Winter weather conditions in Minnesota can cause icy roads and walkways, leading to dangerous conditions for drivers and pedestrians. In order to combat this situation, municipalities, businesses, and individuals often employ the use of deicers. A deicer is a substance that melts or prevents the formation of ice, and does so by lowering the freezing point of water and preventing a bond between ice and paved surfaces. Sodium chloride for example, which is one of the most commonly used deicing agents, can be used to reduce the freezing point of water to 15°F (Local Road Research Board, 2012). A study by Marquette University found that deicing roads with salt reduces accidents by 88 percent and injuries by 85 percent (Kuemmel and Hanbali, 1992). While deicers have the ability to greatly improve road and walkway safety, they can also have negative effects on the environment and surrounding infrastructure. Once applied, deicers will dissolve in the melting snow and ice and carried away with runoff to surface and/or groundwater. In addition, some deicers are corrosive and will negatively impact roads, bridges, and other structures, as well as automobiles. Efforts are underway to minimize these environmental and infrastructure impacts which include optimizing deicer application and the use of alternative deicing chemicals. Despite these negative effects, the benefits of deicers to public safety ensures they will be utilized for years to come.

Overview of Deicing Chemicals

Several different types of deicing chemicals exist. Those covered this section include chloride-based deicers, acetate-based deicers, and carbohydrates. A list of the chemicals approved for use by the MNDOT can be found here.

Chlorides

The chloride-based deicers discussed in this section are sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and calcium chloride (CaCl2). In general, chloride-based deicers are the least expensive deicers on the market.

Sodium Chloride. Sodium chloride is the most common deicer used in Minnesota and across the U.S. (Sleeper, 2013). In the Twin Cities Metro Area (TCMA) alone, it is estimated that 349,000 tons of sodium chloride is used each year (Sander et al., 2007). Sodium chloride is usually sold as a solid, though it can be purchased as pre-wetted or a brine solution. The lowest practical melting temperature is 15°F (Local Road Research Board, 2012). Magnesium Chloride. Magnesium chloride can be purchased as either flakes, pellets, or a liquid, and is often wetted and added to sodium chloride to help improve deicing performance. Magnesium chloride’s lowest practical melting temperature is -10°F. Calcium Chloride. Calcium chloride can be purchased as either flakes, pellets, or as a liquid, and is often wetted and added to sodium chloride to improve deicing performance.. Its lowest practical melting temperature is -20°F (Local Road Research Board, 2012). Calcium chloride is also corrosive.

Acetates

Acetate-based deicers are often used in areas where the use of chloride-based deicers is limited. Acetate-based deicers discussed in this section include, Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA), potassium acetate (KAc), and sodium acetate (NaAc). Much of the information provided here is based on studies and experiences using CMA.

Advantages of acetates include the following.

  • Marginally corrosive to steel (Fortin, et al 2014).
  • Biodegradable (Local Road Research Board, 2012)

Disadvantages of acetates include the following.

  • Reacts with and corrodes zinc so it would affect galvanized steel (Fortin, et al 2014).
  • Potentially results in anoxic conditions as they break down (Levelton Consultants Ltd., 2008).
  • Requires more material relative to salt to get comparable ice melting. An extra 20 to 70 percent more by weight is estimated to be needed (NRC, 1991).
  • Does not perform as well as chloride based deicers at temperatures below -5°C during heavy snowfall and freezing rain events (NRC, 1991).

Acetates include the following.

  • Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA). CMA is probably the most common acetate-based deicer. It can be purchased as either a powder, crystals, pellets, or liquids. CMA has a lowest practical melting temperature of 20°F (Local Road Research Board, 2012).
  • Potassium Acetate (KAc). KAc is usually purchased as a liquid and has a lowest practical melting temperature of -15°F (Local Road Research Board, 2012).