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M. Gruber, B. Hofko:
"Comparing the Deicing Performance and Skid Resistance of Liquid Deicing Agents";
Poster: Transportation Research Board (TRB) 101st Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. (invited); 2021-01-25 - 2021-01-29.

Due to its unrivalled cost-benefit-ratio, the application of sodium chloride (NaCl) as deicing agent in winter maintenance is very common around the world. However, the usage is accompanied not only by the unconsidered damages of corrosion on vehicles and infrastructure, but also, and probably with more extensive long-term consequences, by salinization of the surrounding flora and groundwater. In this paper, alternative liquid deicing agents, such as solutions of potassium formate (CHKO2), potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and alcohol-based products (Ethanol C2H6O and propylene glycol C3H8O2) are identified and compared to NaCl regarding deicing performance and skid reduction. The former is evaluated with a slightly modified laboratory test method developed at TU Wien, the latter with help of the skid resistance measuring device GripTester MK2 by Findlay Irvine. Results show that potassium formate (CHKO2) has the best deicing performance compared to NaCl. Regarding skid resistance, a slight reduction can be seen for all alternative deicing agents, with potassium formate solution (CHKO2) having the least negative impact on grip with a reduction up to 10 % compared to NaCl.
For ranking of the different products, further research is needed, especially with consideration of price and follow up costs due to damages on pavement materials, vehicles and infrastructure, and also most importantly, impact on the environment. For now, the substitution of NaCl with potassium formate (CHKO2) is only advisable in exposed areas, such as in areas adjoining unsealed areas, based on the positive effects of potassium formate on ground water deterioration compared to NaCl.

deicing performance, alternative liquid deicing agents, winter maintenance, snow and ice removal, skid resistance, grip, griptester mk2, ice-melting test