The inhibiting effect of benzotriazole (BTA) on the corrosion of alpha-Al-bronze (Cu-7% Al) in 3.4% NaCl was studied. BTA showed good inhibition effects from short up to extended periods of time (about six weeks). The morphologies of the alloy surface were monitored after various periods of corrosion in the absence and presence of BTA, using SEM. The corrosion products were identified by X-ray diffraction. Corrosive attack occurs very early in the absence of BTA, leading to general and pitting corrosion. BTA was found to have a stronger inhibiting effect on the anodic dissolution of copper than on the cathodic reduction of oxygen. The current-potential relation is divided into two regions : region I within which BTA has a strong effect on the charge transfer kinetics, and a limiting current region where BTA has no significant inhibiting effect. It is also shown that the interaction of BTA with a Cu2O-covered alloy surface is faster than on reduced alloy surfaces, although the protection efficiency on the latter is slightly better than on the former.