An aqueous composition for reducing corrosive removal of material in pickling of metallic surfaces comprising bare and/or galvanized steel. The composition includes a mixture of a compound of the formula R.sup.1O—(CH.sub.2).sub.x—C≡C—(CH.sub.2).sub.y—OR.sup.2 in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are both H, and a compound of the formula R.sup.1O—(CH.sub.2).sub.x—C≡C—(CH.sub.2).sub.y—OR.sup.2 in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each, independently of one another, an HO—(CH.sub.2).sub.w— group with w≥2. X and y are each, independently of one another, from 1 to 4 in each of the two compounds of the formula R.sup.1O—(CH.sub.2).sub.x—C≡C—(CH.sub.2).sub.y—OR.sup.2. A process for pickling a metallic surface with reduced corrosive removal of material is disclosed.

An aqueous composition for reducing corrosive removal of material in pickling of metallic surfaces comprising bare and/or galvanized steel. The composition includes a mixture of a compound of the formula R.sup.1O(CH.sub.2).sub.xCC(CH.sub.2).sub.yOR.sup.2 in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are both H, and a compound of the formula R.sup.1O(CH.sub.2).sub.xCC(CH.sub.2).sub.yOR.sup.2 in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each, independently of one another, an HO(CH.sub.2).sub.w group with w2. X and y are each, independently of one another, from 1 to 4 in each of the two compounds of the formula R.sup.1O(CH.sub.2).sub.xCC(CH.sub.2).sub.yOR.sup.2. A process for pickling a metallic surface with reduced corrosive removal of material is disclosed.