How to Choose the Right Snow Melter?

Among the commonly used chemicals for snow melting in winter, industrial salt (mainly composed of sodium chloride) and calcium chloride are the mainstream options. They differ significantly in characteristics, and choosing the right one is essential to balance deicing efficiency, cost, safety. The key lies in making a decision based on specific application scenarios and environmental requirements.

From the perspective of scenario adaptation:

1. For municipal roads and large parking lots, which cover a wide area and require large dosage, the "mixed type of industrial salt + a small amount of calcium chloride" is preferred. Industrial salt is affordable (approximately RMB 800 per ton) and suitable for large-scale application, but it can only melt snow at temperatures above -9℃. Adding 10%-20% calcium chloride (which has a freezing point as low as -55℃) enables it to cope with temperatures around -15℃, while also reducing the dosage of industrial salt and minimizing corrosion to road surfaces.

2. For scenarios with greenery and floor tiles, such as residential sidewalks and courtyards, pure granular calcium chloride is recommended. Industrial salt has a high salt content; its residues easily seep into the gaps of floor tiles, causing hollowing, and can also dehydrate and kill lawns and shrubs. In contrast, calcium chloride causes less harm to plants, and its corrosiveness to floor tiles is 60% lower than that of industrial salt. Additionally, it melts snow quickly, with only 30 grams needed per square meter to take effect.

3. For private driveways and rooftops, where protection of vehicles and building materials is required, pure calcium chloride is more suitable. Residues of industrial salt can corrode car tires and undercarriages, and may even damage the waterproof layer of rooftops. Calcium chloride not only has a low freezing point and can quickly melt thin ice, but also has weak corrosiveness to metals and waterproof materials. A small amount of it can prevent re-freezing for 4-6 hours, reducing the need for repeated application.