MAG-full control on ice and dust

PRODUCT’S SPECIFICATION:

Chemical composition: Magnesium chloride hexahydrate flakes
Chemical formula:                                              MgCl2 • 6H2O
Chemical                                                           % (percent)
Magnesium chloride                                           46.0-47.5%
Calcium chloride                                                  2.0-3.0%
Sodium chloride                                                  0.5-1.0%
Potassium chloride                                             0.2-1.0%
Sulfates                                                               0.02% usual
Volume density                                                 0.79-0.85 kg/L3
49.33-53.08 lb/ft3
Freezing point                                                  -270 F @ 22% Solution (Saturated)
MAG® – FULL CONTROL ON ICE – Ice melting performance
The ice melting performance is measured not only by the speed of the melting action, but also by the quantities of melted water produced for a unit of the used ice melting measure. The following graphic compares the ice melting performance of MAG®, calcium chloride and sodium chloride. The test have been performed by the Swedish VTI by spreading of 10 grams of each melting agent uniformly on frozen surface 21oF. As shown by the tests, MAG® is a highly efficient ice melting agent and the comparison with calcium chloride is in its favour.

Comparison of actual and eutectic melting points of selected ice melting chemicals:

*Data from the literature, labeling and known scientific data

MAG® – ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS – CHLORIDE CONTENTS

MAG® contains less polluting chlorides

A great concern for the environment is the quantity of chlorides released in our lakes, rivers and reservoirs. As show on the next graphic, MAG® contains much less chlorides at outflow.
MAG® contains 22%, 29%, 39% and 43% less chlorides than potassium chloride, calcium chloride 77%, calcium chloride 90% and sodium chloride, accordingly. Obviously MAG® is the better choice for the environment among the high performance ice melters.

MAG® – ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS – EFFECT ON CONCRETE

MAG® affects concrete less than calcium chloride and sodium chloride

All ice melting chemicals lower the freezing point of the water and increase the freezing/thawing cycles’ number. As a result of the recurring freezing and expansion of the water, the concrete surfaces tend to crush, to form flakes or to break into small pieces. New concrete surfaces and poor quality concrete are especially susceptible to crushing (the ice melting chemicals should not be used on concrete less than a tear old). As shown here below in the test carried out by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), National Research Institute, Washington DC, the use of MAG® as ice melter resulted in substantially less concrete crushing compared to the calcium chloride and the sodium chloride.

3% test concentration of brine were used, because the brine as ice melter is usually diluted by itself to that level soon after its laying. After 15 cycles of freezing/thawing, the use of sodium chloride resulted in over 63 times and the calcium chloride resulted in over 26 times more aggregate loss of concrete than MAG®.

MAG® – ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS – CORROSION OF METALS

MAG® corrodes tin and aluminum less than calcium chloride and sodium chloride

The corrosion caused by ice melters incurs uncountable damages to metal surfaces and constructions. A test performed by Kaliforschungsinstitut in Germany given in summery in the diagram here below shows that MAG® is producing substantially less corrosion than calcium chloride and sodium chloride.

MAG® – PERSONAL SAFETY – TOXICITY

MAG® is substantially less toxic than the salt and the calcium chloride

The accidental ingestion by pets, animals and children is a concern for all of us. MAG® is much safer than all other popular ice melting chemicals, because he has very low toxicity. The following is a diagram of popular chemical substances (and some not so widely spread) and their levels LD50 (lethal dose 50%). D50 is the quantity of a substance (in mg per kg body mass) expected to kill 50% of the test animals in a controlled research. The bigger the LD50 number is, the less toxic is the materials. As shown in the data, MAG® is less toxic than the baking soda and the table salt, chemicals we ingest every day. When compared to other ice melting chemicals. MAG® is much less toxic and much safer for use around animals, pets and humans.

MAG® – PERSONAL SAFETY – SKIN IRRITATION

MAG® irritates less the skin

MAG®, unlike the calcium chloride, is not very exothermic (generating heat) at the first contact with moist skin surfaces. It is not probable the magnesium chloride to irritate the skin, nor to burn the skin, when it comes into contact with moist skin surfaces.
MAG® is more safe for plants. When used according to the instructions, MAG® is safer for use around plants and bushes. In fact, the magnesium chloride is used as a component in some fertilizers.