From safety on the road to comfort in the home, chemistry is behind many of the technologies and solutions that make winter safer. Without key products like de-icing salts and antifreeze, for example, it would be much more challenging to get around on the roads in the winter months. This article explores how chemistry has been used to improve our lives during the cold winter months.
The Chemistry of De-Icing: Keeping Roads Clear and Safe
More than 20 states in the United States experience average winter temperatures below the freezing point of water, and many other states experience temperatures low enough to freeze water at least a few days each winter. When precipitation and freezing temps combine, dangerous road conditions can occur. De-icing helps keep roads safe even when sub-zero temps come calling.
Freezing point depression is the lowering of the freezing point of solvents through the addition of solutes. Transportation agencies add chemicals to roads to keep pooled moisture from freezing. Salts like sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and magnesium chloride (MgCL2) can be added to roadways before winter storms. When water from precipitation combines with those solutes, the resulting solution has a lower freezing point than water alone:
- NaCl: Freezing point depressed to -10 degrees C
- MgCL2: Freezing point depressed to -15 degrees C
- CaCl2: Freezing point depressed to -29 degrees C
Sodium chloride is abundant, easy to store and apply, and popular across much of the United States. Cities, towns, and states use it for roadways, and many businesses and homeowners use rock salt to de-ice patios, steps, and sidewalks. However, adding so much sodium chloride to the environment has negative consequences, leading to greater interest in de-icers that support freezing point depression that aren't as harmful to infrastructure and vegetation.
As a result, there is growing interest in alternative de-icing solutions that reduce these effects while still leveraging the power of chemistry. Options like calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and potassium acetate are increasingly popular. These compounds are less corrosive and biodegradable, making them more environmentally friendly choices for keeping roads, sidewalks, and steps clear during winter storms.
Antifreeze: Protecting Engines From the Cold
The same chemistry concepts help protect engines from damage during the winter. Antifreeze, which is made with either ethylene glycol (C₂H₆O₂) or propylene glycol (C₃H₈O₂) depresses the freezing point of water that may be in an engine. Antifreeze is also designed to raise the boiling point of liquid water. The resulting protection is that water is less likely to freeze inside a motor, expanding and causing cracks and other damage. It's also less likely to boil off, leaving the motor without necessary cooling or lubrication.
The overall freezing point depression depends on the ratio of antifreeze to water and the composition of the product. It's important to maintain the right levels of antifreeze in engines to combat the effects of average temperatures in specific areas.
Ethylene glycol formulations are most common. However, ethylene glycol is toxic, while propylene glycol is generally considered safe in some formulations as a food additive. Because of this, propylene glycol is increasingly popular as a safer, more environmentally friendly option.
Insulation Materials: The Chemistry of Heat Retention
When cold weather sets in, staying warm at home or in buildings is critical for comfort and safety. Insulation materials play a key role in maintaining indoor temperatures by minimizing heat loss and reducing energy consumption. Common insulation materials, including fiberglass, polyurethane foam, and expanded polystyrene, reduce heat flow transfer to keep heat or cold in or out. These thermal barriers significantly enhance energy efficiency in buildings compared to older methods, such as uninsulated or poorly insulated structures that allowed substantial heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Advances in modern insulation materials, developed over the past century, have revolutionized building design by reducing energy consumption and improving indoor comfort.
The impact of insulation is measured in R-value. The average R-values for common insulation materials are:
- Fiberglass: 2.9 to 4.3 per inch – A long-standing option, modern fiberglass insulation now incorporates recycled glass and innovative binding agents to improve durability and environmental impact.
- Polyurethane foam: 5.6 to 8.0 per inch – Continuous advancements have made spray polyurethane foam more efficient, with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) formulations improving indoor air quality during application.
- Polystyrene foam: around 3.8 per inch – Expanded and extruded polystyrene products now often include additives to increase moisture resistance and thermal performance, making them even more effective for a range of applications.
- Aerogel insulation: R-value of 10 or higher per inch – A newer option, aerogel is an ultra-lightweight material derived from silica. Known for its exceptional thermal resistance and ultra-thin profile, aerogel is increasingly used in high-tech applications and sustainable building projects to maximize energy efficiency.
A higher R-value means greater insulating effectiveness. Polyurethane foam is especially effective because its chemical structure allows it to expand to fill gaps or hard-to-reach places, resulting in a more comprehensive thermal barrier. Polystyrene foam boards are a favorite in construction because they also offer good insulating value and are resistant to water.
Chemistry: The Science Behind Winter Solutions
Chemistry plays a critical role in supporting safety, convenience, and comfort during winter. Ascensus Specialties works to provide high-performance chemical solutions various industries throughout all times of the year. For advanced chemical solutions tailored to your needs, contact Ascensus Specialties today.