CHEMESTRY PROJECT T4

Stephano Raymond: research

Martin Amir: research

Youssef Maged: Writing

Yassin Mohamed: revision

Mohamed Esam: revision

 Anti-icing has been a problem in the United States because of cost, mechanical, and
chemical effects on streets due to the high salt contents in the anti-icing agents that damage the
road and decrease its frictional effectiveness over time. Also, some have unforeseeable and
irreversible environmental effect. So, we conducted a study about the effects of sodium chloride
(NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) to determine overall which
anti-icing agent is the most respective of the criteria above.

NaCl was used extensively in the past for anti-icing; it had satisfactory results by
delaying the formation of ice by 42.6 min at -2c. At the time scientists thought it had minimal
effects; however, today it is thought that long-term application of NaCl results in the dissolution
of calcium hydroxide according to the reaction shown in the Equation:
2NaC + Ca (OH)2 → CaCl2 + 2NaOH.
This reaction in turn outcomes in the dissolution of Ca (OH)2, which leads to an upsurge in
penetrability in the proximity of the exposed exterior. Furthermore, the product of this reaction,
calcium chloride, can react with the aluminate phases C3A in the cement paste and form
chloroaluminate crystals. Formation of these crystals can negatively alter the long-term ice
endurance of concrete surfaces in use under field exposure concentrations.

CaCl2 is considered the most effective anti-ice agent. It is proven that at -7C (20F),
CaCl2 has 22% more penetration after 10 minutes and 38% after 30 minutes than MgCl2. Also,
it reaches lower temperatures with a practical effective temperature between -23 and-32C;
however, Calcium chloride reacts with calcium hydroxide to form hydrated calcium oxychloride
3Ca (OH)2 + CaCl2 + 12H2O → 3CaO CaCl215H2O, which causes concrete deterioration at
low temperatures such as 5–10 C. Formation of the calcium oxychloride, can produce hydraulic
pressure that can result to deterioration of the hydrated cement paste. Concretes with M-S-H tend
to develop shrinkage cracks, which leads to the crumbling of the hydrated cement paste.

MgCl2 is known to be less effective than CaCl2, slow response time, and more
expensive; however, it is exothermic, less corrosive than calcium chloride or sodium chloride,
and slightly more environmentally friendly toward the environment. Ca (OH)2 + MgCl2 →
CaCl2 + Mg (OH)2, C-S-H + MgCl2 → CaCl2 + M-S-H; According to the equations before, Mg
(OH)2 simply replaces the gel phase, calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H). Mg (OH)2 causes
weakening of the concrete by exerting expansion from the pressure and introducing micro-
fracturing. Even more, calcium chloride (CaCl2) is formed which contributes to formation of the
calcium oxychloride phase. Because Mg2+ and Cl2 interact with cement hydration products by
reducing calcium hydroxide and decalcinating C-S-H, the cement paste structure becomes more
porous, with a net result being lowers strengths and higher porosity.
 Overall, we would choose MgCl2 due to its superior environmental friendliness, lower
corrosivity; however, due to its higher price it might deter the majority of governments and
people. So, it is the researcher’s duty to develop new anti-icing agents in order to fulfill most of
the requirements to be an excellent quality efficient agent.
Sources
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3041&context=jtrp
https://www.ebpsupply.com/blog/ice-melt-types
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326456672_Anti-
icing_Properties_on_Surfaces_through_a_Functional_Composite_Effect_of_Ionic_Salts