Inhibitors interfere with the corrosion mechanism by putting down a film or barrier on the steel surface at either the anode or cathode site.
Anodic inhibitors prevent chemical oxidation of the metal.
Nitrite can be used in systems with a wide temperature range, from chilled water loops to hot water boilers. The dosage of nitrite can be significantly reduced when used with other inhibitors, such as molybdate. Nitrites may contribute to pitting if their concentrations fall below the recommended dosage. The level of corrosion inhibitor depends on the concentration of ion in solution, particularly sulfate and chloride. The major limitation of nitrite-based treatments is their ability to promote microbiological growth.