The cost and availability of rare earth-based corrosion inhibitors

Rare earths have been studied extensively as corrosion inhibitors for a range of metals. However, there is little information about the viability of the rare earths as inhibitors from the perspective of price and availability. This chapter reveals that from a price perspective, Ce and La are competitive with V and cheaper than Mo, but more expensive than Ti and Zr compounds. In terms of availability La, Ce, Nd and Pr are relatively plentiful, but production volumes fall far short of that required to replace chromium inhibitors. Nd and Pr are nearly ten times more expensive than either Ce or La.