The present invention concerns a composition and method of using non-molybdate corrosion inhibitors in sterilizing and pasteurizing applications. The composition is a blend of one or more components including corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, hydrotropes, polymer dispersants, pH adjusting agents and water. The composition may include two or more of a) alkyl-dicarboxylic acid b) phosphono-carboxylic acid c) tri(amino-carboxylic acid) d) anionic polymer dispersant e) non-ionic surfactant f) inorganic phosphate g) phosphonotricarboxylic acid and h) hydrotrope. Specifically, the composition may comprise sebacic acid, hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid, and 6,6&prime,6&Prime-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyltriimino)tris-hexanoic acid. Optionally, the composition can further comprise a co-polymer of acrylic acid and allyl-2-hydroxy-propyl-sulfonate ether (AA/AHPSE), 2-phosphono-1,2,4-butane-tricarboxylic acid, sodium phosphate monobasic or phosphoric acid, &alpha-decyl-&omega-hydroxy-poly(oxy-1,2ethanediyl), and sodium cumenesulfonate. These components are not necessary, and in some embodiments, the composition is utilized without these components. The disclosed composition exhibits comparable or better corrosion protection performance than conventional molybdate containing sterilizing products.
