Trost, Susan E.

The rates for breaking the bond between ice and road surfaces have been measured as a function of the temperature, the type of road surface, and the chemical application. Surfaces of asphalt, concrete, and brick gave indistinguishable results. Chemicals used included sodium chloride, calcium chloride, urea, and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). The results are analyzed in terms of the maximum areas undercut and the rates at which the areas are undercut. The areas for all chemicals can be correlated with arguments based on freezing point depression. The rates seem consistent with mass transfer correlations.

Experimental measurements of the rates at which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, urea and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) penetrate ice are consistent with a theory developed to predict this rate. The speed of this penetration can thus be compared with the speed of other steps in road deicing.