Octadecylamine has been the most widely applied amine of this type. The amine group is hydrophilic and attaches itself to the metal surface. The "tail" is hydrophobic and prevents the corrosive condensate from wetting the surface.  The degree of protection improves with closer packing. Un-branched primary amines pack very closely, while branched secondary or tertiary amines, due to their lateral orientation, usually exhibit lower degrees of protection in laboratory studies. In practice, however, a number of additional factors become significant.

It should be noted, however, that of all the filming amines, only octadecylamine is acceptable by FDA regulations for use in operations where the steam comes in contact with food or food products. 

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