The effect of Thyme leaves extract on corrosion of mild steel in HCl

The aqueous extract of Thyme leaves was investigated for its efficacy as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 2 M HCl using weight loss measurements and various electrochemical techniques. Experimental results show that corrosion inhibition efficiency increases with concentration of the Thyme leaves extract. A corrosion inhibition efficiency of 84% was achieved in 2 M HCl. Polarization studies show that Thyme leaves extract acts as a mixed inhibitor. The adsorption of Thyme leaves extract on the steel surface is found to follow Langmuir adsorption isotherm. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.