The inhibition effect of sulfamethoxazole on mild steel corrosion in 1‐M hydrochloric acid solution is investigated by electrochemical and quantum chemical measurements. Electrochemical polarization studies show that sulfamethoxazole acts as a mixed‐type corrosion inhibitor. The adsorption of the inhibitor on mild steel in 1‐M hydrochloric acid system is studied at different temperatures (303‐333 K). The adsorption of sulfamethoxazole on mild steel surface is an exothermic process and obeys the Temkin adsorption isotherm. Based on the potential of zero charge values and quantum chemical parameters, the mechanism of adsorption is proposed.

Aspirin was investigated as a good corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid at a temperature region from 303 to 333 K. The computed inhibition efficiency increases by increasing the inhibitor concentration and decreases by increasing the temperature. The investigation was done by weight loss, electrochemical measurements such as Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Inhibition effect is attributed to the adsorption of inhibitor on the surface of the mild steel. The Tafel method reveals that the Aspirin acts as a mixed type inhibitor. Activation parameters suggest that the adsorption process is exothermic in nature. SEM photographs of mild steel in the absence and presence of inhibitor visualize the adsorption layer on the surface of the mild steel.