inhibitors the dissolving of the metal at the anode is prevented or retarded through the formation of compounds which are insoluble in water or have only a very low solubility in water furthermore also the metal is protected at the cathode through the formation of a monomolecular layer of the inhibitor which prevents a direct contact of any corrosive media with the metal a further advantage of the corrosion inhibitors which are to be used according to the present invention resides in the fact that the corresponding reaction products of amines and acids are salt like compounds which are not volatile or have a very low volatily so that they do not escape to the surrounding air when they are used furthermore the corrosion inhibitors based on alcanolamines which are described in the canadian patent 1 258 473 mentioned before have the disadvantage that they belong to the class of the inhibitors which are only acting cathodically furthermore the alkanolamines described in said patent specifically those which have a vapor pressure in the upper region of the stated ranges have an unpleasent fragrance and this is rather unwelcome for all persons using such products some of the alkanolamines described in said prior art furthermore have a deteriorating effect on the.