MadSci Network: Chemistry |
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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