The adsorption isotherms for certain polymer and surfactant molecules (and in some cases their mixtures) on stainless steel beads from isooctane have been obtained, together with corresponding adsorbed layer thicknesses, using an atomic force microscope. The polymer is a terminally functionalised (ethylene diamine), low molecular weight polyisobutylene (PIB) derivative and the surfactants are basically alkyl or alkyl phenol alkoxylate molecules, which in one case has been derivatised with an amino functionality. The results indicate the presence of multilayers at the stainless steel-isooctane interface. Theoretical analysis of the surfactant adsorption isotherms suggests molecular aggregation at the interface with an aggregation number between 2 and 6, at the highest coverages. The adsorption of the polymer is reduced in the presence of the surfactant molecules. The polymer leaches metal ions from the steel surface at higher concentrations. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.