What Is Calcium Chloride (Ice Melt)?

Winter is coming. It is that exciting time of the year of fireplaces, hot drinks, warm clothes, and unfortunately, ice. The best way to deal with snow and ice is to be ready to tackle any winter weather condition with the best ice melt products. There are many types of ice melts: rock salt (sodium chloride), magnesium chloride, and calcium сhloride.

While there are many types of ice melts on the market, in this article we will be focusing on calcium chloride, and its range of uses.

What Is Calcium Chloride?

Calcium chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaCl2. It has a crystalized and solid form at room temperature, but the second it meets moisture, it produces heat. This is the reason why it is mostly used in de-icing products as an alternative to rock salts. Calcium chloride ice melt is becoming increasingly popular in the de-icing field as well as its many other applications. The reasons for its de-icing popularity include its high performance even in lower temperatures, its effectiveness even in small doses, and its eco-friendliness. Once calcium chloride gets in contact with ice and snow, it forms brine that quickly melts whatever it comes in contact with. 

The Uses of Calcium Chloride

What can calcium chloride be used for? As mentioned above, calcium chloride has a variety of applications in addition to being used as a powerful de-icing product. Calcium chloride is widely used in the food industry as a preservative or additive in food preparation; it is also used in appliances such as refrigerators, self-heating devices, and refrigeration plants; also, in pool chemicals and water treatment plants. Calcium chloride is primarily used as a de-icing product because of its fast-acting melting capabilities. Calcium chloride ice melt is a leader in the ice removal industry because it is powerful, yet safe for the environment. 

Ice Removal

Calcium chloride ice melt is mostly used as a de-icing product, but let’s take a closer look at what makes calcium chloride the superhero of snow removal. Calcium chloride melts snow much faster than other de-icing products because when it gets in contact with moisture it forms ice-melting brine faster than any other compound. Calcium chloride ice melt pierces into the ice faster and melts it at almost double the rate of some other products and this is even more accentuated in colder temperatures. For example, calcium chloride can melt ice and snow at as low as -25°F(-31.7°C) and during the most dramatic winter conditions where we witness heavy snowstorms. Calcium chloride is superior in lower temperatures and works even faster under those conditions. 

Dust Control

American gravel, backroads, and unpaved roads have been treated with calcium chloride for dust control for over a century. Calcium chloride dust control is an effective and affordable way to minimize the dispersion of dust and sand that can occur on unpaved roads. Even in hot and dry conditions, calcium chloride’s compound will absorb moisture from the air and keep the roads damp and dust-free. With every application of calcium chloride, you strengthen the integrity of the road and therefore minimize maintenance costs that can occur with ordinary wear and tear. 

Food Preparation

Finding calcium chloride in foods and beverages is extremely common, it is safe to use according to the FDA. The reason we use calcium chloride in the food industry is simply to extend the shelf life of many different types and categories of food. Calcium chloride will ensure the integrity of the texture and flavor of the product. Some foods that you might find calcium chloride in include pickles, cheese, tofu, and beers just to name a few.

Self-Heating Devices

Calcium chloride has many unique abilities that make this a useful product. For example, commercial hot packs will primarily contain calcium chloride because of its fast-acting abilities to convert solid crystals into heat-emitting brine. 

Keep Things Dry

Calcium chloride is even used in dehumidifiers to collect the moisture in the air and prevent high levels of humidity and mildew. On a grander scale, calcium chloride is an affordable drying agent and can be used to keep everything dry from foods to laboratory agents used in experiments. The drying capacity of сalcium сhloride is at 98% which is very significant.

How Does Calcium Chloride Melt Snow And Ice?

Calcium chloride is a special inorganic compound with the ability to melt ice faster in lower temperatures in a safe way; but how does it work? As soon as the calcium chloride gets in contact with the ice, it forms a solution called brine, faster than most deicing products on the market today. Calcium chloride has hygroscopic properties which allow it to attract moisture from the air. This allows the calcium chloride which can be used in pellet or flake form to not just melt the ice faster, but also keep the ice from forming there in the future. As previously mentioned, calcium chloride ice melt is safest to use on concrete roads as well, for there is less corrosion from it than any other de-icing product. 

The Benefits of Calcium Chloride on Sidewalks, Driveways, and Roadways

Calcium chloride is an impressive ice melting product, but let’s take a deep dive and fully understand what its benefits are:

• High-performing in low temperatures: There are many de-icing products on the market but not all these products have the same properties. When it comes to melting ice in low temperatures, including Midwest U.S. temperatures, you need a product that you can rely on. Normally, ice will form in the lower temperatures and cake the sidewalks, pathways, and driveways. Using calcium chloride will prevent slip-and-falls and other injuries.
• Improving soil structure: Calcium chloride protects the roads from further damages that can occur in the winter months with other de-icing products. It is efficient enough to use only in small quantities while causing the least amount of damage for concrete surfaces and improving the soil structure on unpaved roads, sidewalks, and driveways.
• Eco-friendly: Calcium chloride for driveways will keep your pets safe, not just from slippage. Calcium chloride is safe for plants, humans, and animals, and using it will keep your water supplies safe as well.

To sum up, some of the benefits of calcium chloride: cost-effective, efficient, productive, fast-acting, and safe.

Where to Buy Calcium Chloride?

Calcium chloride is a must-have for the winter season. Your clients will want you to use the best de-icing products on their lots, driveways, pathways, sidewalks, and roads. To be able to service your clients you will need a supplier that you can trust. At Ninja De-Icer, you can get calcium chloride ice melt and you can rely on us to keep you fully stocked through the whole season. Get a quote today!