The application of mixed corrosion inhibitor (CI), which is an equimolar composition of oleoyl sarcosinate (SOS) and sodium flufenamate (SFF), for protection of D16 aluminum alloy from atmospheric corrosion has been studied. The polarization measurements used to assess the effectiveness of preliminary passivation of the alloy with solutions of SOS, SFF and their composition showed significant advantages of mixed CI. The XPS method was used to study features of CI adsorption on the surface of D16 alloy. It has been established that upon adsorption of SOS and SFF separately a monolayer is formed, firmly bonded to the alloy surface, thickness of which is not exceeding 2.6—3.2 nm. After the joint adsorption of these CI, the layer thickness reaches 12—20 nm. The composition of this layer includes a considerable amount of Al3+ ions (~20%) related to their compounds with SFF and SOS, as well as to aluminum hydroxides. A possible mechanism for the formation of such a protective layer is proposed. The results of corrosion tests in a humid atmosphere with daily water condensation on samples of D16 alloy confirmed the high protective ability of the mixed CI film.
