Corrosion control is fundamental to the success of any water treatment program, but how often do we question the limitations of the tools we rely on? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes back returning guest Mike Standish, Vice President of Water Additives at MFG Chemical, to explore the evolving role of maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors in industrial water treatment. Drawing on decades of expertise, Mike shares practical insights into when — and when not — to use these innovative solutions to meet today's complex challenges.

Understanding the Corrosion Control Toolbox

Mike Standish opens the conversation by reframing corrosion control strategies through the lens of a toolbox analogy. With limited primary approaches — from phosphate-based to organic and metal-based chemistries — the success of corrosion management depends on matching the right tool to the right application. Mike stresses the importance of avoiding overcomplication and focusing on the fundamental chemical pathways for mild steel protection.

Organic vs. Inorganic Approaches

The discussion turns to the critical differences between organic and inorganic inhibitors. While inorganic phosphates remain cost-effective mainstays, organic phosphonates, including maleic acid-derived materials, offer advantages in high pH, high hardness, and oxidizing environments. Mike emphasizes that “organic” in water treatment bears no relation to natural or sustainable products, a frequent misconception among newcomers to the industry.

Why Maleic Acid-Based Inhibitors Matter

Maleic acid phosphonates distinguish themselves with exceptional oxidant stability, a feature increasingly necessary as continuous halogenation becomes standard practice. Mike explains the chemistry behind maleic acid derivatives and how the ability to tailor molecular structures creates flexibility for specific field conditions — such as scaling tendencies, pH control, and calcium carbonate formation risks.

Best Practices for Application and Measurement

Field success with maleic acid-based inhibitors hinges on proper dosage and testing. Mike shares lessons from real-world trials, emphasizing that underfeeding is a common mistake that compromises corrosion rates. Accurate differentiation between orthophosphate and phosphonate concentrations is vital for precise monitoring, and bench testing must closely simulate real-world surface-to-volume ratios to yield reliable predictions.

The Future of Corrosion Control

In a forward-looking discussion, Mike predicts that industry consolidation will trigger a second wave of entrepreneurial water treatment companies. His vision underscores the ongoing need for technical excellence, adaptability, and innovation in corrosion management practices as the industry evolves.

This episode challenges water treatment professionals to rethink their corrosion strategies with a sharper, more informed approach. Maleic acid-based inhibitors are not a universal solution, but when applied thoughtfully, they offer powerful advantages for specific operational demands.

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Timestamps

02:50 – Trace Blackmore shares a recap from previous episode. He also shares about the AWT Innovation Award

06:40 - Water You Know with James McDonald

08:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals

12:38 - Welcoming back guest Mike Standish, Vice President of Water Additives – MFG Chemical

15:10 – The Value of True Industry Knowledge vs. Surface Information

23:10 – Starting the Technical Discussion: The Corrosion Control Toolbox Analogy

26:07 – Explanation of anodic vs. Cathodic protection mechanisms

37:35 – Situational Applications: When to use maleic acid-based inhibitors

40:11 – Lessons learned from field trials on dosage and corrosion control

41:28 – Importance of Accurate modeling and Surface-to-volume ratios

Quotes

“You going to get more than you can give” – Mike Standish

“Picking the right tool for the right job” – Mike Standish

"Stepping away from work for a mission trip doesn’t just help others—it helps you gain a new perspective." – Mike Standish

“You can’t just throw a new additive into a system and hope for the best. You need data, understanding of limits, and clear expectations.”

“There’s going to be a second generation of AWT companies as industry consolidation continues.”

Connect with Mike Standish

Phone: (615) 207- 3018

Email: mike.standish@radicalpolymers.com

Website: https://www.radicalpolymers.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-standish-7890627/

Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide

Guest Resources Mentioned

Mild Steel Corrosion Control using a Maleic-Based Inhibitor

Purposely Built – Introduction of a New Copolymer for Multifunctional Applications Technical Paper

Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned

AWT (Association of Water Technologies)

Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses

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