The inhibition ability of a new S-heterocyclic Schiff base (SB) and the corresponding amine (DBTDA) towards mild steel corrosion in HC1 solution was studied at various concentrations and temperatures using weight loss, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) methods. The experimental results reveal that SB and DBTDA are efficient mixed type corrosion inhibitors, and their inhibition efficiencies increase with increasing concentration. The adsorption of these inhibitors on mild steel surface obeys Langmuir isotherm. Quantum chemical parameters are calculated using the Density Functional Theory method (DM. Correlation between theoretical and experimental results is discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.