Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is available in flake, pellet, or liquid form and often outperforms other deicing products especially at lower temperatures. It produces an exothermic reaction, giving off heat as it melts. Calcium chloride also has a greater capacity to attract and retain moisture directly from its surroundings, which enables it to dissolve faster and start the melting process
Calcium chloride is a liquid brine in its natural state and is converted into a dry material by removing the water. It quickly absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, while rock salt, potassium chloride and urea must come in direct contact with moisture, which is not available at low temperatures. When calcium chloride is converted into a liquid, it gives off heat. Rock salt, potassium chloride and urea need heat to work. Calcium chloride will melt ice at temperatures of -25 degrees. If applied too heavily, an oily residue may appear.
Uniform compaction and residual calcium chloride helps protect road bases from winter freezing and related frost heaving. Long known as an effective ice melter, calcium chloride lowers the freezing point of moisture in road bases to nearly 60 degrees below zero.
Calcium Chloride (Liquid)
A liquid brine in its natural state and is converted into a dry material by removing the water. It quickly absorbs water from the atmosphere. When calcium chloride is converted into a liquid, it gives off heat. Calcium chloride will melt ice at temperatures of-25° F.
The growing need for corrosion-inhibited deicers has prompted manufacturers to explore their production. One example of this is a new corrosion-inhibited grade of liquid calcium chloride designed to meet or exceed deicers standards in all respects. In addition to providing low corrosion versus salt, it has calcium chloride's operational benefits in that it continues to melt snow and ice at 20 degrees F, the temperature at which salt becomes an inefficient deicer.
Those using corrosion-inhibited calcium chloride for deicing and anti-icing, report that it aggressively melts snow and ice, and that it offers operational benefits versus magnesium chloride, which was the primary deicer used in these areas, due to local availability.
Evaluations show that 25%, 30% and 32% aqueous solutions of the inhibited liquid calcium chloride produce just 4 to 7 mils/year of corrosion or 80% to 90% less corrosion than sodium chloride. The tests compared sodium chloride, regular and corrosion-inhibited calcium chloride, and water. Water is taken as the baseline, so its effects were subtracted from the corrosion values of the other materials.
Other advantages of the new corrosion-inhibited calcium chloride are its ability to cut through snow and ice more quickly than salt or magnesium chlr4ide, lack of sediment problems in tanks and easy clean-up of vehicles.
Calcium Chloride (Pellets)
Small, white pellets processed from naturally occurring material.
These small pellets, resemble little balls. It is much more costly than rock salt. It only damages concrete slightly. Has a minor effect on plants, but is very corrosive to metals. It will melt ice at up to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It is available in bags, not bulk. I've seen it in bulk, mixed with sand. I know it turns into an oily liquid, at higher temperatures. I used to use it on baseball diamonds, to help keep the dust down, when I used to work for a parks department years ago. Calcium Chloride weighs about 75 pounds, per cubic foot, or about 2025 lbs to a cubic yard.
Relative deicing speed
Fast acting deicer at all temperatures.
Lowestpractical temperature
Down to -25° F.
Effect on concrete
Does not chemically attach concrete. Poses least threat of damage from freeze induced expansion pressure.
Effect on vegetation
Used as recommended, will not harm vegetation. Calcium Chloride is used as a calcium source for certain fruits and vegetables.
Residue
Leaves no powdery residue.
Manufacturer's recommended application rate
2-4 oz/yd.
Comments
Calcium Chloride gives off heat as it dissolves therefore melting more ice faster at lower temperatures than other common chemical deicers.
Calcium Chloride (Flake)
Description
Flat off-white flakes containing 16-20% water of hydration.
Relative deicing speed
Starts about as fast as pellets, but does not have the same melting ability.
Lowest practical temperature
Down to -25° F.
Effect on concrete
Does not chemically attack concrete. Poses least threat of damage from freeze-induced expansion pressure.
Effect on vegetation
Used as recommended, will not harm vegetation. Calcium chloride is used as a calcium source for certain fruits and vegetables.
Residue
Leaves no powdery residue.
Manufacturer's recommended applicationrate
2-4 oz/yd.
Comments
Although flake calcium chloride does give off some heat, it gives off less heat than pellets.<