Functions, Principles and Dosage of Magnesium Chloride in De-Icing Agents

As a professional magnesium chloride manufacturer, Yuze would like to introduce the functions, working principles and application dosage of magnesium chloride used in deicing agents.

When magnesium chloride serves as raw material for deicers, magnesium chloride hexahydrate can be directly applied for snow melting or used as one component of blended deicing agents. For direct snow removal, magnesium chloride hexahydrate flakes or granules are spread on road surfaces before snowfall. Once snow contacts the ground, it melts gradually. When adopted as a raw material, magnesium chloride hexahydrate is mixed with other ingredients in certain proportions and pelletized into finished deicer granules. A typical formulation is magnesium chloride hexahydrate : calcium chloride dihydrate : sodium chloride : calcium magnesium acetate : corrosion inhibitor = 3:3:2:1:1. The mixing ratio is adjustable according to client requirements, such as target lowtemperature resistance and technical specifications.

Functions

It rapidly melts surface snow and ice. After dissolution, it greatly lowers the freezing point of water and disrupts ice crystal structures to prevent refreezing of melted water. It helps avoid traffic paralysis on urban roads caused by snow and ice, and reduces accidents and economic losses induced by icy pavement.

Deicing Mechanism

1. Hygroscopic effect Both magnesium chloride hexahydrate and anhydrous magnesium chloride feature strong moisture absorption. When snow comes into contact with the product, it absorbs meltwater and initiates melting of surface snow and ice.

2. Freezing point depression Dissolved magnesium chloride hexahydrate fully dissociates into magnesium and chloride ions, raising the ion concentration of meltwater and forming concentrated brine. Its freezing point is far below 0 ℃ of pure water. The melted brine remains liquid and hardly refreezes at temperatures from 10 ℃ to 15 ℃.

3. Ice crystal structure destruction Free magnesium and chloride ions disturb the ordered arrangement of water molecules in ice crystals, breaking the stable structure of hard ice and loosening ice layers to speed up deeplayer melting. Its overall deicing efficiency is around 30% higher than traditional rock salt.

Application Dosage（dry spreading of magnesium chloride granules, reference values for magnesium chloride hexahydrate and anhydrous magnesium chloride）

Less dosage is required for pretreatment before snowfall. For deep snow, mechanical snow removal is recommended prior to chemical spreading.

· 0～5 ℃, thin ice / light snow Antiicing: 2540 g/㎡; Snow & ice melting: 4060 g/㎡

· 5～10 ℃, moderate snow and icy roads Antiicing: 4060 g/㎡; Snow & ice melting: 60100 g/㎡

· 10～15 ℃, thick ice and severely cold sections Antiicing: 80100 g/㎡; Snow & ice melting: 100150 g/㎡

Anhydrous magnesium chloride contains higher active ingredients, so the application rate can be cut by 15%20% under identical conditions. Different from magnesium chloride hexahydrate, anhydrous magnesium chloride generates heat during hydration to assist snow melting. Magnesium chloride hexahydrate boasts obvious cost advantages and is suitable for largescale regular winter road maintenance. Magnesium chloride granules have uniform particle size. When spread by spreader trucks, they distribute evenly and show good flowability. Faster working speed brings higher operating efficiency. Compared with magnesium chloride hexahydrate flakes, magnesium chloride granules are less prone to caking.

Yuze, an experienced magnesium chloride manufacturer with 13year experience, supplies highquality magnesium chloride hexahydrate, anhydrous magnesium chloride and magnesium chloride granules. If you have any inquiries about magnesium chloride hexahydrate or anhydrous magnesium chloride, please feel free to contact us.