Science Behind Calcium Chloride's Melting Power
The Science Behind Calcium Chloride’s Melting Power
While calcium chloride was discovered in the 15th century, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that its use as a deicer became popular. Just what is it about this naturally occurring salt that enables it to quickly and effectively melt ice and snow? Let’s take a look at the science behind calcium chloride’s impressive melting power.
As Powerful as 1, 2, 3
1. It’s hygroscopic
An ice melter’s speed of action is determined by how easily it dissolves to form a brine solution, since the brine is what lowers the freezing point of water and melts the snow and ice. Calcium chloride attracts moisture from its surroundings to speed the creation of a brine that lowers the freezing point and gives melting action a head start.
2. It’s exothermic
Effective ice melting depends on selecting a deicer capable of melting ice quickly and efficiently under winter temperature conditions typical in your area and then applying it properly. Calcium chloride releases heat when its solid form is dissolved in water. This release of heat speeds up the melting process. While other deicers depend on their surroundings for heat, calcium chloride generates heat as it dissolves to form ice melting brine. When the goal is keeping sidewalks safe under all conditions, calcium chloride stands apart from other options as it maintains ice melting power down to -25°F (-32°C). In contrast, other deicers like rock salt, potassium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate begin losing effectiveness between 25°F (-4°C) and 0°F (-18°C).
3. It’s deliquescent
Calcium chloride absorbs moisture from its surroundings to convert from a solid form to a liquid brine. This super-concentrated solution can melt even thick layers of ice.
Bonus characteristic: PELADOW® Premier Calcium Chloride from OxyChem comes in a round shape that helps it to penetrate ice and break the bond with pavement more quickly than flat or crystal-shaped ice melters, allowing easy removal of ice and snow.
PELADOW® Premier Delivers the Melting Power of Calcium Chloride
PELADOW contains at least 90% calcium chloride, so you can be assured it’s delivering all the properties that make calcium chloride the best deicer nature has to offer. Because PELADOW melts more ice in 20 minutes than magnesium chloride does in 60, you can provide safe walkways earlier, open your business on time, and service more job sites each day. Visit MeltResponsibly.com to learn more.