Corrosion Inhibition of Peracetic Acid‐Based Disinfectants
Helena Horn, Bernd Niemeyer
Abstract
Abstract Peracetic acid (PAA) is a highly potent disinfectant, exhibiting an outstandingly broad spectrum of activity against various microorganisms and viruses. Nevertheless, one disadvantage when applying PAA for disinfection purposes is the strongly corrosive effect due to its oxidizing properties. The employment of a nonionic surfactant as corrosion inhibitor was evaluated in addition to adjustment of the pH value of the solution, regarding the materials aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, polyvinyl chloride, wood, and ceramics. Whereas unmodified PAA solution led to strong corrosive effects on the material surface, this impact was significantly lowered when the pH value was shifted to 7. When in addition a nonionic surfactant was applied, no corrosion phenomena at all were observed.