Deicing Products > Commercial > Cryotech CF7®
Performance
Prewetting Agent
CF7 is an effective prewetting agent for CMA, road salt, other solid deicers, and sand. Because CF7 has a very low freezing point (-60°C / -76°F) and is a clear liquid free from matter in suspension, it significantly improves the performance of solids and does not clog spray nozzles. Application rates follow, and should be considered starting points, as local conditions have a significant effect on fluid requirements.
Anti-icer
CF7 is an effective anti-icer, sprayed on the pavement before precipitation actually starts. A high traction film then exists to prevent adhesion of ice and snow, which is then mechanically removed. Uniform coverage and frequent plowing to prevent fluid dilution are important considerations in an anti-icing program. This technique is commonly used to keep bridge decks from freezing.
Deicer
Experience suggests that CF7, when used as a deicer, may be applied in an even film or in bands on 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) centers. Banding the fluid minimizes dilution from melting, allowing CF7 to penetrate to the pavement to break the bonds of ice and snow prior to mechanical removal. Suggested application rates follow. CF7 is also used as an aid to solid deicers in heavy ice situations. Here, a solid deicer is first applied to punch holes in the ice. Then, CF7 is applied over the top, penetrating through the holes to the surface, quickly breaking the ice-to-pavement bonds so that mechanical removal can be more easily accomplished.
This freezing point curve will help determine how much dilution CF7 can tolerate before reapplication is necessary to prevent freezing
The product viscosity chart will help determine pump requirements in application equipment at various temperatures.
The refreeze temperatures and performance of CMA and KAc (Cryotech CF7®), are addressed in the following excerpt from the Federal Highway Administration's Manual of Practice for an Effective Anti-icing Program: A Guide for Highway Winter Maintenance Personnel.
B.4 CMA and KAc (CF7)
The curve for CMA (Figure 17) was determined from different percent concentration solutions made by dissolving commercially available CMA supplied in a dry pellet form. The curve for KAc (CF7) was determined using a commercially available liquid form of KAc (CF7). The eutectic temperature for the CMA water system in Figure 17 is -27.5°C (-17.5°F) at a concentration of 32.5 percent. The eutectic for the KAc (CF7) - water system is -60°C (-76°F) at a concentration of 49 percent. The curves for the CMA and KAc (CF7) almost coincide with each other. Also, they have a much flatter slope than the other three curves. This is an important feature of both CMA and KAc (CF7) solutions. The refreeze temperature of CMA and KAc (CF7) solutions rises slower with dilution than do the refreeze temperatures of either NaCl, CaCl2, or MgCl2. This feature makes them well suited for being used in a liquid form during anti-icing treatments. This is especially true for their use in a liquid form for the pretreatment of bridge decks in anticipation of frosting, or localized icing conditions.
Figure 17
Other Applications
CF7 can also be used to:
CF7 is also used in the creation of Cryotech CMAK, a blend of liquid CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) and CF7. CMAK is recommended for use in automated anti-icing systems. Containing no chlorides, it combines the low-corrosion properties of CMA with the high performance of potassium acetates. CMAK has a lower freezing point (<25F) than pure CMA, but retains many of CMA's attributes such as safety for steel embedded in bridge decks and parking garages. See MSDS for additional information.
Corrosion
Because CF7 is acetate based, it is compatible with most materials and is generally considered non-corrosive. Special corrosion inhibitors have been added to provide the same level of protection as E36, Cryotech's airport approved liquid deicer.
Avoid CF7 Use
Shelf Life
CF7 is stable and may be stored indefinitely if kept in clean, closed containers. Containers not adequately sealed may exhibit biological growth as a result of the fluid prematurely biodegrading. CF7 stored in rusty or contaminated containers may experience a reduction in inhibitor concentration and/or show fluid discoloration.
