Nalco Chemical Company

Michael P Sowinski

Deborah M Rogers

Christine M Stuart

James R Van Camp

A method for determining the adequacy of corrosion prevention treatments applied to metal surfaces is disclosed. The method provides a qualitative determination of corrosion detection using inexpensive equipment. Generally, the method encompasses wetting at least a first and a second absorbent patches capable of retaining a liquid corrosive to metal surfaces to be tested with the corrosive liquid to obtain wetted patches and then contacting a portion of a first metal surface to be tested with the first patch under corrosive conditions and contacting a portion of a second metal surface to be tested with the second patch, wherein the second metal surface having the same composition as the first metal surface has been treated with an effective amount of a corrosion prevention treatment and subjecting the second patch in contact with the second metal surface to the same corrosive conditions as the corrosive conditions applied to the first patch in contact with the first metal surface. The method includes removing the first and the second patches from the first and the second metal surfaces; respectively and, treating the first and the second patches with an effective amount of a tetrazolium compound; and, comparing the amount of stain present on the first patch with the amount of stain present on the second patch, wherein the efficacy of the corrosion prevention treatment can be qualitatively determined.

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Gig Harbor, WA, United States of America

Michael P Sowinski