Chemically, most of the Helamin types are stated by the manufacturer to be a "mixture of polyamines and polycarboxylates in aqueous solution", but some also utilize volatile amines, ammonia, polyelectrolytes, organic polymers, and scavengers of dissolved oxygen.
Helamin treatment can be successfully employed in steam generators, warm and hot water piping systems, superheaters, as well as cooling circuits to mitigate some of the difficult problems of the corrosion and fouling.
Fineamin reacts by forming a protective, homogeneous film on all metal surfaces, improving the existing magnetite layer and acting as a barrier against water carryover and residual oxygen.
It prevents the contact of the electrolyte with the metal surface without reducing the heat transfer, while any crystals which do form in its presence are isolated, and any tendency of accumulation is inhibited.
Fineamin treatment is used against corrosion and fouling in steam boilers, warm and hot water piping systems, superheaters, as well as cooling circuits.