De-icers Comparison Chart
De-icers vary in the lowest temperature that they work at. They are also used as anti-icers prior to snowfall freezing conditions. Among these de-icers for ground areas, calcium chloride is the most effective at all temperatures. It is the preferred chemical particularly at low temperatures.
Apart from the freeze-point depression, the relative efficiency of de-icers is determined by their ability to generate heat (thermodynamic properties). The reaction involved in the conversion of calcium chloride with snow or ice into liquid is an exothermic reaction (liberation of heat).
On the other hand, the reaction process in the conversion of sodium chloride into liquid form is endothermic (heat absorber).
Lowest freezing temperature and concentration:
|
Product |
Composition |
Eutectic * |
Lowest Practical Melting Temp |
Thermodynamics |
|
Ice-Eater Powder |
Anhydrous CaCI² (90-97%) |
-51°C (-59°F) at 30 wt% conc
|
-32°C (-25°F)
|
Exothermic (releases heat when in contact with snow and ice) |
|
Ice-Eater Liquid |
Liquid CaCI² (33%) |
-41°C (--42°F) at 50% wt% conc
|
-27°C (-17°F)
|
Exothermic (releases heat when in contact with snow and ice) |
|
White De-icing Salt |
NaCI |
-21°C (-6°F) at 23 wt% conc
|
-9°C (15°F)
|
Exothermic (releases heat when in contact with snow and ice) |
|
Brown Rock Salt |
NaCI |
-21°C (-6°F) at 23 wt% conc
|
-9°C (15°F)
|
Exothermic (releases heat when in contact with snow and ice) |
|
Artic Windscreen De-icer |
CH³OH (50%) |
-54°C (-65°F) at 23 wt% conc
|
-50°C (-58°F)
|
Exothermic (releases heat when in contact with snow and ice) |
|
Artic Windscreen Wash |
CH³OH (50%) |
-25°C (-13°F) at 50 wt% conc
|
-40°C (-40°F)
|
Exothermic (releases heat when in contact with snow and ice) |
