A SALT-FREE DIET FOR AILING ROADS?

This brief article advocates the use of a new material, called Clearway CMA, instead of rock salt for de-icing roads. Clearway CMA consists of pellets of calcium magnesium acetate, and costs 20 times as much per tonne as rock salt. However it could save money in the long term because bridges and other concrete structures are not harmed by it. According to the manufacturers, BP Chemicals, the savings could be as much as 550 per tonne if the expenses of repairs to bridges are taken into account. Studies undertaken by the American Federal Highway Administration show that Clearway CMA is between 5-10 times less corrosive than solutions of rock salt when tested on metals and alloys. Clearway CMA is also said to be less harmful to the environment. It decays into ions of calcium, magnesium and acetate, which are all said to be harmless. The acetate ion does not corrode materials and breaks down in soil to water and carbon dioxide. Further tests are being carried out to acertain the toxicity of Clearway CMA to several species of tree.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Magazines Limited

  Holborn Group, King's Reach Tower, Stamford Street
  London SE1 9LS,   England 
• Authors:
  • Coghlan, A
• Publication Date: 1990-2-17

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 34
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 125
  • Issue Number: 1704
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acetates; Calcium; Corrosion; Corrosion resistance; Corrosive materials; Costs; Deicing chemicals; Magnesium; Toxicity; Vegetation; Winter maintenance
• Old TRIS Terms: Corrosivity
• ITRD Terms: 7385: Acetate; 7178: Calcium; 5252: Corrosion; 224: Cost; 2598: Deicing; 7188: Magnesium; 2142: Toxicity; 2488: Vegetation; 2593: Winter maintenance
• Subject Areas: Finance; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00605911
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1991 12:00AM