1. vb. [Drilling Fluids]

To prevent, arrest or slow down any action. For example, one can inhibit a corrosion process by coating drillpipe with amine films to arrest pipe corrosion in air. In drilling fluids, the terms inhibit, inhibition and inhibitive mud system refer to arresting or slowing the hydration, swelling and disintegration of clays and shales.

See related terms: activity of aqueous solutions,  calcium mud,  clay swelling,  clay-water interaction,  drilling fluid,  oil mud,  potassium mud,  shale