What is the Difference Between Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride?

Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are both ice melters used to help remove ice and snow from surfaces during winter. However, they have some differences in their properties and effectiveness:

1. Concentration: Calcium chloride ice melt is applied at higher concentrations (32-38%) than magnesium chloride (21-25%). This means that calcium chloride is stronger and less product is needed to achieve the same effect.
2. Penetration and Melting Speed: Calcium chloride penetrates ice faster than magnesium chloride and can melt ice at lower temperatures, as low as -25ºF (-32ºC). In comparison, magnesium chloride's melting action is slower and less effective at lower temperatures.
3. Environmental Impact: Magnesium chloride is considered more environmentally friendly than calcium chloride, as it is less harmful to lawns, vegetation, and pets. However, both chemicals are moderately corrosive and can cause damage to unprotected concrete and metals.
4. Temperature Effectiveness: Calcium chloride is effective down to -25ºF (-32ºC), while magnesium chloride's effectiveness becomes impractically slow at temperatures below 0ºF (-18ºC).
5. Quantity Required: Magnesium chloride is a hexahydrate salt, meaning it is 53% water by weight. This makes the solid product more dilute, requiring more to be applied to achieve the same level of effectiveness as calcium chloride.

In summary, calcium chloride is a more effective ice melter, penetrating and melting ice faster than magnesium chloride, particularly at lower temperatures. However, magnesium chloride is considered more environmentally friendly and less harmful to vegetation and pets.

Comparative Table: Calcium Chloride vs Magnesium Chloride

Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are both salt compounds containing cations and anions, and they are solids at room temperature that are highly soluble in water. They are used for dust control, but they have some differences. Here is a table comparing their key properties:

Both calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are important dust control agents, but calcium chloride is more effective as an ice melter and may provide extended dust control due to its larger, heavier molecules.