ABSTRACT
One of the most highly effective methods for producing oil soluble corrosion inhibitors is the process of direct nitration of mineral oils with nitric acid. The nitrated oils that are thus obtained, containing nitro-and carboxynitro-compounds, after neutralization of their carboxyls with alkali or alkaline earth metals, are good corrosion inhibitors. The best protective properties are shown by the products obtained by nitrating the oils with at least 350 molecular weight. Such inhibitors are completely miscible with oils and may used either independently in the protection of metals against atmospheric corrosion, or as anti-corrosion additives for oils, greases, fuels, etc. Recently, nitrated oils possessing good anticorrosion properties were obtained from high viscosity index [HVI] mineral oils derived from Kirkuk crudes. It was also established that the nitrated triaromatic constituents in these oils were the main contributors to corrosion inhibition. Since low viscosity index [LVI] oils derived from distillates treated with low furfural/ distillate ratio, are richer in their tri-aromatic constituents, it would be of practical importance to investigate the activity of a nitrated LVI oil in inhibiting corrosion and to compare it with that of a nitrated HVI oil from the same grade distillate but treated with a higher furfural / distillate ratio