Coconut Oil Proven Effective in Protecting Aluminum from Corrosion: A Green Technology Innovation from Universitas Negeri Malang
Malang, November 5, 2025 — Researchers at Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) have achieved a significant breakthrough in environmentally friendly technology with an innovative method to protect aluminum metal from corrosion using coconut oil. This green technology advancement offers a promising alternative to synthetic chemical inhibitors commonly used in the metal industry, which pose environmental hazards.
Background and Motivation
Corrosion is a common issue affecting metals such as aluminum, reducing their lifespan and reliability in various applications, including automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. Traditionally, chemical inhibitors—mostly synthetic compounds—are applied to metals to slow down corrosion. However, these chemicals often carry toxic properties and leave behind difficult-to-decompose residues, threatening ecosystems and human health.
Motivated by the need for sustainable and safer corrosion prevention methods, the UM research team explored natural plant-based oils as potential corrosion inhibitors. Their work aimed to find materials that are not only effective but also cheaper and environmentally benign.
The Research Study
The research was conducted under the leadership of Saifuddin Karim, S.Pd., M.Pd., along with a team of UM faculty members and engineering students from the Faculty of Engineering. Supported by the 2025 UM Internal Fund for Emerging Research, the study focused on "Comparative Effectiveness of Corrosion Inhibitors for Aluminum Protection."
Three types of vegetable oils—coconut oil, palm oil, and soybean oil—were tested for their ability to inhibit corrosion on aluminum alloy 6061, a widely used material in industry. The team employed the weight-loss test method, which involves measuring the reduction in aluminum mass caused by corrosion after exposure to corrosive environments.
Samples of aluminum were immersed for 24 hours in three different corrosive media:
- Acidic solution (Hydrochloric acid, HCl)
- Alkaline solution (Sodium hydroxide, NaOH)
- Saline solution (Sodium chloride, NaCl)
Before testing, the aluminum samples underwent ultrasonic degreasing and quenching treatments at 150°C for 5 minutes to prepare their surfaces uniformly.
Key Findings
The study found that coconut oil stood out as the most effective inhibitor, particularly in acidic environments. Coconut oil reduced corrosion rates by approximately 62% in acid and 55% in saline conditions, outperforming palm oil and soybean oil. Its effectiveness in alkaline media was lower, around 28%.
The superior performance of coconut oil is attributed to its molecular stability and strong affinity to form protective layers on the aluminum surface. This protective film acts as a barrier, preventing corrosive ions in the environment from directly attacking the metal substrate, thereby slowing down the degradation process.
Palm oil and soybean oil also demonstrated a moderate ability to inhibit corrosion, especially under acidic and neutral conditions, but did not match the consistent performance of coconut oil.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Beyond efficacy, coconut oil offers substantial benefits as a green technology. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, and more affordable compared to synthetic inhibitors. The use of such natural oils aligns with global sustainability goals to minimize chemical hazards and encourage renewable resource utilization.
The UM team’s innovation potentially paves the way for safer corrosion protection in industries relying on aluminum, reducing environmental footprints while maintaining material durability.
Future Prospects
Building upon these promising results, the researchers plan to expand their investigations to optimize coconut oil formulations and explore applications on other metals and alloys. Collaborations with industry partners could accelerate the development of commercial green corrosion inhibitors.
This breakthrough by Universitas Negeri Malang highlights the growing role of natural materials in advancing sustainable engineering solutions. By harnessing the protective properties of coconut oil, the metal industry may soon enjoy safer, cost-effective corrosion protection methods that safeguard both infrastructure and the environment.
Tags: coconut oil, green technology, corrosion protection, aluminum, Universitas Negeri Malang, sustainable innovation
