What Does
Wetting Agent Mean?
Wetting agents are usually monomeric or oligomeric surfactants. The main purpose of these substances is to reduce the surface tension of a formulation, which in turn results in better wetting of the surface.
Wetting agents are also known as emulsifiers or amphiphilic substances.
Corrosionpedia Explains Wetting Agent
Wetting agents are used in industrial processes such as:
- Flotation
- Emulsification
- Cosmetics
- Corrosion inhibition
The application of wetting agents as corrosion inhibitors has been widely studied, and adsorption of these molecules on the metal surface has been found to be responsible for the corrosion inhibition of the metal. The inhibitors can drastically change the interfacial properties, and their adsorption is influenced by:
- Surface charge of the metal
- Type of corrosive solution
- Chemical structure of inhibitors