what is an inhibitor in pickling
Q. I want to know the uses and composition of Pickling Inhibitor used in the pre-galvanising process of cold rolled steel. A. Hello, Ishaq. Hydrochloric acid is used to remove rust and scale from steel. But hydrochloric acid will also attack and dissolve the steel itself. Pickling inhibitors are interfacially active compounds which bind to the steel as monomolecular layers, and shield it, reducing the attack on the steel.