The Chemistry of Azole Copper Corrosion Inhibitors in Cooling Water

Although benzotriazole and tolyltriazole are well known as extremely effective inhibitors of copper corrosion, very little has been reported in the literature regarding their chemistry, particularly in near neutral, low conductivity aqueous media. The behavior of these inhibitors was studied under typical cooling water conditions. Relationships between chemical properties and inhibition behavior are discussed. A modified theory of the mechanism of inhibition is proposed.