Water Treatment / Solution Family

Corrosion Inhibitors

Cooling- and boiler-water corrosion inhibitors u2014 sodium molybdate, nitrite, zinc, and the yellow-metal azoles benzotriazole, tolyltriazole, and mercaptobenzothiazole u2014 for multi-metal water systems.

Overview

Corrosion inhibitors for water treatment are chemicals dosed into cooling,nboiler, and closed-loop water systems to slow the electrochemical attack on steel, copper,nand other metals in contact with the water. They work in three ways: anodicnpassivators such as molybdate and nitrite, a cathodic film-former such as zinc, andnadsorption films from the azoles u2014 benzotriazole, tolyltriazole, and mercaptobenzothiazole u2014nthat protect copper and brass. A multi-metal system usually needs a blend, because no singleninhibitor protects every metal in the loop.

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The first choice is usually nitrite versus molybdate. Sodium nitrite is inexpensive andneffective on steel, but it oxidizes and is consumed by nitrifying bacteria, so it needs anbiocide and frequent makeup; reserve it for closed loops where water loss is low. Sodiumnmolybdate passivates at a low dose and suits open recirculating systems, often blended with anphosphonate and zinc. The trade-off is cost and discharge: molybdenum draws effluent scrutinynin some jurisdictions and is the more expensive inhibitor.

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Benzotriazole (BTA), tolyltriazole (TTA), and mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) are yellow-metalninhibitors. They form a thin protective film on copper, brass, and bronze and do little fornbare steel, so pair them with an anodic or cathodic inhibitor in a multi-metal loop. Where annoxidizing biocide such as chlorine is held in the system, specify TTA: it tolerates a halogennresidual better than BTA, which a free-chlorine residual can degrade.

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Where it's used
  • Open recirculating cooling-tower corrosion control for mild steel and copper alloys
  • Closed-loop chilled- and hot-water systems (nitrite or molybdate programs)
  • Boiler and condensate corrosion programs paired with oxygen scavengers and amines
  • Yellow-metal (copper, brass, bronze) protection in multi-metal HVAC and process loops
  • Blended corrosion/scale programs run alongside phosphonate scale inhibitors
Frequently asked questions
What corrosion inhibitors are used in cooling and boiler water?
Three classes do the work: anodic passivators (sodium molybdate, sodium nitrite), a cathodic film-former (zinc, dosed as zinc nitrate), and yellow-metal azole inhibitors (benzotriazole, tolyltriazole, mercaptobenzothiazole) that protect copper and brass. Most multi-metal systems run a blend because no single inhibitor protects every metal in the loop.
Nitrite or molybdate u2014 which corrosion inhibitor should I use?
Sodium nitrite is cheaper and works well on steel in closed loops, but it oxidizes, is consumed by nitrifying bacteria, and needs a biocide plus regular makeup. Sodium molybdate passivates at a low dose and suits open recirculating systems, at higher cost and with molybdenum effluent scrutiny in some jurisdictions. Confirm regulatory status for your application and jurisdiction.
Do benzotriazole and tolyltriazole protect steel?
No. BTA and TTA (and MBT) are yellow-metal inhibitors that film copper, brass, and bronze, not bare steel. A multi-metal system needs an anodic or cathodic inhibitor (molybdate, nitrite, or zinc) for the steel together with an azole for the yellow metal. Where chlorine is maintained, TTA holds up better than BTA.
Does RawSource supply water-treatment corrosion inhibitors in bulk?
Yes. RawSource sources sodium molybdate, sodium nitrite, zinc nitrate, benzotriazole, tolyltriazole, and mercaptobenzothiazole in drums, totes, and bulk. Specify the grade and any NSF/ANSI 60 requirement for potable-adjacent systems, and send a target dose or program so the desk can match the right chemistry.
Disclaimer. Information on this page is provided for general reference and compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status, classification, and suitability for your application and jurisdiction.
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