MILD STEEL IN ACIDIC ENVIRONMENT USING LEAF EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA

Abstract

Corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic environment using vernoniaamygdalina (bitter) leaf extract has been studied. Weight loss method was used in which the test coupons, with known weight, were immersed in the test media; leaves extract of vernoniaamygdalina, and dilute H2SO4, for a total exposure time of five days. The weight loss was measured at an interval of 24hours i.e. a day, and the corrosion penetration rate was determined. The result revealed that the rate of corrosion of mild steel in dilute H2SO4 increases with increase in the concentration of the acid and that the extract of leaves of vernoniaamygdalina inhibits the corrosion of mild steel in dilute H2SO4. The inhibition efficiency of the extract increases with increase in the concentration of the extract. The inhibition was assumed to occur via adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on the metal surface