MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: What can be added to water in order to lower it's freezing point.

Date: Tue Oct 6 09:34:37 1998
Posted By: Susan Rollinson, Other (pls. specify below), organic chemistry, Alleghany Micro
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 906694951.Ch
Message:

The short answer: Generally, anything that dissolves in water will lower 
the freezing point.

Page 452 of "The Chemist’s Companion" (Gordon & Ford, 1972, available in 
most college/university libraries) lists several ice/salt mixtures and the 
lowest temperatures they have been recorded to support.

The best seems to be calcium chloride (commonly available for deicing 
sidewalks), although common rock salt (sodium chloride) also works well. 
Organic solvents (alcohols, acetone, ethylene glycol) would be less 
corrosive, but more flammable and volatile.

You’ll have to experiment and decide for yourself how corrosive and 
effective different chemicals are in the application you have in mind. 



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