The surface states of brass in simulated cooling water (SCW) containing or free of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and TiO2 nanofluid were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy spectrum analysis (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The concentrations of Cu and Zn ions in the solution after brass immersion were analyzed using a plasma emission spectrometer. The relationship between the surface states and corrosion resistance of brass was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the brass surface was mainly covered with zinc compound Zn5(OH)6(CO3)2 as corrosion product in SCW. In SCW containing SDBS, a large amount of SDBS was adsorbed on the brass surface. In TiO2 nanofluid, the brass surface was relatively bare and mainly contained cuprous oxide. There was no obvious adhesion of SDBS aggregates and no accumulation of zinc compound on brass surface in TiO2 nanofluid. TiO2 nanoparticles inhibit the adsorption of SDBS on brass surface. Solution analysis results showed that the concentrations of Cu and Zn ions in TiO2 nanofluid was obviously higher than that in SCW and SCW containing SDBS, indicating that most of corrosion products of brass dissolved into the nanofluid. The EIS results illustrated the brass electrode had a larger reaction resistance in SCW containing SDBS, indicating the good protective performance of the adsorbed SDBS film on brass surface. The reaction resistance of the brass electrode was the smallest in TiO2 nanofluid, which illustrated that TiO2 nanoparticles in solution promoted the corrosion of brass.