Evaluation of new non-toxic corrosion inhibitors for conservation of iron artefacts

The anticorrosion performances of new non-toxic inhibitors based on carboxylic acids extracted from vegetable oil have been evaluated for the protection of iron artefacts. Electrochemical measurements and natural aging tests have demonstrated the efficiency of those inhibitors in the context of temporary treatments. Surface analysis coupled with in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure experiments has revealed that their anticorrosion properties are correlated to the precipitation at the metal surface of a protective layer made of iron carboxylate.