The antiscale properties of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry techniques in conjunction with a microscopic examination. The corrosion inhibitive characteristics were investigated using EIS and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. Mineral scales were deposited from the brine solution by cathodic polarization of the steel surface at -0.9 V (vs. SCE). Comparative study was carried out between antiscalant efficiencies of SHMP and polyacrylic acid (PAA). Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that SHMP inhibits the corrosion of steel by controlling the cathodic oxygen reduction process. The results showed that SHMP can inhibit corrosion of steel and scale build-up under the conditions tested. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.