Chemistry of Deicing Roads: Penetrating Ice

Abstract

Experimental measurements of the rates at which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, urea, and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) penetrate ice are consistent with a theory developed to predict this rate. These measurements and theory complement earlier studies of the rate at which ice can be debonded from road pavement. The mass transfer coefficients found from the penetration measurements are similar to those found from spinning ice disks, but are much less than those found for debonding. Possible reasons for this discrepancy and the steps that limit road deicing are discussed.