NEW BIODEGRADABLE ROAD DE-ICER FROM BP

A new high-performance environmentally benign solid de-icer is now available in the U.K. from BP Chemicals. Clearway (registered trademark) CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) is a granular de-icer made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid. In tests, CMA has shown itself to be at least as effective, if not more so, than rock salt. CMA penetrates the surface of the snow and breaks the bond between the road and snow or ice, preventing the formation of a dense snow pack during heavy snowfall. Less soluble than salt, it is slightly slower to act, but its persistence on the road surface means that in the long run fewer applications are needed. Compared to salt it leaves no significant staining so road markigs remain clearly visible and, as far as storage and handling are concerned, CMA is very similar to salt. In comparative immersion corrosion tests on mild steel, carried out by the U.K. Transport Road and Research Laboratories, CMA caused no corrosion whereas water, urea and sodium chloride all exhibited significant corrosive properties. As far as the environment is concerned, Clearway CMA breaks down into plant nutrients, believed to enhance plant growth by improving the permeability of soil to air and water. The cost of CMA is twenty times that of salt, but this does not include the cost of corrosion.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3831968
• Corporate Authors:

  D.R. Publications Limited

  Faversham House, 111 St James Road
  Croydon, Surrey CR9 2TH,   England 
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 42
• Serial:
  • Highways
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue Number: 1959
  • Publisher: Alad Limited
  • ISSN: 0142-6168
  • Serial URL: http://www.highways-mag.co.uk

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodegradability; Calcium magnesium acetate; Corrosion; Costs; Deicers (Equipment); Environmental impacts; Measures of effectiveness; Performance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deicers; Effectiveness
• Subject Areas: Environment; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00494476
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM