FINE TUNING CMA FOR CORROSION CONTROL

This article discusses some examples of transportation agencies that are maximizing tax dollars through their efficient use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) to prevent corrosion. Michigan is using CMA to battle bridge corrosion on the Zilwaukee Bridge, the City and County of Denver are using CMA to keep their new viaducts deiced without the corrosive effects experienced with salt and other chemicals, and Lincoln, Nebraska, while concerned initially about the price, is using CMA on a new elevated roadway after concluding that CMA is the best way to use a deicer and still protect the structure. The highway maintenance department in Norfolk, Nebraska turned to CMA for snow and ice control at the junction of highways 275 and 81 because the department has a two-mile stretch of new concrete in a highly commercialized area with lots of stopping and turning. It avoids the detrimental effect of salt on the new pavement and is more effective than sand or slag. As these transportation agencies all observed, learning to use a new deicing product takes time and patience. The differences between salt and CMA must be learned, which is primarily a training issue. Applying the proper quantity of material, knowing when to apply CMA, and taking into consideration other important factors such as temperature and humidity are all part of what must be learned in order to get the best results from the use of CMA. While CMA's greatest drawback is its price ($650 per ton, delivered), the cost of vehicle corrosion and infrastructure repair is far more expensive.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Corporate Authors:

  Public Works Journal Corporation

  200 South Broad Street
  Ridgewood, NJ  United States  07451
• Authors:
  • Harrach, N
  • Wyatt, J
• Publication Date: 1990-7

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 40-41
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 121
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calcium magnesium acetate; Corrosion protection; Cost effectiveness; Measures of effectiveness; Snow and ice control
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00496680
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM