A study on the use of the methanol extract of Medicago sativa as a green corrosion inhibitor for 1018 carbon steel in 0.5 M of sulfuric acid has been carried out by using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and gravimetric tests. Testing temperatures were 25°C, 40°C and 60°C. Results showed that M. sativa is a good corrosion inhibitor, with its efficiency increasing with its concentration and with time, but decreasing with the temperature. M. sativa forms a passive film on top of the steel with a passive current density and pitting potential values lower than that for uninhibited solution, and remained on the steel for 8-12 h. This film formed by iron ions and heteroatoms present in OH − and amine groups from the extract are adsorbed on the steel and form a protective film on to the steel.
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